Trip description
Trip description
Highlights
- Drive along the enchanting Pamir Highway, one of the most beautiful highways of the world
- Trekking in elevation between 3500 and 4600m among the epic landscapes and snowcapped mountains over 7000m
- A deeper glance to the lifestyle of nomad shepherds with overnights in yurts, bath in hot springs, ancient petroglyphs and spectacular wilderness.
- Trek to bottom of Engels peak 6507m
- Sightseeing of Wakhan valley with ancient forts, Buddhist stupa, hot springs
Itinerary
Your driver will pick you up from your guesthouse or hotel and start driving towards Sari Mugul village of Alay valley. You will travel among typical Kyrgyz villages and pass over Chigirchik pass 2402m than Taldik pass 3589m with great view to Alay valley. Arriving in Sari Mugul, you can drive to the lake if the road is open or hike. The lake is at 3500m near the Achik Tash base camp in foot of Lenin peak 7134m. The car will wait for you in the village. Overnight in tent.
300km drive, 4 h
Altitude: 3500m↑
After breakfast hike down to the car and drive to the Kylzyl Art Pass 4336m, which marks the border with Tajikistan. After cross-border formalities, we continue our journey to Karakul 4000m– one the biggest and highest lakes of Central Asia. Sighseeing of the lake, solar calendar overnight in guesthouse.
135km drive, 4 h
Altitude: 3923m↑
Today we drive over the second highest car road pass in the world Aqbaytal pass 4655m and continue driving to Rangkul area. Rangkul and Shorkul are two beautiful alpine lakes of eastern Pamirs situated in 3781m altitude. En route we can visit the meteorite creator. Trekking around the lakes and hiking to Salaktash Cave – the mysterious cave in the cliffs, where by the legends the gold have been hidden. Overnight in tents or yurts near Rangkul village.
150km drive, 4 h
Altitude: 3781m↑
Today we drive by the desert valleys with epic landscapes and panoramic snowcapped mountains to Alichur valley. En route, we turn left to visit the Chakhty cave pictograms, which believed dated back to Mesolithic period and known as the oldest one in the Central Asia. After we pass by the Aqbaliq holy lake and have lunch in Alichur. After lunch we drive to Bulunkul – a small hamlet known as the coldest place in Tajikistan. In winter, the temperature here drops down to 65 degree below zero by Celsius. We visit two beautiful alpine lakes of Pamirs – Bulunkul 3735m and Yashilkul 3719m. The views are fantastic. You can make a 2hours trek around the lakes. In dinner, we can try the delicious fish from these lakes. Overnight in homestay or tents.
180km drive, 4 h
Altitude: 3735m↑
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 serpentines, to observe all Wakhan valley from birds fly altitude. En route, we visit the ruins of the first fortification of Wakhan valley - Ratm fortress. 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. B/L/D.
110 km 4-5 h
Altitude: 3700m↑
We drive 5 km down to Zong village and start hiking up along the small channel of water. The terrain is normal and gently goes up. After 1 hour hiking we reach the marble platforms full of ancient petroglyphs; The ancient petroglyphs of Langar – the message left by Scythians, Arians, Zoroastrians and other habitants of these area, for next generation The petroglyphs date back to Bronze and earlier eras and show the hunting scenes, ibex, different symbols and unknown marks. There are more than 10000 of various pictograms here. Later, we continue our trek among the narrow gorge to the foot of Engels peak. The gorge very soon turns to green lushes with Small River, where we can meet the shepherds and stocks. We enjoy the view to Engels peak and surroundings and have picnic lunch here. After we can stay in overnight in tents.
14km 6 h
Altitude: 4200m↑
This morning we explore the hill with topped ziggurat of Buddhist Stuppa IV A.D. one of reminders of the ancient pilgrim caravans that passed through this region following the Silk Road we drive down and continue exploration of the mysterious Wakhan. We visit House museum and Solar calendar of Sufi Muborak – a philosopher, poet, theologian, astronomer and musician of XIX century. A calendar created by him was popular in East.. Then we drive uphill to relax in famous hot springs of Bibi Fatima and visit the fort of Yamchun III-I B. C - one of the most important fortifications belonged to Zoroastrian worshippers. Scenic view to all Wakhan valley and Hindukush range of Afghanistan. Overnight in guesthouse in Yamchun. B/L/D.
60 km, Sightseeing 4-5 h
Altitude: 3000m↑
We continue our journey with sightseeing of Wakhan valley. Wakhan become famous after the Great Game in XIX century, which divided this valley between Russian and British Empires, using Panj river as a border. We stop to observe the Darshay canyon and ancient shrine. After we stop to look at the ruins of Kaahka fortification III-I B.C and continue driving along Panj river. En route, we visit Garmchashma hot springs. Possible to have an optional bath in open-air pool, surrounded by interesting colored minerals. Overnight in sanatoria in Garmchashma.
140 km, 4-5 h
Altitude: 2600m↑
Sightseeing of Khorog. Visit of Botanical garden – the second highest in the world, museum, handicraft center, jewelries shops, Central Park. Overnight in guesthouse.
60 km, 2 h
Altitude: 2000m↑
Start of journey to Dushanbe via Kulyab. Drive along Panj river very close to Afghanistan. You can observe the lifestyle of Afghan people and spectacular views of Pamir highway. Overnight in hotel in Dushanbe. Our service ends with transfer to airport. Meals: B/L/D.
380 km, 6-7 h
Altitude: 1800m↑
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Availability | Prices | Single suplement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 May – 16 May 2022 | Available | US $960 | US $60 |
| 20 May – 30 May 2022 | Available | US $960 | US $60 |
| 3 June – 12 June 2022 | Available | US $960 | US $60 |
| 17 June – 26 June 2022 | Available | US $960 | US $60 |
| 1 July – 10 July 2022 | Available | US $960 | US $60 |
| 15 July – 24 July 2022 | Available | US $960 | US $60 |
| 5 Aug – 14 Aug 2022 | Available | US $960 | US $60 |
| 19 Aug – 28 Aug 2022 | Available | US $960 | US $60 |
| 2 Sep – 11 Sep 2022 | Available | US $960 | US $60 |
What’s included
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
- All private transportation 4x4 Toyota Land cruiser or Mitsubishi Pajero with driver.
- All accommodation during the tour
- All meals during the tour
- Driver’s food and accommodation
- English speaking local guide during the trek
- Yak and yakmen
- National park entrance fees and trekking permits
- Bottled water provided during the tour
What’s not included
- International airfares
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol, etc
- Tips and gratuities
Safety
Excellent physical condition is imperative for this trip. The altitude ranges from 3,000m to 4,800m and the terrain can be rough and the inclines steep. The body should be able to adapt quickly to changes in temperature. Experience of hiking over several days is essential.
Important notes
This tour can be started from Dushanbe and completed in Osh, according to the same itinerary, but in reverse order. Prices and dates will stay the same. If you are interested in private dates, please contact us.