pamir highway cycling

As soon as the sun goes you need a down jacket and a good sleeping bag. Low amounts of vehicle traffic and insane views make the Pamir Highway an incredible cycling destination.There’s quite a bit of info out there on cycling the Pamir Highway, and I met plenty of cyclists while I was travelling in the Pamir. Most are good but not all of them are completely reliable (especially on the South road, where one of the marked camping spots is actually a military base – someone’ s “sense of humor”). Bear in mind that water boils at less than 100C at higher altitudes; it is, therefore, recommended to sterilize the water you will want to cook with.For those craving alcoholic beverages, beer and vodka are limited in rural areas but can be found in bigger villages.

Bread is not always easy to get and oats for your porridge are really tough to find.Sticking to the official Pamir Highway used to be the default route for most bicycle travelers in the Pamirs. I was cycling the Pamir Highway, an occasionally paved, high-altitude road that caps the ancient Silk Road from Turkey to China. Given the increasing numbers of visitors to the Pamirs on bicycles, I have added this Cycling section to the Pamirs website. Murghab is inhabited mainly by Kyrgyz people, rather than the Pamiris you met in Khorog.A relatively short drive takes you from Murghab to Karakul. What counts most is commitment and a willingness to put up with some pain.The Pamir Highway traverses harsh and unforgiving landscape. I hope this helps, but if you have any other question don’t esitate askingA great blog, thanks. After descending in the town of Nurek, it ascends again to reach the “Blue Sea” – Nurek Reservoir – through dunes and desert. Again you don’t need a whole chain just plenty of spare links. With all the kidnappings, car bombs, and killings, Afghanistan hardly has a stellar reputation for security. Generally, prices range between $10 and $15USD, Wild camping is easy and allowed pretty much anywhere; use common sense and strongly avoid proximity to border posts and military bases. The Pamir Highway has been consecrated as the "holy grail of cycling" - see article by Alexei Vink, winner of the The Guardian's "Cycling in central Asia: readers' travel writing competition 2013" here. I also don’t have a bicycle with suspension, but so far the terrain seems ok without. A Murghab, vous trouverez les standards de l’Asie centrale. The house is heated by burning cows’ dry stool in the central heater/stove and they get quite warm and cozy (or claustrophobic, depending on your point of view). If you’ve got as long as you’d like, try to explore as much of the Pamir as possible! Sticking to the official Pamir Highway used to be the default route for most bicycle travelers in the Pamirs. The Bartang Valley, however, offers the most varied and scenic views in the whole of Pamirs, including the presence of many historic ruins and fortresses. Rather than attempt to make recommendations for itineraries as I do in the Trekking section, … thks in advanceHi really depends on the rider how they cope with altitude, weather, winds etc. We have a SteriPen and it is fantastic. But not so tough most moderately fit bicycle travelers can’t hack it. Thanks a lot for all those useful information and details.Hello! However, most cycle tourers will start in Dushanbe and finish in Osh, covering a total distance of about 1250km.The general consensus from many cyclists before us, agrees that doing the Pamir Highway the opposite direction (from Osh to Dushanbe) is far more challenging due to constant headwinds, steeper climbs, and a more drastic altitude gain, which increases the chances of altitude sickness. Money can be changed in Mugharb at the hotel where they give a good rate, less homestays than might think exchange dollars and even then the rate will be awful. Most travelers will receive 60 days entry at the border, no paperwork to fill out in advance.Border crossings were hassle-free for us, but we have heard of some less-than-honest officials at the Tajikistan border with Kyrgyzstan. In addition, I’m wondering if I should get a solar panel so I don’t run out of power.

der tadschikischen Hauptstadt Duschanbe. Recently that’s changed, and it seems more cyclists actually bike the Wakhan corridor than the official M41. After Langar, the traffic reduces drastically as the road becomes sandy and almost impossible to cycle. Also swap with other cycliss and you’ll get an even better rate as they need to get rid of Som.The route is absolutely mind blowing in everyway, there’s a reason so many cyclists ride it each summer (or winter). really appreciate it!No worries, although realized I missed second part of your question, the weather should be warmer by late April/May than in winter but still snowed in August on us so never quite know! If you are more into mountain biking and prefer to “engage with the terrain” then the Bartang will be right up your alley.