Explorer
Pamir High Road Expedition: Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan | 3-19.07.2027
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MOTORCYCLE:
This expedition is designed primarily for riders travelling on their own adventure motorcycle. The Pamirs are the kind of place where riding your own bike makes sense: you know it, you trust it,
The tour price does not include motorcycle transport to or from Bishkek. MotoBirds organises motorcycle transport between Warsaw and Bishkek for riders who want their own bike at the start of the expedition.
OWN MOTORCYCLE TRANSPORT
- Return transport Warsaw – Bishkek – Warsaw: €2,550
- One-way transport Warsaw → Bishkek: €1,390
- One-way transport Bishkek → Warsaw: €1,540
LOCAL RENTAL OPTION
For riders who prefer to fly in without shipping their own motorcycle, a local rental option may be available on request: CFMoto 450MT rental for the tour: €1,800, or CFMoto 800MT: €2,000.
The rental option is subject to availability, local rental conditions, €1,000 refundable deposit in cash and damage responsibility rules.
TOUR DESCRIPTION:
KYRGYZSTAN, TAJIKISTAN AND THE HIGH ROADS OF CENTRAL ASIA
This is the Pamir Highway the long way: a 17-day own-motorcycle expedition from Bishkek to Bishkek, crossing Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan through mountain valleys, high borders, remote gravel roads, the Wakhan Corridor and the vast open spaces of the Pamir Plateau.
Over 17 days and 14 riding days, this supported Pamir Highway motorcycle tour brings together Kyrgyz mountain roads, the Alay Valley, the Peak Lenin area, Kyzyl-Art, Karakul Lake, Murghab, Ak-Baital, Bulunkul, Yashilkul, Khargush Pass, the Wakhan Corridor and Khorog in one continuous expedition. Accommodation is provided in hotels, guesthouses, yurts and simple local stays—there are no camping nights.
This is not a short Osh-to-Osh Pamir loop. The route starts and finishes in Bishkek, giving the expedition a wider Kyrgyzstan crossing before and after the Pamirs. The final distance will depend on the confirmed GPX route, road conditions and any operational changes required by weather, borders or high-altitude track conditions.
A JOURNEY THROUGH TWO HIGH-ALTITUDE WORLDS
We begin in Bishkek and ride south through Kyrgyzstan’s mountain roads, moving from the capital into valleys, reservoirs, canyons and remote upland routes. The approach to the Pamirs is part of the expedition—not just a transfer. The road builds gradually towards Osh, the Alay Valley and the Peak Lenin region.
From southern Kyrgyzstan, we cross towards Tajikistan through the high Kyzyl-Art border. The landscape changes immediately. The Pamir Plateau is wide, dry, exposed and remote, with thin air, long distances and horizons that seem to run forever. We ride through Karakul, Murghab, Ak-Baital and the Eastern Pamirs before leaving the main highway towards Bulunkul, Yashilkul and Khargush Pass.
The route then drops into the Wakhan Corridor, following the Panj River along the Afghan border. Villages, fortresses, hot springs and mountain views give this section a very different rhythm before we reach Khorog for a rest and service day. From there, we climb back onto the M41 and return across the high plateau before crossing back into Kyrgyzstan and riding north to Bishkek.
EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS
- 17 days across Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
- Own-motorcycle expedition from Bishkek to Bishkek
- The legendary M41 Pamir Highway
- Kyzyl-Art border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
- Karakul Lake, Murghab and the Eastern Pamirs
- Ak-Baital Pass, one of the highest points of the route
- Bulunkul and Yashilkul lake region
- Khargush Pass, linking the high Pamirs with the Wakhan Corridor
- The Wakhan Corridor and the Afghan border
- Khorog rest and service day
- Tulpar Kul and the Peak Lenin area, subject to weather and access conditions
- Hotels, guesthouses, yurts and simple local accommodation
- Riding your own motorcycle, with your main luggage carried by the support vehicle
- Detailed GPX route provided
WHO IS THIS EXPEDITION FOR?
This tour is intended for adventure riders who are comfortable handling a large motorcycle on gravel, broken asphalt and long remote riding days at altitude.
The route is not an enduro tour, but the Pamirs make their own demands. Riders must be prepared for rough surfaces, corrugations, dust, high passes, border procedures, remote fuel stops, basic accommodation and rapidly changing mountain weather. This is a serious adventure motorcycle expedition, not a sightseeing convoy on perfect roads.
