5-Days Tajikistan Scenery, Pamir and Wakhan valley

Day 1: Dushanbe to Khorog. 610kms 11/12 hours

Meeting at your hotel and start the tour to Pamir! Today we set off east towards the Pamirs  Khorog, driving through beautiful scenery and interesting villages en route. This area is a little more conservative, and we see many men with beards, and women wearing traditional dress. We cross the Shurabod Pass (2200 metres). Some of terrain ahead of us This rout passing lakes, and the rivers traversing some of the most magnificent scenery in the Pamirs. We have reached the capital of Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO).The route passes through amazing twists and turns. The snow-capped mountains, criss-crossed by wild rivers and lakes. Arrive to Khorog , the capital of the Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO).

Overnight at the hotel Lal in or similar. Meals: (1 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

Day 2: Khorog to Ishkashim Yamg (Wakhan valley) (225 km 8/10 hours)

We have a little time to explore Khorog including the bazaar. About 50kms along the road to our next stop, Ishkashim, we will stop at Garmchasma hot springs for an (optional) dip in the waters. Visit detour to the nearby village of Namadguti to visit the Khahkha Fortress. From here, we enter the Tajik half of the Wakhan Valley (shared with Afghanistan) and pass regional gem mines mentioned by Marco Polo. The most famous mine is Koh-i-Lal ruby mine which is visible from the road. Ishkashim itself the regional centre, but it is essentially still a large village and after lunch here we will continue our trip in Wakhan valley

This impressive structure rises from a naturally formed platform of rock and dates back to the Kushan era of the 3rd Century. There are a number of these ancient fortresses in the area, and we also visit Yamchun fort, perhaps the most impressive of them. We take a break at the Bibi Fatima hot springs, named for the Prophet Mohammed’s sister and where local women believe they can increase their fertility.

Overnight in Guest House in Yamg village      Meals included: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch,1 Dinner)

Day 3:  Yamg to Murghab (285 km, 8/9 hours altitude 3500mh)

Today we get a chance to explore the amazing landscape of this area. We drive up to Murghab via the Kargushi Pass (4344 meters). On this journey we leave behind the lush valleys of the Wakhan Valley and enter a landscape that is rocky, mostly barren but nevertheless dramatic. This is the Pamir Highway we have anticipated, with the route between Khorog and Osh completed in 1931 across a Tibetan-plateau style high altitude terrain.

We leave for Murghab the center of East Pamir. The road up Murghab, however, is spectacular an, passing through again the settlement of Mamazair.

This small town bestrides the Murghab  at an altitude of 3,500 m. Younghusband visited it in 1890 and wrote “It is a dreary, desolate spot… with a certain amount of grassy pasture and a few scrubby bushes by the river, but surrounded by barren hills, and bitterly cold. How these Russian soldiers can support existence there is a marvel…shut up in dreary quarters, with nothing whatever to do – week after week, month after month passing by in dull monotony….” Over a century later, nothing much has changed.

We anticipate arriving in Murghab in Lunch time. Murghab (3670 m) itself has few attractions, but it will serve as our base for a one night as we explore the area a little. The 7546 m – high Chinese peak of Mustag Ata is visible to the northeast of town, 110 km away in a direct line.

Overnight in Home stay.   Meals included: 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 4: Murghab to Rushan via Khorog M41 420km 8/10hours  

In the morning we will drive to Rushan via Khorog along Pamir Highway, known as M41 Pamir Tract. It is considered the second highest mountain road after highway of Tibet. The road lies over mountains and passes on the elevations of more than 4 000 meters above sea level. On the way you will drive over Koitezak pass (4 271 m). The almost inaccessible landscape and the rocky mountains of this corner of the world have given safe haven to a unique diversity of wildlife. Amongst the most common species of wild mammals are Turkestan rat, tiger-cat, grizzly bear, badger, stoat, fox, grey and red wolves. Pamirs provides a large and thriving population of Marco Polo sheep, the largest sheep in the world, with all year round and a strong population of the highly endangered snow leopard. There is the opportunity to see yaks, a unique species of domestic animals, sharing features of cow and sheep, traditionally used as a beast of burden apart from giving milk and meat products.

Rushan the administrative center of Rushan . The road joins the river Pianj, which in turn forms the border with Afghanistan. The contrast across the river valley is telling, Tajikistan is undoubtedly a poor country, but in general the roads are sealed and buildings are connected with electricity. The situation barely 100m away is even starker, and it is as if the river represents not just a physical divide, but also a step back in time.

Overnight in Home stay      Meals included: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch,1 Dinner)

Day 5: Rushan to Dushanbe (566km 9/10h)  

After breakfast drive to Dushanbe the capital of Tajikistan. We will cross the Shurabad Pass (2200m high) On the road we will visit to the ancient fortress Hulbuk dated by VIII century recently restored under the decree of the president. The local guide will talk interesting stories about the life in the fortress, shows outlines of the bases of rooms, halls and harems of the local governor’s palace. In front of the fortress there is a big square where concerts are held on the occasion of holidays and visits of distinguished guests. Guide in Khulbuk fortress Across the road from the fortress yiu can see the museum of local lore where, to speak frankly, because of restoration we will be show only one big banner on the wall. It was a map of all historical places and sights of Tajikistan.

Accommodation and Dinner own arrangements  Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch)

Included:

• All accommodation on twin share basis (Hotel 1, Guest houses 2, home stays 1)
• Meals as listed: 4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners.
• Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
• All transfers according the program (price includes driver’s per diem, road and parking fees, all necessary permissions fuel and taxes;) Experienced and basic English speaking drivers, type of car: (A/C Toyota Land Cruiser or Mitsubishi Pajero)
• Mineral water (1L per day per person)
• Ticket for Tajik National park and permit

Excluded:

• International flights
• Supplement for single room 23 USD
• English speaking guide service for whole tour 201USD
• Early checking for first night
• Any airport taxes
• Travel Insurance
• GBAO permit
• Drinks
• Tips and gratuities
• Any personal expenses

Any services not included in the above itinerary

_ PS

• Important – early arrival is not included.
• Some sightseeing places and excavations might be closed / not possible to visit due to local changes, reconstruction, roads condition, and security reasons. We do not guarantee all advised places will be covered, but we will try to do our best to cover them. Pricing is confidential & non commissionable