Pamir Highway

Day 1. Arrival in Dushanbe

Most international flights arrive in Dushanbe early in the morning. We recommend planning an ealry check-in and some rest at the hotel.
Dushanbe is the largest and most populated city in the country. In the afternoon tour around Dushanbe including an excursion to the National Museum of Antiquities. The museum’s exhibits shows visitors the Tajik culture, its development, and the most popular attraction we will see – the statue of Buddha in Nirvana, the 14 meter long Tajik Buddha that was found by the Soviet archeologists in 1966.
Overnight in Dushanbe.
Accommodation options: hotels 3-5 stars, B&B

Day 2. Hisor

Trip to Hisor, the capital of Hisor District. Excursion and lunch in Hisor. Hisor and its neighboring lands were already inhabited 40 000 years ago. The archaeologists found traces of ancient citadels and towns here dating back to 3-4 centuries BC. And it’s not surprising – Hisor was an important trade center of the Silk Road.
In the afternoon we return back to Dushanbe. Free time in Dushanbe.
Overnight in Dushanbe

Day 3. Drive to Qal’ai Khumb

We leave Dushanbe and drive to the village of Qal’ai Khumb. During a seven-hour trip on the M41 through Kulob, 4th largest city in Tajikistan, we come to the medieval Palace of Khulbuk. Located in Kurban-Shaid village of the Vose region of Tajikistan, the Palace is now proposed to be in a list of the World Heritage.
Then continue to Qal’ai Khumb, where we are welcomed by the Pamiris. The village is situated on the shore of the Panj River, on the border with Afghanistan.
The trip runs largely through GBAO - the Kūhistoni Badakhshon Autonomous Region, also known as Gorno-Badakhshan, in today's Tajikistan. The area is bordering with the Xinjiang province in China to the East, with Afghanistan to the South and West, and Kyrgyzstan to the North. It is an inaccessible mountainous area with some of the highest peaks in the Pamir Mountain range. Among them we find Ismoil Somoni Peak, 7495 m, formerly called Communism Peak, or Stalin Peak. And also Ibn Sino Peak, 7147 m, previously named as Lenin Peak.
The road condition varies greatly. Some areas are paved, but mostly there is a gravel road. Erosion, earthquakes, landslides have also affected on the mountain road.
Overnight in Qal’ai Khumb.
Accommodation options: hotels 3 stars, B&B

Day 4. Drive to Khorog

We leave Qal’ai Khumb after breakfast and after a stop at the excavations of the ancient town of Karon, we go out of the way of a more than 20-mile run to Khorog. The trip goes along the Panj River with Afghanistan on the other side. The beautiful city of Khorugh is just over 2000 m altitude nestled in the hills at the meeting point of the Panj and Ghunt rivers. In its beautiful surroundings.
Overnight in Khorog.
Accommodation options: hotels 3 stars, B&B

Day 5. Khorog

Khorugh city is the capital of the Kūhistoni Badakhshon Autonomous Region and has a distinctive charm. The city lies at the entrance to the Wakhan Corridor, the Afghan territory that separates Tajikistan from Pakistan. We'll visit so called Afhgan bazaar/market in Khorugh in the morning to buy some Afghan textile and handicrafts. It's special area on the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan where Afghan and Tajik people can sell their good to each other. This bazaar is open on Saturday only.
Today we'll do tour of Khorog and visit wonderful Pamir Botanical Garden which is famous for its specific plants and that situated at the altitude of 2320m above the sea level in Shahdara valley. There is a possibility to go for a walk around souvenir shops involving a famous “de Pamiri” souvenir shop and local bazaar that is definitely worth seeing.
Overnight in Khorog.

