Planned 38.40°N 72.60°E

Tajikistan — the Pamirs The Pamir Highway by motorcycle and 4x4

Country
Tajikistan
Duration
16 days
Travel mode
Moto + 4x4
Difficulty
Planned date
July 2027

About the expedition

An expedition to the roof of the world: the Pamir Highway, the Wakhan valley and passes above 4000 m.

The most remote of our routes. The programme is being finalised — register your interest to be the first to receive the details.

Highlights

  • The Pamir Highway (M41)
  • The Wakhan valley
  • The Ak-Baital Pass (4655 m)
  • Overnight stays in Pamiri homes

Character of the expedition

Difficulty

Remote regions, limited infrastructure, altitudes above 4000 m. For experienced travellers.

Atmosphere
Mountains · Expedition · Off-road · Culture
Who it’s for
Open group · Group of friends
Group
6–10 people

Route journal

Day by day

The programme may change depending on the weather, road conditions and the pace of the group — on the road, common sense and a good atmosphere come first.

Preliminary outline This is an indicative route, not the final programme. We will confirm the details — stages, accommodation and distances — together with the date.

Duszanbe Kalaj-Chumb Chorog Iszkaszim Twierdza Jamczun Langar Przełęcz Chargusz (4344 m) Bulunkul Murgab Przełęcz Ak-Bajtal (4655 m) Jezioro Karakul Murgab Przełęcz Koj-Tezek (4272 m) Chorog Kalaj-Chumb Duszanbe Twierdza Hisor Duszanbe 200 km
Tajikistan · 38.56°N 68.77°E · indicative route
  1. Day01

    Dushanbe

    Duszanbe

    • No riding
    • Hotel in Dushanbe

    Highlight Mehrgon Bazaar and your first plov

    Early-morning arrival, rest, vehicle handover and an evening briefing.

  2. Day02

    East to Kalai-Khumb

    Duszanbe → Kalaj-Chumb

    Rider on a road carved into the rock above a river
    • Mixed
    • ~360 km
    • 8 h
    • Guesthouse in Kalai-Khumb

    Highlight First views of the Panj

    A long day on the mountain road over the Khaburabot Pass to Kalai-Khumb on the Panj.

  3. Day03

    Along the Afghan border

    Kalaj-Chumb → Chorog

    Motorcycle by a rushing river in the Wakhan valley
    • Mixed
    • ~240 km
    • 7 h
    • Guesthouse in Khorog

    Highlight Afghan villages on the far side of the river

    The road along the Panj — across the river, Afghan villages almost within reach.

  4. Day04

    Khorog — acclimatisation day

    Chorog

    View from a motorcycle cockpit of a gravel road along a river
    • No riding
    • Guesthouse in Khorog

    Highlight The botanical garden at 2300 m

    Rest, vehicle servicing, restocking supplies and a walk around town.

  5. Day05

    Into the Wakhan valley

    Chorog → Iszkaszim

    Steep valley slopes and a mountain range in the Pamirs
    • Mixed
    • ~110 km
    • 4 h
    • Pamiri home in Ishkashim

    Highlight The Garm Chashma hot springs

    We enter the Wakhan valley and get our first views of the Hindu Kush.

  6. Day06

    Yamchun and Langar

    Iszkaszim → Twierdza Jamczun → Langar

    Wide river canyon in the mountains of Tajikistan
    • Gravel
    • ~120 km
    • 5 h
    • Pamiri home in Langar

    Highlight Yamchun Fortress and the Bibi Fatima spring

    The ruins of Yamchun Fortress above the valley, a dip in the Bibi Fatima spring and a night in Langar.

  7. Day07

    The Khargush Pass

    Langar → Przełęcz Chargusz (4344 m) → Bulunkul

    Rider in front of a snow-capped Pamir peak
    • Gravel
    • ~150 km
    • 6 h
    • Homestay in Bulunkul

    Highlight Our first crossing above 4300 m

    We climb onto the Pamir plateau over the Khargush Pass to Lake Bulunkul.

  8. Day08

    Across the plateau to Murghab

    Bulunkul → Murgab

    Yaks by a high-mountain lake in the Pamirs
    • Mixed
    • ~150 km
    • 4 h
    • Guesthouse in Murghab

    Highlight Yaks and yurts on the plateau

    The Pamir Highway via Alichur to Murghab — Kyrgyz yurts, yaks and endless space.

