Pamir Highway And Fann Mountains Tour 14 Days
About this tour
Traveling dates should be within: 30th July - 14th August
Day 1: Dushanbe city tour Overnight in hotel
Day 2: Dushanbe – Kulyab – Kalaikhumb Altitude: 1200m Overnight in guesthouse
Day 3: Kalaikhumb – Khorog, Altitude: 2200m Overnight in guesthouse
Day 4: Roof of the World Festival (festival could be on days 3-5 depending on the exact date) Altitude: 2000 m. Overnight in guesthouse
Day 5: Khorog – Bulunkul - Alichur Altitude: 3700 m
Day 6: Alichur –Kargush - Langar Altitude: 3700 m
Day 7: Langar - Murghab Altitude: 4100 m
Days 8: At Chabysh Festival in Murghab
Altitude: 3700 m
(festival could be on days 8-9 depending on the exact date)
Day 9: Murghab - Eskashem (Garam chashma) Altitude: 3500 m
Day 10: Eskashem - Khorog - Dushanbe Altitude: 2700 m
Day 11: Dushanbe - Khujand 3,300 m
Day 12: Khujand - Panjakent 930m
Day 13:Panjakent - Iskanderkul altitude 2200m
Day 14:Iskanderkul - Margeb(Yagnob valley) - Dushanbe
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Day 1 Dushanbe city tour Altitude: 700m Start city tour in the capital and the biggest city of Tajikistan. Visit Tajikistan National Museum of Antiquities, where the famous statue of Buddha in Nirvana is preserved. Continue to Botanical garden, where locals love spending leisure, and to local bazaar. Drive out of the city (30 km) to the remains of Hissar Fortress of 18 С. Visit two local madrasas and a mausoleum. Return to Dushanbe for overnight. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Kalaikhum, Tajikistan
Day 2: Dushanbe – Kulyab – Kalaikhumb Altitude: 1200m Departure to Pamir Mountains on Highway M41 via via Kulyab region. You may notice more conservative attitudes of local dressing style and beards, but the hospitality is just as welcoming. We pass over the Khaburabad mountain pass to Kalai Khumb, which is located on the Panj River. Overnight in guesthouse
Day 3: Kalaikhum, Tajikistan to Khorog, Tajikistan
Day 3: Kalaikhumb – Khorog, Altitude: 2200m Our road lies along the Panj River, a tributary of the mighty Amu Darya River. You will have a chance to see Afghanistan from the right side across the river. Continue driving to Khorog, a small mountain valley town, the capital of the autonomous Gorno-Badakhshan region. The city lies 2000 m above the sea level, strung out irregularly along the slopes of both sides of the dashing Gunt River. A few kilometers downstream, the Gunt merges with the Panj, the river that marks the border with Afghanistan. In Khorog, visit Botanical garden and the local museum. Overnight in guesthouse.
Day 4: Khorog, Tajikistan
Day 4: Roof of the World Festival Altitude: 2000 m Today, the festival starts early in the morning, so we spent the whole day enjoying the festival. The event provided a rare opportunity for all participants, who came from across national borders, to showcase their artistic talents and demonstrate their culturally specific creative skills in performing music and dance in a multicultural setting. In addition to musical and artistic performances, the festival featured traditional food and musical instruments, as well as handicrafts, workshops and documentaries from the participating countries. The festival raised awareness of the need to protect and promote various forms of cultural expression as the region's historical heritage. The festival helped revive endangered cultural traditions and promote pluralism in the region. Synergy with the tourism sector has contributed to economic development and improved people's livelihoods.
Day 5: Khorog, Tajikistan to Alichur, Tajikistan
Day 5: Khorog – Bulunkul - Alichur Altitude: 3700 m The day starts early as we embark on a long drive through the stunning Pamir Plato towards the wide valleys of the Eastern Pamirs. Our first stop is the peaceful and beautiful Gund valley before continuing along the M41 Pamir Highway towards Bulunkul, the remotest and coldest place in Tajikistan. During winter, temperatures can drop as low as 65 degrees below zero Celsius. As we cross over the Kuytezak pass at 4200m, we arrive at Bulunkul lake at 3735m, followed by one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the world, Yashilkul Lake at 3715m. After lunch in the small hamlet of Bulunkul, where we can try fish from the local lakes, we begin to understand why people choose to live in these grandiose latitudes. We then drive 30km to Alichur valley, where we meet a crew of local Yakmen who organize a short Yak riding tour for us. Yaks are strong and beautiful animals that prefer to live in open fields, even during winter time, making them ideal for carrying things and people in high altitude areas above 4000m. We spend two hours riding yaks and observing the nomads' lifestyle before staying overnight in yurts or guesthouses in Alichur valley.
Day 6: Alichur, Tajikistan to Langar, Tajikistan
Day 6: Alichur –Kargush - Langar Altitude: 3700 m Today our journey take us over Kargush pass 4344m to Military Camp in Kargush and after formalities drive along Pamir river to Langar – the first village of Wakhan valley. We pass by two beautiful alpine lakes, summer camps of shepherds. After passing the Passport Registration Control in Kargush valley, we will make a short stop in viewpoint on the top of Langar serpentine, to observe all Wakhan valley from birds fly altitude. Drive down to Langar, we can have rest, shower and drinking a bear listen to local folklore – a short musical performance by the owner of homestay. Overnight in homestay in Langar.