GUIDANCE, LUGGAGE AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT
The group is led by an experienced MotoBirds motorcycle guide. A support vehicle carries the participants’ main luggage and assists with tour logistics. MotoBirds coordinates the planned border crossings, local accommodation, route planning and support arrangements.
The expedition is designed for riders travelling on their own motorcycles. MotoBirds motorcycle transport to and from Bishkek is available separately. A local CF Moto 450/800 rental option may be available on request, subject to availability and separate rental conditions.
The itinerary may be adjusted when required because of weather, road conditions, border procedures, support-vehicle access, high-altitude track conditions or other circumstances beyond MotoBirds’ control.
THE FREEDOM TO EXPERIENCE THE PAMIRS AT YOUR OWN PACE
This is a supported motorcycle expedition, not a controlled convoy. Each rider receives a detailed GPX track covering the planned route, making it possible to navigate independently and ride at their own pace. You may ride with the group or follow the GPX independently—stopping for photographs, taking a break or simply settling into your own rhythm on the high roads of Central Asia.
The support vehicle travels with the expedition, carries the participants’ main luggage and provides backup along the route. This gives riders genuine freedom while maintaining the reassurance of an organised MotoBirds expedition.
TOUR DETAILS
HIGHLIGHTS:
- The M41 Pamir Highway and the high roads linking Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
- Ak-Baital Pass — one of the highest points of the expedition at 4,655 m
- Karakul Lake and the high Pamir Plateau
- The Wakhan Corridor — Afghanistan across the river
- Khargush Pass — the rough high-altitude link between the Pamirs and the Wakhan
- Tulpar Kul and the Peak Lenin area
- Silk Road towns, borderlands and Pamiri villages
- Local food, tea, bread, dumplings and simple mountain hospitality
- Fortresses, hot springs and high-altitude yurt stays
- Approximately 3,600 km across Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
- One great road trip across Central Asia all the way to China’s border
WEATHER:
This is a high-altitude expedition, so the weather will not always behave politely.
In Kyrgyzstan, July usually brings warmer days in the valleys, but once we climb towards the Alay region, Tulpar Kul and the high border areas, temperatures can drop quickly. Nights in yurt camps can be cold, especially near Peak Lenin and on the higher plateaus.
In Tajikistan, the Pamirs are dry, exposed and remote. Days can be sunny and bright, with strong UV and big temperature swings. At altitude, wind can be brutal, and even in summer the weather can change fast. On the highest sections — Kyzyl-Art, Ak-Baital, Khargush and the Eastern Pamirs — cold, rain, hail or even fresh snow are possible.
MOTORCYCLE GEAR:
Your riding gear is your protection. Bring proper adventure motorcycle equipment, not city gear.
We strongly recommend:
- full-face or adventure helmet;
- proper adventure or off-road motorcycle boots;
- summer gloves and warmer waterproof gloves;
- if your gear is not waterproof, a rain suit;
- warm base layer / thermal layer for cold mornings and high-altitude sections.
We strongly recommend bringing two pairs of gloves—one lighter pair and one warm, waterproof pair—together with thermal base layers, a warm mid-layer and a neck warmer. A clear visor or goggles, an anti-fog insert and effective sun protection are also extremely useful.
Choose equipment that you already know and trust. This is a long-distance expedition with consecutive riding days, so comfort, weather protection and freedom of movement matter just as much as protection.
There is no single perfect outfit for this tour. The secret is a flexible layering system that lets you adapt quickly and remain comfortable as the weather changes around you.
LUGGAGE:
Our support vehicle has limited space. For this reason, each participant can bring one soft waterproof roll bag, maximum 40 litres / 20 kg. Your riding gear is not included in this luggage limit.
Please do not bring hard-shell suitcases. They are difficult to load, take too much space and do not work well in a support vehicle on rough roads. You will have the option to leave a bag or suitcase in Bishkek.
For things you may need during the day, you can use a small backpack, tank bag or panniers on your motorcycle.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION:
Third party liability road insurance is compulsory. MotoBirds will organize it for participants who ride their own motorcycle.
Visas & permits:
- Kyrgyzstan: EU citizens can enter Kyrgyzstan for touristic purpose without a visa
- Tajikistan: EU citizens usually do not need a Tajikistan visa for stays of up to 30 days, but a GBAO permit is required for travel in the Pamir region, including Murghab, Karakul, the Wakhan Corridor and Khorog.
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE:
4655 m
metres above sea levelDAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrival in Bishkek
Arrival in Bishkek, the gateway to the Pamirs. Airport transfers, hotel check-in, and time to rest after your journey. In the evening, we meet as a group for a welcome briefing and route overview.
