Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
Bartang AND Wakhan - Which way is best? Bartang AND Wakhan - Which way is best?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree13Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16 Mar 2021
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 20
Bartang AND Wakhan - Which way is best?
Like most, this year's trip from the UK to Mongolia has been postponed until 2022. I want to ride both the Bartang Valley AND Wakhan Corridor before carrying on to Mongolia. I will likely be there at the end of June, start of July.

Clearly it will have to be done in a loop so one of the routes will have to be done twice. I'm thinking of doing the Bartang Valley first in case it's impassable for whatever reason.

Is there anyone that's done this before and have any advice on which way is best or does it not really matter which way round it's done?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 16 Mar 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 313
We went West to East up Bartang Valley.....


.......... and got turned around in there somewhere due to a high and fast water crossing. No idea what the conditions would have been coming down from the high end.

We turned back and headed East in the Wakhan valley instead.




If you do make your loop you can go east on the regular Pamir Highway- paved/dirt/potholed- instead of repeating a leg of your loop.

.................shu
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Mar 2021
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,335
Pic from the Bartang valley in 2019, heading W-E (actually SW-NE)...




Tip: Travel early or late in the season and in the mornings. Water levels are lower as the temperatures are cooler and snow/ice hasn't melted so much yet.

I teamed up with a couple of cool Italian guys. Of the 300 or so km: day 1: 80km (only 30 dirt), day 2: 220km, mainly dirt = only one night on the Bartang. Most people go SW-NE as it's up hill and hence easier to ride.

Bikes: Yamaha ttr600, BMW r80gs (or g/s?), Honda xr650l with soft bags. All modified to be fit for purpose, hence the ability to complete the Bartang in 1.5 days.

I also rode the Wakhan valley E-W. It was good, but compared to the Bartang, only very average.

As there are 3 routes: M41 ("Pamir Highway"), Wakhan and Bartang, you can ride all 3 depending on where you're coming from/heading to.
Last edited by chris; 24 Mar 2021 at 21:47.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Mar 2021
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,313
Chris, image restrictions - we can't see it.
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Mar 2021
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,335
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant Johnson View Post
Chris, image restrictions - we can't see it.
I could see it...

Is this edited new shared location visible?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 Mar 2021
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 20
Thanks for the info/advice, really appreciate it.

Think it will be Bartang W/E (hopefully passable), loop back on the M41 then the Wakahan W/E too.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 24 Mar 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 834


Here a map of carvanistan which I did find at qvartzbulance.wordpress.com which shows even more details of the route options and visualize the surrounding countrys a bit better.

It shows even more options to drive.

Here I did start to collect informations about, too because my own trip planning:

https://vanlife.4x4tripping.com/2021...s-and-map.html

Surfy
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 25 Apr 2021
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 52
Bartang is much remoter than Wakhan valley and also more adventurous. I don't think, that Wakhan can become unpassable - at least not with a motorcycle, but Bartang's road condition can easily become unpassable.
Both routes are sparsely populated/not populated in the east, while you find more and more population in the western part.
There is also quite an altitude difference on both routes. The eastern part is at ~4000m (~12000ft), so if you are not used to the altitude yet, it might be worth starting from the west.
Make also sure that you have enough petrol. 2018 you could only find fuel in Murgab, Sary Tash (Kyrgystan) and Khorugh - maybe in Alichur with some effort.
We came from the east and did Bartang first, returned on the Pamir highway and did Wakhan afterwards. Since Bartang is definitely the greater adventure, Wakhan was almost a bit boring for us, after we had passed Bartang before. The scenery is still great though.
Coming from the west should be easier allover. Khorugh is a nice base, where you can get everything you need, also information about the road conditions and money. This is much harder/impossible on the eastern side - even in Murgab.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 26 Apr 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 124
German couple who rode Bartang Valley in 2019 with 2 Huskies. Sadly in only German but good for an impression, I think.

https://youtu.be/ZFLBUyAlPJw
__________________
Difficult Roads Always Lead To Beautiful Destinations
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2 May 2021
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Go big or go home. Do the triple ... the Wakhan, Shakhdara and Bartang valleys with only 65 km of route retracement. See map below.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 18 May 2021
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 20
I didn't know about the Shakhdara Valley. That route looks like a great option, thank you!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 21 May 2021
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 52
There is another adventurous road into Wakhan valley via Zorkul lake.

https://de.mapy.cz/zakladni?planovan...c=%5B%5D&rut=1

However, you need to apply for a permit for that in Chorugh. 2018 we tried to get one in Murgab, what was not possible. They told us we might also get one in Alichur, but I wouldn't rely on that. We gave up in the end - so another reason to come back.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 21 May 2021
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
3 Valleys Route in GPX
See attachment for track details, in particular of the entrance to the Shakhdara valley, as it isnt a "road", just a jeep track until you drop down into the actual valley
Attached Files
File Type: gpx 3ValleysTJ.gpx (740.8 KB, 143 views)
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 22 May 2021
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Posts: 88
and here is another and interesting variation for the Zorkul Lake road. We tried to get in from the far south east end, but got turned around due to a lack of permit, so we went back north. Half way back to Murghab we found another road going West with no check point. Starting point at N37 50.006 E74 38.749. I am not sure what would have happened when arriving at the military post on the other (west) end. We took it anyway and it rode our way to the "hardly a" village of Tseshtebe. Only the last couple of miles around N37 45.135 E74 19.179 were rocky from what I remember. From there onto Jartu Gumbez and stayed the night. We hit snow the next morning. Not too much but it made going further way too difficult due the slickness of the road mud. We waited it out for a day and then turned around and went east and north back to the main Murghab 04 road, spend the night back in Murghab and from there on to Khorug. If you go this way don't forget to ride up to the old observatory at N37 55.842 E74 09.119.

Shu, maybe you can add a few pictures, I do not have them with me.
Attached Files
File Type: gpx Tajikistan routes.gpx (1.02 MB, 115 views)
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 22 May 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 313
Quote:
Originally Posted by khpostma View Post

Shu, maybe you can add a few pictures, I do not have them with me.
Teshtebe, a few houses, not much else...



Heading out for Jarty Gumbez.......



Many wide river crossings with rounded rock in the stream beds....



Snow in Jarty Gumbez turned the road into impassable muck.....




................shu
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:22.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top