Pamir Highway in May or better go somewhere else
 

Hi all,

I am planning a tour to China from Europe starting next march. I hope to take the Pamir Highway somewhere in the beginning of May. Anybody an Idea if the roads are more ore less passable then or still to covered with snow? Haven't found lot of information then. Most Info I got was from People that did in end of May or June. So not sure if I should concider to do it or look for other intresting places to go in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

thanks for any Ideas or recommendations
eagle

I rode the pamir end of may this summer. It was clear. I did get snowed on a little but nothing stuck. There was no snow left from winter on the roads. My friends north of me got a couple of inches on the ground and had to "chill" for a day to let it melt. It can snow at anytime throughout the summer in the pamirs. I would say go for it. worst case is you have to turn back or wait a few days. It will still be amazing. Tajikistan was one of my favorite places in central Asia.

Hi Snoah,

thanks for the Info. Thats what I was thinking too, that I just have to try.
And if it not works just turn around.

And think so too, from what I saw on the web, pamir just looks amazing :-)
Did you had any langauge problems or do you speak russian?

Cheers

Dont worry to much about language issues, if you are going to learn a language then just learning basic pleasantry words along with basic words (directions, where to go for, food, fuel, sleeping, repair shop ect ect) in Russian as in Ex USSR country's the older people speak Russian

People will see you as a traveler and know what you want/need/ are doing so language is not to much of a issue as many people seem to think this

Hi. I agree with Noah. They clean the roads after snowfall. In Kyrgyzstan the nice off road passes are said to be open by June 1. Before then you can be stuck at any pass except the main road Bishkek - Osh.

Hi all,

thanks for your advices :-)
I will definitely try it and hope the best for this may.
Sorry for the late reply, forgot to check this thread in a while :innocent:

We will be doing it in the same period, last week of May.

GRTZ,

JP