Pamir to Karakoram - cycling the world's highest roads

Follow us on a journey across the roof of the world - the Pamir and Karakoram Highways. Eight weeks, two bicycles and four largely unexplored countries. An adventure into the most remote and rugged landscapes on our planet. Discover yaks, 8000m peaks, frozen lakes and the world’s friendliest people. Battling snow, altitude and fatigue this trip was tough enough without the added consideration of film-making. Completed in total autonomy this film captures the very essence of why we travel - an incredible feat of filmography. Adventure cycling at it’s finest.
Choose subtitle : English or French
00:00 - Introduction
01:12 - Chapter 1 : Dushanbe - Kalaikhum
09:25 - Chapter 2 : Kalaikhum - Khorog
12:50 - Chapter 3 : Khorog - Murghab
21:04 - Chapter 4 : Murghab - Kyrgyzstan
28:18 - Chapter 5 : Kyrgyzstan
35:13 - Chapter 6 : China
41:54 - Chapter 7 : Pakistan - Chapursan valley
50:05 - Chapter 8 : Sost - Gilgit
55:17 - Chapter 9 : Gilgit - Islamabad - Jhelum
59:44 - Credits
Clare and Antoine Cottet present :
PAMIR TO KARAKORAM
cycling the world’s highest roads
Supported by Halti
Filmed and directed by Antoine Cottet
Starring : Clare Cottet, Antoine Cottet
Additional cinematography : Clare Cottet, Adeel Amer
Post production : Gautier Spiser, Juliette Dravigney
Animations : Gautier Spiser
Voice over and subtitles : Clare Cottet, Antoine Cottet
We would like to thank our families and our friends.
In particular :
Waheed & Mashal Mahmood and their family
Cyril & Armony Cavalli
Thibau Lejeune
Simon Marchal
Adeel Amer
Halti for their great clothes : halti.com
MNBike for your bike check and advices : mnbike.fr
Instagram : @cottisch & @docgonewild
Website : docgonewild.com
For more details of ours adventures go on : docgonewild.com
Music in order of appearance :
Desert Winds - Jon Sumner - Epidemic Sound
Russian Dance - Joey Pecoraro - KZbin Audio Library
Oud Dance - Doug Maxwell - KZbin Audio Library
Fear the Island - Rune Dale - Epidemic Sound
Aurore’s Dream - Rune Dale - Epidemic Sound
Good Days - Cody Francis - Epidemic Sound
Golden Sea - Jon Sumner - Epidemic Sound
Synchrotron - Guy Copeland - Epidemic Sound
Remote Locations - Edward Karl Hanson - Epidemic Sound
Cherry Blossom Fall - Joseph Beg - Epidemic Sound
Humid - Ellie Davide - Epidemic Sound
An Ordinary Day - Deskant - Epidemic Sound
Shimmering Sands - Jon Bjork - Epidemic Sound
Desert Life - August Wilhelmsson - Epidemic Sound
Around the World - Deskant - Epidemic Sound
Nomadic Sunset - Alexander Nakarada
You Can See Us From the Moon - Christian Andersen - Epidemic Sound
Plastic Dragon - Jon Algar - Epidemic Sound
Rain Will Fall - Philip Ayers - Epidemic Sound
A Strange Shadow - Damon Greene - Epidemic Sound
Sacred Grounds - Christian Andersen - Epidemic Sound
Yin and Yang - Damon Greene - Epidemic Sound
Back to Beijing - Christian Andersen - Epidemic Sound
Origami Sky - Edward Karl Hanson - Epidemic Sound
Teri Akhiyan - Ruhan Kapoor, Sidhant Kapoor - Audi Network Limited
Guide Us - True Messenger - Epidemic Sound
Skilled in The Arts - Yi Nantiro - Epidemic Sound
In a Thousand Years - Christian Andersen - Epidemic Sound
Rose of Sharon - Edward Karl Hanson - Epidemic Sound
Beyond Kings and Emperors - Christian Andersen - Epidemic Sound
New Rituals - Leimoti - Epidemic Sound
Mehendi Rachnewali - Sidhant Kapoor - Audi Network Limited
Nuptse - Darren Leigh Purkiss - Audio Network Limited

[@husnakassim2044]

I wish I saw this video some 30 years ago. At 70 years old, the only way for me to travel would be via a 4-wheel drive. We intend to do this trip in mid 2022, insyallah.

