Pamir highway without leaving Tajikistan (border to Kyrgyzstan closed)

[rawc]

Has anyone done the Pamir highway only in Tajikistan, without entering Kyrgyzstan?
We want to do the Pamir highway in late May but borders are still closed and it doesn't seem like they'll open anytime soon.
We're trying to find an alternative route that's just in Tajikistan, has anyone done that and would you recommend it? Or do you suggest waiting for borders to open again?
Any itineraries would be greatly appreciated!

[Nikopol]

Just FYI currently GBAO seems to be closed and internet and phone connection has been cut off in Khorog since late November after series of protests and such is situation until now.

As for border crossing, it was off-and-on open during last summer, combination of tensions between the countries and alledgedly road repairs that prevented border guards from letting in cars (but allowed cyclists). IMO if the GBAO situation resolves and Rahman wont march his army there, if permits start to be re-issued I think good chance of BC reopening when snow melts. But...who knows.

[Christian77]

I haven't done Tajikistan only, just two Osh-Dushanbe trips and two Khorog-Wakhan trips.

It really depends on how OK you are with repeating the same scenery (a fast one-day dash between Dushanbe and Khorog, or a leisurely two-day trip, but repeated). You can't vary the Dushanbe-Khorog trip by doing one direction over the original Pamir Highway (via Tavildara) as that is snowed-in until mid-June.

What may be possible is a huge loop from Rushon (Rushon - Bartang - Karakul lake - Murghab - Wakhan - Khorog - Rushon). But that seems risky, as Bartang has an unpredictable spring in terms of landslide, rockslide and late spring avalanches blocking the road. Maybe Mazeno (forum name) can better answer this question - he knows the roads here. If you get blocked, then it's a drive back down the Bartang in retreat.

The safer more predictable option is a loop from Khorog: Khorog - Ishkoshim - Wakhan - Khargush pass - Bulunkul/Yashilkul lakes - Khorog. That would be OK.

It really depends on your tastes and preferences and your willingness to put up with unpredictability, from road conditions to political/social instability factors.

[Nikopol]

So Tajiks and Kyrgyz are shooting at each other again, which leaves fate of Murghab-Osh BC in rather peril.

[matt2matt2002]

What's BC?

[couchpotato]

What's BC?

Border control?!

[nadine48]

Hello,

I just read that border with Kirghistan is closed again?

So we cannot go from Murghab to Osh?

We were planning to send our side car from France to Kisrghistan and then travel also to Tadjik South Pamir, along the Afgan border? Any risk?
Has anyone trevelled there recently? Any recommendation.?

[Christian77]

Hello,

I just read that border with Kirghistan is closed again?

So we cannot go from Murghab to Osh?

We were planning to send our side car from France to Kisrghistan and then travel also to Tadjik South Pamir, along the Afgan border? Any risk?
Has anyone trevelled there recently? Any recommendation.?

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are having a low scale on-again, off-again border war, and the Tajik government has ramped up security/police operations against the local population in the Pamirs. The internet is shut off and foreigners are not allowed at the moment (supposedly, maybe, probably). Check back in a few months for an update.....

[Nikopol]

What's BC?

Border Crossing

[Hound_Dog]

Suggest you get a plan B

Hello,

I just read that border with Kirghistan is closed again?

So we cannot go from Murghab to Osh?

We were planning to send our side car from France to Kisrghistan and then travel also to Tadjik South Pamir, along the Afgan border? Any risk?
Has anyone trevelled there recently? Any recommendation.?