The last stretch on the Pamir Highway: Murghab to Osh
Going into the M41 Pamir Highway, I knew it would be a lot of driving. Murghab to Osh would be the last stretch and I was was looking forward to a last, long day on the road. The scenery from Khorog to Murghab was great and I heard to Osh it would be even better.
The route would take us along the Tajikistan-China border, through a pass and then beyond into Kyrgzystan towards the country’s second-largest city, Osh.
We started the day early at 6am (Murghab is on Kyrgyzstan time, one hour ahead of Khorog and the rest of Tajikistan).
We first passed the Ak-Baital Pass (4655m), followed by the Kyzyl-Art Pass (4282m) where the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border post is located.
![Back on the road in no-man's land](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-3.jpg)
Back on the road in no-man’s land
![Driving up the Ak-Baital Pass](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-4.jpg)
Driving up the Ak-Baital Pass
![It got colder and colder](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-5.jpg)
It got colder and colder
![And it was snowing on the Ak-Baital Pass...](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-6.jpg)
And it was snowing on the Ak-Baital Pass…
![...no surprise at that altitude.](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-29.jpg)
…no surprise at that altitude.
![Back in (slightly) lower altitudes](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-7.jpg)
Back at (slightly) lower altitude
![A yurt offering homestay somewhere in the middle of nowhere between Murghab and Karakul. Probably popular with the many cyclists on the road.](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-8.jpg)
A yurt offering homestay somewhere in the middle of nowhere between Murghab and Karakul. Probably popular with the many cyclists on the road.
![Shortly before Karakul](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-9.jpg)
Shortly before Karakul
![Driving towards Karakul](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-10.jpg)
Driving towards Karakul
![On the way from Murghab to Karakul in Tajikistan](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-11.jpg)
On the way from Murghab to Karakul in Tajikistan
![Not too much traffic on that day](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-13.jpg)
Not too much traffic on that day
At one point we were just 8km away from the Chinese border. On the Tajikistan side it was secured with barbed wire.
![Barbed wire securing the border between Tajikistan and China](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-14.jpg)
Barbed wire securing the border between Tajikistan and China
We then drove past Karakul, a lake situated at 3’960m above sea level, slightly higher than Lake Titicaca (3’812m).
![Karakul](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-15.jpg)
Karakul
![Karakul](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-17.jpg)
Karakul
![View from Karakul back towards the mountains](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-16.jpg)
View from Karakul back towards the mountains
![Next stop: Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-19.jpg)
Next stop: Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border
The Tajikistan border was located at the top of the mountain at over 4’000 meters. I could not the most popular spot for a Tajikistan border guard. I was waiting to get stamped out while a Swiss cyclist who has been on the road for a year was waiting to enter the country.
The road then continued for 20km in no-man’s land until we reached the Kyrgyzstan border. I’d like to congratulate Kyrgyzstan for being a role model when it comes to immigration:
- No visa needed at all
- No useless immigration form/card to be filled out
- No stupid questions asked
Just a quick scan of the passport, a stamp and I was in.
![Mongol rallye car with four Australians inside, driving on a spare tire with a broken suspension.](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-21.jpg)
Mongol rallye car with four Australians inside, driving on a spare tire with a broken suspension.
![Meanwhile other cars were a bit more suitable for the road...](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-22.jpg)
Meanwhile other cars were a bit more suitable for the road…
![...which wasn't always in great shape.](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-23.jpg)
…which wasn’t always in great shape.
![Kyrgyzstan border](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-24.jpg)
Kyrgyzstan border
After a quick lunch in Sary-Tash, we buckled up for the remaining 3-4 hours to Osh.
![The scenery changed as we descended into lower pastures](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-25.jpg)
The scenery changed as we descended into lower pastures
![And changed again](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-26.jpg)
And changed again
![Passing truck](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-1.jpg)
Passing truck
![We were slowed down by a few road blocks](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-27.jpg)
We were slowed down by a few road blocks
![Can you spot the horse hiding?](https://www.gowiththeflo.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1608_Murghab-Osh-28.jpg)
Can you spot the horse hiding?
We finally made it to Osh at around 4.30pm and I was certainly looking forward to a day without driving. The Pamir Highway was absolutely worth it and I found the people and nature fascinating!