Tajikistan & Pamir Highway
About this tour
The Pamir have been known as “Bami Dunya”, the roof of the world, route of the traders and pilgrims. The areas is completely isolated from the rest of the world where each village speaks its own dialect and languages and every one has its own traditions., In this journey we discover the ancient land, where once Marco Polo passed by, visiting old forts, Zoroastrian shrines assimilating with Islam & Buddhism which will brings us to the days of the Silk Roads. From Dushanbe- getting to the legendary great Pamirs driving along afghan border crossing into Kyrgyzstan towards old city known as “OSh”
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Dushanbe International Airport, Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Welcome to Tajikistan! Meeting you at the airport, transfer to the Hotel, rest and sightseeing around Dushanbe. Most of the touristic destinations are located around Rudaki avenue and they are quite close to each other so to see some of them wont take much of your times. Visit antique museums, national museums, visiting Rudaki park, flag stock, Ismili Center, Lunch in Chay-Khana (Rokhat), Dinner in Merve. B,L&D
Day 2: Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Kalaikhum, Tajikistan
Here you have two options to get to the Pamirs first via southern & second via northern, the differences in terms of nature is slightly northern road, more attractive than southern. But this part based on tourism preferences. After breakfast moving towards the Pamirs via northern road on the way there many interesting tombs dedicated to the local religious figures, hot-spring, many villages, you may see people working in the fields. Crossing the Khburobot pass, the pass is the most beautiful pass in terms of landscape and Fauna & Flora. Overnight in Darwaz, first district of Pamirs, accommodation in the homestay. B,L&D
Day 3: Kalaikhum, Tajikistan to Khorog, Tajikistan
From Kalaikhum all the way to Khorog we will have views of Afghanistan villages,mountains and you can easily takes photos of the people and villages. Driving along Panj (Oxus) river it will bring us towards Khorog town. Khorog is very small town with the population of 30 000 and the Central administrative of GBAO. Here you can visit khorog market , Botanical garden which is the 2nd highest in the world, museums and it’s beautiful park. Khorog guesthouse. B,L&D
Day 4: Khorog, Tajikistan to Eshkashem, Tajikistan
From Khorog driving towards Ishkashim region, stop in Garmchashma, which is popular among locals and foreigners. Continue driving along the Panj(Oxus) river, photo stop at spinal mine which was mentioned by Marco Pole 13th Century, the mine history is much more older dated back to 7 the Century A.D. Overnight in Ishkashim guesthouse. Also bear in mind that in Ishkashim every Saturday is Afghan-Tajik market which is excellent opportunity for foreigners to cross the border without any visa issue. B,L&D
Day 5: Eshkashem, Tajikistan to Langar, Tajikistan
Moving towards Wakhan valley, stop in Kaka fort which is dating back to Kushans empire 3rd Century, next to fort there are little shrine dedicated to Hazrat Ali, cousin of prophet Muhammed, the shrine is originally Zoroastrian but later got some Islamic atribute, you will see a lot of Zoroastrian symbols & objects there. Further driving towards Yamchun fort of the same period, this fort can be called the most photogenic and impressive perhaps in the whole Tajikistan, visiting the most famous hotspring named Bibi Fatima, Lunch at homestay and then keep driving to Yamg observatory, Buddhist cloister in Vrang with 30 minutes hiking to and back. Overnight in Langar guesthouse. B,L&D
Day 6: Langar, Tajikistan to Murghab, Tajikistan
Moving towards Eastern part of the Pamirs, along the Pamir river, sometimes on the other side of the river, Afganistan part it is possible to see afghan nomadic (caravans) who travel with camel, donkeys and Yaks, which brings you back to the ancient time. The landscape is totally different from western part of the Pamirs. On the way there is a military check point which will check your passport & GBAO permission. Crossing Khargush pass (4334meters) on the top of the pass it is possible to see Hindukush mountain range if there are clear weather, so in one photo you will have three countries, Pamirs of Tajikistan, Wakhan of Afghanistan & Hindukush of northern Pakistan. Getting to the famous Pamir Highway, which was opened in 1931 this was the only road connected Osh with Khorog, paradise for cyclists and bikers, Overnight in the Murghab homestays. B,L&D
Day 7: Murghab, Tajikistan to Lenin Peak, Tajikistan
After breakfast driving towards Kyrgizistan, crossing the Aq-baital pass (4655 meters) which is the highest pass in the whole former Soviet Union. Photo stop in the Karakul lake, which is the biggest in the Tajikistan, the lake is turquoise blue, lunch break on the ways (picnic) getting to cross check point formally it will takes short time to cross Tajik-Kyrgiz border. Crossing Kyrgizistan we will keep our driver & guide, turn off towards Sariqmugol village, then further drive towards Base camp. Overnight in Yurta which is relocating near the small lake. B,L&D
Day 8: Lenin Peak, Tajikistan
Waking up, early morning to stretch legs, if we will be lucky we can catch the glimpse of the Lenin peak at 7134 meters, the view of the Pamir-Alay mountains range is fascinating from Kyrgizistat side. In compare to Tajikistan Kyrgizistan is totally different you can feel it when you enter, the nature will change so fast that you will be amazed it’s like paging photo albums. On the way to Osh you will see a lot of villages. Accommodation in the Yak house hotel or similar to that. B,L&D
What's included
What to know
take useful items with you! - good shoes -sun glass -sun cream -medicine
Route & locations
Dushanbe International Airport, Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Dushanbe, Tajikistan