3 hour 30 minutes, the time to drive through south Kyrgyzstan’s ‘Peak District’

In the majestic south of Kyrgyzstan lies a fascinating set of glacier scarred valleys, jagged peaks and a maze of archaic roads meeting at pristine lakes and nomadic hamlets. This mesmerising landscape is not only dotted with natural treasures but reminiscent of the Soviet era with (ex)secret communication domes and deserted offices from the past. The area in question? The Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan Pamir Highway route. Regarded by some as part of the most epic road trip on earth, the route takes you deep in to some of Central Asia’s most wild terrain and ancient silk road history. 

The route begins in the second largest city of Kyrgyzstan, Osh or ‘the capital of the south’. This mountain isolated city sits adjacent to the Uzbekistan border and boasts a rich culture of nomadic clans and exquisite street food. We recommend a day or two to hang out in Osh, including a venture to the bustling heart of the city in Osh Bazaar. A swift change is made as the Pamir journey, begins, the bustle of the metropolis slowly echoes into the distance as pure, tranquil silence is met through the towering mountains.

This part of the highway is in outstanding condition, smooth tarmac roads and laybys for a touch of eagle spotting. Not long into this first leg, a delicate but vital point in the route is met, Sary-Tash. The village is smothered with nomadic families, joyful faces and original Kyrgyz cuisine. This village is a superb stopping point for climbing high into the hills and gaze at the wild horses resting with a mountain backdrop like no other. On the periphery of Sary-Tash is a peculiar set of metal domed structures, warehouse-hangers and a stray bunker, this unnamed ‘base’ is the remaining section of a mountain cold war communications base, you're left to graze the site in pure content and ponder on what was on the receiving end of this secretive setup.