Look at this! What a stunning view.
It is amazing. Takes my breath away. Yeah. Wow.
That's some gorge, isn't it?
Look at the striations of the rock, the way they're going down
the lines. Oh, the rock. The rock formation,
look, do you see, it's going down? Older men talking about rocks!
Lucky me!
Peaking at 4,000m above sea level...
..Zaamin National Park.
Uzbekistan's oldest nature reserve.
Home to more than 800 species of plants and herbs,
some with medicinal qualities.
The juniper forests are believed to have
such powerful healing properties
that in the 1970s the Soviets built a sanitorium -
a health resort for lung patients perceived to be
in need of its curative air.
It's the sound of the water.
Exactly. Uh-huh. It's so smoothing. Yeah.
Taking their own therapeutic break before the next leg,
Mark, Margo and Andrew.
I think what's going to make a difference, going ahead, is budget.
Yes. And our budget is cooked.
Look me in the eye, are you telling me the truth or not?
With just three legs remaining, funds are dwindling.
While Andrew and Molly have the healthiest budget,
they, alongside Mark and Margo, are trailing the other two teams.
The kids are young. They seem to be racing ahead.
Yes. Yes. They've got enthusiasm.
Absolutely, yeah! They've got the energy. Yes.
How's it going with Molly, though? Such a lovely girl.
Well, Molly... Molly has... I think has probably struggled this week.
I've had to be the daddy to her. Mm-hm. It was tough.
I have to be in control.
But, maybe this leg, I kind of will step back
and let her go and make those calls.
And live and die by those consequences.
THEY CHEER
Do you think the youngsters will be doing that?
Oh, I hope not.
BLEATING
That looks so good! This looks incredible.
Do you reckon we can finish all this?
No. Jo, if anyone can, it's you. Yeah, come on.
Come on, boys.
I think it's quite nice that the young 'uns are together.
It's really fun. I have to admit.
It's a bit different travelling with your dad.
We get on really well, I'm very lucky for that,
but I can find it is different and it can be difficult at times. Yeah.
Like, there's always that kind of,
he has final say because he's the dad.
In this life there's only a few people you can rely on.
Best friends. And family.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Look at his plate!
That's a quarter of a sheep!
I'm eating all I can now. Save the budget.
Have you got another sheep on the way, coming after that?
That's the only leg you're going to win.
Oh, God...! Oh, bro!
5:30am.
Super early. Shouldn't be arsed to leave the hotel before breakfast.
First to leave, with only a 40-minute lead, Katie and Harrison.
This is for you. Thank you so much.
Thank you. Here we go.
Your sixth checkpoint is...
..Almaty.
Know exactly where it is. Back to Kazakhstan.
Exciting! Let's go!
We've only got a 40-minute lead, so...
I hope there's something at the bus station for us.
A journey of 1,500km
in to the east of Kazakhstan,
Almaty.
A stark contrast to the vast steppe of the west,
the city sits in the foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains.
Founded as a Russian frontier fort,
an influence that remains visible in the orthodox churches
and Soviet-era sculptures dotted throughout the city.
Since gaining independence from the USSR in 1991,
it's evolved into the country's cultural and financial hub.
With over two million residents, it's the largest city in Kazakhstan.
Right.
How are we getting to Almaty?
Looks like we could partially head through Kyrgyzstan, or,
we just go around the top
of Kazakhstan, straight to Almaty.
To get there, teams face a choice of going through one of two countries.
They could head north into eastern Kazakhstan -
travelling through the country's major cities,
linked by a reliable but potentially costly rail network.
Alternatively, they could cut through Kyrgyzstan.
A country rarely visited by Western tourists.
With mountains dominating over 90% of its landscape,
and communities spread thinly across the rugged terrain,
transport is affordable, but limited.
It's an absolute no-brainer for me.
I'd love to go to Kyrgyzstan.
I want to really feel like I'm not in the touristy part
of that country, and I feel like this is going to give it to us.
And in the bigger cities, they'll have the student hostels as well.
Yeah. I think it's going to be more budget-friendly,
so stick to bus routes which I think are going to be a lot cheaper.
I'm so glad that we're ticking off another country,
like I'm genuinely buzzing.
Let's go to Kyrgyzstan.
Yeah! Let's go to Kyrgyzstan!
Kyrgyzstan, we are coming for you.
Venturing east, through Kyrgyzstan,
they're looking for a true traveller experience
on a budget to match.
But with two borders to cross,
getting into the country quickly is of the essence.
Bus today - Tashkent? Tashkent.
Tashkent, through there? Yeah. Yeah.
UNTRANSLATED
No? No.
So, er, Tashkent - taxi?
Taxi. OK.
I know very little about Kyrgyzstan, but I am very excited for it.
Oh. I'm hoping less expensive taxis and more direct bus travel.
What is your name? Ferdaz. Ferdance? Ferdaz.
Ferdaz. Ah. Harrison.
Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.
With no buses in sight,
the siblings are heading to Tashkent in a local shared taxi.
I am in the perfume business.
You smell good!
You are very friendly.
I like your accent.
THEY CHUCKLE Manchester. Manchester United.
Manchester United!Yes. Manchester City!No, no City.
Good!No, no, no, no, no!
Ah, he's getting the scores up!
