Group size: min 3 persons
Pamir Highway Tour is a fascinating trip to Tajikistan where you will cross many high-mountain passes, winding serpentine roads, see monuments of the Islamic, Buddhist and unique Pamir cultures. Moreover, you will have around like-minded adventurers to share your impressions and experiences.
The tour will start in the capital of Tajikistan where you will see the main sights of Dushanbe and its surroundings. After this informative entry, you will have a week of snow-capped mountains, as the height will be closer, you will have acclimatization to the air of the Pamir Mountains. You will see beautiful villages, wild flows of the River Pyandj, cross one of the highest passes – Ak- Baytal (4655 m) and learn a lot about the history of the Pamir tract once connected to the Great Silk Road and the Great Game.
Pamir Highway Tour is not merely a walking trip. It is a choice of real adventurers. Check out the detailed tour program, select the appropriate date, and start preparing for a memorable expedition!
Pamir Highway Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Dushanbe. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to the hotel for check in. Meet your guide at the hotel lobby to start city tour in the capital and the biggest city of Tajikistan. Visit Tajikistan National Museum of Antiquities, where the famous statue of Buddha in Nirvana is preserved. Continue to the Botanical garden, favorite leisure venue of locals. The next spot is a local bazaar, where you will feel real Tajik spirit and see eastern art of trading. Head to discover the remains of Hissar Fortress of the 18th century (30 km). Visit local madrassah and a mausoleum. Return to Dushanbe. Overnight at the hotel.
Departure to Pamir Mountains on Highway M41 via Tavildara and Khaburabad pass (or via Kulyab region). You may notice more conservative attitudes of local dressing style and beards, but the hospitality is just as welcoming. We pass over the Khaburabad mountain pass to Kalai-Khumb, which is located on the Panj River. Overnight at the hotel.
Our road lies along the Panj River, a tributary of the mighty Amu Darya River. You will have a chance to see Afghanistan from the right side across 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 the sea level, strung out irregularly along the slopes of both sides of the dashing Gunt River. A few kilometers downstream, the Gunt merges with the Panj, the river that marks the border with Afghanistan. In Khorog visit Botanic garden and the local museum. Overnight at the hotel.
In the morning, visit the famous mineral hot spring Garam Chashma and ruby mines of Kuhi Lal in Khorog (where Badakhshani rubies were mined as early as 14th century). Later depart to Ishkashim, a small town at the mouth of the Wakhan corridor, where the 19th century Great Game ended. Continue up the north side of the river with amazing views of the Pamirs to the left and the Hindu Kush to the right; a number of peaks in view are above 6,000 m. If you are lucky and you arrive to Ishkashim on Saturday, you can see the border Tajik-Afghan market on the Afghan side. Afghan visa is not required to cross to the market. Overnight at the guesthouse.
Drive from Ishkashim to Langar. On the way, visit one of the old fortresses on the Silk Road Kah-Kaha in Namadgut. Continue to the Museum of Sufi Muborak-Kadami Wakhani, a local Sufi scholar, theologian, poet and traveller, who died in 1910. There is a stone pillar with a hole near his house, which he used to calculate a solar calendar and a building with inscriptions and decorations made by the scholar. We will also visit Buddhist Stupa in Vrang, sacred hot springs of Bibi Fatima Zahra, and ruins of Yamchun Fortress (IV-III B.C.) that guarded once Pamir branch of the Great Silk Road. Overnight at homestay.
Start the day with a trip to petroglyphs. There are more than 600 rock carvings made by prehistoric people lying under the open sky in that area. Continue to Khargush, source of Amu Darya River. Cross the road via pass Khargush (4344 m). Pass Nayza-Tash (4137 m). Arrive in Murgab. Overnight at homestay.
The views of mountains and glaciers along the way today are simply breath-taking as the road takes us to the Ak Baital Pass (The White Horse Pass 4655m). This is the highest pass in the former USSR, real “The Roof of the World” and the hidden site in this expanse of arid landscape. Further to the left of the main road on the Barchidev side. The road crossed the Jalang valley, passed Tokhtamysh and the village of Kudara. Picnic on the way. We will visit yurts on the way. Then we will go down to the famous and beautiful Bartang Gorge. Accommodation at homestay.
Breakfast. Before leaving, enjoy the beautiful view of Lyapnazar peak (5989 m). Transfer down to the Bartang lake to village Khichez. Arriving to Khichez village, located on Bartang valley, we will explore the area, walking around stunning Khichez valley. Overnight at homestay.
Breakfast. The trek (7 hours) to Jizev begins after crossing one bridge on the river Bartang, just beyond Bhagoo village. The hike is mostly gently uphill for about 8 km. The first houses in Jizev are reached after about 5km. The abundant vegetation, the gnarled trees, the lakes and the ever-changing river - sometimes frothing with energy, sometimes limpid and blue - create a very special peaceful atmosphere, ideal for a short break without too much physical effort. This trekking route passed some lakes and rivers traversing some of the most magnificent scenery in the Pamirs. Return to Khichez. Overnight at homestay.
Breakfast. Transfer to the town of Kalaihumb. Lunch on the way; dinner at guesthouse. You may notice more conservative attitudes of local dressing style and beards, but the hospitality is just as welcoming. Visiting the ancient settlement Karon. The remains of the city Karon are located 1 km east of the village of Ruzvai at an altitude of 1700 m above sea level, on the top of Zogik mountain, Darvaz district of GBAO. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast. Drive towards Dushanbe via Khobu-Robot pass (3252 m). The route will take you in the middle of Badagshon´s mountains range to enjoy the most beautiful views. Lunch on the way. Dinner at oriental tearoom. Overnight at the hotel.
Pamir Highway part
Barchidev-Bartang part
Trekking to Jizev part
Traveler tips:
1. There will be limited access to the internet during the Pamir Highway tour. Access to the Internet will be in Dushanbe, Kalai-Khumb and Khorog. In Ishkashim, Langar and Murghab, there is no internet access.
2. Traveling to high altitudes can cause an altitude-related illness, such as headache, dizziness, weakness, cogwheel breathing, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, apathy and others. The tour program has gradual ascend to minimize manifest of high altitude-related symptoms. We recommend to monitor how you feel and drink water frequently (2.5 – 3 l water a day).
3. We also recommend packing different entertainment items with you to Pamir Highway tour: music, books, board games, etc. At times, you will have long hour drives; since after Khorog, there will be no access to the Internet and TV and evenings in the guesthouses may seem boring.
- Early arrival (Day 1);
- All transfers based on the itinerary;
- Full board;
- Accommodation based on double room, breakfasts included;
- English speaking tour leader;
- Sightseeing tour program in each city;
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- Visa support for Tajikistan tourist visa;
- Pamir permit.
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- Consular fees for Tajikistan tourist visa-52 $;
- Personal travel insurance;
- International flight tickets.
Accommodation:
| Dushanbe - 2 nights |
| Serena |
| Kalai-Khumb - 2 nights |
| Karon Palace |
| Khorog - 1 night |
| Dekhli Darbor, Lal |
| Langar - 1 night |
| Homestay |
| Ishkashim - 1 night |
| Guesthouse |
| Murgab - 1 night |
| Hotel «Pamir» |
| Savnov - 1 night |
| Homestay |
| Khichez - 2 nights |
| Homestay |