Pamir Highway Tour from Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan

Day 01: Osh – Tulpar Kul

Today we drive from Osh to Sary Mogul village, via beautiful Alay ranges and over the Taldyk Pass (3615m). We will stop for a lunch in between. Once we pass the village of Sary Tash, the natural scenery of Pamir Alay range is spectacular. We will arrive Kyrgyz nomadic village near the lake Tulpar Kul, it is a perfect place for acclimatization.

Overnight in Nomadic yurt stay. (B/L/D)

Day 02: Tulpar Kul – Lenin peak – Sary Mogol

Today in the morning you’ll have a possibility to see Peak Lenina closer by riding horses for few hours. Then our adventure and nomadic horse riding will be end. Your car will meet you from Kashka Suu then we will drive to Sary Mogol village. You may drink Kyrgyz traditional Kumyz, (fermented horse milk). Local herders consume as local alcohol.

Overnight in homestay. (B/L/D)

Day 03: Sary Mogol – Kara Kul

After breakfast we will start our trip to Kara Kul. Our first step to High Pamir, we depart the high mountains of the Pamir-Alay range, leaving behind us the cross roads of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and China. This drive will see us enjoying some of the most dramatic scenery of the trip, with the lunar-like landscapes and bright blue lakes providing plenty of opportunities to take our breath away. Kara kul means “black lake” but in spring, summer and autumn the water are almost always turquoise blue. Karakul lake spread its waters in Markansu valley – one of the most driest place in Central Asia. Surrounded by high mountains which block humid air masses the valley has less than 30 mm of precipitation a year which is 3 times less than in Karakoram desert. Fluctuation of temperatures is a usual thing for desserts and in Karakul lake they are just incredible. Tonight you will sleep on Asian style bedding on the mattresses and blankets on the floor in a few rooms of a Kyrgyz House with shared bathroom facilities

Overnight at Home stay (Saadat). (B/L/D)

Day 04: Kara Kol – Ortoboz Pass – Jol borluk valley, the wolves’ way))

Today we will drive till the point where we start to hike up to Ortoboz Pass (5041m) near Karakul Lake to get a whole view of the lake.

After hiking we will have a picnic and drive to Jol borluk valley. View of this valley is amazing. You may see yaks, sheep and old tombs on the way. You may also see the top of Mustak Ata peak (7509m) from the side of Rang-Kul village. A trail in the gorge takes you up to the hill where you will have a stunning view of great pastures. Descend the hill and cross the river to arrive at the pasture. Observe and experience the daily routine of nomads. The day you arrive you join women making local bread. Bread will be made in a special local oven called “kazan”. Dinner in the yurt with fresh butter and bread.

In the evening you may visit by donkey/yak to another neighbor jailoos just for fun (optional).

Overnight in the yurt (B/L/D)

Day 05: Rang Kol (Jol borluk jailoo, the wolves’ way) – Murghab

 After breakfast early in the morning you may see how locals milk yaks and sheep. You can join in milking the yaks. Special boots and apron will be provided if needed. After milking you boil and drink fresh yak milk together with families, then you separate milk with the help of separator to get the butter. It’s the most delicious local butter. We call it “kaymak”. Drive to Murahab, overnight in homestay. Short tour in Murghab. Join to the family to prepare traditional meal or bread.

Overnight in Home stay Gulnara. (B/L/D)

Day 06: Murghab – Pshart Valley – Madian -Bashgumboz

Early in the morning drive to Pshart valley where you may hike up to the hills and walk down from the other side to Madian. After the lunch near the river continue drive to Bashgumboz for overnight. In this village we have a chance to explore the amazing landscape of this area. The terrain here is desolate but has a stark beauty to it. On the way to Bashgumbes village, 9km from the main road, you will see very old China’s tomb.

Overnight in Home stay. (B/L/D)

Day 07: Bashgumboz – Zor Kul, Yashil Kul, Bulun Kol

Today we have a daily hike to see the Zor Kul lake and Afghanistan. Hike from Keng-Shiber to Belairik valley till the pass Belairik (5000m), from the pass will see Zorkul lake, and Afghanistan. We will enjoy the scenery and the nature is beautiful. After the hike we drive to Bulun Kol via Alichur where we enjoy with the amazing landscape of Yashil Kul. Yashil Kul means “green lake”.