Oh, my God, what a guy. Oh...
Jo...
Jo, are you getting in? We've got another passenger.
Just 40 minutes behind...
OK!
OK.
..Jo and Kush are also taking advantage of a shared taxi,
as they race to gain ground.
It's about two hours to get to, erm, to the capital, Tashkent.
Realistically, I think we'd be going more direct
if we go through Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan's a new country.
That's sick. So we're looking at Kyrgyzstan.
I know of it, but I know very, very, very little
so hopefully it's got quite a low tourist population.
And so we're hoping it'll be a lot cheaper.
We need to get to Kyrgyzstan tonight.
Following the same route as Katie and Harrison,
the best friends are looking to speed straight out of Uzbekistan,
and cross the border by tonight.
I'm really hoping,
and I think we can actually get across the border today.
About 45 minutes behind first, that is very, very close.
And so it's not much to catch up.
This driver's just charging through everyone.
First to arrive in Tashkent...
Thank you very much. Thank you.
OK.
On the edge of the Eurasian step, this ancient Silk Road trading post
retains a blend of Islamic, Imperial Russian, and Soviet influences.
KATIE:Railway ticket office.
Look at that!
Er, hello. Andijan? Today.
Two tickets. Two tickets?
Pressing on, the siblings have secured tickets
to Andijan, and are a step closer
to their intended destination.
This transport gets us as close to Kyrgyzstan as we possibly can get.
But, Jo and Kush are 40 minutes behind,
so it's very possible that they get here.
So, we have to move.
Thank you. Rahmat.
Close behind...
We're trying to get to Andijan. What time arrive?
1am? Yes.
400,000, both of us.
That's so much. Er, thank you.
We'll ask for a taxi because that is very expensive.
So we're looking at a taxi
because 400,000 som for a train that takes seven hours,
hopefully a taxi will be 300,000 som for four hours,
if we can haggle our way down.
So we need to know if someone will drive here to Andijan.
Please. The first, you should go to the car station
and then you get the next taxi driver.
Can you ask if they can take us?
If these guys can drive to Andijan?
No, no, no. You can't go to Andijan from here?
No, no.
Oh, no. Having skipped the seven-hour train in favour of a car
straight to the border, the boys now need to head to the other
side of town, where long-distance taxis depart.
I feel sick, I can't believe that.
I mean, we have to commit. We're not even at the border yet.
Kush's reaction to stress is quite instant.
Oh...
I know Kush has that heightened anxiety.
I don't think we have much choice.
He's trying to figure out the best routes and best decisions to make.
Oh, God.
We could've got straight to Ardijan in the train. It's going to be
a long day. Now we're not getting to Kyrgyzstan today.
No, I don't think we should assume.
But it is hard for him to look at the bigger picture
and chill out.
Can't believe this first day we've had.
BLEEP up, big time.
Back in Zaamin City...
Going through Kazakhstan via some of the major cities...
OK. ..screams out to me.
..the third team to set off, Andrew and Molly.
I would love to finish the Silk Road in Tashkent,
head on to Shu, and then head to Almaty.
And then Almaty. Yeah.
Maybe I'm taking over this leg! Maybe you are!
Molly's plan - follow a busier route
and city-hop by rail through Kazakhstan.
But first, they must reach the Uzbek capital, Tashkent.
Taxi.
There? Thank you very much.
Excited for Tashkent.
I love cities, I love people, and after the last leg where
I couldn't even make a bloody decision, this is something new.
Onwards and upwards. To Tashkent.
Let's go. Yes, let's go! Yes, let's go!
Back on the road.
Leaving in last place...
..Margo and her brother-in-law, Mark.
We'll get into Tashkent, find somewhere cheaper to stay tonight.
Cos we're in fourth place, we need to claw some time back.
Do you think the shortest route is through Kyrgyzstan?
I think. Kyrgyzstan seems the most direct route to go,
so, hopefully we can get back to third place if we can.
Like two other teams, they're heading to Tashkent tonight,
before aiming for Kyrgyzstan tomorrow.
He's driving very fast. Go on!
Woo! Jeez Louise!
As the evening sets in...
We've got to get to the border tonight, bro.
..Jo and Kush are still trying to find a cheap taxi to the border.
Kyrgyzstan border, for one person?
250,000. That's a lot.
We need to do for this price.
This. We have little money.
No way. Really, I tell you.
Oh, I feel sick.
Stuck just outside of Tashkent,
with their goal of the Kyrgyzstan border still 300km away.
We're not getting to Kyrgyzstan today.
There's no buses, and we'll be spending like 40 quid on taxis.
Can't believe we didn't get the train.
It's getting dark, bro.
It might just be worth staying tonight.
But then we're going to have to pay for accommodation.
We can sleep on the floor. Oh, no.
We need to stay for very, very cheap.
This one, it's a cheaper one, you see the price?
Oh... That's so expensive.
Is there any cheaper?
We can even do...like if we sleep on the floor of anywhere.
We are so sorry.
I'd literally sleep standing up.
Oh, I'm so stressed. We have second floor, the sofa.
You can stay there, for free.
Ah. You're welcome.
Oh, rahmat.
Free accom, we couldn't get any cheaper. As good as this is,
I just think we chose the wrong route in general.
