Motorcycle Tour

Central Asia - Pamir Highway

We invite you to an extraordinary tour, where you will cross the Pamir Mountains, and visit exotic-famous cities like Tashkent, Samarqand, Dushanbe, and many other less known, but not less impressive beautiful places.

Description

The Pamir Highway is located in Central Asia and is one of the most exciting roads in the world.

Central Asia is the birthplace of ancient civilizations, the Great Silk Road from China to Central Asia passed through here. Geniuses, scientists, educators, and poets such as Avicenna, Ulugbek, and Omar Khayyam have lived and worked in countries of Central Asia. Thousands of years ago grandiose cities with beautiful mosques, minarets and madrasas were built here. The medieval monuments in Samarqand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabs, Merv, and Penjikent are famous all over the world. The Tien Shan Mountains, the Pamir Mountains, deserts, cotton fields, camel caravans, the ancient fortresses of Khorezm - all this awaits you on this tour. You will cross the territory of three former Soviet republics - Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan - and get to know the culture, cuisine, and local customs of these countries so foreign to us. The start and end of this very special motorcycle tour are in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. There is an international airport there, most foreigners do not need a visa, and the country is open to Covid.

Our exclusive itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek - Uzbekistan.

Airport transfer, meet the team, un-board motorcycles, make final preparations and enjoy the welcome dinner. Important: Please plan to arrive at Bishkek airport no later than 1 pm.

Day 2: City tour of Bishkek

In the morning we will have a city tour, and in the afternoon we will use the time to prepare for the upcoming exciting trip.

Day 3: Bishkek - Toktogul, 250 km

After breakfast, we will leave the city along the M41 highway. This part of the road runs 3/4 through the Tien Shan Mountains. After the toll booth, the ascent to Too-Ashuu Pass (3,100 m) begins, and a narrow 5 km tunnel awaits us crossing it. It is strongly advised to put on warm clothes before the climb. After lunch, we will cross the snow-covered Alabel Pass (3,175 m).

Day 4: Toktgogul - Osh, 420 km

We continue along the legendary Pamir trunk road (M41) towards Osh. After Toktogul reservoir the road leads along the Naryn River, on which there is a waterfall with three hydroelectric power plants. After a long descent from the mountains, we will arrive in the valley where it will be much warmer. In the valley, near the border with Uzbekistan, we come to one of the most densely populated regions of Central Asia - Ferghana Valley.

Day 5: Osh - Tashkent, 410 km

We leave Osh and cross the border with Uzbekistan. This will take a few hours because of customs formalities. Uzbekistan is densely populated: many people, animals, cars, and heavy traffic. Tashkent is the largest city in Central Asia with a population of 2.5 million people. The traffic is quite chaotic. We arrive at the hotel, check-in, have dinner and take a walk around the city.

Day 6: Tashkent - Samarkand, 310 km

All day long we ride on a four-lane highway. The vast deserts and semi-deserts in the north give way to fertile valleys abutting mountains. Numerous people live in this area as well. As in the Ferghana Valley, there is not a single piece of open ground here. Our goal is to reach Samarkand as early as possible and devote half a day to this city. Samarkand is one of the oldest existing cities in the world and was founded in the 8th century BC. Chr. founded. This makes it as old as Rome! Our hotel is located in the center of the city; we can devote the rest of the day to the main sights at Registan Square, which can be reached on foot. A few kilometers to the north are the ruins of the ancient city of Afrosiab. After this wonderful excursion, we will return to the hotel where the hosts will prepare a delicious pilaf for us.

Day 7: Samarkand - Sightseeing / Relaxation

Today we will enjoy this wonderful city with a local guide.

Day 8: Samarkand - Dushanbe, 300 km

30 km after Samarkand we reach the border with Tajikistan. After entering the country, the first part of the ride is through a flat area. Then the ascent into the mountains starts up to almost 3,000 m; at this altitude, we ride through the Anzob tunnel with a length of about 5 km. After that we start the slow descent along the Varzob River gorge to Dushanbe; this completes the first stage of acclimatization.

Day 9: Dushanbe - Kailai-Khumb, 280/370 km

The old Pamir trunk road from Dushanbe to Kalai Khumb runs northwest through Tavildara village and Khuborabad pass (3,200 m). This road is mostly unpaved. The pass is picture-perfect but difficult to traverse in bad weather. We will check out the situation the day before in Dushanbe before deciding on the rest of the route. The alternative and longer route from Dushanbe to Kalai-Khumba is through Kulyab. Here most of the roads are in excellent condition. Only the last 40 km of the route pass through a narrow gorge along a dirt road. Arrival at the hotel, dinner in Ashkhan on the banks of the Khumb River.

