Pamir Highway Motorcycle Tour: one of the most beautiful roads in the world (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan)

Book the tour - 20 Aug - 08 Sep 2023

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, capital of Kyrgyzstan. There is international airport, most international travelers dont need visa, country is open after Covid.

• Tour dates 2023: 20 August - 08 September, 10-29 September (full group)
• Tour dates 2024: 28 May - 16 June, 10-29 September
• Duration: 20 days
• Total mileage: 4300 km
• Tour level: high (mountains, high passes, unpaved roads)
• Road description: 70% asphalt 30% unpaved roads
• Price 8450 Euros with BMW F750/850GS
• Extra 950 Euros for BMW R1250GS
• Extra price for single occupancy: 950 Euros
• Deposit for the motorcycle: 1500 Euro
• Price for passenger 4500 Euro (only for experienced riders and passengers, contact us for more details)
• Comprehensive motorcycle insurance: 850 EUR (no deposit needed, full coverage)
• Price with own motorcycle 5450 Euro

The price includes:

• Motorcycle rental (BMW F750/F850GS, extra charge for R1250GS 750 EUR)
• Petrol (for rented motorcycles only)
• Accommodation in 3-4* hotels 
• Breakfasts (during all days)
• Welcome dinner
• 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.)       
• Visa assistance (if needed)
• Transfers

The price does not include:

• Meals (approx. 20 Euro per day)
• Air tickets to/from Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan

Route: where we will go

Bishkek – Toktogul – Osh – Tashkent – Samarkand – Dushanbe – Kalai-Khumb – Khorosh – Yamchung – Mugrab – Osh – Naryn – Bishkek

Daily program:

1. Arrival in Bishkek

Arrival, check-in at the hotel, currency exchange, briefing and signing all necessary documents, receiving motorcycles

2. Bishkek, city tour

City tour in the morning, and preparations for the tour after lunch.

3. Bishkek – Toktogul, 250 km

After breakfast, we leave the city along the M41 highway. This part of the road runs 3/4 through the Tien Shan mountains. After passing the payment post, we begin to climb to the Too-Ashuu pass (3100m) and a narrow five-kilometer tunnel through it is waiting for us. Before climbing, it is highly recommended to dress warmly.

Lunch will take place in the Suusamyr valley after descending from Too Ashuu. The valley of the Suusamyr River is located at an altitude of more than 2000m. After it, we will have another snow-covered Alabel pass (3175m).

4. Toktogul – Osh, 420 km

We continue driving along the legendary Pamir Highway (M41) in the direction of Osh. After the Toktogul reservoir, the road goes along the Naryn River, on which there is a cascade of three hydroelectric power plants

Slowly descending from the mountains, we will find ourselves in the valley, it will become much warmer. In the valley, close to the very border with Uzbekistan, we will find ourselves in one of the most densely populated regions of Central Asia - the Ferghana Valley

5. Osh – Tashkent, 410 km

We leave Osh and cross the border with Uzbekistan. This will take several hours, there will be customs and passport control

There is a dense cluster of settlements in Uzbekistan: a lot of people, animals, cars, and heavy traffic. Tashkent is the largest city in Central Asia with a population of 2.5 million people. Traffic is quite chaotic.

We arrive at the hotel, check in, have dinner, walk around the city

6. Tashkent – Samarkand, 310 km

All day long we will drive on a four-lane autobahn. The north huge deserts and semi-deserts turn into fertile valleys, meeting mountains. The population of these places is also great. As in the Ferghana Valley, there is not a single free piece of land here.

Our purpose is to come to Samarkand safely and as soon as possible and devote half a day to this city. Samarkand is one of the oldest existing cities in the world, founded in the 8th century BC. Thus, Samarkand is the same age as Rome

Our hotel is in the very center of the city, the rest of the day we can devote to the main sights on Registan Square, it is within walking distance from the hotel. A couple of kilometers to the north there are the ruins of the ancient city of Afrosiab

After this wonderful excursion, we return to the hotel, where the hosts will cook a delicious pilaf for us

7. Samarkand, rest day

Today we enjoy this beautiful city with local guide. 

8. Samarkand – Dushanbe, 300 km

After 30 km after leaving Samarkand, we cross the border with Tajikistan. All formalities will be completed, including customs and inspection. Then, the first part of the journey, before lunch, will go through a flat area. Then we will start climbing the mountains.

After lunch we will continue climbing up to almost 3000m, where we will pass through the Anzob tunnel about 5km long. After that, we will slowly descend along the gorge of the Varzob River to Dushanbe, having passed the first stage of acclimatization.

Arrival at the hotel, dinner

9. Dushanbe – Kalai-Khumb, 280/370 km

The old Pamir Highway from Dushanbe to Kalai Khumb runs to the northwest, through the village of Tavildara and the Khuborabad Pass (3200m). This road is mostly unpaved. The pass is beautiful, but difficult to pass in bad weather. We will find out the situation the day before in Dushanbe before choosing a further route

Alternative and longer route to Kalai-Khumba from Dushanbe goes through Kulyab. Here, most of the roads are of excellent quality. Only the last 40 km of the way pass in a narrow gorge along an unpaved road.