And now we're here, nowhere near the border.
I like to plan.
Because I like to be in control.
But times like this now, as we've got more into the unknown countries,
we've faced a lot of difficulty.
It's just not up to us any more.
It really depends on transport connections.
Also, you guys can use the TV. Oh, thank you.
I am 100% an overthinker.
I do experience quite a fair amount of anxiety.
Losing my dad was, in the space of like a day,
it was zero to 100.
So, a lot of anxiety I feel is about the unknown.
It is a...everyday struggle still.
Not being able to shut off a thought in your brain.
It's exhausting.
Can't lie, bro, I'm going to be thinking the entire night.
I'm going to be sleeping, I can't lie.
I'm going to be stressing. I'm going to be snoring.
Been such a rough day.
Grand bazaar. This is cool!
With a history spanning two millennia,
Chorsu Bazaar stands as central Asia's oldest market...
Wow.
Holy moley.
..crowned by an unmistakable Soviet-era blue dome.
How fast can you do them?
More faster than you.
Yeah. Give me a day.
Working for Sanjar in one of the market's popular food stalls,
Andrew and Molly are helping to prepare the national dish, Plov.
Said to have aphrodisiac qualities, it's widely consumed
on Thursdays, a popular day for conceiving children in Uzbekistan.
You're welcome. Thank you.
Thank you!
Busy day!
It's so cool. Do you work here every day?
My father is working 45 years here.
Your father? He has big reputation, that's why.
Gotcha. Gotcha. Yeah. I'm third generation.
You're third generation? Yeah.
Which you have to keep going, yes?
Mohammad. My name is.Mohammad. Molly.
Uzbekistan.Ireland.
Oh!
I just love being in this kind of environment.
I'm buzzing with it, actually.
Nice colour. Yeah? Yeah, yeah, it's ginger.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Irish.
I've got a new mindset coming into this, like,
I would like Daddy to see me a wee bit more grown up and as an adult.
To do that, I need to be confident and stand on my decisions.
Say "kebab"!
I want to do THIS plate.
I did that! I cut all the onions.
He said that's the highest quality of the plate!
I enjoyed it.
Nice to earn a bit of money.
It'll take us across the border.
We have enough to get across the border.
All good?
Molly, got paid.
How much did you make? I made 5,000. How much did you make?
Ten. Ten?!
Where will we get a taxi? Outside?
From this side. Thank you.
See you later. Thank you. See you later, thank you.
Bye-bye. Bye-bye.
The plan is get to the border and then...
Yes. ..connect in Shymkent.
As quick as possible. As quick as possible.
Putting Molly's plan into action...
The border of Kazakhstan.
..the team are splitting from the pack,
heading to the Kazakh border crossing,
and then traversing north to the city of Shymkent.
To Kazakhstan.
Great job, Molly. Well done. That's great.
Shymkent, whoop, whoop!
KUSH:Kazakhstan would've been quicker and cheaper.
After failing to make it into Kyrgyzstan last night,
Jo and Kush are still six hours away from the crossing.
Do you have any advice for us about how we can get to the border?
Yeah. The Uber is very... You can find somebody.
For cheaper. Maybe they can help.
Kush hasn't slept.
He's very anxious. He's stressed.
Right, let's go. He's in such a negative headspace.
It feels like he's lost hope.
So... Andijan is here, but we need to go to this border,
so, like, maybe... Yeah, Andijan. Little bit further.
I believe staying positive is the best chances of winning.
My plan is to help Kush out of this spiral he's in right now.
We need to get cheapest, cheapest place.
What? Are you serious? Yeah.
Yes. Are you serious? Yeah, yeah.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
Thank you so much, you've been so much help.
Can we take a quick picture?
Oh! OK.
When we get to Mongolia, we will send you a picture. Oh, OK.
We send you. OK, yeah. All right.
Thanks to new friend Naima,
the boys have a free ride straight to the border.
Thank you.
Naima is a miracle, bro.
I think this morning has gave me some inspiration.
And obviously Naima taking such good care of us.
Yeah. I think we'll enjoy the home stay, doing a job that's outdoors.
Which we've been wanting, local, and authentic to the area.
Yeah. Maybe it'll be worth it.
We're going to save money, which means we can sprint to checkpoint.
Inspired by local generosity, they plan to stop for a home stay
in Arslanbob, once they enter into Kyrgyzstan.
We can still do this.
God... We just can't give up.
SNORING
Following behind after departing the checkpoint in last place,
in-laws Mark and Margo,
taking a picturesque route towards Kyrgyzstan
with a train through the Fergana Valley.
It's been like this for the last hour or so.
Very rugged.
They just look like giant sand dunes.
A highly fertile basin between mountain ranges,
stretching from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan,
this agricultural heartland is famous
for cotton and silk production, and local life is deeply rooted
in centuries-old artisanal handicraft techniques.
Kokand. The handicrafters' city of the world.
Oh, Kokand. Kokand.
That wasn't on your map, was it? No!
It'd be lovely to explore some of these places, but...you can't.
If we want to keep in the race.
No, we can't afford to fall any further behind.
We've just got to push on.
And look at some lovely views from the window. Exactly, yeah.
Mark and I are fourth, and we have got to race.
