Pamir Highway
The Pamir Highway leads through the Pamir Mountains in Central Asia. The bulk of the Highway runs through the Tajik portion of the Pamir Mountains, and extends into Kyrgyzstan to the north and Uzbekistan and, briefly, Afghanistan towards the south-west.
UnderstandThe Pamir Highway (M41 highway) is the longest and most easily traversable road through the Pamir mountains.
PrepareA GBAO (Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast) permit is required for the Tajik portion of the Pamir Highway. These can be purchased online for $50 including the general Tajik e-visa, and are valid for 60 days.
Get inOsh is the largest hub for setting out on the Pamir Highway from the Kyrgyz side. Marshrutkas are readily available to Sary-Tash from the bus terminal just off Ak-Burinskaya Street.
Go, walk, or driveSeveral methods of travel on the Pamirs are possible. Cycling is increasingly popular, as is renting a car and driving. Hitchhiking is less common but perfectly achievable, as is regular hiking.
Stay safeCannabis is obviously and widely available on the Pamir Highway.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Pamir Highway" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0