The Stans, 18 day Pamir Motorcycle Tour. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

Book the tour - 29 May - 15 Jun 2027

Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The Silk Road and Expedition to the Roof of the World

We invite you to join a Motorcycle Tour to the Pamirs. The Pamirs, or "Roof of the World" in Persian, is a mountain range in southern Central Asia and the northern part of the Himalayan mountain range, primarily located in Tajikistan, China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Central Asia is the birthplace of ancient civilizations, the Great Silk Road from China to Central Asia passed here. Such geniuses, scientists, educators and poets as Avicenna, Ulugbek, Omar Khayyam lived and worked in the countries of Central Asia.

Thousands of years ago, grandiose cities with beautiful mosques, minarets and madrasahs were built here. Medieval monuments of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabs, Merv, Penjikent are known all over the world.

The Tien Shan mountains, the Pamirs, deserts, cotton fields, camel caravans, ancient fortresses of Khorezm – all this awaits you on this tour. We will pass through the territory of three former Soviet republics – Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, get acquainted with their culture, cuisine, local customs. The motorcycle tour will be very diverse and eventful!

Tour starts and finish in Bishkek (direct flights from many countries). There is international airport, most international travelers dont need visa.

• Dates 2027: 29 May - 15 June, 12-29 August, 1-18 September
• Duration: 18 days
• Total mileage: 4000 km
• Tour level: high (mountains, high passes, unpaved roads)
• Road description: 70% asphalt 30% unpaved roads
• Price with own motorcycle 4250 Euro
• Price with BMW F750GS – 6450 Euro
• Price with BMW F850GS – 6750 Euro
• Price with BMW R1250GS – 7250 Euro
• Single room extra –  950 Euro
• Deposit for the motorcycle: 2000 Euro

The price includes:

• Motorcycle rental 
• Accommodation 
• Breakfasts during the tour 
• English-speaking guide on a motorcycle
• Support vehicle assistance with second guide
• Entry tickets to the places of interest and excursions with local guides
• Souvenir pack (t-shirt, paper maps, etc.)       
• Transfers
• Petrol

The price does not include:

• Meals, approx. 35 Euro per day
• Air tickets to/from Bishkek

Route: 

Bishkek – Toktogul – Osh – Tashkent – Samarkand – Dushanbe – Kalaikhum – Khorog – Yamchun – Murghab – Sary-Tash – Osh – Naryn – Bishkek

1. Bishkek - Arrival

Arrival, hotel check-in, pre-tour briefing, motorcycle pick-up.

2. Bishkek – Toktogul, 250 km

We leave Bishkek and climb into the Tien Shan mountains via the Too-Ashuu Pass — it offers breathtaking views of snowy peaks and the Suusamyr Valley. Along the way, you can see traditional Kyrgyz yurts and mountain villages. Closer to Toktogul, the road leads to the Toktogul Reservoir — one of the most scenic on the route, with turquoise water against a mountain backdrop.

3. Toktogul – Osh, 420 km

A long but eventful crossing through the Tien Shan mountain passes, along the Toktogul Reservoir. We will stop there to enjoy its beauty and the picturesque mountain scenery. We then continue through the Fergana Valley, where narrow roads and blooming orchards will accompany us all the way to Osh. Along the way, we will also see traditional Kyrgyz villages and ancient mosques.

4. Osh – Tashkent, 400 km

From Osh we ride via the Kamchik Pass and the Fergana Valley. The road first leads through the southern part of Kyrgyzstan, where densely populated areas give way to mountain serpentines, then we cross the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border. Along the way, it is worth visiting Andijan — the birthplace of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire — and Margilan, famous for its silk workshops. Before reaching Kokand, we will make a stop in Rishtan, known for its unique ceramic products. In Kokand, we are greeted by the Khudoyar Khan Palace — a striking example of 19th-century Eastern architecture. The road then ascends to the Kamchik Pass (2,267 m), passes by the Charvak Reservoir and the Chimgan mountain resort, and leads to Tashkent, where you can visit Hast-Imam, Chorsu Bazaar, and take a ride on the local metro.

5. Tashkent – Samarkand, 300 km

Today we cross the vast northern deserts, which gradually give way to fertile valleys and mountain landscapes. This region is densely populated, and, as in the Fergana Valley, there is not a single patch of land left unused.

6. Samarkand, rest day

Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded in the 8th century, making it as ancient as Rome.

Our hotel is located in the city center, and this day is dedicated to sightseeing. Just a few kilometers to the north are the ruins of the ancient settlement of Afrasiab. After the excursion, we return to the hotel and enjoy delicious plov.

