WAKHAN RIDER BIKE TOUR

Itinerary

M41 "WAKHAN RIDER"

Day 1: Dushanbe

Arrive Dushanbe. Meet agent and transfer to guest house. Free time for rest and exploring environs of Tajikistan's capital.

Cycling distance: 0 km
Accommodation: Guest house

Day 2: Drive to Tavildara

We enjoy a spectacular drive of around 200km up the Obikhingou River to the small town of Tavildara

Cycling distance: 0 km
Accommodation: Tents

Day 3: Tavildara to Kalaikhum over Khaburabot Pass of 3,252 m

We start the day with cycling over the 3,252m Khaburabot Pass. Those in good shape can try the climb from the valley bottom while less ambitious members can get a lift all or some of the way to the pass. From the top of the pass there is long, very spectacular downhill ride towards the small town of Kalaikum in Pyanj river valley.

Cycling distance: 70 km
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 4: Kalaikum - Baravintar village

From Kalaikum we cycle along rushing Pyanj river towards Khorog - a capital of Pamirs and Gorno Badakhshan. Afghanistan is just a short distance away across the river. The road rises and falls as it finds its way along this steep rocky valley and we pass thorough small villages and apricot orchards.

Cycling distance: 80 km
Accommodation: Tents

Day 5: Baravintar - Rushan

We continue our journey along the Pyanj valley passing towards Rushan settlement. Rushan stands on Bartang river which begins from Sarez lake and feeds Pyanj river. Along the way we cross several soviet era check points which is now used by Tajikistan border guards service.

Cycling distance: 80 km
Accommodation: Tents

Day 6: Rushan - Khorog

We reach Khorog, capital of the Pamirs and Gorno Badakhshan,

Cycling distance: 80 km
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 7: Khorog

Today is rest day and we stay in Khorog the capital of Pamirs and Gorno Badakhsan. Full day free to explore the environs which would also include the highest botanical garden in the world and lively Afghan bazaar runs weekly on Saturdays and pass several beers before we head further up into Pamirs.

Cycling distance: 0 km
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 8: Khorog to Ishkashim

Today we cycle along Pyanj river towards Ishkashim village, which stands at the mouth of the Wakhan River valley. This is where the 19th century Great Game ended, when Britain and Russia signed a treaty adding a strip of the Wakhan valley to Afghanistan to create a neutral buffer zone between their two empires.

Cycling distance: 70 km
Accommodation: Tents

Day 9: Ishkashim - Yamchun

We continue up the Wakhan valley to Yamchun. Visit Yamchun fort of Fire Worshippers in the evening. Further up the hillside are the hot springs at Bibi Fatima. Here we have a chance to soak in the geo-thermal pools and enjoy hot water after a few days of bird bathing.

Cycling distance: 60 km
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 10: Yamchun - Langar

Continue to Vrang where on a cliff-side pitted with caves, stands a Buddhist complex dating from 4th-7th centuries. Pedal further up to Langar. In the evening we make a steep climb above the village and see the petroglyphs carved into the rock, depicting mountain goats, caravans, horse riders with banners, and the Ismaili symbol of a hand.

Cycling distance: 60 km
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 11: Langar - Khargush

As we continue our climb up the valley, the landscape gets ever wilder and more desolate. A long climb on gravel tracks takes us over Khargush pass (4,344m) and onto the remote Pamir plateau.

Cycling distance: 60 km
Accommodation: tents

Day 12: Koi Tezek Pass to Nayzatash

Continuing cycling across the Pamir plateau we pass several alpine lakes and through the tiny settlement of Alichur reach the foothills of Nayzatash pass of 4314 m. Mostly on the flat, we press on through a wide-open landscape of dry rocky mountains.

Cycling distance: 80 km
Accommodation: Tents

Day 13: Nayzatash to Murgab

Cycle over Nayzatash pass of 4314 m. Those in good shape can try the climb from the valley bottom while less ambitious members can get a lift all or some of the way to the pass. A long descent brings us out into Kara Suu valley leading to the small town of Murgab. Here we are able to stay in friendly guesthouses and stock up in the small bazaar.

Cycling distance: 50 km
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 14: Murgab to the Northern Pamirs

Heading North from Murgab we set out across a flat desert of dry mountains. At times the border with China is only a few hundred metres away.

Cycling distance: 80 km
Accommodation: Tents

Day 15: Ak-Baital Pass to Kara Kul

We start the day climbing to the summit of the 4,655m of the Ak Baital Pass, the high point of the trip and Pamir highway. Although it's a steep climb in the thin air, it is not desperately long as we are starting from around 4,000m. A very rough descent from the pass brings us out into Muzkol valley leading to the lake side settlement at Kara Kul. Formed by a meteorite some 10 million years ago Kara Kul lake is too high to support aquatic life but still is hauntingly beautiful place and one of the highlights of the trip.

Cycling distance: 60 km
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 16: Kara Kul to Markansu over UiBulak pass of 4232 m

We continue round the lake and over Ui Bulak pass of 4232 m to Markansu valley that leads to the Kyrgyz border.

Cycling distance: 60 km
Accommodation: Tents

Day 17: Kyzl-Art Pass to Sary Tash settlement across the Alay Valley

Once done with border formalities we climb to the summit of the Kyzyl Art Pass at 4,380m. A very rough descent takes us into the wide Alay valley, with spectacular views of the 7,134m Lenin peak which dominates over the area. We stay in Mirbek's guest house in village of Sary Tash.

Cycling distance: 60 km
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 18: Sary Tash to Gulcho Valley over Taldyk Pass of 3615 m

From Sary Tash we have a strenuous climb up the double-headed Taldyk Pass (3,615m), before a spectacularly descent leads us into the pretty Gulcho Valley.

Cycling distance: 50 km
Accommodation: Tents

Day 19: Gulcho

We continue at a relaxed pace down the pretty Gulcho valley and stay in a house of local family.

Cycling distance: 50 km
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 20: Gulcho to Osh

From the town of Gulcha, we climb the Chirchik (2,600m), the final pass of the trip and are rewarded with a 60 km racing descent into Osh.

Cycling distance: 80 km
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 21: Osh

A day in Osh and the chance relax and explore one of the liveliest bazaars in Central Asia.

Cycling distance: 0 km
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 22: Bishkek

We fly to the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek where the tour ends.

Cycling distance: 0 km
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 23: Bishkek

Onward travel to your next or home destination.