Day 2 – Motorcycle collection then Bishkek → Too-Ashuu → Suusamyr Valley → Kyzyl-Oi (190km)
We head to the warehouse to collect our motorbikes. Then we saddle up and leave town. The route climbs towards Too-Ashuu before dropping into the wide Suusamyr Valley, a classic high-pasture landscape of open grasslands, distant peaks and nomadic summer life. From the main road, we move towards the Kokomeren River and Kyzyl-Oi area. This is where the trip starts to feel like an ADV expedition rather than a highway transfer.
Day 3 — Kyzyl-Oi → Chaek / mountain roads → Kazarman (300 km)
We continue through central Kyrgyzstan, using smaller mountain roads towards Kazarman. This is a remote riding day with the Moldo-Ashuu pass (3,238m) , with changing surfaces, river valleys, rougher sections and wide mountain landscapes. Kazarman is dusty and far from a glamour stop. It is useful for fuel, rest and motorcycle checks before continuing south.
Day 4 — Kazarman → Jalal-Abad / Özgön → Osh: 2 options
Those feeling more like road runners could follow the main road towards Jalal-Abad (Manas) – 240km. Gradually leaving the more remote mountain roads and returning to busier areas of southern Kyrgyzstan. Those wanting more adventurous gravel riding could take the Kaldama pass (2,980 m) road, famous for its hairpins and views (260 km).
Day 5 — Osh → Alay Valley → Sary-Mogol → Tulpar Kul (260 km)
We leave Osh and ride into the Alay Valley, one of the great mountain corridors of southern Kyrgyzstan. The landscape opens dramatically as we approach Sary-Mogol and Sary-Tash, with the Trans-Alay range rising ahead and Peak Lenin dominating the horizon, if the weather is clear. From Sary-Mogol, we take the dirt side road towards Tulpar Kul. This is a dead-end access road that takes us close to the Peak Lenin base camp. Tulpar Kul (3,500 m) gives the tour one of its strongest Kyrgyz moments: yurts, high pastures, cold evening air and views towards Peak Lenin. If it has rained a lot we will sleep in the nearby town.
Day 6 — Tulpar Kul → Sary-Mogol / Sary-Tash → Kyzyl-Art Border → Karakul → Murghab (175 km)
In the morning, we ride back out from Tulpar Kul to the main Alay Valley road. From there, we continue towards Sary-Tash and the Kyzyl-Art border crossing into Tajikistan. This is the real gateway into the Pamirs. Kyzyl-Art is the established high mountain crossing (4,288 m) between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on the Pamir route. Further down the road, we climb to the Ak-Baital Pass (4,655 m). It is not a boring border-crossing day, but a real high-altitude day.
Day 7 — Murghab → Alichur → Bulunkul / Yashilkul (150 – 300 km)
We do not rush south. If local access, permits and weather conditions allow, we first ride out towards Rangkul, a remote region close to the Chinese border. This is high, empty Tajikistan at its starkest: open desert, rough roads, wind, lakes and finally, the old fence from Soviet days separating Tajikistan from China which somehow is still standing in places…
The ride from Murghab towards Alichur, Bulunkul and Yashilkul is about space, altitude and silence: high desert, lakes, wind, distant mountains and minimal traffic.
The landscape feels completely different from Kyrgyzstan. The side access to Bulunkul / Yashilkul is a lot more remote, but appropriate for the character of the tour. We should have enough time to enjoy the hot springs nearby (off-road).
Day 8 — Bulunkul / Yashilkul → Khargush Pass → Langar (260 km)
This is expected to be one of the more challenging days of this expedition. We leave the high lake country and ride towards Khargush Pass, then descend towards the Wakhan Corridor. Khargush Pass is around 4,344 m and links the Pamir Highway side with the Wakhan route. On the other side of the Panj River that we follow lies Afghanistan.
Day 9 — Langar → Wakhan Corridor → Yamchun / Ishkashim (115 km)
Today, is not a long day in terms of distance, but the road conditions mean we will probably need several hours to reach Ishkashim. We ride through the Wakhan Corridor, one of the cultural and emotional highlights of the journey. The road follows the valley along the Afghan border, with the Panj River, villages, fields, fortresses, hot springs and the Hindu Kush rising on the far side.
The riding is slower here. It is not about speed, but about staying alert on narrow roads, gravel, broken asphalt, dust, village traffic and occasional rough sections.
Depending on timing, we can include stops around Yamchun Fortress, Bibi Fatima hot springs or other local sights.
