AFGHAN RALLY ENDURO MOTORBIKE TOUR

Itinerary

Day 1. Bishkek
Arrive Bishkek. Meet agent and transfer to hotel. After some chance for rest we visit Tajikistan embassy to apply for visas. Free time to explore the environs or optional sightseeing. PM receive passports and transfer to airport for evening flight to Osh. Overnight in homestay. Meals: BLD

Day 2. Osh - Sary Tash (190 km)
Meet crew in the morning. Safety briefing and bikes acknowledgement. PM ride to Sary-Tash village (190 km). Here the mountains are Pamirs - The Roof of the World. Overnight in homestay. Meals: BLD

Day 3. Sary Tash - Karakul - Murghab
Ride 50 km onwards Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan border enjoying the views of Lenin peak (7,134 m) which dominates over the area. End of Kyrgyz section at Kyzyl Art pass (4,280 m) which forms the border with Tajikistan. Border formalities might take while before we drive another 95 km to the shore of Karakul lake which at 3,915 m is too high to support aquatic life. Karakul is the largest of a range of about 800 ancient lakes in the Pamirs which were created by earthquake, tectonic activity and glaciers. By the lakeside, there are some mysterious stone circles. Ride to Murgab (135 km) over Ak-Baital Pass (4,655 m), the highest section of road in the former USSR. Murgab is a center of the most highest mountain region in CIS bordering China. The terrain here is becoming barren and rocky. This region is inhabited by nomadic Kyrgyz herders. Murgab is located in a valley at about 3,000 m above sea level and surrounded by high peaks. Also from this point you can see Muztag Ata peak – the highest mountain in Pamirs of 7546m. At night the clear view of the Milky Way is unparalleled. Overnight in homestay. Meals: BLD

Day 4. Murghab - Khorog
Continue along M41 "Pamir Highway" to Khorog - the capital of Badakhshan. Continue to Khorog. Optional stop to bath at the hot, mineral filled springs at Jelondy on the way. Here the people are Pamiri or Badakhshanis, not Kyrgyz or Tajiks, a number of separate tribal groups with their own languages. Unlike their Sunni neighbours, the Badakhshanis are Ismaili, followers of the Aga Khan. Attitudes and dress are a little more liberal in Badakhshan. Overnight in guest house. Meals: BLD

Day 5. Khorog
Full day in Khorog exploring the environs and visiting the most highest in the world botanical garden and local market. Visit small History Museum. Khorog also have a few internet cafes to send a message to friends and relatives as next few days we will be cut off the civilization. Overnight in guest house. Meals: BLD

Day 6. Khorog - Sultan Ishkashim (Afghanistan)
Cross the border with Afganistan. Meet local fixer. Ride gravel south to Sultan Ishkashim, 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. Overnight in guest house in Sultan Ishkashim. Meals: BLD

Day 7. Sultan Ishkashim - Qaizideh
With a help of our agent here we will arrange Wakhan permits in the morning needed to travel beyond this big village. Be patient as it takes some time and few offices need to be visited in person. Walk along Afghan market to buy traditional Afghan hats and scarfs and bargain with locals. Ride 25km to Qaizideh and stay with Wakhi family. Afghan food for dinner with singing and dancing. Overnight in guest house. Meals: BLD

Day 8. Qaizideh - Ishkashim (Tajikistan) - Langar
In the morning we start back to Sultan Ishkashim. Cross the border to Tajikistan (double entry Tajik visas are required!!). Continue to Langar. Refill before long travel to Khargush. Accommodation: Homestay. Meals: BLD.

Day 9. Langar - Khargush - Victoria lake
Once again, the landscape and peoples change as we slowly go higher into the Pamirs. We have left behind the lush valley of the Wakhan and the Pamiri tribes.The terrain here is becoming barren and rocky. This region is inhabited by nomadic Kyrgyz herders. The terrain here is desolate but has a stark beauty to it. The view of the night sky is stunning for anyone who lives in a city. The Milky Way can be clearly seen as a bright splash. From this point we will do a round trip to lake Victoria (subj to local conditions). Overnight in tents. Meals: BLD.

Day 10. Khargush - Murghab
Ride north over Khargush Pass to Bulunkul lake thru picturesque Alichur valley. Bulunkul village of just a several families is a small settelment on the shore of Bulunkul and Yashilkull lakes. Fish lunch with local family following one hour hike to the shore of Yashilkul lake.Continue to Murghab (3,630m) along M41 "Pamir Highway". Accommodation: Homestay. Meals: BLD.

Day 11. Murghab - Karakul - Sary Tash
Early start. Ride north over Ak-Baital Pass 4,655m, continue to Karakul lake and at Kizyl-Art pass (4,280 m), which forms the border with Kyrgyzstan, before descending to Sary-Tash . On the other side of the pass, the scenery suddenly changes, becoming as green and lush as the Pamir Plateau was barren. Accommodation: Homestay. Meals: BLD

Day 12. Sary Tash - Osh
Ride to Osh. PM optional sightseeing of Osh including oriental bazaar - one of the biggest bazaars in Central Asia, Suleiman Too - the sacred hill of local Muslims also known as Solomon throne and local history museum in cave. Accommodation: Homestay. Meals: BLD

Day 13. Osh - Bishkek
Flight to Bishkek. Free time in the afternoon for shopping or sightseeing. Final dinner in the evening. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: BLD.

Day 14. Bishkek
Departure day. You are free to leave your accommodation at any time concidering hotel check out regulations or otherwise extend your stay. Meals: B.