Photo: Hylgeriak ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
The Roof of the World on two wheels.
The M41 from Dushanbe via Khorog, the Wakhan corridor and Murghab to the Kyzyl-Art pass and Osh. The second-highest international road in the world, built in the 1930s: broken tarmac, gravel stretches and several consecutive days above 4,000 m. A serious expedition for experienced riders ready for thin air and near-total self-sufficiency.
- Ak-Baital pass, 4,655 m
- The Wakhan corridor facing Afghanistan and the Hindu Kush
- Lake Karakul at 3,900 m
- Bibi Fatima hot springs and Yamchun fortress
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Briefing
Dushanbe, introductions and briefing
Airport pick-up, hotel, motorcycle paperwork and a day-by-day route review. Dinner on the embankment.
Overnight: Hotel in Dushanbe - DAY 2 · 370 km, tarmac and gravel
Over Khaburabot to the Panj
Tarmac to Kulob, then the rough road over the Khaburabot pass, 3,252 m, and down to the Panj river at Kalai-Khumb. Afghanistan lies on the far bank.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Kalai-Khumb - DAY 3 · 240 km, broken tarmac
Along the Panj to Khorog
The road is cut into cliffs above the river: narrow sections, rockfall, oncoming lorries. Khorog at 2,100 m, capital of Gorno-Badakhshan, with its botanical garden.
Overnight: Hotel in Khorog - DAY 4 · Rest, servicing
Rest and servicing in Khorog
An acclimatisation and maintenance day. Refuelling, stocking up on food, a short walk up to the villages above town.
Overnight: Hotel in Khorog - DAY 5 · 200 km, gravel
Into the Wakhan corridor
We leave the M41 south through Ishkashim into the Wakhan. Garm-Chashma hot springs, Kaakha fortress, night at Yamchun near the Bibi Fatima baths.
Overnight: Homestay in Yamchun - DAY 6 · 120 km, gravel and sand
Langar and the Hindu Kush view
A short day with the Langar petroglyphs and a panorama of Hindu Kush peaks above 6,000 m across the river. From here the road climbs.
Overnight: Homestay in Langar - DAY 7 · 150 km, rough gravel
Khargush pass and Lake Bulunkul
The hardest dirt of the trip: the climb to the Khargush pass, 4,344 m, on gravel and washboard, rejoining the M41 at lakes Yashilkul and Bulunkul.
Overnight: Homestay in Bulunkul, 3,700 m - DAY 8 · 130 km, gravel and tarmac
Murghab, the country’s highest town
The Naizatash pass, 4,137 m, and down to Murghab at 3,650 m. The container bazaar, Kyrgyz yurts, and a cold, crystal-clear evening.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Murghab - DAY 9 · 135 km, above 4,000 m
Ak-Baital and Karakul
The climax of the highway: Ak-Baital pass at 4,655 m, the highest point of the M41. Down to Lake Karakul, in a meteorite crater at 3,900 m.
Overnight: Homestay in Karakul - DAY 10 · 140 km, border and gravel
Kyzyl-Art and down to Sary-Tash
The Kyzyl-Art pass, 4,280 m, and the border with Kyrgyzstan, then Peak Lenin, 7,134 m, seen from the Alay valley. Night in Sary-Tash.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Sary-Tash - DAY 11 · 185 km, mountain tarmac
Taldyk pass and Osh
The tarmac hairpins of the Taldyk pass, 3,615 m, and the descent into the Fergana valley. Osh, the sacred Sulaiman-Too, bike hand-back.
Overnight: Hotel in Osh - DAY 12 · Transfer
Flight from Osh
Breakfast and transfer to Osh airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
BMW F 800 GS / Honda CRF 300 L hire with panniers
Support vehicle with mechanic, spares and fuel cans
Local riding guide
Guesthouses and homestays, two hotel nights
Breakfasts and dinners
GBAO permit and registration
Fuel and transfers in Dushanbe and Osh
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Motorcycle deposit
Lunches
Optional oxygen canister
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Category A licence, five or more years’ riding, confident loaded gravel riding and prior experience at altitude. Ivan runs a preparation day in the mountains and discusses acclimatisation and a medical kit with each participant.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.