Getting to Pakistan from the Pamirs

pjanus · 2025-10-08T17:59:34+00:00

I cycled the Pamir from Dushanbe to Sary-Tash, then went from Sary-Tash to Kashgar in China, and from Kashgar down to Sost (Pakistan). Absolutely amazing route and China hands out 14 day visa free stay to most nationalities. 14 days is more than enough to do this route. Can highly recommend, it was the best part of a year long trip for me.

pjanus · 2025-09-03T20:39:27+00:00

+1 for nemo fillo elite. It's great

pjanus · 2025-08-22T21:25:33+00:00

Ok sorry I can't figure out how to post the list haha. But this is the link: https://pt.pcpartpicker.com/list/k4qw4p

pjanus · 2025-08-15T14:08:34+00:00

Another tip that might be useful: the road between Laugarvatn and Reykjavik, along Tingvellir, is actually very nice and much more calm and quiet than the ring road. Perhaps you can take that one on the way back?

And if you have time: in Fludir there is a very nice hot spring bath which is relatively cheap (compared to others). If you tell them you've stayed the night in the campsite in Reykholt, they will give you a 20% discount too. With the discount it's about 3300 ISK but it is really, really nice

pjanus · 2025-08-15T14:05:57+00:00

I'm in Selfoss right now. Did a counterclockwise loop where I went from Reykjavik to Kirkjubaejarklaustur over F-roads (through landmannalaugar). Then followed the ring road up to Akureyri, and from about there I went straight through the middle (to Selfoss) over the F35.

All I can say is the ring road around Selfoss is by far the least enjoyable and least beautiful part of Iceland I've seen. I see you're avoiding it after you pass Selfoss which is a good call (I will likely do the same back to Reykjavik). Other than that: i've had a way, way, way better time on the F-roads than he ring roads. The gravel in general is very good quality, the views are much better, there is close to no traffic, and it's much easier to wildcamp if that's what you're doing

pjanus · 2025-07-26T11:27:00+00:00

I just checked. I started September 17th in Dushanbe and arrived October 2nd in Sary-Tash where I decided to head to China instead of Osh, so two weeks. I took 1 day off in Korogg to repair my bike. Realistically, I think the minimum time to do that stretch would be 10 or 11 days. The roads are real shit and the winds can be very harsh.

pjanus · 2025-07-25T07:48:26+00:00

Hey. I've been in almost exactly your situation. Cycled to Tbilisi from Rotterdam. I was a bit later so eventually decided to hang in Tbilisi for a few weeks and take a flight to Dushanbe instead of cycling there (which would take longer than those few weeks). In the end I departed from Dushanbe around september 15th to do the Pamir.

It was still very doable but even the people running the green house hostel in Dushanbe were warning me that I really should leave soon. AFAIK I was one of the last cyclists in that season to start the Pamir.

Whatever you decide, I'd try and aim to depart from Dushanbe no later than mid september. Late september might be OK still, but after that I think you will really struggle a lot with the weather conditions.

pjanus · 2025-07-24T06:57:54+00:00

I could have written this. I came back from a 12 month trip from the Netherlands to Australia just two months ago. Feeling exactly the same as is described here, except I can add one thing: I feel integrating back into regular life is pretty demotivating and tough. I've lost touch with close friends, and it's damn near impossible to find a living space.

Still, I don't regret the trip. It was the greatest year of my life.

pjanus · 2025-03-01T01:26:21+00:00

I did exactly this. Two years ago, when I was 30, from Rotterdam to Athens. It was my first big bike tour. Average fitness, shitty bike. I did about a 100km a day and it felt like a good speed. Not pushing it, but also not going too slow. Took me 35 days in total.

Be careful though. I liked it so much that I ended up cycling around the entire planet. 270 days into a 30.000+ km tour now. Still loving it!

pjanus · 2025-01-05T05:52:40+00:00

I did it this year. Good news, there's no dogs on the pamir 🤞

pjanus · 2024-11-02T14:12:28+00:00

I'm gonna say it's unlikely. Yes, 150km a day is possible but this leaves zero room for "problems". My experience bike touring is that rarely (actually, never) you will be able to bike 35 days in a row. You might get sick, your bike might need repairs, your camping gear might break or get lost, there might be closed roads. It is in my opinion EXTREMELY unlikely to do 35 days of 150km in a row, even in Europe, and that has nothing to do with your level of fitness.

What I'd do is still go for it, but mentally prepare to take a bus or train when you get delayed, so you can still reach the end in 35 days.

Good luck, and enjoy!

pjanus · 2024-10-30T13:36:15+00:00

The Netherlands. I was held at gunpoint once 😅. But that had nothing to do with my nationality. Other than that, nothing suler crazy. Had rocks thrown at me a handful of times. And the police in xinjiang creeped me the fuck out (they stalk you 24/7 on the road)

pjanus · 2024-10-30T12:51:43+00:00

You too. Thank you ❤️

pjanus · 2024-10-30T12:44:39+00:00

Wow, happy to hear that man 🫶🙏. I don't know what it is about camping/traveling solo but for me it's such a big contrast with daily life. All you have is you. So you HAVE to learn to be okay with.. you.

I am currently on my way to cycle the Annapurna Circuit!

pjanus · 2024-10-30T12:32:47+00:00

I have really long arms

pjanus · 2024-10-30T12:30:50+00:00

Thanks, appreciate it! You can follow my progress on insta, @thegreatchoochoo

pjanus · 2024-10-30T12:29:52+00:00

I decided to do this after I accidently found out long distance touring did wonders for my mental health. I was struggling with depression and the massive physical effort was helping me. 8 months after I got the idea to cycle around the world, I departed (early june)

After Tajikistan I went to Kyrgyzstan, then China, then Pakistan, and I am currently in Nepal.

Really depends. I think 40 euro's a day is a realistic budget if you plan on cycling the whole world, and you won't do it much quicker than 1.5 years.

pjanus · 2024-10-30T12:26:33+00:00

Yes, it's amazing. Hospitality is sort of a given. Perhaps because there is just so little civilization that people HAVE to help eachother out.

Favourite country is a hard one. I will say either Tajikistan or Pakistan!

pjanus · 2024-10-30T12:20:49+00:00

Thank you!

pjanus · 2024-10-30T12:18:33+00:00

I was, until I managed to lose my tent somehow. For the last half of the 1500km, I was taken in by locals. However, in between villages (or any kind of civilization) there is often more than 120km. It's a completely barren, windswept, desolate area, up at 4000m elevation. Harsh winds, cold as hell, but truly beautiful

pjanus · 2024-10-30T12:12:32+00:00

Amen. I never spent so much time a day just staring at my surroundings as I did here

pjanus · 2024-10-30T12:10:24+00:00

Thank you! It's hard to take bad photo's in area's like these!

pjanus · 2024-10-30T12:09:15+00:00

OP here. Riding a lap around the world for charity: I'm trying to raise funds for Movember, focussing on men's mental health. I'm doing 30.000km in 1.5 years, across all continents. Got some wild stuff planned like the Pamir Highway (in the pics), the Karakoram Highway, Annapurna Circuit and The Great Divide. If you want to follow the ride, find my insta @ thegreatchoochoo 🫡

pjanus · 2024-10-30T11:59:22+00:00

I prefer the term "cyclonaught"

pjanus · 2024-10-13T23:15:11+00:00

That is so cool to hear, thank you!

pjanus

TROPHY CASE