Anzob Pass is a mountain crossing in Tajikistan, in Central Asia, rising to 3,372 metres. It carries the road that links the capital, Dushanbe, with the north of the country, cutting through the Fann Mountains on a route that has long been a challenge for travellers.
The road and the tunnel
The pass has historically been a demanding crossing, and the Anzob Tunnel changed that. It was completed in 2006 and gives access through the mountains throughout the year, so the journey no longer depends on the pass staying open in difficult weather. For anyone planning a trip between the south and north of Tajikistan, the tunnel is the practical reason the route is now dependable.
What the journey offers
The main draw is the landscape. The road climbs through the Fann Mountains, where the scenery opens into alpine country and views of snow-capped peaks. Those views are the reason many visitors make the drive rather than simply passing through.
- Alpine scenery: high, open mountain terrain at considerable elevation.
- Snow-capped peaks: views of the range that stretch across the horizon.
- A link between regions: the route itself shows the contrast between the capital and the north.
Planning a visit
Anzob Pass suits travellers who enjoy mountain roads and wide views, and who see the drive as part of the trip rather than only a means of getting somewhere. Because the altitude is high, it is worth allowing time for the journey and dressing for cold, changeable conditions. Dushanbe, at the southern end of the route, is the natural base for setting out, with the mountains beginning just beyond the city.