Our 5 & 7 Days Pamir Highway Itineraries

This tour starts from Dushanbe, Tajikistian and finishes in Osh, Kyrgystan.

Our driver will meet you at the airport, railway station, border or hotel with a sign with your name.

5 DAY APPROXIMATE TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1: Dushanbe to Khalaikum.

Today our journey is 400 km. We`ll drive through Kuliab city, Kuliab is the largest province in Tajikistan and also where the best cotton is grown. We stop at the top of Shar-shar pass for a view of the Nurek dam, and then in Vose where we visit the Khulbuk - Kala  (9^th-11^th century). We stop for lunch in Vose, then cross the Shurabad pass, through several villages, where you'll see old men in national dress with long beards and a view of Afghanistan across the river Panj. We arrive in Kalai-kum in the early evening. Kalaikum is the first district of GBAO. Overnight at home stay Roma. BLD. Wi-Fi.

Day 2: Kalaikhumb to Khorog (along the spectacular Afghanistan border).

From Kalaikhumb we leave for Khorog with some 250kms of terrain ahead of us, and the promise of some spectacular scenery along the way. The road joins the river Panj, which in turn forms the border with Afghanistan. The contrast across the river valley is telling. Tajikistan is undoubtedly a poor country, but in general the roads are sealed and buildings are connected with electricity. The situation barely 100m away is even starker, and it is as if the river represents not just a physical divide, but also a step back in time. We stay in relative luxury tonight, having reached the capital of the Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) - a restricted part of the country and we have obtained permits to travel here. We have a little time to explore Khorog including the bazar and the lovely Botanical Gardens which are perched high above the town, affording some great panoramic views. Hotel Kivekas. BLD. Wi-Fi. 

Day 3: Khorog to Murghab via Bulunkul & Yashilkul Lakes.

In the morning we have a short walk to explore the town then leave for Murghab by the Pamir high way along the Gund valley enjoying the beauties of this countryside. On the route there are several photo stops and we take a rest at the Jilandy hot spring where there is a warm swimming pool. Then drive to Upaly to have a picnic along the river in nature, then you'll cross the Koi Tezek pass @4234m. From this pass you will witness a stunning change in nature, it is very different and dry and the mountains are plataus of th Eastern Pamirs. En route we visit Lakes Yashilkul, Bulunkul, Alichor village, Akbalik holy spring and Shahkty cave rock paintings before getting to Murghab in the early evening. Murghab is my hometown and is a small town in Eastern Pamir with a population of only 17,000 poeple. Home stay Eraly. BLD

Day 4: Murghab to Lake Kara-kul.

From Murghab we drive to Rankul lake. If you like we can do a short hike to enjoy the scenery of Muztag Ata peak in China. We then return to the Pamir Highway to drive to Kara-kul which is the highest lake in Tajikistan at 3960m. We cross the second highest pass in the world, Akbaital at 4655m, and en route stop at the first Russian fort dating back to 1873. Before the Russians came, this place was a caravanserai on the silk road. We have lunch in Kara-kul, then explore the village, and walk along the lake with views of peak Lenin. This is our last night in Tajikistan. Overnight in home stay Saadat. BLD

Day 5: Kara-kul to Osh.

Our final Pamir Highway high pass is the Kizilart (4270m) which essentially forms the border beetween Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. We also drive along the Chinese border to start with. The border crossing will take at least half an hour, but while you wait you have specatuclar mountain views. Be warned even in summer we could have sub-zero temperatures through the border areas, so make sure you have some extra layers at hand in case we are delayed by formalities. You keep the same guide as you go into Kyrgyzstan. We cross the Taldik pass (3650)m and Chyirchik pass. On the journey we enjoy the scenery of Alay, Tien Shan mountains, river Kyzyl-Suu, and river Gulcha. You will now have the famous views of the Kyrgyz nomads in their pastures (jailoo) with flocks of animals. We drive to Osh, then visit the Sulaiman’s hill and cave, and the famous central market. You will arrange your own accomodadtion for tonight. BL

At your discretion we can change any of the tour details.

7 DAY APPROXIMATE TRIP ITINERARY

This tour starts from Dushanbe, Tajikistian and finishes in Osh, Kyrgystan.

Day 1: Dushanbe to Khalaikum.

Today our journey is 400 km. We`ll drive through Kuliab city, Kuliab is the largest province in Tajikistan and also where the best cotton is grown. We stop at the top of Shar-shar pass for a view of the Nurek dam, and then in Vose where we visit the Khulbuk - Kala  (9^th-11^th century). We stop for lunch in Vose, then cross the Shurabad pass, through several villages, where you'll see old men in national dress with long beards and a view of Afghanistan across the river Panj. We arrive in Kalai-kum in the early evening. Kalaikum is the first district of GBAO. Overnight at home stay Roma. BLD. Wi-Fi.