[@branan6935]

Good luck. It's never too late to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

[@howardsimpson489]

Have to wait until Ukraine has settled.

[@kordfishan1051]

Pamir 🇹🇯 ♥️ Karakoram 🇵🇰

[@centrum831]

This is the most amazing thing I’ve seen on KZbin full stop.

[@senseiquickbooks4588]

As an endurance cyclist myself, i have nothing but respect for what you both have achieved... I felt i was part of your journey the entire time.. thank you from the Philippines..

[@Blanc_whait]

Not really😂

[@baxteryazbek]

What a wild beauty this Karakol

[@cottisch.]

Thank you everyone for joining us for the first showing of the film. It has been a long journey to get here and it has meant so much to us to be able to share it with you all. If you like the film, share it with everyone you know ! If you want to follow our next adventures in East Africa (hopefully starting on Friday! Yes in 3 days) then be sure to follow us on instagram @cottisch and @docgonewild or check out the blog at docgonewild.com :)

[@theyredistortingyourrhthym126]

Australia SEES

[@atckon3023]

It was really good to see your journey, hope you find what you were looking for. Great video and effort by both of you.

[@zzzck]

My friends used to cycle these roads from Dushanbe to Islamabad back in 1990 as parts of REI bike trips. I am glad things remain the same as things don't change drastically in these regions.

[@thehighlandhamster]

What a superb film. Beautifully shot. Such a great adventure too. The Pamir Highway looks epic and the Pakistan section reminded me of my trip there way back in 1997.

[@princeroadcontainerhouse4198]

Spectacular! One of the best cycling docs ever. Claire’s narration is magical.

[@ashoklal5899]

This gave me a new appreciation for life and nature,

[@papi_dek2095]

This is by far one of the best if not the best bikepacking adventure I saw on KZbin, I admire the dedication and courage you guys have put to this wonderful journey. I wish, as a bikepacker, do the same thing in the future. Thank you for inspiring me.

[@zzzck]

Back in 1989, I spent several years criss crossing these parts and your video brings back so many memories. These places are explored and rugged. There are many of us visited these areas.

[@cottisch.]

Merci à tous d’avoir regardé la première projection du film. Ça été un long voyage pour arriver ici et ça représente beaucoup pour nous de pouvoir le partager avec vous tous. Si vous voulez suivre nos prochaines aventures en Afrique de l’Est (nous espérons commencer ce vendredi ! Oui dans 3 jours) et suivez nous sur instagram @cottisch et @docgonewild et pour plus de détails, regardez notre blog docgonewild.com :)

[@wangxiaoyong5110]

great music, great landscape, great brave hearts

[@cottisch.]

Thank you 😊🙏🏻

[@simonk337]

I watched this yesterday whilst cycling indoors. Thank you. It was wonderful.

[@naumankhan147]

This is just amazing, I loved it too much ❤️, I mostly liked the part in Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan (my beloved country) wish you best of luck for future endeavors, love 💕 from Pakistan.

[@krishnarao2727]

Soothing music... serene nature... wonderful adventure... Life time experience...great... 👏👏👏🎉🎉

[@cottisch.]

Thank you 😊

[@raggedblossom508]

Well done! A joy to watch, not only for the cinematography but also the accompanying soundtrack. Thank you for introducing me to corners of the world I knew so little about.

