Bavaria → Dushanbe
Josef Sibein is an author and adventurer, but this story would never have been told without the Rally Captain. He took on most of the responsibility and repaired the rally car more than once. It all began in an almost unspectacular way: with an old Suzuki and a destination that was far too distant. What started as a spontaneous idea became a journey across borders, mountain passes, potholes, gravel tracks and customs posts. From a Bavarian brewery through Austria and along the Balkan route into Turkey, then into the Caucasus and across Russia, the road eventually led to Central Asia and Tajikistan. To a place where the roads gradually became little more than suggestions and the mountains set the pace.
The rally did not begin with a plan, but with one sentence: “Come on, let’s drive.” An old car, too little time and a destination that was objectively far too far away. That was exactly why it became serious.
It started in Bavaria, in a brewery. Then came Austria and the Balkan route, onward into Turkey. Beyond Istanbul, everything became rougher, slower and less predictable. The Caucasus brought mountains and borders, Russia brought distance and patience. And at some point, Central Asia arrived. Tajikistan was no longer just a country, and the Pamir Highway was the end of excuses.
The journey from Bavaria to Dushanbe became a book. “Die Rallye nach Tadschikistan” is complete in German and available as a travel story.
The book tells the story of an old Suzuki, 13,000 kilometres, 14 countries, border crossings, breakdowns, gravel tracks and the long road to Central Asia.
From Bavaria to Central Asia, with no shortcut but plenty of detours. Europe was the warm-up, followed by long days behind the wheel, when borders became routine and roads became tests.
The journey begins in a traditional Bavarian brewery near Munich, where the rally participants gather before setting off towards Central Asia. From the very beginning, the author is driven not only by the adventure itself, but also by a long-standing curiosity about Asia and distant cultures beyond Europe.
The further the route leads towards the southeast, the more familiar surroundings give way to unfamiliar impressions. Mountain roads, border crossings and new cultural experiences mark the psychological transition from Europe towards Asia.
With Greece, the journey moved further away from the familiar rhythm of Central Europe. Warm air, Mediterranean landscapes and a different way of life made it clear that we were heading further east.
Entering Turkey made the transition from Europe to Asia tangible. New landscapes, cultural contrasts and unexpected encounters strengthened the feeling of setting off ever further into another world. At the same time, this was the last stage where covering great distances in a single day was still possible, around 1,000 kilometres. Further east, the roads became noticeably worse, and the pace of the journey changed clearly.
In a small village called Borjomi, the travellers experience remarkable hospitality when locals invite them to share a meal. These encounters deepen the author’s appreciation for cultural exchange across borders.
The journey through southern Russia brings vast distances, physical exhaustion and the mental demands of overland travel. The scale of Eurasia becomes more and more tangible. The team drives alone for several days and will not meet its new friends again until Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan felt like an endless ribbon of steppe between Russia and the mountains of Central Asia. Just a few kilometres beyond the border, the rally car suffered serious damage, casting a shadow over the entire week. For two days, the road ran straight through distance, dust and shimmering heat, while one question always hung in the air: would the Red Flash make it to Aktobe? When we finally reached the city, it became clear how narrowly we had avoided a complete write-off.
Kyrgyzstan began with the lively capital Bishkek, a surprisingly green starting point before the mountains. In the capital, a local spontaneously invited us in, and we experienced a kind of hospitality you do not forget. In the middle of the mountains, we met a Chinese tour group and eventually shared a meal with them in a simple mountain guesthouse. Between mountain passes, dusty roads and high-altitude landscapes, the country felt like a preview of the Pamirs.
The final stage leads along the legendary Pamir Highway to Dushanbe. The rally ends with the handover of the transported aid supplies and the vehicle itself. Emotionally, however, the journey does not end there — the experiences close to China continue to resonate and later inspire several trips to the country, turning an initially missed opportunity into a lasting personal connection.
An old Suzuki. Four weeks. 13,000 kilometres. 14 countries. A destination that was far too distant until suddenly it became reachable.
Quick answers
Short answers for anyone who wants to know whether you can really drive all the way to Tajikistan by car and what makes this journey to Central Asia special.
Yes, you can drive to Tajikistan by car, and that is exactly what this book is about. We drove an old Suzuki from Bavaria across the Balkans, Turkey, the Caucasus, Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan all the way to Dushanbe.
The rally took place in August and September 2014. The travel story “The Rally to Tajikistan” later grew out of this journey.
Yes, in principle, travelling to Tajikistan by car is still possible in 2026. Before setting off, however, you should check the route, visas, insurance, transit countries, border crossings and current safety advice.
The book tells the story of an overland journey from Bavaria to Tajikistan in an old Suzuki. It is about 13,000 kilometres, 14 countries, border crossings, breakdowns, gravel tracks and the question of how far you can really get with a simple car.
No, the book is not a classic travel guide with hotel tips and sights. It is a personal travel story about the road to Central Asia, the Pamir Highway and the adventure of a rally all the way to Dushanbe.
No, our journey shows that even an old small car can get very far. Preparation, tools, patience and strong nerves matter more than a perfect expedition vehicle.
What makes it special is the combination of a huge distance and a small car. 14 countries, around 13,000 kilometres and a destination just short of China turned the journey into a real adventure.
The book is for readers who enjoy road trips, old cars, Central Asia and unusual travel stories. It is especially suitable for anyone who wants to know whether you can really drive to Tajikistan in a normal car.
The rally has already been covered by regional media.
For questions and enquiries, feel free to send an email.
© The Rally to Tajikistan
From Bavaria to Dushanbe. No shortcut, no gloss, but a real adventure.
