M41 Pamir Highway / Kyzyl Art Pass border crossing procedure Q&A

[Jonathan mazumdar]

What were the costs of the taxi to the Tajik border and then from no man's land to the krygistan border ??

[iwo]

Once I'll get to Kyrgystan (around 20 may) i'll let you know how it went.

So, fortunately, my crossing went without any problem on either side, the guards were nice and one Tajik was very happy to try my bicycle.

Note, that as the border is not officially open the road on Kyrgyz side is not necessaruly maintained; few days before my arrival it was blocked by snow and crossing was not posssible. If somebody came at that time on final day of visa that could be problematic, possibly camping on no mans land or a bribe/overstay fine from the border guards? Also, the upper section on Kyrgyz side is in bad condition, lot of rockslides, mudslides, but passable and cars can get to the top.

Additionally, remember that registration procedure takes a few days. I met a couple of cyclists from Moldova who were force to stay for the night right before Kyrgyz border control, as their registration didn't come through yet.

Plus, it seems, that Tajik border control is going to change place - they build a new one on a flat section before the final climb, 5 km from the kyzyl art, right near the 'Murgabski raion' sign.

[CaptainHugito]

^^ Thanks for the update
I’m planning to cross the border in 3 weeks from Sary-Tash to spend a few days around Karakul Lake, before going back North to Osh. I have my GBAO permit. Couple of quick questions:

1) Do I need to register in advance with the Kyrgyz border for both legs of the trip? (KG —> TJ and TJ —> KG) ? Or is it just one way?

2) Those of you who have made arrangements with agencies and guesthouses for 2 taxi rides (one taking you to the pass and a second one waiting for you at the top), how much did you pay? Who did you contact? So far, I’ve been quoted $130 by one guesthouse just to bring me to the top (one way)…
Thanks!

[MyTripMyAdventure]

Crossed yesterday. I guess the fastest way to get a permit is Destination Pamir Erali. They asked 20 usd and 15 usd if I stay at their guest house in Murghab. I offered 15 without staying and they agreed. You can pay in Murghab guest house Erali or in Osh. I contacted them Monday afternoon and Wednesday midday I was on that list on the Kyrgyzstan border. Super easy crossing.
I hitchhiked, because the prices for the car seems to be crazy so far I read here.
Good luck

[MyTripMyAdventure]

Crossed yesterday. I guess the fastest way to get a permit is Destination Pamir Erali. They asked 20 usd and 15 usd if I stay at their guest house in Murghab. I offered 15 without staying and they agreed. You can pay in Murghab guest house Erali or in Osh. I contacted them Monday afternoon and Wednesday midday I was on that list on the Kyrgyzstan border. Super easy crossing.
I hitchhiked, because the prices for the car seems to be crazy so far I read here.
Good luck

[nmb013]

Crossed yesterday. I guess the fastest way to get a permit is Destination Pamir Erali. They asked 20 usd and 15 usd if I stay at their guest house in Murghab. I offered 15 without staying and they agreed. You can pay in Murghab guest house Erali or in Osh. I contacted them Monday afternoon and Wednesday midday I was on that list on the Kyrgyzstan border. Super easy crossing.
I hitchhiked, because the prices for the car seems to be crazy so far I read here.
Good luck

Which direction did you cross??

[nmb013]

Crossed yesterday. I guess the fastest way to get a permit is Destination Pamir Erali. They asked 20 usd and 15 usd if I stay at their guest house in Murghab. I offered 15 without staying and they agreed. You can pay in Murghab guest house Erali or in Osh. I contacted them Monday afternoon and Wednesday midday I was on that list on the Kyrgyzstan border. Super easy crossing.
I hitchhiked, because the prices for the car seems to be crazy so far I read here.
Good luck

Between which towns did you hitchhike? How long did you have to wait for a ride??

[MyTripMyAdventure]

From Kalaikum to Osh all the way I made almost by hitchhiking (via Wakhan Valley, but here I hiked a lot). I didn't wait, I walked, because I like it and the cars just stopped to pick me up.
I couldn't get out from Langar back on Pamir Highway, the first car passed by after 4 hrs!!! So the next day I shared the paid car with others to Bulunkul. But later I met other hitchhiker who waited a minute (!) to get the ride on the same road. And from Murhab to Karakul, I was 40 km before Karakul and waited for 2 hrs for the next car to pass by. Everything else went super easy.

[mazeno]

what about the no-mans-land between tjk and kgz border posts?

[bforbyron]

We are crossing from Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan in a few weeks. We have a tour company organised to pick us up on the Tajik side, however we are unsure about crossing no mans land and are worried we may have to walk the 20kms. We have been advised that a Kyrgyz taxi should be able to drive us all the way, after the Kyrgyz border check point, to the Tajik border. But I am not convinced this is possible. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of this?

Thanks,

Byron