8 Days Pamir Highway Group Tour

8 Days Pamir Highway Group Tour Tajikstan to Kyrgystan

TOUR DOSSIER:

This 8 Days Tajikstan and Kyrgystan Along The Pamir Highway group tour 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 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.

The trip starts in Tajikstan’s capital city, Dushanbe, a more modern hub, but we very quickly enter a world of mountain passes and impressive peaks. As we continue through the historic and cultural landscapes of the Silk Road, a route that was both traded on and fought over for centuries, there are many fascinating sites to visit such as ancient forts, a ruby mine and an ancient Buddhist stupa.

Our trips are designed to offer a mix of active adventure, culture, wildlife, and sightseeing and there is also time to relax and explore for yourself – the balance is just right. Tour ends in Osh, Kyrgyzstan.

Day 1 – Dushanbe – Kalaikhumb 360km 7/8hours.

Meeting at your accommodation Hotel/Hostel, and start the tour to Pamir, We set off east towards the Pamirs and Kalaikhumb, 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 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. Arrive to Kalaikhumb in the early evening.

Overnight in Guest House.      Meals included: (1 Lunch,1 Dinner)

Day 2 – Kalaikhumb to Rushan 206 km, 5/6 hours.

From Kalaikhumb we leave for Rushan the administrative center of Rushan district with some 206kms of terrain ahead of us, and the promise of some spectacular scenery along the way. 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: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

Day 3 – Rushan to Gisev valley and trekking, after the trekking transfer to Khorog. (9/10km trekking 120km driving)

From Rushan we leave for Geisev through Bartang valley with some 30 km of terrain ahead of us, and again the promise of some spectacular scenery along the way. Arrival in Baghoo village in Bartang valley. We will cross the river by the small bridge.
Our trek begins on the river Bartang just beyond Bhagoo village. The hike is mostly gently uphill, for about 8km to the upper of three lakes. The first house in Geisev 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 rout passing lakes, and the rivers traversing some of the most magnificent scenery in the Pamirs. We will again cross the river and drive to Khorog for overnight.
From Baghoo village, after the trekking we leave for Khorog along river Pianj, border of Afghanistan. We have reached the capital of Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO).

Overnight in Hotel Lal In.      Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

Khorog town
The capital of Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast, Khorog is a small town that at various times has been under the control of the Russia, the Emirate of Bukhara and Afghanistan. The Russians built a fort here in the Soviet era, with Khorog being in a highly strategic location on the border with Afghanistan, but today it languishes and is one of the least developed parts of the country, with the Aga Khan Foundation contributing to the bulk of the local economy. It holds the distinction of being home the second highest botanical garden in the world, at 3900m.

Day 4 – Khorog – Ishkashim (130 km 4/5 hours, altitude 2665mh)

We have a little time to explore Khorog including local bazaar and the small city. Driving to Wakhan valley about 50kms along the road to our next stop, Ishkashim, we will stop at Garmchasma hot springs for an (optional) dip in the waters.  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 we stay in

Guesthouse in Ishkashim.      Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

Day 5 – Ishkashim to Langar (110 km 6/7 hours)

Driving along the Wakhan valley and visit detour to the nearby village of Namadguti to visit the Khahkha Fortress. 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 daughter and where local women believe they can increase their fertility. Continuing on we then stop at the 4th Century Buddhist stupas at Vrang, reminders of the ancient pilgrim caravans that passed through the region.

Overnight homestay.      Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

Day 6 – Langar to Murghab (240 km, 6/7 hours)

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 7 Murghab – via Kara kul to Tulpar Kul (305 km, 6/7 hours)

In the morning we will continue our trip to Osh via Karakul. This drive will see us enjoying some of the most dramatic scenery of the trip, with the lunar-like landscapes and bright blue lakes providing plenty of opportunities to take our breath away. We will again cross a high-altitude pass Ak-Baital Pass (4655 meters) which is the highest section of road in the former Soviet Union. We descend to Karakul Lake, the highest lake in Central Asia, and at 3915 meters, too high to support any aquatic life.
Our final Pamir Highway high pass is the Kyzyl Art Pass (4282 metres), which essentially forms the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Border formalities take place shortly after crossing the pass, with 20kms of ‘no man’s land’ to cross. Having crossed to Kyrgyzstan, we will keep our driver – although we are in a different country, the ethnic lines in this region are greatly blurred, and Russian, Tajik, Kyrygz and Uzbek are all spoken with interchangeable ease. We continue our trip driving through Pamir Lay Mountain range and arrive to Tulpar kul nomad village, the village is close to see Lenin Peak (7134m).

Overnight in Yurt Stay.      Meals: (1 Breakfast 1 Lunch and Dinner)

Day 8 – Tulpar Kul to Osh (255 km, 5/6 hours)

We depart today to Osh Kyrgyzstan. After Sary Tash village we depart the high mountains of the Pamir-Alay range, leaving behind us the crossroads of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and China. The drive offers a contrast as we encounter lush farmlands and small villages on this side of the mountains, instead of the stark high-altitude plateau we recently crossed in Tajikistan. En route we will cross the Taldyk Pass (3554m) and enjoy some beautiful views. We must travel about 185km from Sary Tash, and depending on road conditions and travel times we expect to arrive in Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s oldest city early evening.

Overnight: On your own arrangements       Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch)

From Osh you can continue your trip to explore Kyrgyzstan through Silk Road till Bishkek, also we can book domestic flight tickets from Osh to Bishkek if required.

Included to tour price: 

• All accommodation on single basis (Hotel 1. Guest House 5, Yurt Stay 1)
• Meals as listed: 7Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 7
• Transport Jeep – 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 Nissan Patrol, Toyota 4Runner)
• Mineral water (1/2L per day per person)

Excluded:

• • International flights
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
  • Supplement for single room in Khorog Hotel per person USD 34
  • GBAO permit USD 30
  • Ticket for Tajik National park and Zor Kul USD 25
  • English speaking local guide for whole tourUSD 410
  • Travel Insurance
  • Alcohol 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