Winter drive from Bishkek to Dushanbe

[latomeri]

Hi,
I'm planning a solo winter drive from Bishkek to Dushanbe as the title suggests. Already in touch with a few rental companies. Been searching the forums, but couldn't find much recent information. Has anyone done this route in the last year or so? Mid-December onwards. Any feedback / experience would be much appreciated. I understand spring is likely a better time (and I plan to come back for that), but driving the M41 in winters has long been on my list of things to do, and i would love to hear everyone's experience with this.

[applehostelbishkek]

hi there

it really depends on the weather. i have travelled in mid November 2 years ago from bishkek to dushanbe and there wasn't much snow. it was a great trip especially that you dont see any tourists; just you and locals.

[Christian77]

Spring is not necessarily a better time. Between Kulob and Khorogh you will need to worry about rain during the spring. The roads can be washed out or flooded in sections. Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIEb63efM3o In case of a really bad wash-out the road repairs can take 24-48 hours, if I recall correctly. If there are several landslides, the closures can last much longer.

It happens almost every spring.
2015 https://tj.usembassy.gov/emergency-mess ... orog-area/
2016 https://reliefweb.int/disaster/ms-2016-000049-tjk
2017 https://asiaplustj.info/en/news/tajikis ... or-traffic
etcetera...

I wouldn't have strict schedule and a flight in Bishkek booked in the near-term. Be flexible. And realize that if you are trying to wait out spring floods, you will likely be sitting in rainy Dushanbe. So bring something to read...