Samarkand to Dushanbe border opened?
 

We are in Bukhara now.

Heard from backpackers that the border from Samarkand to Dushanbe was closed.
Anyone gone through in the last few days, or could confirm or not if this is correct?

Cheers

did you heard anything about the border from Denau ?

Salut Niquedouille,

No i don't know.
I will make enquiries in Samarkand. If the closest one is shut we will go to the main one via Khujand I think....
According to Caravanistan's website, the border from Samarkand was closed as of March 2014... Check that site..i can't open it. Internet terribly slow....

The Samarkand to Penjikent Border has been closed since at least 2010.

I have heard nothing to suggest that it has reopened. You could ask the friendly Bahodir Family (and I recommend their wonderful guesthouse) if things have recently changed.

Otherwise it's Denau / Tursonzade in the south (recommended for the drive via Boysun, or a visit to Termiz) or one of the northerly borders which will involve going through Tashkent.

South??? Booo ... then they miss the Anzob - Tunnel of Doom bier Thats a "must ride"

Yeah, that must be a trouser-filler on two wheels!

Even better with no waterproof boots!

Khujand to Dushanbe is a really interesting stretch in addition to the good times in the Anzob tunnel. The lake at Iskendarkul is just gorgeous up a rocky side road & you can camp there. Pretty secluded on the far side (apart from the ranger who will find you:).

I missed that but went instead to Hazor Chashma and the sever lakes SE of Penjikent. Nice Tajik villages and great walking :)

You got pics? How far did you get up the valley? I am guessing you can get a motorcycle to the lake at N39.1133 E67.8543

You can drive to the highest lake, but after that it's on foot only, along the lake shore. Beyond that it goes into the hills, and to a very isolated Tajik Village on a steep slope, like something from Pakistan:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y...or-Chashma.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-i...Tajik-Boys.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v...an-Village.jpg

Very nice area. I camped by the shores of the sixth lake and walked from there.

Daniel

Very timely. Headed that way.

Walter, sounds like you have been studying satellite images again :-)

Hi,

we've been in Sarmaquand about 2 Weeks ago, the border is still closed. We went north to Bekabad, which was also closed (for vehicles only i think) and had to go still further up north to Dehquanabad.

The "Tunnel of doom" is a little bit exaggerated from our point of view. From what we heard beforehand, it was most likely that one of us is not going to make it. In fact it is not worse than a bumpy road in the rain at night. Just wait for a car and follow through if you're unsecure. It will show the worst potholes, so you won't have a Problem.

Have fun... :-)

I agree i got bored in Dushanbe last year and rode it 4 times on my motorbike, i even stopped to take photos and put my bike on the side and had a walk around

you know how it is ....