Dushanbe to Osh on Pamir Highway

This 9 Days Tajikstan and Kyrgystan Uzbekistan trip is one of the serious road trip, travelling along the famous Parmir Highway, the second highest highway in the world running between Osh in Kyrgyzstan to Khorog in Tajikistan and winding its way through the Parmir Mountains, their 7,000m peaks earning this artery the title ‘roof of the world’. As we travel through remote communities scattered along the Highway and beyond, we stay in welcoming homestays, immerse ourselves in a cacophony of cultures, with each village speaking in a unique dialect.This journey through some of the most exquisite elevated landscapes in the world is more about following in the tracks of ancient traders and explorers than those of modern day tourists, with isolated communities that still see very few foreign visitors, and traditions that haven’t changed for generations.

$480

Per person

Tajikistan – Kyrgyzstan

Day 1

Dushanbe to Kalaikhum

Welcome to the Pamir Highway! Today we start our drive towards the gorgeous village of Khalaikhum. We will visit the 11th century Hulbuk Palace along the way before finally entering the iconic Pamir Mountains. After driving through the spectacular valleys of the Shurobod Pass we will arrive in the village of Khalaikhum. Here we will join the Panj River, which we will be following for the next few days, and have our first views into mysterious Afghanistan, just over the border. We will have dinner and overnight in a homestay.

Kalaikhum to Jizeu Village

Day 2

Today we drive towards the Bartang Valley and begin an adventure that may prove to be your favourite part of the trip. The 4x4s will drop us off at the trailhead to Jizeu Valley and we will commence a truly spectacular 2-hour hike to the remote Jizeu Village. The views we will discover on this hike are barren and wild, and this is known for being one of the real highlights of the Pamir Highway, that very few travellers visit. There are no roads to this village, so we will need to take our supplies with us for one night staying with local families. You do not need to bring much with you – just a change of clothes, medication, water for the hike and your camera gear, and everything else will stay with our driver in the 4x4s. We will have lunch and dinner in the Jizeu Village. This is an isolated region, and we will only be able to organize our accommodation once we arrive in the village. Food, blankets, pillows and water is provided at the homestay.

Day 3

Jizeu village to Khorog town

We will wake up for sunrise in the remote Jizeu Valley before having breakfast. Once we collect our belongings, we say goodbye to our wonderful hosts and hike back towards the main road. Our driver will meet us there and we will continue our journey towards Khorog, one of the main towns along the Pamir Highway, with plenty of photo stops along the way. In Khorog you can stay in a comfortable hotel and explore the city afternoon.

Khorog city to Langar village

Day 4

While the traditional Pamir Highway traverses through the interior mountains of Tajikistan, we will choose to follow the Panj River and enter the famous Wakhan Corridor! We leave the town of Khorog and continue to gain altitude as we make our way towards Yamg. Be amazed as the imposing Afghan mountains rise up on our right-hand side and local farmers across the river go about their daily lives. We’ll stop off at the Ishkashim Fortress along the way then climb up towards to the village of Yamchun. Here we will find the 12th century Yamchun Fortress, with one of the most sensational views along the entire region. The nearby Babi Fatima Hot Springs is also a great spot to stop, and for those who are interested you can bathe in their natural waters (note that clothing is forbidden inside the hot springs, and men and women are separated). After these highlights we’ll drive back down towards the popular village of Langar. Dinner will be in our homestay tonight.

Day 5

Hike to Engel’s Peak

We depart Yamg early today as we have the opportunity to trek one of the most beautiful trails along the entire Wakhan Valley: The challenging 9-hour return trip to the 4000m-high meadows at the base of Engel’s Peak. You will be rewarded with remarkable views of the Hindu Kush and alpine streams. This is known as being one of the best side trips along the Pamir Highway, and we have no doubt that you’ll be blown away by this unique opportunity to get deeper into the Pamir Mountains. Please, prepare a picnic lunch for yourself to enjoy on the edge of a lake in the meadows, before climbing back down to Langar village. Dinner and overnight at homestay. Footnote: The trek takes 5 hours up and 4 hours down. The trail goes slowly up. The level is moderate to difficult. “Engels peak” hike details: Duration/distance: 9 hours/20km, Max/Min elevation: 3956 m/3254 m, Total Gain/Loss: 783m / 83m

Today we leave Karakul early and make our way to the Kyrgyz border. Just like last time this could either be very straightforward, or a bit of a mission, so we’ll give ourselves plenty of hours spare. Once we enter Kyrgyzstan, we’ll drive down to the beautiful village of Sary Moghul for lunch, and much-appreciated showers. When we’re all cleaned up and fed, we continue on another hour or so to the stunning Tulparkul Lake at 3500 meters above sea level. We’ll be staying in a traditional yurt camp, which has been called the prettiest yurt stay in all of Kyrgyzstan. Tulparkul Lake is at the base of Peak Lenin, standing at 7134m tall.

Karakul Lake to Sarymoghul vilage, Kyrgyzstan

Day 8

Day 9

Hike to Lenin Peak glaciers – Osh city

Breakfast. Explore the snow-capped Lenin Peak in Pamir mountain range by taking a day hike from your homestay to the Traveller’s pass at 4130 meters, 3 hrs. Enjoy the beauty of glaciers while walking up to the pass. Rest at the top of the Traveler’s pass to gaze at glaciers tumbling off the massive 7000 meters peak. Back to your yurts, 2 hrs. Afterwards we’ll return to the lake for the afternoon lunch and drive to Osh city, 4 hours’ drive.

Today we leave Langar early and visit the ancient petroglyphs and fortress before passing over the Kargush Pass. Once we arrive at the security checkpoint at Kargush we say goodbye to the Pamir River and the nomadic Afghan farmers across the way and drive a short distance further to start another trek. The 4-hour hike up Panorama Ridge reaches 4800m above sea level, and has insane views of the Wakhan Range of Afghanistan and remote lakes. It’s a moderate hike, but worth the views at the top. Once we descend, we’ll continue to the tiny village of Bulunkul and have the chance to see the high alpine lakes of Bulunkul and Yashikul. We will drive to the nearby Alichur village for our local homestay tonight.

Langar to Alichur village via Bulunkul Lake

Day 6

Day 7

Alichur to Karakul Lake

We’ll have breakfast cooked by the family and soon will drive off towards Murghab, the largest town on the Pamir Highway. We shall have lunch in a local cafe or guesthouse, then continue onwards to Karakul Lake. Today we cross over the 4655m high Akbaital Pass then drive down to Karakul Lake at 4000 meter above sea level. Arrival at the lake with numerous households on the shore. Enjoy walking around this remotest village. The vistas, as you can appreciate, are phenomenal. Tonight’s accommodation will be in a local homestay near the shores of Karakul Lake.