But the travelling through is going to be the experience.
And we're going to make the most of it.
Hello. Hi. Hello. Hello.
Mark and I are a little bit older.
People might notice we're a little bit older.
I'm 60 next year and I really think the best is still to come.
Any of you speak English? No. No English?
I am from Liverpool.
I've got a lot of energy,
and I do spend a lot of that energy looking after my family.
But, now the kids are older,
and especially at such a crossroads of turning 60, it gives me
the chance to really reassess things, really look for what I want.
Love this. This is beautiful.
Let's get the party started.
Any of you fancy a sing-song?
# Ba-ba-bah la-da-dah la-la-la-lah
# Ya-di-dee dee-dee-dee... # Where are you all from?
Are you all friends?
THEY SING
Oh, she can move!
Haha, you're a good mover!
Nice to meet you all!
I like this!
As the in-laws head to the Kyrgyzstan border...
HARRISON:Which way is the border?
This way? The border, this way? OK.
..already there, after their late-night train,
Katie and Harrison.
I've never done a foot border before.
We've only crossed on boat, train and bus so far.
But you just walk through. We just walk through
and then we're in Kyrgyzstan. Seventh country, here we come.
One of Central Asia's most sparsely populated countries,
Kyrgyzstan was settled by nomadic tribes from Southern Siberia.
Their legacy of moving in groups across mountainous terrain
continues today, with local ride shares, known as marshrutkas,
linking towns and villages.
We want to go to Bishkek.
MEN CONVERSE
Ugh, tough, innit, this?
Taxi. 2,500.Yeah. Kyrgyz som.
That's too much, sorry.
I want to find out if there is a bus to Bishkek
because a taxi's just so expensive.
Fingers crossed.
Determined to stick to public transport,
they plan to use Bishkek, on the northern edge,
as a stepping stone to the checkpoint.
Auto bus. Bishkek.
But no buses depart after 6pm.
We are on a tighter budget, we want to save for the next two legs.
No marshrutkas?
It might slow us down in the race a little bit.
I think it's probably more of a risk splashing out.
There's no more today.
Ugh!
Stuck in Osh.
Very different from where we've been on the race so far -
in terms of Greece and Turkey, buses ran all day and all night,
you could get anywhere you wanted in the country.
Kyrgyzstan's not turned out to be as we thought.
Men's room. Perfect.
Having made little progress and stranded for the night,
a chance for Katie's hostel dream to become a reality.
Did you say you were from Toronto?
Toronto. Oh, wow. Where are you from? We're from England.
This type of travelling,
where it can get a bit difficult or you're completely
out of your comfort zone, is exactly what I wanted to do.
How long have you been doing this for? Two and a half years.
Really? Yeah.Not been home in two and a half years? Yeah.
Like, the mindset just blows me, like, how you can just travel
and not kind of know where you're going to end up next. Yeah.
Yeah. Happy?
Yes, very happy.
Yeah. I've been looking for one for about five weeks.
Mm. Yay!
The guys in our room... They're so cool! Yeah.
I want to be them. He's got like other countries, like on his bag.
They're like proper backpackers. Yeah.
This is like...feels like the place to be for travellers.
Yeah, a lot of people. And I'm here, cos I'm a traveller. Yeah.
I think Katie's very good at turning a situation into a positive.
Erm, and making the most of it.
There's so many things that could go wrong,
but she just seems to just go with it.
It is a good thing that we're staying tonight.
Yeah. Cos we'll have more options tomorrow.
What do you do? Do you just...?
As the teams settle in for the night...Oh!
Salam alaikum. What is your name?
Zubayr. Zubayr. Kush.
It's one of the best things about Scouse accents
is you can pronounce names a lot better.
200km to the north,
a direct taxi has pushed Jo and Kush into the lead,
as they arrive in the rural village of Arslanbob...
Are we working tomorrow, in the morning? Yeah, yeah.
..where they're staying with walnut farmer Abdurazzoq.
Bon appetit for you. Bon appetit.
Mm. This is like fresh bread.
Ooh.
That is fresh. That's very fresh.
Nice and doughy.
OK.
Oh, it's so nice.
Feeling a lot better.
It's our first time in Kyrgyzstan today.
I guess not so many tourists come in Kyrgyzstan,
compared to, like, maybe Thailand and Spain.
25,000 population, everybody know each other.
So you know maybe 25,000...?
Sounds... Sounds like Liverpool. Everyone knows everyone.
You know, it's the same... OK. Everyone knows everyone.
And everyone's happy to help each other, and so, it is, it's boss,
we love it. I mean...
What boss mean?
Boss.
Boss is like... Really good. Yeah. Like very good.
Like...
Like this food is boss.
We have some words say boss - like this, bazar jok.
Bazar jok. Yeah. Like really cool.
This green tea, bazar jok.
Oh! HE CHUCKLES
And it's boss because of you're here.
That's what I'm talking about! OK, you're welcome.
True... True Scouser.
Abdura was boss.
I mean, we've had such a lucky run-in with people that we meet,
there's just a sort of really, really generous energy about them.
But, I'm feeling a little anxious still.
It is proper off the beaten track, I really think that we're going to
be behind everyone else to get to checkpoint.
And you can start the forest.
Yes! That'd be so good. Oh, that's boss.