Day 10: Kalai - Khumb, 240 km

On this day we will ride along the gorge of the Pyanj River near the border with Afghanistan. On this way, we pass hundreds of picturesque mountain landscapes and villages. We climb from 1,300 m in Kalai-Khumb to 2,100 m in Khorog. This is the third stage of acclimatization. In Khorog we make the final decision about the further route. Option 1: From Khorog directly across the Pamir plateau (northern route). Option 2: Continue along the Pyanj River and the Afghan border (southern route). The northern route is less interesting; this is the new Pamir trunk road that runs through the high mountain plateau. The southern route along the Panj or the old road is preferable and much more interesting. However, the exit from the Wakhan Gorge through the Khargush Pass can be difficult to ride through or even closed.

Day 11: Khorog - day to rest

Today we will use the day for rest.

Day 12: Khorog - Yamchun, 180 km

(Murgab via the northern route), 315 km

In option 2 we continue south along the Pyanj River to the village of Ishkoshim. Traffic decreases as the main flow of goods now travel on the northern route, while only local transport is carried out on the southern route. The portion from Ishkashim to Langar runs through the scenic Wakhan corridor. The road is in good condition, occasionally with old asphalt. On the way, we visit Yamchun Fortress, picturesque villages, and breathtaking landscapes in the Wakhan Valley. Above Yamchung, on the left side of the road, are the hot springs of Fatima Bibi, where we will spend the night. Arrive at the guest house, and relax in the thermal baths.

Day 13: Yamchun - Murgab, 275 km

Today we have a very long and hard day ahead of us despite the low mileage. We have to start early. We continue along the Pyanj River. On the way, there is a single settlement, Langar, where we will try to buy fuel and have lunch. Since this may not be possible, we carry food and fuel. From Langar to Murghab there is a steep climb and the Khargush Pass (4,344 m). Here we turn sharply north and enter the Pamir Plateau. Before we get on the northern trunk road, we have a bad dirt road and then broken asphalt ahead. The Naizatash pass (4,137 m) follows. On this day we cover altitude changes from 2,500 m to 3,600 m; you must be prepared for bad weather, difficult roads, altitude sickness, and other "enchanting" accompaniments to our exciting journey. In the afternoon the road gets better. Murgab was considered the highest mountain district center in the USSR, the village is located about 3,800 m above sea level. We will spend the night at this altitude.

Day 14: Murgab - Sari-Tash, 250 km

Today a 150 km long special route awaits us at an altitude of 4,000 m, where we will climb the Ak-Baital pass (4,655 m), the highest pass in the former USSR, which is also the highest point of our route. As we descend, we pass by the largest lake in Tajikistan, Karakul; this is at an altitude of 3,900 m, 100 m higher than Lake Titicaca.

Day 15: Sari-Tash - Osh, 250 km

Again we ride up the mountains, this time in the Tien-Shan range with the Taldyk Pass (3,600 m); then the fertile Ferghana Valley and the city of Osh lie ahead of us, where we stay for two nights.

Day 16: Osh - day for rest

We will have a rest in one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. After breakfast, we will have free time because we need to clean the equipment and vehicles before the next difficult day. The main attraction is Osh itself, a 3,000-year-old city. Suleiman Mountain can be reached on foot from the hotel; from here you can see the surrounding area. For lunch, you must try the famous Osh pilaf made from Uzgen rice.

Day 17: Osh - Kazarman, 220 km

For the first 100 km to Jalal-Abad, we ride on the edge of Ferghana valley. Here lives the largest population, the traffic is very dense, and there are numerous settlements and all kinds of animals on the roads. A little further from the Kugart River there is a winding ascent that gently turns into a special section crossing the Kaldamo Pass (3,000 m). Here, various surprises are possible, to which we have already become accustomed in the mountains.

Day 18: Kazarman - Naryn, 255 km

We will go up again, this time to Toguz Toro (2,800 m). From the top, there is an excellent view of the serpentine that you can't miss. Along the way, you can see camels. From the village of Ak Tal, we will be able to ride on asphalt, provided that the bridge over the Naryn is open; if the bridge is destroyed, we will have another 110 km of gravel roads ahead of us. That is why it is extremely important not to waste time so that we arrive in Naryn before nightfall. The Naryn region is the largest in the country, but its population makes up only 5% of the total population. This region is the highest mountainous area of Kyrgyzstan. Late arrival at the hotel.

Day 19: Naryn - Bishkek, 345 km

Now we can say that the hardest part is behind us. In front of us lies a winding, newly paved road. It is tempting to ride fast here, but we may encounter construction sites, stray cattle, and vehicles parked on the roadway, which is especially dangerous in blind curves. In addition, this is a real "hunting ground" for the local police, as the radar systems have not been abolished. After 200 km we have lunch in the town of Kochkor at the "Retro Coffee Bar" café. It is a tourist hub where many trips to the whole country start. After that we will pass by the large man-made lake Orto Tokoy; this reservoir is fed by the Chu River and is used for irrigation of the land. Arrival at the hotel, return of the motorcycles, packing. Last dinner together in a restaurant in town.

Day 20: Journey home

Depending on the time of departure you will use the time to pack or explore Bishkek on your own. We hope that you enjoyed the trip so much that you will come back one day for another tour with us. Airport transfer, end of the trip.