  9. Day09

    Ak-Baital and Karakul

    Murgab → Przełęcz Ak-Bajtal (4655 m) → Jezioro Karakul

    High-mountain Pamir plateau under a stormy sky
    • Gravel
    • ~140 km
    • 5 h
    • Homestay in Karakul

    Highlight The highest point of the route — 4655 m

    The Ak-Baital Pass, the highest point of the Pamir Highway, and the descent to turquoise Lake Karakul.

  10. Day10

    Back to Murghab

    Jezioro Karakul → Murgab

    Rider on the vast plain of the Pamirs
    • Gravel
    • ~140 km
    • 4 h
    • Guesthouse in Murghab

    Highlight A morning by Lake Karakul

    A relaxed return over the Ak-Baital — a spare day for weather and servicing.

  11. Day11

    Via Koi-Tezek to Khorog

    Murgab → Przełęcz Koj-Tezek (4272 m) → Chorog

    Panorama of snow-capped Pamir peaks above a valley
    • Mixed
    • ~310 km
    • 8 h
    • Guesthouse in Khorog

    Highlight The Koi-Tezek Pass and the Gunt valley

    The longest day: the M41 over the Koi-Tezek and down the Gunt valley back to Khorog.

  12. Day12

    Khorog — rest

    Chorog

    • No riding
    • Guesthouse in Khorog

    Highlight A free day after the plateau

    A spare day and rest.

  13. Day13

    Back along the Panj

    Chorog → Kalaj-Chumb

    • Mixed
    • ~240 km
    • 7 h
    • Guesthouse in Kalai-Khumb

    Highlight A last look at Afghanistan

    Back along the Panj valley to Kalai-Khumb.

  14. Day14

    Along the southern road to Dushanbe

    Kalaj-Chumb → Duszanbe

    • Tarmac
    • ~370 km
    • 8 h
    • Hotel in Dushanbe

    Highlight Via Kulob and the lowlands

    Back to Dushanbe on the southern road via Kulob, and return of the vehicles.

  15. Day15

    Dushanbe and Hisor Fortress

    Duszanbe → Twierdza Hisor → Duszanbe

    • Tarmac
    • ~60 km
    • 1 h
    • Hotel in Dushanbe

    Highlight Hisor Fortress

    Sightseeing, the bazaar and a farewell dinner.

  16. Day16

    Departure

    Duszanbe

    • No riding
    • —

    Highlight See you on the road

    Transfer to the airport.

Dates, options and prices

Choose your option

July 2027

Planned

Exact dates are being prepared. Leave an enquiry — we’ll get in touch once the date is confirmed.

The price includes

  • Accommodation
  • Vehicles
  • Support vehicle
  • Permits

The price does not include

  • Flights
  • Some meals
  • Travel insurance

Practical

Before you set off

Accommodation

Guesthouses and Pamiri homes, a simple standard.

Transport

Motorcycles and 4x4 vehicles, support vehicle.

Group

6–10 participants, looked after by a MotoGadabout leader.

Requirements

  • Extensive off-road experience
  • Very good fitness

Documents

  • Passport
  • GBAO permit (we arrange it)
  • Travel insurance

Season

July – September. Full preparation guide: FAQ and preparation.

Gallery

See what it’s like

Photos and films from our expeditions — from the cameras, phones, action cams and drones of the MotoGadabout crew.

Your hosts

Who travels with you

  • 4x4 expedition leaderMateuszLeads convoys across deserts and mountains. Knows when to let the air out of the tyres — and when to stop for tea.
  • Motorcycle guideWojtekPlans the motorcycle routes and makes sure the group rides at its own pace — no racing, just the best bends.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Can I book for a whole group and pay for everyone?

Yes. One person can submit the booking for the whole group and settle the payment for the trip. Participants’ details can be added later in the central MotoGadabout account.

Does the price include flights?

Usually not — we help you choose a flight so that everyone meets on location at roughly the same time. Full details are always in the “What’s included / not included” section.

What if I’m travelling alone?

Most participants come on their own or in pairs. We’ll help you find a room-mate, and if you’d prefer a single room, just ask about the supplement.

All questions about preparation →

Planned: July 2027

Recommend this expedition