Mate. Is it boss? It's boss, yeah. It's good.
This is fab! Innit?
I love a dramatic flag.
After crossing the border last night,
Andrew and Molly have reached Kazakhstan's third largest city,
Shymkent.
Hello. But they're already looking for a way out...
We need the earliest train to Shu.
..with plans to move swiftly on to Shu,
a city 450km closer to the checkpoint.
No earlier trains?
Taxi? Just to see what it is price-wise.
OK. OK. OK. Thank you.
What is the difference in that price between the taxi and train?
Jesus!
Yeah. 15 times. 15 times the value.
$225. Yeah.
I think get the train. Train. Yes!
There's no...there's no questions! ANDREW LAUGHS
While Andrew and Molly wait five hours for the train...
On the move.
There's, like, 10 seats on here but there's, like, 30 people on it.
It's great. ..in Kyrgyzstan...
Just feel like you're local. Like, it's just local people,
going to work or whatever,
it's brilliant. Yeah. Great. And it's cheap as chips. Loving it.
..finally on the move, using public transport,
Katie and Harrison are setting a course to the capital, Bishkek.
Oh!
BLEEP! No!
Quite hectic on the roads.
But, getting us closer.
Yeah. We're making progress. Yeah.
Oh, what is that?
Traffic jam.
Ah.
No idea what's going on.
Ugh!
Great.
One simple road... that won't be a simple road.
Well, there's worse places to be stopped by a road, I suppose.
If anyone's travelling up through Kyrgyzstan today,
they won't have done it quicker than us.
Ow! Ow! Ow!
Oh-hoh-hoh!
The silly beast's stuck to my feet.
Oooh.
Having now caught up with the siblings...
Margo, there's a car coming! Ooh!
..Mark and Margo.
Get across the road now because it's going to get busy.
It's been cleared, we're moving now.
Ugh!
HARRISON:Let's get back on the bus. KATIE:We're moving.
Don't want the bus to leave without us!
Thistle prongs. That was really, really stupid.
One of the stupidest things I've done on this race so far.
Who does that?
YOU do that!
I think today's going to be a very long day.
Bishkek tonight.
We're doing it.
This is a very impressive landscape. Mm-hm.
Very dramatic. I will remember it.
Dramatic and extreme, isn't it? Yes.
Connecting the south of the country with the capital in the north,
a single precipitous 700km-long highway,
weaving through steep canyons, tunnels and high mountain passes,
at its peak reaching altitudes over 3,000m.
Oh, Margo!
Snow!
Yes!
This is what we came for!
I reckon, having done this,
I reckon we could be in with a good chance of keeping in with the pack.
We're very short of money. We've had three days of real hard travel.
Tomorrow... Let's see if there's any work in Bishkek.
Yes. We deserve some time off.
KATIE:It looks like the Magic Kingdom from Disney.
I've never seen anything like this. No, this is very cool.
Shall we go over? Yeah.
Whoa!
Bazar jok.
How many do you want? How many more is better.
5,000. Oh!
The Kyrgyz forest of Arslanbob,
the largest natural walnut grove on Earth.
So hard to find them.
I thought they'd be, like... proper easy.
Leaving their homes en masse every autumn,
local families head on to the mountain slopes to camp,
harvesting up to 1,500 tonnes of walnuts every year.
The precious crop is not only stored year-round for food,
but used as currency in the town,
with nuts of different values being traded for goods in shops.
This cheap one again.
Cheap one? Yeah.
I'll find some...
But also good.
Joining Abdurazzoq's family to pay off their bed and board,
Jo and Kush.
The market, the white one is expensive, this is the cheaper.
How is it different? Like sweet. Nice.
Tastes different walnut, you know.
Jo, there's loads here.
Come and get your walnuts.
So nice to actually see the mountains.
Think that's one of the best views we've seen.
Bazar jok. Bazar jok! CHUCKLING
Nice one for staying up with me last night.
It's all good. Made a big difference, you know.
I actually wouldn't have been able to go to sleep.
Yeah, I know, you were just chatting to me, I'm like,
"Bro, just shut up and go to sleep." Yeah!
That's easy, just tell the head to shut up for a minute.
You know how I get.
I wouldn't say it surprised me. No?
It's like part of your personality.
I do think Kush can be glass-half-empty.
Which is understandable, since he has gone through a lot,
so I understand where that negative state comes from.
You can't expect to go on a journey and expect it to be all fine,
but I know you're benefitting from venting.
Do you know what I mean? Just talking, yeah.
So I kind of do let him rant, get 'em off his chest, and I'll be like,
"OK, let's look at this from a different point of view."
When Kush is not feeling good, we link up, we go on walks,
we go on bike rides, park, play footy. Honestly, any activity,
as long as we're doing something, I can tell, improves his mood.
Job would be boss, bro, if you had a leaf blower.
Yeah. Just that walnut left behind.
Kush means a lot to me, definitely.
And I want to show him,
there's always light at the end of a tunnel, you know?
I hate to see you in such a negative... I know. ..space.
I actually do care for you.
You know? Mm. Yeah, I really appreciate that.
On the race, every day's a difficult day, every day's a struggle.
You have bad days, you have good days, off days.
But every day's hard.