Arrival at the hotel, dinner in Ashkhan on the banks of the Khumb River.

10. Kalai-Khumb – Khorog, 240 km

On this day, we move along the Pyanj River gorge along the border with Afghanistan. On the way we will pass hundreds of picturesque mountain landscapes and picturesque villages. Climbing from 1300 meters in Kalai-Khumb to 2100 m in Khorog. This is the third stage of acclimatization

In Khorog we will make the final decision on our further route. Option 1: From Khorog directly across the Pamir plateau (northern road). Option 2: Moving further along the Pyanj River and the Afghan border (southern road).

The northern route is less interesting, this is the new Pamir Highway, passing through the high mountain plateau. The southern road along the Panj or the old road is preferable and interesting. However, the exit from the Wakhan Gorge through the Khargush Pass may be difficult to go through or it may be closed.

Arrival at the hotel, dinner at the hotel restaurant

11. Khorog, rest day

12. Khorog – Yamchung (Murgab northern road), 180/315 km

According to the main plan, we will continue moving along the Pyanj River to the south to the village of Ishkashim. The traffic will become less heavy, as the main cargo flow now goes along the northern route, only local transport travels south

The Ishkashim-Langar part runs along the picturesque Wakhan corridor. The quality of the road is good - old asphalt and flat ground sometimes. On the way, we will visit the Yamchung fortress, picturesque villages, and breathtaking panoramic landscapes of the Wakhan Valley. Above Yamchung, to the left of the road, there are Fatima Bibi hot springs, where we plan an overnight stay.

Arrival at the guest house, swimming in the springs, home dinner at the guest house.

13. Yamchung – Mugrab, 275 km

Despite the small mileage, the day will be very long and hard. We must leave early. We continue to move along the Pyanj. On the way we will have only one settlement Langar, where we will try to buy fuel and have lunch. However, this may not happen, so we carry food and fuel supplies with us.

From Langar to Murghab there is a steep climb and the pass - Khargush (4344m). From here we turn sharply to the north and enter the Pamir plateau. Before entering the northern highway there will be a bad unpaved road and then broken asphalt

Another Naizatash pass (4137 m). Daily climb from 2500 to 3600 meters, you need to be prepared for bad weather, difficult roads, mountain sickness and other "charms" of our exciting journey.

In the afternoon the road promises to be better than in the morning. Murghab was considered the highest mountain district center in the USSR, the height of the village is about 3800m above sea level, we spend the night at this height

14. Murgab – Sari-Tash, 250 km

Next, a special part of 150 km awaits us at an altitude of 4000m with overcoming the Ak-Baital pass (4655m), the highest in the USSR, which is the highest point of our route

Descending from it, we will bypass the largest Karakul Lake in Tajikistan (3900m), which is 100m higher than Titicaca. Here is the small village of Karakul.

15. Sari-Tash – Osh, 250 km

And we again climb the mountains, this is the Tien Shan with the Taldyk pass (3600m), after which the fertile Ferghana Valley and the city of Osh will stretch before us. Arrival at the hotel, dinner at the hotel restaurant.

16. Osh, Rest day

We will stop for rest in one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. After breakfast - free time, because we must tidy up the equipment and ammunition before the next difficult day.

The main attraction of Osh is Osh itself, a city that is 3000 years old. Suleiman Mountain is within walking distance from the hotel, from where you can see the surroundings. For lunch, you need to try the famous Osh pilaf made from the famous Uzgen rice

17. Osh – Kazarman, 220 km

The first 100 km to Jalal-Abad we will drive along the edge of the Ferghana Valley. The population here is the highest, very heavy traffic, lots of settlements and all kinds of animals on the roads

Further from the Kugart river there is a winding ascent, smoothly turning into a special part and overcoming the Kaldamo pass (3000 m). Various surprises are possible here, to which we are already accustomed in the mountains

18. Kazarman – Naryn, 255 km

We will climb again Toguz Toro (2800m). From above, there is an excellent view of the serpentine, do not miss it. Camels can be seen along the way.

From the village of Ak Tal, we will be able to move along the asphalt (if the bridge over the Naryn is open), if the bridge is destroyed, then there are still 110 km of gravel roads ahead. Therefore, it is extremely important not to waste time in order to arrive in Naryn before darkness.

Naryn region is the largest region in the country, and its population is only 5% of the total. The territory of the region is the highest mountainous part of Kyrgyzstan.

Late arrival at the hotel, dinner at the hotel restaurant.

19. Naryn – Bishkek, 345 km

Now we can already say that the hardest part is behind us. A winding, new, paved road lies ahead of us. There may be a strong desire to drive fast, BUT we can stumble on roadworks, as well as stray cattle and standing vehicles on the roadway, especially dangerous on blind turns. In addition, this is a real “hunting farm” of the local police, no one canceled the radars.

Lunch after 200 km in the town of Kochkor cafe "Retro Coffee Bar". It is a tourist hub where many journeys around the country begin. After, on our way there will be a large, artificial pond Orto Tokoy, this reservoir is filled with the waters of the Chu River and serves to irrigate the land.

Arrival at the hotel, return of motorcycles, packing of luggage. Dinner at a city restaurant

20. Bishkek

Departure home.