Day 6. Ishkoshim

In the morning we drive to Gharm-Chashma, the hot spring 40 kilometres away from Khorog. Time for swimming and relaxing is given. Baths for men and women, where the water temperature is about 50-75 °C, are separate. After lunch we go for a four hour drive to the beautiful town of Ishkoshim. With stunning views of the Pamirs peaks Ishkoshim is a nice place to stay.
Overnight in Ishkoshim.
Accommodation options: B&B

Day 7. Ishkashim - Langar

We leave Ishkashim and go to the Namadgut village where Khaakha fortress, a 4th century AD monument of Kushan era, is built. Along the way, in a small village called Yamg, we will find a fascinating house museum belonging to the self-taught Ismaili astronomer, philosopher, mystic poet and religious scholar – Sufi Mubarak-I Wakhani (1839-1903). He lived here and worked upon his own manufactured solar calendar. The locals are proud of him and honor his memory.
Further moving along the Pamir Highway we reach Yamchun fortress. This is one of the biggest attractions in the Wakhan – the eldest monument, presumably built in 3-1BC. The fortress, located on the cliff, consists of 36 towers and spreads up to 950 metres. Yamchun has a magnificent view of the Wakhan Corridor. You’ll be breathtaken undoubtedly!
Then continue along the fabulous Wakhan to Langar.
Overnight in Langar.
Accommodation options: B&B

Day 8. Langar - Murgab

Today we are moving from Langar to Bulun-Kul (about six hours). We will drive via Hargush pass (4344 m) to reach the Bulun-Kul village where we have lunch in a local tea house (this can be considered as a lunch with a local family). Most people who live in the eastern part of the Pamirs are ethnic Kyrgyz – Turkic-speaking people with strong nomadic traditions, while most of their western neighbors - the Pamiris - speak the Iranian dialect. Faith also differs, at least formally – the Kyrgyz belong to the Sunni branch of Islam.
Then a short hike to the Yashilkul lake located near Bulun-Kul. The Bulun-Kul and the Yashilkul lakes are entered into the Important Bird Area that lies within the Pamir National Park.
Finish the day in Murgab.
Overnight in Murgab.
Accommodation options: B&B

Day 9. Murgab - Karakul

Departure from Murgab to the Karakul village located on the shore of the lake of the same name, where Sven Hedin struck his camp and devoted himself to research. We will also pass through the picturesque Rangkul lake near the Chinese border. The view from Rangkul is breathtaking: Mustagh Ata peak, 7509 m, and Kongur Tagh peak, 7649 m, both located on the other side of the border, will not leave you emotionless (indifferent). Later return back to Karakul.
Dinner in Karakul. Free time in the evening. It is possible to look after grunting oxes that are rare to see even in zoos, or may have a look at Sunni mosque what is very rare for these lands (territories).
Overnight in Karakul
Accommodation options:B&B

Day 10. Karakul – Kyzylart Pass – Kyrgyzstan

From Karakul we move on to Kyrgyz border – Kyzylart Pass, the highest mountain road of the country, also known as Pamir Highway. The mountain pass (4280 m) is a part of Pamir National Park, the UNESCO Heritage since 2013.
Lunch in Sary Tash village (40 km, about 1 hour). Drive 200 km to Osh (approximately 4 hours).
Overnight in Osh.
Accommodation options: hotels 3-4 stars, B&B

Day 11. Osh

Osh, the ‘capital of the south’, is the 2nd largest city in Kyrgyzstan. It is situated in the Fergana Valley, and it is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia that has been an important trading center on the Silk Road. We will go on an excursion to the Sulayman Mountain that is considered to be a holy mountain, and has been the only World Heritage Site in Kyrgyzstan since 2009. Then we are going to visit a local bazaar to buy some handicrafts: traditional jewelry or goods from leather and Kyrghyz felt which is famous for its quality.
Overnight in Osh.

Day 12. Osh - Bishkek

Morning flight from Osh to Bishkek. Sightseeing in Bishkek upon arrival.
Overnight in a hotel in Bishkek.
Accommodation options: hotels 3-4 stars, B&B

Day 13. Departure

Transfer to the airport for the flight home.