Along the way teams have to cross deserts, rivers, scrubland and the mighty Pamir mountains – known locally as the ‘Roof of the World’.

In an added twist, teams are encouraged to ‘take a cup of tea to the world’, by sharing the traditional British drink with anyone they meet.  Rally participants have the opportunity to be hospitable and also have the incentive to interact with the cultures they encounter along the way.

The rally is run by the charity Go Help, and supports the UK registered charity SWORDE-Teppa. SWORDE-Teppa. SWORDE-Teppa runs a popular English Language and Education Centre in Tajikistan, a project which benefits the whole community, and they also run projects as diverse as malaria prevention and eco-tourism.

The Roof of the World Rally is truly the adventure of a lifetime! Gecko Maps is the official map supplier of the Rally. The Maps, financed by ACTED and SDC, produced by Orell Füssli Kartographie AG under the lead of Markus Hauser, are helping Rally teams to navigate across the famously rugged and awe inspiring mountains of Tajikistan!
The maps are helping Rally teams to navigate across the famously rugged and awe inspiring mountains of Tajikistan! '

Photos of Sophie Willingale

• more information about the Rally
• Magazine (PDF)
• more photos of the Rally by Walter Menegazzi
• more information about the Tadschikistan maps (German)
• more information about the Pamir map (German)