day 1: Dushanbe

On arrival, you will be met at Dushanbe airport and taken to the guesthouse where you will have the chance to catch up on your sleep (flights arrive at 4am).  You will then have the rest of the day to explore the relaxed, leafy capital of Tajikistan
 
Cycling distance         0 km
Accommodation:         Guesthouse   

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          Camping  (possible Guesthouse)

day 3: Tavildara to Kalaikum, via the Khaburabot Pass

The cycling starts with a bang as we tackle the 3,200m Khaburabot Pass.  The super fit amongst the party can try the climb from the bottom.   Mere mortals can get a lift all or some of the way to the summit. From the summit there is long, very spectacular descent down the steep gorge that leads to the small town of Kalaikum and the Pyanj Valley.

Cycling distance         70 km
Accommodation          Camping

day 4: Kalaikum towards Khorog (Pyanj Valley)

From Kalaikum we head along the deep Pyanj valley towards Khorog.  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          Camping

day 5: Pyanj Valley

We continue our journey along the Pyanj valley passing through numerous checkpoints and the odd minefield.

Cycling distance         80 km
Accommodation          Camping

day 6: To Khorog

We reach Khorog, capital of the Pamirs, and the chance for a well deserved beer

Cycling distance         80 km
Accommodation          Camping

day 7: Khorog (restday)

A rest day in the capital of the Pamirs, where we have to complete some formalities.  An opportunity to relax in the cafes, visit the highest botanical gardens in the world and browse around the lively bazaar.

Cycling distance         0 km
Accommodation          Guesthouse

day 8: Khorog to Wer

We set out on the Pamir Highway.  A steady, but not too strenuous climb up the pretty Gunt valley

Cycling distance         70 km
Accommodation          Camping

day 9:  Wer to Jelandy

We continue up the Gunt valley to the sanatorium at the tiny settlement of Jelandy.  Here there’s the chance to bathe in the geo-thermal pools and enjoy unlimited hot showers.

Cycling distance         60 km
Accommodation          Sanatorium

day 10: Jelandy to Koi Tezek Pass

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 the Koi Tezek pass (4,200m)  and onto the remote Pamir plateau.

Cycling distance         60 km
Accommodation          Camping

day 11: Koi Tezek Pass to Niezatash

Continuing across the Pamir plateau we pass eerie turquoise lakes and through the tiny settlement of Alichur.  Mostly on the flat, we press on through a wide-open landscape of dry rocky mountains.

Cycling distance         80 km
Accommodation          Camping

day 12: Niezatash to Murgab

A long descent brings us out into the 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          Guesthouse

day 13: 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          Camping

 day 14: 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.  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 the remote valley leading to the lake side settlement at Kara Kul.  Formed by a meteorite some 10 million years ago the lake at Kara Kul is hauntingly beautiful place and one of the highlights of the trip.

Cycling distance         60 km
Accommodation          Guesthouse or camping

day 15: Kara Kul to the Kyrgyz border

We continue round the lake before summiting a small pass that takes into the desolate valley that leads to the Kyrgz border.

Cycling distance         60 km
Accommodation          Camping

day 16: Kyzl-Art Pass to Sary Tash, via the Alay Valley

After passing through the border post, we climb to the summit of the Kyzl Art Pass (4,300m). A very rough descent takes us into the wide Alay valley, with spectacular views of the 7,000m summits of Koh-I-Samani and Koh-I-Garmo. The valley is a favourite spot for Krygyz nomads and the grasslands are studded with their traditional yurts. We camp near the village of Sary Tash.

Cycling distance         60 km
Accommodation          Camping

day 17: Sary Tash to Gulcho Valley, via Taldyk Pass

From Sary Tash we have a strenuous climb up the double-headed Taldyk Pass (3,600m), before a spectacularly dusty descent leads us into the pretty Gulcho Valley.

Cycling distance         50 km
Accommodation          Camping

day 18: Gulcho

We continue at a relaxed pace down the pretty Gulcho valley.

Cycling distance         50 km
Accommodation          Camping or homestay

day 19: Gulcho to Osh

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

Cycling distance         80 km
Accommodation          Hotel/Guesthouse

day 20 Osh

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

Cycling distance         0 km
Accommodation          Hotel/guesthouse

day 21 Bishkek

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

Cycling distance         0 km
Accommodation          Hotel/guesthouse