Pakistan to Tajikistan?
 

Hi there,
I've been riding my motorbike from Hanoi towards Europe. Am currently still some distance away, in Bangladesh, but trying to plan a bit ahead. I would love to go through India> Pakistan> (Afghanistan/Tajikistan)> The smaller Stans> Kazakhstan> Russia > Europe.

And well, the big unknown is how I could pull off the Pakistan to Tajikistan part? I would love to drive through Afghanistan but the closer I get the more I begin to face reality and wonder how (if) I could pull it off with any relative safety? There's that thin strip of Afghanistan b/w Pakistan and Tajikistan - Wakhan Valley i think it's called - any chance at all to cross through there somewhere? Or any other route at all?

China is pretty much out of question as I understand getting the bike into China is next to impossible...

Any ideas/suggestions would be really greatly appreciated!
Matt

Crossing the Wakhan Corridor = no chance at all

Entering Afghanistan from Pakistan: I did it with a 4x4 in 2009. I have not heard of anyone doing it since, and would regard it as almost impossible. If you want to try, ask at the FATA secretariate in Peshawar (not the Khyber Rifles, who will refuse you). I hope you have a Pakistan visa already in your passport, as you almost certainly won't get one on the road.

As for safety in Afghanistan, it is not good. I am not up to date with the current situation; you'll need to get some local advice. Specifically Peshawar - Kabul and Pol-e Khumri - Tajikistan border are unstable; you'll want good local advice.

So in a nutshell: China or a long round-trip through Iran. It shouldn't cost too much to go through China if you find some other bikers to share with.

EO

Wakhan corridor
 

Hello Matt,

cant tell you if you can cross the Wakhan Corridor, but you could try.

I traveled last week along the Afghan border in the Wakhan valley on the Tajikistan side. And I saw a few bridges over the river. Near Horough and near Kalaichun, but i did not see a continues road (track) along the border on the Afghan side. There should be also a bridge near Ishkashim, but I did not see it myself. Other travelers talked about a market on the Afghan side of the bridge near Ishkashim, but this market is not happening for a few weeks (months) now.

China. I tried in the East and I got through.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...na-i-did-82852

But as eurasiaoverland said, you could team up with others and cross the KKH to Kashgar to Kyrgyzstan with a guide.

Read eurasiaoverlands good website, if he crossed the Wakhan Corridor why should you not try?

But please get informed about the security situation before you try, as you know Afghanistan is at war.

Good luck, its your journey. :mchappy:

mika

Hi Mika

Thanks for looking at the site, but I think maybe you mis-read, or are unsure about the Wakhan Corridor?

Just to make it very clear: I did not cross the Wakhan Corridor. It is simply not possible to go from Pakistan to Afghanistan here. There is no road, no track. I know a guy who used to take people over on yaks or horses, but this ended in 2008 when the army were stationed at the end of the Chapursan Valley. I think it's even hard to get into the start of the valley these days.

I crossed at the proper international border crossing at Torkham (Khyber Pass). I had special permission from the Torkham and Jamrud Tehsils, arranged via the FATA Secretariate, as the road crosses the Tribal Areas which are off limits to foreigners. If you are desperate, this is worth a try, but I seriously doubt it will work. Security has tightened since I was there, plus foreigners are apparently no longer allowed on the Afghan side of this border. I was also living in Pakistan for some time, and had learned to blend in, driving a very normal car for Pakistan with local plates.

I would very much encourage you to do this route, it is truly unforgettable, but there is no way you can base your plans on getting this permit.

BTW Mika - I'm just reading about your crossing of China... I think I might hand my notice in at work tomorrow :D

Best wishes

EO

Hi EO,

oh I misread your post and I did not read about Afghanistan on your website. Very good website, it was recommend to me by Alex in Magilovh (Belarus) my host for a day in May.

So, Matt this changes of course what I said about trying it, if there is no track or road. When I had a look at my map, it showed a small track, but this does not mean there is one ... or it can be used by motorcycle.

All the best
mika