Trip description
Travelling along the legendary Pamir Highway, most of the travelers fall in love with gorgeous snowcapped tops of over 6000 meters, proudly standing in both sides of the road. Most of these virgin peaks stands quite near to the road, which attracts the lovers of high alpine climbing even more. Waving among the feedbacks of our customers, we decided to combine the classic jeep tour through the Pamir Highway with challenging ascensions to 6000m and higher peaks. This tour offers ascension to beautiful and remote, but technically not difficult peak of enchanting Pamir: Peak Kizildong 5708m located in joint of Southern Alichur and Shakhdara ranges. This type of journey is special for those, who loves to combine the cultural excursion with jumping deep into the wild challenging the altitude, rock and ice of almost 6000m high peak! After, you can enjoy the lazar alpine lakes of Eastern Pamir, explore the mystic fortress, Buddhist complex, ancient shrines and relax in sacred hot springs of Wakhan valley. The good bonus for this program serves the gentle, but 6 hours meadow trek to the foot of Mount Engels 6507, with exploration of ancient petroglyphs and breathtaking view to Wakhan Corridor from bird – fly altitude.
Highlights
- Travelling along legendary Pamir Highway – one of the most beautiful highways of the world
- Ascension of Kizildong peak 5708m and meadow trek to the base camp of mount Engels 6507m
- Exploration of Wakhan valley, lifestyle of locals, wonders of ancient Silk Road
Itinerary
The guide and drivers meet you at Dushanbe airport and after loading the luggage, we head straight to Pamirs. Driving along Pamir Highway and enjoying the views from high passes, we arrive in Kalaikhumbb and stay overnight here in local guesthouse. The day after, we continue our journey along the border with Afghanistan to Khorog – the capital town of GBAO. The rest day we spend with acclimatization before hiking and sightseeing of Khorog. We can visit Botanical garden – the second highest in the world, Central Park and handicraft shops while our guide will manage with last preparation for climbing the 5700m peak. Overnight in guesthouse in Khorog.
Total driving: 14 hours,
Altitude: 2200m↑
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. En route, we visit Yamchun fortress III century B.C.- one of the most important fortifications belonged to Zoroastrian worshippers. Scenic view to all Wakhan valley and Hindukush range of Afghanistan. After we go to relax in thermal springs of sacred Bibi Fatima hot spring. Overnight in guesthouse in Langar.
Time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 240km.
Altitude: 3600m↑
Drive from 5 km down Langar to Zong village, from where we start our 12 km trek to base camp of Engels Peak 6705m. In 1200m up from Langar we will see the firs petroglyphs. There are more than 7000 different petroglyphs dated back to Bronze and earlier eras. We follow the water channel and reach the first shepherds camp, with their yaks and sheep. Here the narrow gorges turns to wide and green valley with calm river and great viewpoint to epic Engels peak. The landscapes are incredible. We camping here for overnight.
Time: 5-6 hours,
Altitude: 4200m↑
Today our journey take us over Kargush pass 4344m to Military Camp in Kargush and after formalities drive along Pamir river to 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. We pass by two beautiful alpine lakes, summer camps of shepherds. Here we begin to understand why people choose these grandiose latitudes as a place for life .We reach M42 Pamir Highway, than drive along Pamir Highway to Kytezak pass 4271m. After some miles, we will see the proud and gorgeous snowcapped top of Kizildong. Here, we turn left from Pamir Highway, moving towards the Shepherds summer camps. The hospitality is part of DNA of this people; we share a cup of tea and delicious yogurt with them and continue driving to the second shepherd camp – a small house located in the bank of Small River in 20 minutes’ drive from the first one. There is no car road here, so we will try to drive as far as our 4WD can go than start hiking to Base Camp place in the foot of Kizildong. Acclimatization. Overnight in tents.
Drive: 5-6 hours,
Distance: 150km
Hiking: 1 hour
Altitude: 4200m↑
Today we start hiking with rapid ascent, there is no path and the terrain is rocky. After 4-5 hours tough hiking, we reach the shoulder of the mountain, a place where we camp tonight. We put the tent the place, which the mountain goats use for rest – flat area with natural protection from wind. This is our Camp 1. Overnight in tents.
Hiking: 4-5 hours
Altitude: 5000m↑
Early morning if the sky is open, we start ascension of the peak. After 2-3 hours, we reach the summit of Kizildong peak 5708m. The view from the top is breathtaking – you can see the Yashilkul Lake 3735 on the northeast, Turumtaykul Lake 4200m in the west and Hindu Kush range on the south. Descent directly to the Base camp. Celebration of successful ascension. Overnight in tents.
Hiking: 6-8 hours
Altitude: 4800m↑
Today we pack the tents and hike back to the car. Drive from Kuytezak pass 4271m down to Gund valley along M-41 Pamir Highway, travelling downtream of Gund River we pass various beautiful and peaceful villages, we reach Jelondy – the place of thermal springs. We stay in one of the several sanatorias; here we can enjoy the thermal benefits of hot springs after cold mountains. Overnight in sanatoria.
Drive: 3 hours
Altitude: 3750m↑
Today we drive downstream of Panj river to Khorog. We have lunch in Khorog, than continue our journey to Kalaikhumbb, where we stay overnight in guesthouse.
Drive: 8 hours
Altitude: 1200m↑
We continue our journey to Dushanbe through epic landscapes. Transfer to hotel. Here we say good-bye to our guides and drivers. End of the tour. Our service ends with transfer to airport.
Drive: 7 hours
Altitude: 800m↑
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Availability | 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 and more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your dates - Private group | July - August | US $2,700 | US $1,750 | US $1,300 | upon request |
What’s included
- 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
- Accommodation in 3* Hotel single/twin share rooms in Dushanbe
- Guesthouse and Homestay accommodations en route
- Twin share tents on trek
- All private transportation
- English speaking local mountain guide
- All park entrance fees and trekking permits
- All required permits
- All group camping equipment
What’s not included
- Sleeping bags and mats are not provided but can be hired locally
- 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
The ascension of almost 6000m height requires good physical shape, even if the mountain is not technically hard to climb, crossing some parts; we may have to use the rope and harnesses. An experienced mountain guide will accompany you during the hike, and give you brief explanation of using the gear and crossing the hard parts of expedition.
Notes
Please note, that the guide can alter the planning ascension during hiking in accordance to the weather and your body condition. Your safety is our first priority, so please remember; during the hike, the guide has the final word regarding the changes in itinerary.