Is a week enough to travel the Pamir Hwy in Mid Summer, in Tajikistan? Assuming I fly from Uzbekistan/Toshkent to Dushanbe and back how rushed does this sound?
I am learning Farsi if that makes any difference.
Edited by: musafir
No flights between those capitals. If time is critical fly Tashkent > Bishkek > Dushanbe. Or take a train and/or series of taxis between the capitals. Or a combination of those to Khojand in northern TJ and fly from there.
See also What is the best way from Tashkent to Dushanbe
Even starting from Dushanbe, I would suggest that one week for a round trip in the Pamirs is not sufficient, unless you hire a driver for the whole period. You need to allow 1-2 days just for the road travel from Dushanbe to Khorog. And that's each way.
Also read http://www.pamirs.org/travel.htm
If you only drive and not stop anywhere or do anything, it's a day to Khorog, a day to Murgab, a day back to khorog and a day to Dushanbe. That's 4 days of just driving. Never mind stops at hot springs or hikes to lakes or looking for big-horned sheep.
It really depends on what you want to do. If you just want to see the highway (it's overrated) than a week will do it. If you want the odd hot spring (bibi fatima) then 10 days is enough. 2 weeks might actually be too long unless you plan on doing any multi-day hikes.
If you're asking about comfort of travel, it's nowhere near the standard of the KKH in China. And it's a long distance behind the current condition of the KKH in Pakistan, even allowing for the never-ending roadworks on the latter. I don't imagine there are resources for active road maintenance in the Pamirs.
In terms of scenery, the Pamir highway it doesn't have the variety of the KKH, or as much of the grandeur.
You can find lots of photos if you google for images.
Edited by: emmeff