I'm trying to learn how to function under high stress.
But I think it's only in the past sort of couple days
that I've realised how much I value having Jo here.
I just really appreciate the fact that Jo's always up for, sort of,
looking after me, in a way.
I don't think Jo will understand, like, the difference it makes.
HE SNIFFLES
Yeah, I mean, he is, he's me best mate.
Oi! Keep going!
In this entire journey, I've got nothing,
just absolutely nothing
at all but Jo. BAG RUSTLES
BOTH LAUGH
Lad! Whee!
That is home.
How much money is that?
300, 400.
Nice! So good.
Boss, yeah? It's good.
Do you know anyone who can drive us tonight for a bit?
Maybe I can drive you to Jalalabad, and we'll look there.
OK, thank you.
We think maybe we should go to Kazakhstan border tomorrow,
we go the whole way from Jalalabad. Does that sound like a good idea?
Also possible. It's possible?
From Jalalabad, many cars go there.
It's going to be a long, long day, it's going to be an expensive day.
Bro, let's just pray that we can still pull it out the bag.
Look at the hat! Look at the hat! Look at that amazing hat!
Your hat is fantastic! Woohoohoo!
Having travelled the breadth of Kyrgyzstan yesterday,
Mark and Margo are in the capital, Bishkek.
Tasty savoury breakfast.
Mm, better than Greggs.
They like statues, don't they?
At the northern tip of the Chuy Valley,
this once-small settlement grew into a lush garden city,
with residents encouraged to plant trees near their homes.
HORSE WHINNIES
Today, its nomadic heritage is intermixed with contemporary living.
Fermented mare's milk as well as flat whites are sold side by side.
BARKING They're very busy, aren't they?
Adding to their funds before pushing on to the checkpoint...
Oh, my little friend.
You must stay here.
Yes. ..the in-laws have found work at a local pet groomer's.
Look at that! Oh, I'd like that myself.
Traditionally seen as working animals,
pets in the capital are increasingly kept for companionship...
Oh...
..with pedigree breeds emerging as a status symbol.
What are you telling me? I don't speak Kyrgyzstan.
Most experiences we've had have been tailored for me.
Margo's been very happy to go along with that.
There we go. She's got a lot of time for people.
Here we go. So this is an experience for Margo.
Doing fine, you're doing so well.
I'm here, don't worry.
It has been a very exhausting journey,
so, today is a chance for Margo to relax
and just forget about the race, just for one day.
Would you like a dog like this, Mark?
Nope. So cute!
Hello!
This is something I would never want to do.
I don't like animals that are smelly.
Dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs.
I'm doing it for Margo.
Come on. And she loves this.
Oh! Whee, whee!
Don't tell my dog, Bailey, what I'm doing.
You have a dog? I have a dog. Oh!
When my dog sees this, she'll be very jealous.
My Bailey will not forgive me.
MARGO CHUCKLES
You're not happy with this, are you?
CAT GROWLS
She can't wait to go home.
Goodbye.
CAT HISSES Ooh! Ooh!
CAT HISSES Oh!
Today has just been my day in the happiest place I could be on Earth.
I've just loved it.
She's very upset now. I know. You're in there now.
Particularly with you. I know! MARGOT SNARLS
I am very, very pleased Mark is doing this job for me.
Oooh, look!
LOUD PURRING And I'm absolutely amazed at how we've got on so far on the race.
Oh, you gentle soul.
We're just really accepting of each other.
Your like our place?
Oh, it's lovely. I'd love to bring my dog here.
But, somehow, the two of us have become so supportive of each other.
I'm still getting fur out of my eyes and nose.
Tomorrow, checkpoint, here we come.
We really are in the middle of nowhere.
It might slow us down in the race a little bit,
but that's absolutely incredible.
25km outside of Bishkek,
after three days of relentless travel,
Katie and Harrison have reached the remote village of Kashka Suu.
The siblings will work for husband and wife duo Iliiaz and Maureen...
Welcome to Gulsary Stables. Thank you. Thank you.
..in return for a horse ride through the mountains.
It is just such a nice break, to come to somewhere like this,
so serene and peaceful.
Yeah, I couldn't have done another day of chaotic stress.
It's a nice temperature as well, really nice and warm but windy.
It's like ideal ginger temperature.
I really just wanted a real, rustic, rural experience, you know.
This is where I'm, like, really ticking the bucket list off.
Ajee, where we going? Where we going?
You can't eat that.
Oh, God, I've lost my horse.
My horse. My horse.
Harrison! Katie, are you getting walked by your horse?
My horse doesn't like me!
MAUREEN: The horses look nice and shiny.Thank you.
Perfect, thank you. It's time to reward some...
Yeah, let's get out there and ride.
Nice and easy, boy.
Good boy.
Oh, my God.
I'm on a horse, in Kyrgyzstan.
What?!
It's...it's incredible.
That is just ridiculous.
This is stunning.
Hoh-hoh-hoh!
What?!
Wow!
Formed over 50 million years ago,
as the Indian and Eurasian continental plates collided...
That is in...sane.
..the Alatau Mountains form a vast chain of snow-capped peaks,
creating a natural border between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Not bad.
This isn't real, I feel like I'm in a painting.
Absolutely beautiful.
But it is the middle of nowhere.
