The Pamir Highway

This Silk Route section ride begins in Osh, Kyrgyzstan's oldest city and home to one of Central Asia's largest and busiest markets. The route heads south to the crossroads town of Sary Tash before heading west into remote Tajikistan. Here, we will embark on our own “Great Game” and navigate the fabled Pamir Highway, which was off-limits to travelers until recently. Known locally as Bam-i-Dunya (Roof of the World), the Pamirs lie at the heart of the Hindu Kush, Tien Shan and Karakorum ranges, reaching skywards to 7495 meters. Afghanistan beckons to the south, China and Kyrgyzstan to the northeast.

The riders will face the magnificent desolation and a grueling test of physical and mental strength. Nomadic herders, warm nights in yurts, the indescribable beauty of Kara-Kul Lake, and the literally breath taking 4,665 metre Ak-Baital Pass are some of the highlights of this route. Amidst such stunning scenery, cyclists should be on the lookout for the giant Marco Polo sheep and the elusive snow leopard, while guarding against altitude sickness. After crossing the 4th pass of more than 4000 metres, the riders will reach Khorog, a stone’s throw from Afghanistan. From there it’s on to the Tajik capital of Dushanbe; transformed from a small village into a city by the Bolsheviks, it marks the end of this extraordinary section.

Highlights

• Pamir Mountain Vistas
• Ak-Baital Pass at 4664 m
• Cycling down Panj River with Afghanistan on the other side
• Relaxing in Tajik capital Dushanbe