[@jonnywaselectric]

What a spectacular journey, thank you for bringing us along

[@mlupp]

This is done in such a professional way. I could watch hours

[@michoug09]

Merci à tous les deux pour avoir partagé le récit télévisuel de vos aventures. En cette période de restriction des libertés de déplacement, cela permet de voyager - au moins en rêve... Que les vents du monde entier vous soient favorables :)

[@billconnelly5029]

Can't wait and popcorn at the ready

[@billconnelly5029]

Awesome epic journey guys we felt your joy and pain throughout. The camera work was breathtaking and you really captured a perfect snapshot of the cultural life as you passed through.

[@sebastiananger9054]

WOW - just WOW! Respect Clare and Antoine. Loved every second.

[@docgonewild8081]

Thank you :)

[@cottisch.]

Thank you Sebastian !

[@tabrezakhtar6700]

Thank you very much for sharing, such a beautiful journey, through the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. Hope to see your next adventure soon. Stay safe, stay blessed.

[@davidzimmer1773]

Wonderful - thank you for taking me on that incredible bike trip! Very impressive in every resprect

[@cottisch.]

Thank you David :)

[@lashari3944]

Very good and full of interesting knowledge video with local songs mandi and etc live long and happy

[@davidharris1562]

Brilliant, what an achievement, what a trip, so many memories

[@peterselie6500]

Does beauty can make your heart weep...yes..it can!!!

[@MuhammadBilal-km7sf]

Such a beautiful journey ❤️ thank u so much for visiting Pakistan 🇵🇰

[@pamir87]

Welcome to Tajikistan we love guests

[@cottisch.]

Thank you, we saw that when we were there - such a wonderful and hospitable country :)

[@pamir87]

@@cottisch. thank you, come again

[@NN-hz1he]

Profound greetings from the Roof of the World #pamirhighway. Thank you for your amazing work. Dear friends welcome to Pamirs and visit us. ✌️

[@garyskyner5855]

Is this the greatest cycle touring video of all time? Probably!

[@cottisch.]

Wow, thank you 😊🙏🏻

[@aliquotube]

Thank you for the best film depiction of cycling through these countries to date! Fantastic quality, yet raw enough to show folk the difficulty and reality. Brought back many great memories from my Pamir experience last year.

[@docgonewild8081]

Thank you so much, that is what we were aiming for. We wanted to show all the beauty, but also the fact it's not an easy place to travel. But boy is it worth the effort. So glad it brought back good memories for you.

[@felipericketts]

What an amazing experience this trip must have been. I get a sense of it by hearing the narration and seeing the images. Only a distant reflection of what you experienced, I am sure. Great to hear of your wonderful experiences with the peoples of these countries. The humanity and kindness shine through. Simple and difficult living conditions in many cases yet kindness and hospitality shown to the visitor. I will take it as an example and do better in my own life going forward. Thanks! :-)

[@mdmohoshin1912]

best travel Blog for me watching my life. This tour longer and historical. Me watching Bangladesh.. Best couple best bloger love From Bangladesh. ❤❤❤❤❤.

[@ianburton8050]

Amazing journey, quality video, great music and people, probably best on KZbin. There is something about the pace of this bike trip that you could not get from a motor trip and every part of it seemed too short, like the hot spring, I felt the bumps, the cold, the pain...well as much as is possible sitting in a comfy chair, your pain is our gain, thank you.

[@mikekim6374]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful adventure- truly an epic journey for the mind, body and soul!

[@tamila87v]

Such well documented and edited journey. The musical arrangements were genius. I cried when Clare was struggling with the cold. I felt so involved. Well done guys!

[@mohammaddawood4227]

God bless both of you mashallah very existing jurny and I love soofiyana song

[@rockygraziano5507]

Incredible. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful journey.

[@stefanhenne7487]

Beautiful journey! Respect and admiration from NY! Thanks and Merci!

[@syedmiragefaredie2932]

Commendable. Pakistan is the best place for tourism and they are quite hospitable. Food is amazing. Perhaps the best in the world.

