Cycling Along The Pamir Highway

Tajikistan cycling tour Along The Pamir Highway trip is an epic, high altitude cycle ride through spectacular remote mountains in two of the least visited countries in the world. At the cutting edge of adventure cycling, this journey offers a fascinating insight into ex-Soviet Central Asia.

Our cycle tour starts in Dushanbe, Tajikistan's sleepy capital; We set off east towards the Pamirs and take Kulob rout to Zigar, driving through beautiful scenery and interesting village's en route. This area is a little more conservative, and we see many men with beards, and women wearing traditional dress. A precipitous cycling descent takes us into the deep cleft of the Pyanj valley where the massive Pyanj river marks the border with Afghanistan. Cycling through small villages, we follow the river upstream to Khorog, capital of the Pamirs.From Khorog, we set out riding along the Pamir Highway, climbing the picturesque Gunt valley to the summit of the Koi Tezek Pass (4,200m). We descend onto the wide open Pamir plateau, a Tibet-like region of snow-capped peaks and eerie turquoise lakes. Threading our way through the mountains we reach the small town of Murgab, not far from the Chinese border.

Our route continues north to climb the 4,655m Ak Baital Pass, the highest point of the cycle tour. On the far side of the pass, biking through a remote valley we reach the the hauntingly beautiful lake at Kara Kul. From here, we ascend the Kyzl Art Pass and enter Kyrgyzstan. A very rough descent from the pass takes us out into the wide grassy Alay valley, studded with the Kyrgyz nomads traditional yurts. There are spectacular views of the 7,000m summits Pik Lenin and Pik Kommunizma.We transfer by vehicle to Osh, Kygygzstan's second city and take a flight to Kyrgyzstan capital Bishkek where the Pamir Highway mountain bike tour ends.