Trip description
Travelling along the enchanting Pamir Highway, you will dig in magnificence of this remotest area undeservedly forgotten by the outside world, which still hide wonderful culture and traditions of the most hospitable people in the world. We travel through some of the most incredible landscapes you are ever likely to see, following the border with Afghanistan to Wakhan – tantalizingly close across the Panj River. Our trip takes us to long abandoned Silk Road fortresses and Buddhist
remains, a legacy of the region’s position on once strategic trade routes between east and west. . A challenging journey through an enigmatic region – exciting is an understatement.
An optional trekking to the meadow of Engels Peak 6507m and gentle walking with great view to all Wakhan Valley could be a good bonus for this trip.
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
Early arrival in Dushanbe airport, met by your guide and transfer to hotel. Rest after long flight till 11:00 a.m. after long flight. In 11:00 your guide will meet you in your hotel and the day begins with cultural immense: Vizit of National Antiquities Museum (archaeological museum), which houses numerous artefacts from the Sogdian, Greco-Bactrian and Kushan periods. One of the famous artefacts of this museum is Buddha in Nirvana, a lying 14m statue of Buddha, known as the largest surviving Buddha statue in Central Asia and the longest terracotta Buddha in the world, after the destruction of the Buddha statues in Bamian of Afghanistan. You will also find the legendary Bronze Age Princess of Sarazm, discovered from the famous 5500 years old Sarazm city, listed in UNESCO world Heritage sites. Lunch in traditional restaurant. After lunch, the group can make a free exploration of the city, dinner and overnight in hotel.
Sightseeing time: approximately 4 hours
Final altitude: approximately 800 m↑
Meals: lunch at the restaurant – dinner at the restaurant
Accommodation: night in at hotel
The guide and driver will meet you at your hotel at the morning from where we leave after having loaded our luggage and taken place in the vehicles. We stop for a coffee and refuel before hitting the road with the sunrise, and make stops to take pictures at the most beautiful viewpoints. In the morning, we have a hearty lunch in a traditional local restaurant in Kulyab. In the evening, we sleep in a charming guesthouse in Kalaikhumb.
Mode of transfer/transportation: by private vehicle
Transfer/transportation time: approximately 6 hours
Final altitude: approximately 1,200 m↑
Meals: breakfast at hotel – lunch at the restaurant – dinner at the inn
Accommodation: night in a guesthouse
Today your Pamir Highway tour will take you along the Panj River, a tributary of the mighty Amu Darya River. You will see Afghanistan from the right side across the river. Drive deep among Pamir Mountains. The guests will enjoy the highest cliffs starting directly from the road and can observe the lifestyle of people of Afghanistan villages, from other side of 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 sea level, strung out irregularly along the slopes of the dashing Gunt River. A few kilometers downstream, the Gunt River merges with the Panj, the river that marks the border with Afghanistan. Overnight at the hotel.
Mode of transfer/transportation: by private vehicle
Transfer/transportation time: approximately 7 hours
Final altitude: approximately 2,200 m↑
Meals: breakfast at the guesthouse – lunch at the restaurant – dinner at the inn
Accommodation: night in a guesthouse
After breakfast, we load the luggage and start the exploration of the mysterious Wakhan. Once serving as an important branch of Silk Road, Wakhan become again famous after the Great Game in XIX century, which divided this valley between Russian and British Empires, using the Panj River as a border. We make a a short stop to observe the canyon and ancient shrine in Darshay, then drive uphill to visit the impressive ruins of most beautiful fortification of Wakhan – Yamchun Fort dated back to III-I B. C. Yamchun was built by Siapushi – the order of fire worshipers of Zoroastrian religion. You will have a scenic view to all Wakhan valley and Hindu Kush range of Afghanistan. In 500 meters from the fort, we can visit the natural thermal springs called BiBi Fatima Hot springs. Futher we will visit the House museum and solar calendar of Sufi Muborak – an Ismaili philosopher, poet, theologian and astronomer, then In Vrang we make an optional 20 minutes hike to explore the hill with topped ziggurat of Buddhist Stupa IV A.D. one of reminders of the ancient pilgrim caravans passed through this region following the Silk Road. Tonight we stay in local homestay and enjoy the traditional meals and hospitality of locals in Langar.