[@johnpowell8568]

I never stop being awed by those VAST and open landscapes! The sheer size and scale are simply amazing. My respect goes to those people that live generation after generation in such harsh yet beautiful places. Thank you for sharing with those of us that do our traveling via youtube!

[@pixeldeter8939]

Envoûté de A à Z. Merci pour ce fabuleux film !

[@vijaydave2656]

You have travelled through world’s most beautiful land. Man with true humanity, simplicity and great culture. Your video shooting is extraordinary and looks like you have planned very well. Keep it up! God bless you!

[@howardsimpson489]

Here in NZ our highest peak, Mt. Cook is pretty impressive but only 3700m high. Lake Karakal is 4000m.

[@user-bh5hb5ox3x]

Amazing 🤩 journey, thank you for sharing it with us 🙏

[@cesarts283]

I have watched your journey and it was greatly done, you two are not only very tough individuals but You brought us to places, geniusly filmed, with sound. This region is very singular. I had more fun wathing your filmed journey than looking at a movie. This level of persistance reached by both. You are in my top 10 adventurers since this measured pace becomes also the best way to prevent casualties.

[@preetam4435]

A documentary deserves to be watched millions and millions of times

[@callummackay1031]

Brilliant show of endurance

[@bobverbruggen8853]

Je vous adore I love you not just for the Herculean effort mais pour l'humilite et l'empathie et l'internationalisme de votre reportage ❤❤❤❤❤

[@XY-nc7nc]

Great trip. Thank you for sharing.

[@Muhammadbilal-kd1xu]

Love from Pakistan

[@gibbooz]

Clare and Antoine, I loved your adventure and the love for each other and people you met along the way, also being a to trust and accept help. thank you David

[@tamiresolivy5378]

Guys, what a video! Great work, thanks for sharing and safe trails!

[@mintu791]

Thank you guys to show us such beautiful nature.

[@billconnelly5029]

Fantastic insight into such beautiful landscapes and hidden cultures

[@cottisch.]

Thank you :)

[@2morrowsworld]

What exhilarating landscapes they are. Greatly appreciate you documenting your adventure, and especially something produced as well as this. The voice over narration is well written, and the choice of soundtrack music is perfect.

[@cottisch.]

Thank you so much, your feedback means a lot 😊

[@macca742]

Bravo! What an extraordinary achievement, and a really really good film. Thank you so much for posting it on here,

[@cottisch.]

Thank you, we are so glad you enjoyed it :)

[@ivantorres3561]

Very admirable everything you did, thanks for the passion and the spirit you put on it

[@mireillebertrand2019]

Bravo à tous les deux pour ce périple hors du commun ! grâce à vous nous avons découverts des contrées si éloignées de nous mais si magnifiques. Nous ne manquerons pas de vous suivre dans vos prochaines aventures. Didier et Mireille

[@cottisch.]

Merci Didier et Mireille, à bientôt :)

[@krishnarao2727]

Mother Nature at it's best, purest. Amazing video 👌👌👌👍🙏

[@davewoodward1155]

Just fab to watch and listen. The Karokoram highway has improved since a1993 when I rode it down from the boarder with china..it was more of track then. Great film and so nice to see you met so much kindness on your travels. It gives hope for the world.

[@oneforall1513]

This was one hell of an adventure. Really motivated me to grab my bike and travel around the world.

[@talkto20john]

That was incredible, thank you so much

[@fasilvazhakkad6931]

Spectacular!!!! Lived it.😍

[@appleoranges9772]

Hats off !! Thank you for sharing an amazing adventures trip from Tajikistan to Karakuram Pakistan. I wish I was part of it too. Loved it fully!!

[@giuliogava3263]

Simply AWESOME !!! 👍

[@noturavg]

Just wow! The professionalism and polish of the filmmaking and editing stood in stark contrast to the rawness and ruggedness of the journey. The prose narrated by Claire was beautiful. This was some of the best narration ive heard in a travel video. It's always been my dream to see the Pamir Highway, and after watching this video I feel like I'm one step closer already

[@user-uf3ft1xb5s]

Молодцы,Ребята.😚

[@testing24dfas]

One of the best videos I have watched on KZbin. Thanks for sharing your amazing journey.