Day 10 — Ishkashim → Khorog (120 km)
Today we continue along the Panj River towards Khorog, the main town of Gorno-Badakhshan and one of the key service points on the Pamir route. After the slower roads of the Wakhan Corridor, this is a shorter riding day by design. The surface remains mixed — broken asphalt, gravel, patched sections and local traffic — but the distance gives us time to arrive without rushing. The road follows the valley north, with Afghanistan still visible across the river for much of the way.
Day 11 — Khorog — Rest, Service & Pamir Reset
After several demanding days through the Eastern Pamirs, Khargush Pass and the Wakhan Corridor, we take a rest and service day in Khorog, the main town of Gorno-Badakhshan. This is not a luxury resort stop, but it is one of the most useful places on the entire Pamir route: a proper bed, food, supplies, laundry, a local bazaar and time to check the motorcycles before heading back into the high plateau. Those who want to explore can walk through town, visit the bazaar or ride/drive up towards the Pamir Botanical Garden for views over Khorog and the surrounding mountains. Those who need rest can do exactly that.
Day 12 — Khorog → M41 → Murghab (310 km)
We leave Khorog and climb back onto the Pamir Highway. This is the classic high-road return: long distances, high passes, broken asphalt, gravel, open plateau and a very long day in the saddle.
Compared with the Wakhan, this route feels more exposed and more empty. The villages thin out, the landscape opens, and the ride becomes about altitude, endurance and the scale of the Pamirs.
Day 13 — Murghab → Kyzyl-Art → Sary-Tash (230 km)
Today we cross the high Pamir Plateau again and return to Kyrgyzstan. The route passes through some of the most iconic high-road scenery of Central Asia: Murghab, Ak-Baital, Karakul and Kyzyl-Art.
This is a big day because it combines altitude, rough surfaces and border formalities.
Day 14 — Sary-Tash → Osh (200 km)
A long return day through southern Kyrgyzstan. We descend from the Alay Valley towards Osh. It is not a very long riding day, but we’ll have time for a stroll in Osh.
Day 15 — Osh → Toktogul (400 km)
After the high Pamirs and the Alay Valley, we begin the long return north through Kyrgyzstan. The road to Toktogul follows the main mountain corridor between Osh and Bishkek, passing changing valleys, reservoirs, traffic, trucks and long stretches of Kyrgyz mountain highway. This is mainly a transition day, but it is an important one: it breaks the return journey into a realistic riding stage and keeps us from turning the final part of the expedition into an endurance slog.
Day 16 — Toktogul → Bishkek (300 km)
Final riding day. We continue north towards Bishkek, crossing the Kyrgyz mountain corridor and gradually returning to the capital. By now, the contrast is clear: from Bishkek’s urban start to Kyrgyz gravel, yurt camps, high borders, the Pamir Plateau, the Wakhan Corridor, Khargush, Khorog and Ak-Baital—and back again. We arrive in Bishkek, where the motorcycles are parked and prepared for collection, return transport or handover to the local rental company. We then gather for a farewell dinner.
Day 17 — Departure from Bishkek
Airport transfers and departure.
The motorcycles are parked, the high roads are behind us, and the loop is complete.
The published itinerary describes the intended route. Border closures, permit restrictions, official instructions, security conditions, road conditions and weather may require MotoBirds to modify the route.
WHAT OUR RIDERS SAY
GOOGLE REVIEWS
Google rating score: 5.0 of 5,based on 47 reviews
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
MOTORCYCLE
4X4 OPTION
GUIDE
SUPPORT VEHICLE
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE TRANSFERS
PERMITS
INSURANCE
- Basic travel insurance.
- Tourist Guarantee Fund fee.
- Tourist Support Fund fee.
IMPORTANT: For an additional fee, there is an option to independently extend the insurance within the Signal Iduna Safe Travels and/or Global Rescue partner offer. The price of the tour includes basic travel insurance.
WELCOME PACK
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Motorcycle transport to and from Bishkek
- Optional local motorcycle rental
- Motorcycle fuel
- Lunches
- Dinners, except where specifically included in remote locations
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
- Single room supplement, where available
- Refundable motorcycle deposit, if renting locally
- Visa or e-visa costs, if required for your nationality
- Any personal document costs not specifically confirmed as included
- International flights
- Travel insurance upgrades
- Medical, evacuation, towing or rescue costs not covered by the standard insurance
- Optional activities, hot springs, museums or local entrance fees
- Tips
MOTORCYCLE SECURITY DEPOSIT:
If you rent: €1,000 refundable security deposit, in cash.
