Pakistan - Kyrgystan - Tadjikistan: When is the best moment to be here??
 

Hi,

I plan to travel form Vietnam to France from October 2010 by motobike.

I will be I think in Pakistan end of January. I plan to ride along the KKH in PaKistan and then go trough the Khunjerab pass arrive in Xingjiang in China and then join Kyrgystan. From Kyrgystan I want to ride along the Pamir Highway before going to Ouzbekistan.

So the thing is If I am doing the trip with this way I will be in Tadjikistan for entering the pamir Hway during february 2011.

I heard that the road was closed at this moment and until May. And that this the worst moment to ride along the Pamir (same with Pakistan with the KKH) because of the snow.

Is it true??

When is it the best moment to ride the KKH in Pakistan, to go in kyrgystan and then to ride the Pamir highway in Tadjikistan???

Any information would be appreciated.:)

Thanks a lot!!!

Charles

The KKH is most beautiful in autumn, late October/beginning of November, trees in all colours, temperatures during the day not too hot and not too cold. I doubt that the roads will be open in January, and even if they are, you will freeze your proverbial balls off on the plateau in China and on the Pamir. I had some very very cold days up there and it wasn't in the middle of winter. Unless you find a platinum heated gear + spikes sponsor ... don't.

Don't try the KKH or Pamir Highway in winter, they'll be closed. I was there in late spring, really nice time.

Thanks emiles and Sirakor!!!!!!!

I will follow your advices.

I think I will start my trip from France and try to be in Tadjikistan for the Pamir Hway late spring around may next year.

One more question: do you have any information about how to get the permit GBAO to ride along the Pamir Valley (Gorno Badhakshan). I heard that you can get the permit with the help of some agencies in Dushanbe which can provide you a scan of the permit first before getting the original papers once you will be in Dushanbe.

Do you have any information about this?? Do you know other ways to get the permit??

Thanks again for your help!!
Charles

In the UK we got the permit the same time as the visa - just has to add an extra note (and the extra money) to the application form. Ring up your embassy where you are getting the visa and they will tell you.

Tajikistan was the most expensive visa of the 'Stans for us (didn't go to Turkmen) but well worth it. There and Kyrgyz and amazing places, and the reason you travel!!! You'll have a great time and am jealous every time I read of someone heading out there. :)

Khanjerab Pass closes for traffic around 1st January and opens around 1st May.
Once I travelled in December and found the hard way that you have to respect nature. I was 20 then and found drive after Hunza very difficult with subzero temps even at day times.

You can get the permit in Dushanbe ... it will take you one working day and cost you 35 USD ... but the easiest way as mentioned) is to ask for the permit when you apply for your visa and they will stamp it into your passport. I dont know about France, but in the UK, its an extra £50.

Salut Charles,

Since you are crossing China at least once, have you read the relevant posts about crossing China? You are aware of the guide requirements, etc.?

GPS ref and other stuff....
 

Charles82...if you fancy doing some reading and maybe get some GPS ref- have a read of our recent trip through this area (lots of photos too!) and also grab some GPS ref. have a look at our site
2ridetheworld.com : diary

this link will take you to the diary from Kazakahstan to where you can link onto our diary of all the other 'stans'....lots of info etc in the written diary.

also - if you are taking a GPS (recommended) you can download the full GPS ref of our route so far which includes ref for homestays/campingspots/embassies/consulates/hotels/etc/etc/....for all of the countries we have so far visited. this can be found on the front page of our website at the bottom. 2ridetheworld.com

hope this helps - have fun with the planning...and as beddhist has said ...look into the specific requirements and costs for travelling in and through China.
cheers
PS: take your heated gear!

When you ask for your visa, ask for your permit. That's what I did in Bishkek, and it went perfect. You don't have to pay anything extra normally. BUT: be carefull. On my way from the Pamir to the Afghan border, the police pissed me off at every single check point because all the regions of pamir I was allowed in were written by hand. So they assumed I was not allowed in any other part of the territory. And well, corruption helps to find irregularities in official documents...
I crossed Pamir early June, if I remember well. And ask Colebatch, the part between Tadjik border and Kirghiz border was tough. I got snow at night. End of May? That sounds really optimistic to me....
I'm in Chiang Mai for a week or so, if you're around to talk about it!
Take care, and enjoy your trip!