Day 2: Kalaikhumb to Khorog (along the spectacular Afghanistan border).

From Kalaikhumb we leave for Khorog with some 250kms of terrain ahead of us, and the promise of some spectacular scenery along the way. The road joins the river Panj, which in turn forms the border with Afghanistan. The contrast across the river valley is telling. Tajikistan is undoubtedly a poor country, but in general the roads are sealed and buildings are connected with electricity. The situation barely 100m away is even starker, and it is as if the river represents not just a physical divide, but also a step back in time. We stay in relative luxury tonight, having reached the capital of the Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) - a restricted part of the country and we have obtained permits to travel here. We have a little time to explore Khorog including the bazar and the lovely Botanical Gardens which are perched high above the town, affording some great panoramic views. Hotel Kivekas. BLD. Wi-Fi. 

Day 3: Khorog to Mashali via lakes Bulunkol, Yashilkol.

In the morning we have a short walk to explore the town then leave for Murghab by the Pamir high way along the Gund valley enjoying the beauties of this countryside. On the route there are several photo stops and we take a rest at the Jilandy hot spring where there is a warm swimming pool. Then drive to Upaly to have a picnic along the river in nature, then you'll cross the Koi Tezek pass @4234m. From this pass you will witness a stunning change in nature, it is very different and dry and the mountains are plataus of the Eastern Pamirs. En route we visit Lakes Yashilkul, Bulunkul, Alichor village, Akbalik holy spring before driving off-road to Mashali wilderness remote area. Here there is a summer pasture in the alps where nomads live with there animals in the summer. We can do many activities here such as Yak riding etc, bird watching. We stay in a Yurt Stay tonight. BLD

Day 4: Mashali to Murghab via Jartygumbez. 

Today is not a long distance to drive, only 120km. We first visit Jartygumbez for swimming at the warm pool, then drive offroad to the Shahkty cave rock paintings which are situated in a stunning mountain valley desert. On the way we will try to see Marco Polo sheep, ibex, wolf, fox and snow leopard. In the afternoon we get to Murghab. Murghab is my hometown and is a small town of Eastern Pamir with a population of 17,000 poeple. In Murghab we do sightseeing of the town including statue of Lenin, local shipping container market  and walk to the river Aksuu to see the central Mosque. Home stay Eraly. BLD

Day 5: Murghab to Kara-kul via Rankol lakes.

From Murghab we drive to Rankul lakes view at the lake and have a short hike to enjoy the scenery of Muztag Ata peak in China before returning to the Pamir Highway to drive to Kara-kul which is the highest lake in Tajikistan at 3,960m. We cross the second highest pass in the world, Akbaital at 4655m, and en route stop at the first Russian fort dating back to 1873. Before the Russians came, this fort was a caravanserai on the silk road. We have lunch in Kara-kul, then explore the village, and walk along the lake with views of peak Lenin. This is our last night in Tajikistan. Overnight in home stay Saadat. BLD

Day 6: Karakul to Tulpar kol.

Our final Pamir Highway high pass is the Kizilart (4270m) which essentially forms the border beetween Tajikistan and  Kyrgyzstan. The border crossing will take at least half an hour, then over the pass with 20km of no man’s land. Be warned even in summer we could have sub-zero temperatures through the border areas, so make sure you have some extra layers to hand in case we are delayed by formalities. We keep our drivers and guide as we go into Kyrgyzstan. We cross the Taldik pass (3650)m and Chyirchik pass. On the journey we enjoy the scenery of Alay, Tien Shan mountains, river Kyzyl-Suu, Then to the left into Chon Alay valley, in few km you get the village Sarymogol then drive to Tulparkol is yurt camp beautiful place it is situated near by small lakes green and ecological clean camp, best clear views of peak Lenin, an hour walk into the gorge you can get best view of the area and the peak Lenin 7134m. Yurt stay. BLD

Day 7: Tulparkol to Osh.

In the morning you have time till lunch to explore the area around the camp and walk to the view for peak Lenin. If you'd like horse back riding there is a possibility. After lunch start the journey to Osh via Saritash, Gulcho villages and also crossing several passes Katin-Art, Taldik, Chiyirchik, these passes are not high compared to the passes which you crossed in the Pamir. We will pass Kyrgyz people and their animals and can stop to have conversations and taste the milk products such as Airan, Kymyz and Kurut. There is also a chance we can catch a local ceremony, festival, horse game etc. Early evening we get to Osh and the accommodation should be arranged by yourself. BL

At your discretion we can change any of the tour details.