Why is it so expensive to cross at Torugart?
Torugart is quite remote ( 550 km from Bishkek and 180 km from Kashgar). Also, because of some of the regulations it can involve Agencies/Tour firms, which arrange permission and transfer from the border to/from the border in extra work. They have to cover their costs. For example, even if they do not cross to China , they have to pay for Transport costs (in both directions); the wages of both driver/guide; accommodation and food costs; the cost of faxes from this part of the world – e.g. faxing the permission to the client – is quite expensive – it costs us over $3 a page to fax our Chinese partners); taxes (no small sum!) and official fees, and (of course) make a profit.