Mode of transfer/transportation: by private vehicle
Transfer/transportation time: approximately 6-hours
Final altitude: approximately 3,000 m↑
Meals: breakfast at the hotel – lunch in cafe – dinner at the homestay
Accommodation: overnight at the homestay
Today, our journey take us over Kargush pass 4344m to Bulunkul, one of the most remote and beautiful areas of Eastern Pamirs, famous as a coldest place of Tajikistan. In winter, the temperature drops here to minus 60 by Celsius! We make a short stop in viewpoint on the top of Langar serpentines, in order to observe the Wakhan valley from birds fly altitude. En route, we pass two beautiful alpine lakes and summer camps of the shepherds. Lunch we have with local family in Bulunkul hamlet located in 3740m. After, we drive down to visit the most beautiful alpine lake of Pamirs – Yashilkul Lake (3719m). The guests can do fishing and observe the life style of nomad Kyrgyz living around. Good chance of trying the delicious fish of the lakes. Overnight in homestay in Bulunkul.
Mode of transfer/transportation: by private vehicle
Transfer/transportation time: approximately 7-hours
Final altitude: approximately 3,740 m
Meals: breakfast at the homestay – picnic lunch – dinner at the homestay
Accommodation: overnight at the homestay↑
Today we have long drive, so we start earlier. Our journey takes us along M-41 Pamir Highway back to Darwaz, a region between Khorog and Dushanbe. We travel among the colorful villages, enjoying the lifestyle of locals. The driving will go mostly on shaking and dirt roads, but the views will not keep you boring. Overnight in homestay in Baghu.
Mode of transfer/transportation: by private vehicle
Transfer/transportation time: approximately 6 hours
Final altitude: approximately 2,300 m↑
Meals: breakfast at the guesthouse – lunch in caffee – dinner at the homestay
Accommodation: overnight at the homestay
After a hearty breakfast prepared by our hosts who always take great care of us, we go by jeep to the bridge which will be our starting point for the short and very beautiful hike to Jeyzev. The gentle hike takes around 1,5 hours and take us to one of the remotest, but beautiful villages of Pamirs – Jeyzev. Jeyzev is connected to the outside world only by thin path; there is no even a car road. The locals live in absolutely isolation during the winter, however this isolation and remoteness keep safe the unique flora and fauna of Jeyzev. Tonight we spend in a small homestay with family trying the local food and enjoy the hospitality of locals.
Mode of transfer/transportation: by private vehicle
Transfer/transport time: approx. 1 hour
Number of hours of walking: about 3 hours
Elevation: + 300m
Final altitude: about 2,500 m↑
Meals: breakfast homestay – lunch homestay – dinner homestay
Accommodation: overnight homestay
In the morning, we have a hearty breakfast and start a descend to the bridge, where our loaded jeeps are waiting for us. Back on the road back to Dushanbe, with a stopover in Kalaikhumb through the colored villages and landscapes with neighboring Afghan villages. Night and meal in the charming guesthouse of Kalaikhumb after the shaky road.
Mode of transfer/transportation: by private vehicle
Transfer/transportation time: approximately 6 hours
Number of hours of walking: about 2 hours
Elevation: - 300m
Final altitude: approximately 1,200 m↑
Meals: breakfast at the inhabitant – lunch – dinner at the inn
Accommodation: night in a guesthouse
The day is entirely dedicated to the return to Dushanbe. We reach the Tajik capital at the end of the day and we are dropped off at the hotel. Usually we reach Dushanbe before lunch, so lunch we have in Dushanbe. Doing the PCR test (if needed) and other formalities before leave. Overnight in hotel in Dushanbe.
Mode of transfer/transportation: by private vehicle
Transfer/transportation time: approximately 7 hours
Final altitude: about 800 m↑
Meals: breakfast in the hostel – lunch – dinner in the restaurant
Accommodation: overnight at the hotel
Our service will ends with transfer to airport. Hope you enjoyed your trip!
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Availability | Prices | Single suplement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 May – 15 May | Fully booked | US $1200 | US $60 |
| 20 May – 30 May | Fully booked | US $1200 | US $60 |
| 3 June – 12 June | Available | US $1200 | US $60 |
| 17 June – 26 June | Available | US $1200 | US $60 |
| 1 July – 10 July | Available | US $1200 | US $60 |
| 15 July – 24 July | Available | US $1200 | US $60 |
| 5 Aug – 14 Aug | Available | US $1200 | US $60 |
| 19 Aug – 28 Aug | Available | US $1200 | US $60 |
| 2 Sep – 11 Sep | Available | US $1200 | 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.