The M41, romantically referred to as the Pamir Highway, connects Osh in Kyrgyzstan with Dushanbe in Tajikistan. It’s a road of about 1600km that rises to an elevation of 4655 metres. Much of it is unpaved or rough pot-holed tarmac; not much wider than a single lane and is carved out of the mountain sides. As it runs south from the border with Kyrgyzstan the looming mountains of the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan make a dramatic appearance. The Wakhan Valley road makes a detour off the M41 and curves down to run alongside the Panj River. This river, in the valley below, acts as the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan and at times the two countries become tantalisingly close.
So you can understand why this particular road has been on the top of Captain’s list for the trip.
The Hindu Kush loom ahead
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