It's a long way to get to Almaty.
ELECTROPOP MUSIC PLAYS
We've got the vibes in the car.
With a 570km taxi through the mountain roads
secured for just over £50,
Jo and Kush have their sights set on reaching Almaty tonight.
My God.
Look at that, it's insane.
Oh, shit!
Where are the snowboards at?
Out of all the Stans we've been to, this is definitely the prettiest.
It's definitely the most beautiful drive I've ever been on
in my entire life.
Ooh, it's cold.
Nowhere near!
My hands are cold.
I've never drove through somewhere like this. It's just stunning.
We've still got a long, long way to go,
but we're trying to stay positive.
Hey! Sick.
Unless you can really come to terms
with the constant stress of the race,
only then can you actually relax and start to enjoy it.
UPBEAT POP MUSIC
Come on!
That's mental! Let's go!
Bazar jok. Stars are on our side.
There's a chance to get to Almaty tonight.
We might have a chance at maybe second or third.
To Kazakhstan.
BLEATING
Have you ever rounded up sheep this way before?
Yeah, it's lovely, though. It's just like walking the fields at home.
You couldn't beat it. It's just so interesting, and just beautiful.
You couldn't beat it...
Oh! Janey Mac!
After a seven-hour journey from Shymkent,
Andrew and Molly have arrived in Tasotkel.
Horse coming through.
That's my father.
Oh! Hello, hello, nice to meet you!
Nice to meet you. Hello, hello, hello. Hello.
Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.
They're joining host Zhalgas...
..and his father in the day-to-day running of the farm.
So, me do... Yes.
I help.
OK.
It's very rural, we're in the middle of nowhere.
We're on a farm,
and, er, I'm loving it, actually.
Did I do good? The... Yeah.
This leg, Molly's kind of making the decisions,
and, by me stepping back, she's able to take over.
You're very good at onions.
I am, I've discovered that. But it's a shallot.
It's lovely to see and lovely to see her flourish.
But in another way, I find that quite difficult at times.
Because when I was Molly's age, I grew up in Belfast,
during the, er, the beginning of the Troubles.
Away youse go. Go on.
Catholics and Protestants just not seeing eye-to-eye.
And it turned to violence.
You had to be careful, some of the areas you went to,
what pubs you went to, what streets you went to.
And everybody was on edge.
There was bombs going off, soldiers walking around with guns.
People would've been killed for their religion.
And it affects you.
Particularly as I become a father,
you kind of manifest that onto your children.
A lot of my generation has that kind of fear and lack of safety.
You could be a bit over-bordering,
and you're probably a wee bit more hypervigilant.
Oh, my Jesus.
It's just so like Nanny's house, isn't it? Uh-huh.
Seeing Molly grow up, you're losing her in a way
and she's growing up into this independent person,
and you're not having that kind of level of control,
and that's the bit that I'm learning to deal with at the moment.
Go on! Move it!
They're just like schoolkids.
They just walk off in their own direction!
It's been 24 long years of looking after somebody.
Enjoyed every second of it.
And...
..you don't want to let her go.
But that's life.
You have to.
Dinner? OK. Spoiling us!
SINGING Woo!
Fab!
Very good. Excellent. Were you a party girl?
Oh... THEY LAUGH
I like a party. Yeah. Oh!
Oh, this looks lovely! Oh, wow! Wow! Wow!
It's your turn to sing. No. No. Sorry, no.
What'll we sing? I'll sing badly, if you want me to.
It doesn't matter.
This is a song about, er, a girl in Belfast.
I can't believe we're doing this! Enjoy!
BOTH: # I'll tell me ma When I go home
# The boys won't leave the girls alone
# Pulled my hair, and stole my comb
# But that's all right, till I go home
# She is handsome, she is pretty
# She is the girl of Belfast city
# She is a-courting one, two, three
# Please, would you tell me who is she?
# Albert Moody says he loves her
# All the boys are fighting for her
# They rap on the door and they ring the bell
# Sayin' "Oh, my love, are you well?"
# Out she comes as white as snow
# Rings on her fingers Bells on her toes
# She is the girl of Belfast city
# She is a-courting one, two, three
# Please, will you tell me who is she? #
One more? No, one time only!
I'm so sorry, I'm such a bad singer!
No, it was beautiful.
Aw!
TRAIN HORN BLASTS
Kazakhstan? Kazakhstan, yes.
Kazakhstan, yes! Yes!
We've made quick time for the border. Checkpoint!
Following an early start,
Mark and Margo have now crossed into Kazakhstan.
Woo! Are you ready to run, Mark?
I have a feeling we might surprise ourselves.
I'm ready to open that book, and see a better number there,
than four.
Almaty, here we come!
ANDREW:I can't thank you enough. Thank you very much.
Close behind them, Andrew and Molly...
We normally have to pay to get there fast.
..using their healthy budget to carry them quickly
to the checkpoint.
Well, you need to go fast. Fast, fast, fast.
The former Soviet capital of Kazakhstan -
Almaty.
Meaning "place of apples",
the wild orchard-covered slopes that surround the city are believed
to be the ancient ancestral home of the popular fruit.
I think we're here.
Here we come!
Today, it's also home to the sixth checkpoint.
BEEPING "Make your way to Gogol Street.
