Pamir Highway Tour – 10 Days Dushanbe to Osh

TOUR DOSSIER:

This 10 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.

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.

You can look our tours for Kyrgyzstan-Tours

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

Meeting at your stayed accommodation and get start the journy 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 Breakfast, 1 Lunch,1 Dinner)

Day 2 – Kalaikhumb to Rushan Bartang valley – Khidjez village  216 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.

From Rushan we leave for Geisev through Bartang valley with some 39 km of terrain ahead of us, and again the promise of some spectacular scenery along the way. Arrival in Khidjez village in Bartang valley and we will stay in family run Home Stay

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

Day 3 – Gisev valley and trekking, after the trekking transfer to Khorog. (9/10km trekking 120km driving, altitude 2412mh)

In the morning driver will transfer you 7/8 kms by car and we will cross the river by the small footbridge.

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 Pamir Palace.    Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

Day 4– Khorog – Ishkashim Wakhan valley (130 km 4/5 hours)

We have a little time to explore Khorog including the local bazaar. About 50 kms along the road to our next stop, Ishkashim, we will stop at Garm chashma 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. Arrival to Ishkashim itself the regional centre, but it is essentially still a large village and we stay in Guest House.

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

Day 5 – Ishkashim to Langar explore Wakhan valley (110 km 6/7 hours altitude 2882mh)

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 doughter 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. Arrival early evening to Langar village and overnight.

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

 Day 6 – Langar Bulunkul  – Jarty Guboz (305km, 8/9 hours altitude 3680mh)

Today we get a chance to explore the amazing landscape of this area. Short stop and walking to Petroglyphs. We drive up to Jarty Gumbez nomadic village via the Khargush 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. On the way we will visit to Bulunkul and Yashil Kul lakes, then continue ou drive to Nomad pasture.

An excellent and adventures trip will take us on the unspoiled lunar landscape of high mountains and wide plateau to Jarty Gumboz herders camp. Short stops at the “Ak Balyk” Lake and Mouseleum of Alimbek datka at Bashgumbez en route. The Eastern Pamirs have been populated by nomadic ethnic Kyrgyz since the 17th century. The traditional architecture is beautifully represented by yurts, mobile habitations made of felt on an ingenious wooden frame, with the interior decoration bearing witness to the wealth and skills of the owners. Felt and wool serve as the basis for handicrafts. Precise stones, including rubies and emeralds, are also found in the area, and these are sometimes used in local handicrafts. You will have time to explore semi nomadic pastoral life, talk with herders’ family.

Overnight as nomads in herders’ Yurt-Stay.    Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 dinner

Day 7 – Trekking to Bel Airyk pass. viewpoint for Zor Kul lake and Hindukush Mountains. (30km, 7/8 hours altitude 3680mh)

Drive to the parking place and get start our trekking an excellent and adventures trip is hike up the Bel Airyk pass (4835m) which is a migration route of Marco Polo sheep, starts from the foot of the mountain. Ascending up the pass in four/five hours walk you can see the majestic northern wall of Afghanistan Hindikush and fantastic Zor Kul Lake. Along the western half of the Zorkul Lake runs Afghan – Tajik border. The lake’s eastern half lied in Tajikistan.  In 1842, Lieutenant Woods of the British India Navy Explored the Panj and Pamir rivers as far as the latter’s source in Zorkul.  Zorkul itself is 20 km long – the road runs along its northern shore.

Wildlife observation will be undertaken during the trek. The famous and endangered Marco Polo sheep (ovisammonpoli) world’s largest-horned argali sheep, Snow leopard endangered and fully protected species, ibexes, marmot and Brown bear, fox, hare are not full list of representatives of wild life of the area. From birds one can find the mountain goose (ular) pigeons, eagles, vulture, and etc.  Good eyes and a sporting scope or more powerful binoculars are essential tools and a field guide for wildlife viewing.  These areas are all unique in their own way, and trips to these places are always fascinating.

Overnight in nomadic yurt stay or Kuban Guest House hot spring with swiming pool.

Day 8 – Jarty Gumboz to Murghab (167km, 4/6 hours altitude 3500mh)

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 Guest House.      Meals included: 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 9 Murghab via Kara kul lake to Sary Tash Lenin peak – Osh Kyrgyzstan (470 km, 8/9h)

In the morning we will continue our trip to Osh Kyrgyzstan via M4 and Karakul lake. 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 Alay Mountain range, the village Sary Tash is close to see Lenin Peak (7134m)..

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

Day 10: Sary Tash to Osh.  285km 6/7h

From 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)

Included to tour price:

• All accommodation on twin share basis (Hotels 2, Guest houses 2, Guest Houses 3, and 2/3 Yurt stays)
• Meals as listed: 9 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 9 Dinners.
• 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 cars: (A/C Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus LX470, Mitsubishi Pajero or Nissan Patrol)
• Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
• Ticket for Tajik National park and permission
• Mineral water (1/2L per day per person)

Excluded to tour price:

• International flights
• Supplement for single room USD 69 per person
• English speaking guide service for whole tour USD 625
• Travel Insurance
• GBAO permit per person USD 30
• Drinks
• Tips and gratuities
• Any personal expenses

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