Tajikistan is one of the destinations we plan to explore, which is the home of the second highest highway in the world – the Pamir Highway. Climbing up to 4500m altitude it can be also considered one of the most dangerous roads, and is referred to as “The Road from Hell”.
We are not only risking our lives just to say we have conquered this amazing highway but also to take in the some of the most incredible scenery the world has to offer. Some things are worth the risk! The amount of amazing feedback from people who have traversed the highway is more than enough to convince us that it’s worth doing! Check out some of the amazing photos have taken while traveling the highway. Something to look forward to me thinks.
The history of the Pamir highway spans back millenia. It is one of the original paths of the Silk Road, which was used to transport silk and other good stuff between China and the rest of the Europe/Middle East.
According to a Lonely Planet blog, about 85% of the road is paved and the rest a mixture of sand and gravel. It all sounds too easy to me but I’m expecting some hidden gems to catch us out! We will be updating our blog after conquering it to report back on our experience.
A significant portion of the road from Dushanbe to Khorog is extremely dangerous due to the many trucks transporting goods from China. The Khaburabot Pass appears to be an extremely steep climb, reaching almost 3200 meters over 30kms. I can’t imagine the extreme pressure our little tin can will have to go through to claim this peak.
If you are squeamish about cliffs, fast moving rivers, and the ever-present threat of head-on collisions, this particular highway is not for you!
~Simon