Day 7: Langar, Tajikistan to Murghab, Tajikistan
Day 7: Langar - Murghab Altitude: 4100 m The following morning, we continue driving along the Khargush valley, passing through the Khargush pass (4344m). The Murghab region is home to the most beautiful lakes of the Pamirs - Yashilkul and Bulunkul - situated at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level. The water in Bulunkul lake boasts a subtle blend of purple and blue hues in the sunlight, with an abundance of fish species found within. We may also spot yaks - a unique domestic animal that shares characteristics with cows and sheep - traditionally used for transportation, as well as for milk and meat products. Upon arrival at the lake, we embark on a short walk of around 1-2 hours before driving to Murgab along the legendary Pamir Highway.
Day 8: Murghab, Tajikistan
Days 8: At Chabysh Festival in Murghab Altitude: 3700 m One-day participation in a traditional horse festival of nomadic Kyrgyz of the Eastern Pamirs "U Chabysh". This is a unique cultural and sporting event dedicated to the indigenous equestrian games of the Kyrgyz tribes. Traditional horse games consist of several interesting equestrian competitions connected with each other. "Tiyin enmei" - equestrians try to catch as many coins as possible from the ground at full gallop. "Odarysh" - wrestling on horses, the winner has to pull his rival out of the saddle. "Kyz - kumai", is the most fun, a kind of race between a girl and a guy who has to try to catch her for a kiss. Besides horse games, there is a traditional musical battle "Manashis" - storytellers sit inside yurts and sing songs in honour of the ancient hero Manas, who saved the Kyrgyz from invaders. There are also craft shows and souvenir demonstrations. At the end of the 12th day we drive to Karakul (2 hours) and stay overnight in a guest house.
Day 9: Murghab, Tajikistan to Eshkashem, Tajikistan
Day 9: Murghab - Eskashem (Garam chashma) Altitude: 3500 m - Depart from Murgab and head towards Vrang, a village located about 50 kilometers away - Pass through the Ak-Baital Pass, the highest point on the Pamir Highway at an altitude of 4,655 meters above sea level - Visit the ancient Buddhist stupa in Vrang, which dates back to the 4th century AD - Continue the journey towards Eskashem, a village located about 20 kilometers away - Enjoy scenic views of valleys and mountain passes along the way - Visit the Garam chashma hot springs near Eskashem and relax in the natural pools surrounded by stunning mountain views - Interact with the friendly locals and explore the village of Eskashem - You can enjoy a traditional dinner prepared by our local hosts before retiring for the night in a cozy guesthouse.
Day 10: Eshkashem, Tajikistan to Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Day 10: Eskashem - Khorog - Dushanbe Altitude: 2700 m - Depart from Eskashem and head towards Khorog, the capital city of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region - Stop at the Koi-Tezek Pass, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys - Visit the Khorog Botanical Garden, which features a wide variety of plants and flowers native to the region - Explore the Khorog Bazaar, where you can find local handicrafts, fresh produce, and other goods - Continue the journey towards Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan - Stop at the Nurek Dam, one of the tallest dams in the world, and enjoy panoramic views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains - Arrive in Dushanbe in the evening and check into your hotel.
Day 11: Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Khujand, Tajikistan
Day 11: Dushanbe - Khujand 3,300 m - Depart from Dushanbe and head towards Khujand, the second largest city in Tajikistan and stop at the Shahriston Pass, which reaches an altitude of over 3,300 meters and offers panoramic views of the Fann Mountains - Arrive in Khujand in the evening and check into your hotel - Explore the city's historic sites, including the Khujand Fortress and the Panjshanbe Bazaar - Enjoy a traditional Tajik dinner and soak in the local culture before retiring for the night in the hotel.
Day 12: Khujand, Tajikistan to Panjakent, Tajikistan
Day 12: Khujand - Panjakent 930m - Start in Khujand at an altitude of 330m Continue driving to Panjakent, with a gradual descent in altitude Drive to Penjikent (260 km, 5-6 h). Arrive in Panjakent and check-in at the guest house. Meet your guide and start sightseeing. You will visit the Museum of Rudaki, an outstanding poet born in. After, explore Ancient Penjikent where ruins of old Sogdian town reached our days; it was founded in the 5th and abandoned in the 8th century by Arabs. Foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples and city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Panjakent, Tajikistan to Iskanderkul, Tajikistan
Day 13:Panjakent - Iskanderkul altitude 2200m Drive to Saritag via Iskanderkul (240 km, 6-7 h). Ascend through the mountains, with a steep increase in altitude - Stop at the Fann Mountains for a scenic view of the surrounding peaks - Continue driving to Iskanderkul Lake, with a gradual increase in altitude According to the legend, the Lake Iskanderkul was named after Alexander the Great, known as Iskander in the East. People say that Alexander the Great's path to India passed by this lake. Arrival and accommodation in the guest house.
Day 14: Iskanderkul, Tajikistan to Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Day 14:Iskanderkul - Margeb 2500m (Yagnob valley) - Dushanbe 800m - Leave Iskanderkul Lake and drive towards Margeb - Ascend through the mountains, with a gradual increase in altitude - Stop at Margeb for a break and to enjoy the scenic views. The settlement is flanked by rugged peaks, with Zamin-Karor, a gigantic rock wall, rising behind it. - Continue driving towards Dushanbe, with a steep descent in altitude - Arrive in Dushanbe. Free time till transfer for the flight home.
What's included
Traveling dates should be within: 30th July - 14th August
Traveling dates should be within: 30th July - 14th August
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Dushanbe, Tajikistan