We started early morning from Sary-Tash, Kyrgyzstan towards Kyzyl-Art Pass, one of the highest (4,280 m) border crossings in the world. As you can see from the photos below, from Day 2 on the Pamir Highway, the road from Sary-Tash to the Kyrgyz border is the most scenic road in Kyrgyzstan.
The road from Sary-Tash to the Kyrgyz border.The road from Sary-Tash to the Kyrgyz border.Pamir Highway.. Need to cross those mountains to reach TajikistanThe road from Sary-Tash to the Kyrgyz border.Pamir Highway: The road from Sary-Tash to the Kyrgyz border. That’s our 4×4Kyrgyz border crossing (immigration check point) at the Kyzyl-Art PassIn No man’s land.. between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan After exiting from the Kyrgyz borders, you will enter into 20 km long No Man’s Land before you will reach at the Tajik Border.Statue of Marco Polo Sheep welcoming you to to Tajikistan in No Man’s LandThis high altitude region is a home for Long-tailed golden marmot.At the Tajik border. In addition to Tajik visa, travelers to the Pamir Highway will need Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) permit.You will meet many cyclists riding on the Pamir. This is definitely one of the most challenging ride.At the border, I met this couple from Brazil. They are on their honeymoon trip since last 2+ years, riding around the world on a tandem bicycle. It will take them additional 2+ years to reach home in BrazilAmazing landscapeOther side of that fence is China’s XinJiang province What a beautiful day to drive!View from the highest elevation on the Pamir
After crossing the border you will arrive at a small settlement around lake Karakul. We stopped here for a lunch break, not a bad place.
Lake Karakul, one of the largest lake in TajikistanLake Karakul, lunch with a view
Murghab is the first large settlement on Tajikistan side after leaving Osh, Kyrgyzstan. The town offers good guesthouses with warm food and hot shower. The town has a gas station, a bank where you can exchange money, tough there was No ATM. The town also has a small market where you can buy food /drinks and a Tajik SIM card. Murghab is a good place to stay for a night or two.
Murghab market: Shops are made out of recycled ship containers, most goods sold in this market are made in ChinaFriendly Host at the guest house in Murghab. This guest house offers comfy bed, warm food, hot shower and a western style toilet, the most important luxury on the Pamir.
In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...
Window on the World 