Episode 6

Four teams have made it to the fifth checkpoint, and with only three legs remaining, the leaderboard is closer than ever. As they take in the clear mountain air and picturesque surroundings of Zaamin National Park, the competition is on everyone's mind. Ahead of them lies the sixth leg, a 1,500km journey through Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty. A stark contrast to the vast steppe of the west, surrounded by the Tien Shan mountains, the Soviet-era capital is the country’s cultural and financial hub. To get there, the teams face the choice between two countries; they could head north, directly into Kazakhstan, travelling between major cities, or strike out into a country rarely visited by western tourists, Kyrgyzstan, with its remote valleys, alpine lakes, and winding mountain roads.

Three teams depart and set their sights on Kyrgyzstan, but with two borders to navigate, the race is on to cross into the new territory as soon as possible.

Jo and Kush plot a route through Kyrgyzstan, but with the pressure of the race mounting, Kush leans on best friend Jo for support. Working in an ancient walnut forest in Arslanbob, the pair have time to reconnect and reflect on what they mean to each other.

As Margo and her brother-in-law Mark head towards the Kyrgyz border, Margo craves more than just the scenery, commandeering a carriage of locals to keep spirits high. Arriving in Bishkek, they attempt to boost their budget by working with some of the country’s most pampered pets.

Following the same route, brother-and-sister duo Katie and Harrison head off in search of adventure. But with just one 700km mountain highway linking the south to the capital, Bishkek, they quickly discover how tricky it is to get around in this remote region. Hitting a stumbling block gives rookie backpacker Katie the chance to tick off a bucket list activity, as the siblings experience their first night in a hostel. As they continue north, seduced by the scenery, they stop to take in the Ala-Too mountains in the best way possible, on horseback.

Meanwhile, heading towards Kazakhstan, Molly and her father Andrew stop to work at one of Uzbekistan’s most famous markets. Beneath Tashkent’s blue-domed Chorsu Bazaar, one of them proves a natural at serving the national dish, plov.

Arriving in Almaty, a thrilling race develops through wide Soviet-era boulevards, as the teams follow a trail of apple sculptures to find the sixth checkpoint and sign in.