Overnight in Yurt stay. (B/L/D)

Day 08: Bulun Kol – Peak Engels-Hissor

After breakfast drive to Wakhan corridor for hike up to Peak Engels (5 hour up and 4 hour down). It is easy walk with the only pass before the meadow at 4000 meters even though the distance could be long. Your trek starts at Zong village by driving up to the north end of the village. Turn right to take obvious trail along the manmade water channel joining the stream coming from the foot of Engels peak. Walk along the channel until you reach the stream and follow it to get to the green lush meadow valley. While walking up, enjoy the towering peaks of magnificent Hindu Kush Mountain Range of Pakistan behind and lush valleys of the Panj river. Arrival at the meadow at 4000 meters and break for the lunch here or on the shore of small lake beyond the meadow with the stunning view of Engels Peak. Back to your car and drive to Hissor for overnight.

Overnight in Home stay. (B/L/D)

Day 09: Hissor – Ishkashim (Wakhan Corridor)

Driving along wakhan valley and visit detour to the nearby village of Namangut to visit the Khahkha Fortress. In addition there the remains of a number of fire – worshipping platforms and Buddha stuper. At Yamg, visit a quirky museum of Sufi Muborak-Kadam, a local Sufi scholar. After short driving you will be to see the Kakhka kala Fortress which dates from the 3rd C. Further up the hillside there are the hot springs at Bibi Fatima. The water at Bibi Fatima is crystal clear. It is possible to take a natural stream bath in a rocky cave.

Your next stop will be at the Abrashim Fortress. Afternoon you will arrive to Ishkashim the center of Wakhan valley, which stands at the mouth of wakhan River valley. This is where the 19th C Great Game ended; When Britan and Russian signed a treaty adding a strip of the Wakhan valley to Afghanistan to create a neutral buffer zone between their two empires.

Overnight in Guest House. (B/L/D)

Day 10: Ishkashim – Khorog

After breakfast we will drive via Wakhan valley to Khorog, along the road to our next stop at Garmchasma hot springs for an (optional) dip in the waters. After exploring or taking a shower we will have a lunch then transfer to Khorog. Khorog The capital of GBAO, it is a small town that various times has been under the control of the Russia, the Emirate of Bukhara and Afghanistan. It holds the distinction of being home the second highest botanical garden in the world, at 3900m.

Overnight at Pamiri house. (B/L/D)

Day 11: Khorog–Kalaikhumb

Today we drive through magnificent scenery and interesting villages. The areas we pass through today are a little more conservative and we shall see more men with beards and women wearing traditional dress. We may also see some relics of the civil war of the early to mid-1990’s.

Overnight at Roma homestay or similar (BLD)

Day 12: Kalikhumb – Dushanbe

After breakfast drive to Dushanbe. We will cross the Shurabad Pass (2200m high). On the road we will visit the ancient fortress Hulbuk dated by VIII century recently restored under the decree of the president. The local guide will talk interesting stories about the life in the fortress, shows outlines of the bases of rooms, halls and harems of the local governor’s palace.

Overnight at the Tajik homestay (B/L/D)

Day 13: Dushanbe – Iskanderkul Lake

We will start our tour by driving to M34 highway, the road which connects Dushanbe with the north of the country. After 3,5 hours we will reach Iskanderkul, where we will have a short hike around the lake and to the waterfall. After hiking we will drive further to Sarytag village for overnight.

Overnight at the local home stay (BLD)

Day 14: Iskanderkul Lake – 7 Lakes

Today after breakfast we will continue driving north. We will drive back from Sarytag village to M34 highway and turn left towards Aini. At Aini, we will turn west towards Penjikent. Before reaching Penjikent we will turn left into the mountains to 7 lakes. We will drive up to the 6th lake and stay overnight in a home-stay of a nearby village.

Overnight at the local home stay (BLD)

Day 15: 7 Lakes – Dushanbe

On this day will drive to Penjikent in the morning and visit a Unesco heritage site – Sarazm with its museum. We will have lunch in Penjikent and return to Dusanbe afterward. Farewell dinner at Tajik local restaurant. Overnight at hotel (BLD)

Day 16: Dushanbe – airport

Transfer to the airport for your own flight