[@mohammedabrar6930]

What a beautiful journey!! This should be really recognised and get a billion views.

[@javedsultan4830]

Amazing journey through highest mountains of the world

[@shivangi268]

Your journey is so inspiring! Best thing we have watched in a while. Thank you for sharing the love :)

[@169k9]

Amazing stuff - thanks for so many great impressions!

[@pierrecuris6575]

Superbe voyage et images !!! I had the chance to cycle the Pamir nearly 2 years ago now. What an incredible adventure and it brings very good memories watching your movie. Thank you for that. It makes me want to come back and continue to the Karakorum this time :)

[@cottisch.]

Oh you definitely should! I'm glad we brought back some good memories for you :)

[@Savibahuguna]

The world needs to see this ... Add short clips as well

[@clementlan9488]

Qu’elle aventure vous m’avez fait découvrir. Extraordinaire.

[@gualdus]

Increíble viaje,maravillosos lugares y paisajes,combinando la bici y el trekking…Espectacular,dan ganas de imitar vuestra experiencia 🤗

[@philjachowski6580]

Simply spectacular! I've become so intrigued with this part of the world lately and hope to live first hand just a portion of what you two were able to experience. Thank you for sharing!

[@cottisch.]

Thank you Phil, I hope you will be able to visit it for yourself sometime soon. It really is a very special part of the world.

[@philipbarrett3151]

Love the music, such a great video, thanks for sharing

[@cottisch.]

Thank you :)

[@mranonymous8815]

After long considerations, I think for these kinds of gravel tracks, trails and mountains on the top of the world, I would have chosen mountain bikes.

[@otisobl]

... with fenders. ;-)

[@antoniocruz8083]

If not then at least wide tires with low pressure for comfort. It seems mountain bikes are underrated nowadays but are really very versatile with strong frames and good climbing gears.

[@LoMulticard]

Vraiment excellent, bonne chance dans vos prochaines aventures !

[@thwood40]

Stupendous! Magnifique! Bravo!

[@ncross4195]

Ok. This is ridiculously good. Thank you for sharing this incredible adventure.

[@josepereira3016]

What an amazing adventure! And such an inspiring movie that you shot. The lost drone movies were compensated by the superb time lapse filmed landscape. You are such a couple of human beings! Keep the pace!

[@cottisch.]

Thank you so much! :)

This trip was so amazing! I travelled together with you watching this video! Thank you for sharing

[@philhefford6134]

Music is excellent. Particularly between chapters 4 and 5 insofar. Great adventure Clare.

[@docgonewild8081]

Thanks Phil, the last chapter was our favourite for music!

[@hawkkim1974]

truly amazing journey!

[@tariqmahmood-gk7fc]

Thank you very much for showing Pakistan to the world.

[@NickRayLifeAfloat]

Absolutely fantastic! What an incredible journey and adventure, so beautifully told. Thank you.

[@martinhughesireland]

Super trip and a super job on the video. Well done

[@ingridbouman9845]

Wauw, amazing! Thanks for sharing, and very well done. Love your video 🤩

[@thg1173]

The best adventure video I ever watched. Thanks a thousand.

[@cottisch.]

Thank you so much 😊🙏🏻

[@the.shamsulain]

Amazing!

[@chemallogue]

Amazing epic!!!.. Merci..Thanks... for sharing with us guys.. ❤❤❤

[@onek5028]

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SCENERIES! THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR ADVENTURE!

[@raykleiner3151]

Inspirational video.

[@DanuraJay]

Thank you for this. Wonderful journey and amazing footage too!

[@theexplorerlekhrajsinhrath2198]

Awesome vistas....Karakoram Highway😍😍😍 Beautiful Local Songs 👌🏻👌🏻

[@hyggemcb06]

How wonderful! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us