Hi,

I'm the guy Dotcaf mentioned. Me & my travel partner crossed through China. Originally booked via July Xie / Wayne, but because of political problems (borders closed after the bomb attacks in Kashgar prior to the Olympic Games, paper work frozen) he couldn't get us through. Newland Travel was able to help very(!) last minte and got us through perfectly fine.

Contact at Newland Travel was a guy called Taher. Perfect service. Unfortunately I can't tell you the price as it was a little 'off the radar', but perfectly fine. (The MD of Newland Travel knows someone at immigration in Urumqui, and so made the impossible possible for us).

You'll need 1 day from Torugart to Kashgar. Then 2 days from Kashgar via Tashkorgan to the pass into Sost.
By the way: Apparently they do a visa on arrival for Pakistan at the Sost border station. (I specifically asked them, because at the time of travel planning, I had difficulties getting the Pakistan visa in London. EVentually I got it though...)

I don't think you'll need a guide for your time in Kashgar. Just grab a taxi to go & see the Animal Market/Sunday Market. Bikes are very safe in Quiny Bagh hotel. And as long as you don't use the bikes, you can stay in Kashgar without having to pay a guide.

If it hadn't been for political/border problems, I'm sure Wayne would have been fine and I know a few other people who went with him, all OK. But as soon as China closed the borders to Kyrgyzstan, things got very difficult and the only ones who could help us were Newland Travel. (It's all described in-detail on my blog).

Hope this helps
Bjorn

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