7. Samarkand – Dushanbe, 350 km

The road runs through desert steppes and cotton fields, with a stop in Shahrisabz, where you can see the Ak-Saray Palace and the Hazrat-Imam Mosque — monuments that underline the city's grandeur as a historical center of Tamerlane's empire. The road then ascends into the mountains, approaching the Tajik border. After crossing the border, the route becomes more winding, with serpentines and gorges along the Varzob River. In Dushanbe, we will pass through Rudaki Square and Ruhi Navruz to get a feel of the Tajik capital's atmosphere.

8. Dushanbe – Kalai-Khum, 300 km

Today our route lies through picturesque mountain passes and gorges along the Varzob River. The landscapes change from mountain ranges to alpine meadows, with many small villages and beautiful views of the Hissar Valley. The road becomes increasingly winding, rising along the Panj River. Along the way, you can stop in several villages to learn more about local life. Kalai-Khum greets us with narrow roads and majestic mountain scenery.

9. Kalai-Khum – Khorog, 240 km

Today we travel along the picturesque Panj River gorge, following the Afghan border. Along the way, we will see hundreds of stunning mountain landscapes and colorful villages. The altitude gradually increases: from 1,300 m in Kalai-Khum to 2,100 m in Khorog, which becomes the third stage of acclimatization.

10. Khorog, rest day, 0 km

In Khorog, you can spend the day enjoying the nature and culture of this high-altitude city. We will take a walk in Rudaki Park, which offers stunning views of the mountains and the Panj River. This is a great place to feel the city's atmosphere and enjoy the views.

Then we will head to the Museum of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, where you can learn about the culture and history of the region. Nature lovers might enjoy a trip to the Yamchun Hot Springs, located not far from the city, where you can relax in the warm waters and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.

11. Khorog – Yamchun, 315 km

We continue moving south along the Panj River towards Ishkashim. The road becomes less busy, as the main freight traffic now goes via the northern route, leaving the southern route for local traffic.

The Ishkashim—Langar section runs through the picturesque Wakhan Corridor, offering good road conditions — old asphalt and smooth gravel sections. Along the way, we visit the Yamchun Fortress, pass through colorful villages, and enjoy stunning panoramas of the Wakhan Valley. Higher up, not far from Yamchun, we stop at the Fatima Bibi hot springs, where we stay for the night.

12. Yamchun – Murghab, 275 km

Despite the relatively short distance, this day will be long and challenging. We depart early. The only settlement along the way is Langar, where we can refuel and have lunch, but this is not guaranteed, so we take extra fuel and food with us.

From Langar to Murghab, we rapidly gain altitude, crossing the Khargush Pass (4,344 m). Then we turn north onto the Pamir Plateau, where the roads change from poor dirt to rough asphalt.

Ahead of us lies another pass — Nayzatash (4,137 m). With altitude changes from 2,500 m to 3,600 m, we will face harsh weather conditions, difficult roads, and the risk of altitude sickness.

Murghab is the highest-altitude district center in the former USSR, located at about 3,800 m above sea level, where we will stay overnight.

13. Murghab – Sary-Tash, 250 km

Another early departure awaits us. Ahead is a challenging 150 km stretch at an altitude of 4,000 m, including the Ak-Baytal Pass (4,655 m) — the highest point of our route.

Descending from the pass, we ride past Lake Karakul (3,900 m), which is 100 m higher than Lake Titicaca.

We cross the Tajik border near the Kyzyl-Art Pass (4,300 m) and enter a 20-kilometer strip of no-man's land before reaching the Kyrgyz border. Descending into the valley of the Kyzyl-Suu River, we enjoy breathtaking views of the Pamir Mountains.

14. Sary-Tash – Osh, 250 km

We ascend into the Tien Shan mountains via the Taldyk Pass (3,600 m). Then we enter the fertile Fergana Valley and reach the city of Osh. Arrival at the hotel, check-in, and dinner.

15. Osh, rest day, 0 km

Osh, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, is over 3,000 years old. We take a break, check our gear, and explore the city, including the famous Suleiman-Too Mountain with its sacred panoramic view, cave museum, and ancient shrines. We also visit the Jayma Bazaar — one of the oldest in Central Asia — and try traditional cuisine — pilaf, samsa, lagman — in one of the tea houses.

16. Osh – Naryn, 400 km

A long and varied crossing through the mountainous regions of the Inner Tien Shan. The road climbs through passes, winding between high-altitude valleys and pastures, where you can encounter nomads with yurts and herds of horses. Along the way, panoramic views open up of remote gorges and ridges — places rarely visited by tourists. By evening, we descend into Naryn, an ancient city on the Great Silk Road, surrounded by mountains on all sides.

17. Naryn – Bishkek, 300 km

The route passes through Kochkor, where you can stop at the Burana Tower — an ancient monument from the Karakhanid era — and then through the scenic Boom Gorge along the Chu River. The mountain ranges gradually give way to the Chuy Valley, and by evening we arrive in Bishkek, completing our motorcycle journey through Central Asia.

18. Bishkek - Depature

Motorcycle return, packing, and flight home.