Pamir Highway Tour
About this tour
If you are looking for a perfect road-trip with less strenuous activates but more exposure to local culture and interaction with local people then look no further than our Pamir Highway tour. We will introduce you to the diverse cultures and people who have been living in these rugged and barren lands for thousands of years and who have managed to preserve their unique traditions despite many invasions in the past, from Alexander the Great to the Russian and British empire. And while traveling through some of the magnificent mountain ranges with spectacular landscape views you will experience the hospitality in every sense of this word. Filled with authenticity this place still has the atmosphere of antiquity, when traders of the silk road from China used to pass with their caravans through this road, you will witness the scene even today. The ancient forts that guarded this part of the silk road have been preserved and they are just spectacular. Part of the Pamir highway from Kalai Khumb town to Langar of Wkahan valley goes along the famous Oxus or Panj river which is a natural border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, and while driving you can see the lives of Afghan villages and the caravans just as it used to be during the Silk road. Learning the culture of Pamiri people which includes Zoroastrian and Islamic traditions and taking baths in holy hot-springs along the way will make this trip unforgettable.
This tour can be done, either way, starting from Dushanbe or Osh
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Shurobod, Tajikistan
We set off in the morning towards south Tajikistan until reaching Shurobod town where we will join the Panj river. Today's drive will mostly go on a paved road. We will pass by Norak reservoir where we will stop at a viewpoint of the lake, later Dangara town where we will see vast the cotton field and soon after via Kulob where we will stop to explore a 10-century Hulbuk fort. In Shurobod, we will drive to a first village located on the bank of the Panj river - Anjirob, where we will start our hike on Chusk mountain. The hikes highlight is a fantastic view of Afghanistan and the whole Hazratishoh mountain range. We will descend from the Chusk mountain to part of the Panj river that hardly any tourists have ever been to. The hiking trail is easy as it's mostly downhill. At the end of the trail, we will meet our car and drive back to the village, where we will be served a traditional Tajik meal. Night in the village guesthouse.
Day 2: Shurobod, Tajikistan to Vamar Fortress, Rŭshan, Tajikistan
After a healthy breakfast and an enjoyable morning in the village, we will continue our drive to Rushan district. On the way, we will have an opportunity to glance into the life of Northern Afghanistan across the Panj river and stop at the Karon historical site in Darvoz. Tonight we will stay at a guesthouse.
Day 3: Vamar Fortress, Rŭshan, Tajikistan to Bartang, Tajikistan
We enter Bartang valley today which is famous for its remoteness and legendary hospitality of its people. We will drive about 25km into the valley and stop before a suspension bridge. Crossing the bridge we will hike 7 km to a remote Jizev village enjoying the spectacular views along the trail. In Jizev you will stay at a traditional Pamiri house.
Day 4: Bartang, Tajikistan to Khorog, Tajikistan
In the morning we will enjoy our traditional Shirchai (milk with tea) and hike back to the road. Our car will meet us and we take off to Khorog. Upon arrival in Khorog we will have lunch and a walking excursion in Khorog Central Park and later drive to the Khorog Botanical garden. On the way to the Botanical garden, we will stop by an Afghan consulate to apply for our visas. We will receive our visas later in the evening today. The hotel choices in Khorog are abundant. From a luxury Serena Hotel to budget family guesthouses. To get information on available choices to go to our book accommodation page and mention your choice in the booking message.
Day 5: Khorog, Tajikistan to Yamchun Fort., Eshkashem, Tajikistan
We will continue on our driving adventure further south to wakhan today. Still, on the right bank of the Panj river, we will be passing by tiny villages along the road until reaching Wakhans administrative center at Ishkashim. After Ishkasim town we will visit several sites, including Kah-Kaha and Yamchun forts. We will also visit a shrine decorated with Ibex and Marco Polo sheep horns, which is a custom in this part of Tajikistan. Truly spectacular views of Hindukush mountains from one side and Tajik mountain on the other side will make your drive exceptional today. In the evening we will visit the famous Bibi-Fatima hot spring where you will take a bath after a long day. Night in a local homestay.
Day 6: Yamchun Fort., Eshkashem, Tajikistan to Langar petroglyphs, Eshkashem, Tajikistan
Today we start by visiting the Sufi Mubarak Kadam Wakhani museum in Yamg. Mubarak Wakhani was an Ismaili mystic poet, musician, astronomer, and Ismaili religious scholar who had also preserved and developed a traditional ancient culture of using a solar calendar. We will learn about his life and works and will have a traditional wakhi music performance by one of his grandsons. We then take a short drive first to Vrang village where we will climb to see a 4th-century Buddhist stupa and continue to Zong village where we will stop overnight. In Zong, we will hike to yet another fortress called Silk fort from where we will continue hiking to a hot spring through the village. You will have a chance to get an insight into the everyday life of wakhi people on this hike and have amazing views of the Wakhan valley.
Day 7: Langar petroglyphs, Eshkashem, Tajikistan to Alichur, Tajikistan
We resume our road-trip back to Pamir highway via Khargush pass (4344m) today. On reaching the Pamir Highway we will make a detour to Bulunkul and Yashilkul lakes where you will have plenty of spots to stop and take dramatic photos of the moonlike landscape of eastern Pamir. We then drive to Alichur village just 50km from Bulunkul where we spend the night. Alichur is situated in the middle of spectacular high-altitude scenery at an altitude of nearly 4000m above sea level. This area is famous for its wild sheep otherwise known as Argali sheep or Marco Polo sheep. Tonight we will stay at a homestay in the village.
Day 8: Alichur, Tajikistan to Karakul, Tajikistan
Today will be the most challenging day in terms of altitude on our trip. We will drive over the Ak-Baital pass today set at 4655m. Before leaving Alichur in the morning, we will have a short detour to Bashgumbez village and have a short Yak riding adventure and then continue to Murgab. In Murgab we will have lunch and visit the famous container bazaar. Later, after passing the Akbaital pass we will descend to Muzkol valley after which a vast plateau with a huge lake will appear. We will walk to Karakul lake when we reach the village. Karakul lake is a body of water created millions of years ago by a meteorite and noted as one of the most geologically fascinating places on earth. Here you will be able to enjoy amazing views of the lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. If you haven't been to a moon, here you will have the feeling of being there. We spend the night in a local village house. Night in a local homestay.
Day 9: Karakul, Tajikistan to Tulpar kul, Sary Mogul, Kyrgyzstan
Setting off for the Kyrgyz border today. The border checkpoint is right under the Kyzyl Art pass at (4336m). After crossing the Kyrgyz checkpoint which is 35km away from the Tajik one, we will make our way to Sary Mogol town where we will have late lunch and continue our journey to a Yurt camp below the Lenin Peak. Tonight we will stay at a traditional Kyrgyz Yurt.
Day 10: Tulpar kul, Sary Mogul, Kyrgyzstan to Osh, Kyrgyzstan
We will start the morning with a short hike towards the mountains to get some spectacular views of the snowcapped peaks. Later we will transfer to Osh over Toldek pass (3500m) with fabulous views of surrounding mountains. The road to Osh is in quite good condition so we will get there at noon. We will have lunch and transfer you to the hotel where our trip finishes.
What's included
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Shurobod, Tajikistan