Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan - The Pamir Highway

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 transfer by vehicle up the Obkinghou Valley and over the spectacular 3,200m Khaburabot Pass. 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, oasis capital of the Pamirs.

From Khorog, we set out riding along the Pamir Highway, cycling the pretty Gunt valley to the summit of the Koi Tezek Pass (4,200m). From the pass we descend onto the empty Pamir plateau, a Tibet-like region of snow-capped peaks and eerie turquoise lakes. Threading our way through the mountains we ride on to reach the small town of Murgab, not far from the Chinese border.

Leaving Murgab our Pamir Highway cycling route continues north. We ride up the 4,655m Ak Baital Pass, the highest point of the cycle tour. On the far side of the pass, cycling through a remote valley we reach 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 traditional yurts of Kyrgyz nomads. Across the valley are spectacular views of the 7,000m summits of Pik Lenin and Pik Kommunizma.

We transfer from the Alay valley to Osh, Kygygzstan's second city. From here we take a flight to Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, where redspokes’ Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan cycling holiday ends.

Highlights

• Dushanbe: capital of Tajikistan.
• Khaburabot, Koi Tezek, Baital mountain passes.
• Pyanj valley, Gunt valley and Pamir Plateau.
• Khorog: capital of the Pamirs.
• Lake Kara Kul: highest Pamir plateau lake.
• Osh: the oldest city in Kyrgyzstan.