"Find the Memorial of Glory."
"Behind the eternal flame.
"Pass the Ascension Cathedral,
"and locate the emblem of Kazakhstan."
"On the front of KBTU."
So we need to get to Gogol Street. Gogol Street.
A lovely day for a walk in the park! It is, absolutely, yes!
Remember though, it's a race. Oh, lordy, lordy, yeah.
Excuse me! Thank you! Thank you.
Come on, we're doing four-minute kilometres.
I just need his skates!
Can I have your skates?!
This way.
Oh! Memorial of Glory - that has to be it.
That's one...big...monument.
It's there! You see it? Ascension Cathedral.
Choo-choo!
It's gorgeous, isn't it? Beautiful, isn't it?
INDISTINCT
KBTU that way? That way.
Fab, thank you. Oh, is that the emblem?
What an amazing building! Do you think it's that one?
BEEPING
"Follow the apples and sign in on the terrace of Almaty Hotel."
Keep your eyes peeled.
There's apples down here. And there's apples up there.
Excuse me?
Oh, he's lost, himself.
Molly, there's apples down here. There's apples up there!
I know, there's bloody apples everywhere.
No, Daddy, there's more apples this way, this makes more sense.
Follow the clues.
Leg it, Mark! Whew!
ANDREW:Almaty Hotel? Thank you.
I'm wrecked now, Molls. You're doing really well.
MARK:Margo! Leg it!
Irish bar!
Yeah! Yeah! Give it everything.
MARK:It could be that one up there. Leg it, Mark!
ANDREW:That's it, Molly, straight up in front of you. Yeah!
Hang on for me! Sorry.
I want a big glass of rose wine.
Steps. I love a step.
We're here!
Way-hey! Hello. Am I glad to see you?!
Good afternoon. Welcome to Almaty Hotel.
Thank you. OK.
Please sign here.
Wonderful.
"Congratulations. You have successfully reached
"your sixth checkpoint." Yes!
Please sign in overleaf." All right, kid?
Been a great leg now, right?
Go on.
Go on. Go on. Third.
We're second! Hey! Yes!
Oh, that's...!
Jo and Kush!
14 hours in front of us.
Oh, gosh, they've made good lead!
Whew! Ah!
Is this right? Yeah.
Whoa! Agh!
Shit, you good?
I just hit the kerb. Yeah, I'm fine.
You sure? Yeah, honest. Nice one, bro.
Dream team. Come on, bro, final sprint.
There it is. Here it is, Jo.
Jo. Open the book to be last...
We're not going to be last.
Salam alaikum. Hello.
Please sign in here.
Yeah, bro, allow me. I think, it's been so hard, but, whatever place.
I'm fine with fourth.
It just is what it is.
"Congratulations. You've successfully reached
"your sixth checkpoint. Please sign in overleaf."
What? Wait!
That's not right!
That's not right. Ah, it's the wrong page or something.
That's not right. That's not right.
Are you sure this is... Nah, someone's... ..the right book?
Lad!
How did we do that, bro?!
We did it, man. First place.
First. We finally got a taste of it.
But I truly think it's thanks to the locals along the way.
How much sleep have I lost over this leg?
I can't believe it.
Me neither. I just want to say thank you for everything,
I know I've been a pain in the arse, but...
Don't worry about it. ..it means the world.
Always.
Bro. I was really struggling, mentally, but I realised that
I can actually rely on Jo a lot more than I originally assumed.
You've helped me so much in general. Bro, same here, it goes both ways.
I would probably still be in Palermo somewhere without you, mate.
I'm not... I'm not joking!
Second, fifth... Third, third.
Second. Second. Second, second, first.
That's a tune, that, you know.
THEY LAUGH
Next leg... I'm sorry, boys, we're coming for you!
We're gunning for you, boys. Gunning for you. Absolutely.
We did the route we wanted, we did it our way, and we've come...
BOTH:Second!
And I think we can win.
Third!
Oh, Jesus.
The boys did very well. Well done. Fair play to them.
I have thoroughly loved this leg, and I think we communicated well.
Well, yeah. And I think we just need to keep it going forward.
We only have to win one.
Come on...
Will we sprint, just for a laugh? Sprint?!
Come on! Sprint's not in my vocabulary!
Welcome to Almaty Hotel. Thank you very much. Thank you.
We knew it. Yeah. What time is it?
Yeah, it's a day behind again.
I am actually a bit devastated with coming fourth,
I really would've loved second or third.
We tried to save a bit of money which cost us maybe a few hours.
I do have that regret that we didn't spend a little bit more money,
but it is the eighth leg that matters for first place.
We've got the extra money to spend now, I think,
so, just spend it wisely.
Really need some leggings and a moisturiser, so, yes.
Absolutely not.
Mongolia's your problem now.
Mongolia's a pretty big problem to have.
We need speed, and we've got the money to be able to spend.
There's no point being rich losers.
This kind of experience is what I wanted out of Mongolia.
Oh, my God, no, this is tough!
This is the best memories we've had so far.
Uh... It's just all going wrong.
Tomorrow's another day, but today...
Oh, holy moley.
LAUGHTER
This is absurd. There's been a miscommunication.
Fasten your seat belts, you're in for a bumpy ride!