Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan – Epic Tour 2024

Day 1 – Dushanbe – Kalaikhumb 360km 7/8hours altitude 1245 mh.

Meeting at your Accomodations and start the tourto 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 Hotel Karon Palace    –   Meals included: (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2 – Kalaikhumb to Khorog 260 km, 7/8 hours altitude 2131 mh.

From Kalaikhumb 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: (Breakfast, Lunch and 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 3 – Khorog – Ishkashim to Yamg (210 km 7/8 hours, altitude 2665mh)

We have a little time to explore Khorog including the bazaar and the lovely Botanical Gardens which are perched high above the town, affording some great panoramic view. 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 we stay in Guesthouse in Ishkashim.  Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 – Ishkashim to Langar (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.
Overnight: homestay.   –    Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 – Langar to Murghab (240 km, 6/7 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: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 Murghab via Kara kul to Sary Tash (285kms 6/7h)

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, the village Sary Tash is close to see Lenin Peak (7134m). We can also drive to Tulpar Kul lake nomad village around the peak lenin and stay in herders camp Yurt Stay  Overnight in Yurt Stay/Guest House   –    Meals: (1 Breakfast 1 Lunch and Dinner)

Day 7 Sary Tash to Osh (255kms 4/5h)

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: Hotel Sun Rise      –     Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch)

Day 8 Osh to Arslanbob (185kms 4/5h)

Transfer to Arslanbob village famous for its largest walnut forest in Central Asia. Accommodation in a cozy guesthouse. After lunch, we walk around the village to see the local culture. People claim that their ancestors go back to Alexander Great who once visited this village and brought some wall-nuts to his land later became Greece Nuts. Hike up the waterfall and further the panorama hill to see the scenic view of the village. Home-cooked dinner.
Overnight: Guest House     –     Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch and Dinner)

Day 9 Arslanbob to Kazarman village (248kms 5/6h)

Transfer to Kazarman village. Nice drive on an unpaved road over Kaldama Pass standing at 3000 meters. Bushes along the road in mountain slopes delight your senses. Amazing mountain ranges open up on top of the pass. Descend the pass. Arrival in Kazarman village and accommodation in CBT guesthouse. After lunch, walk around the village and enjoy the view of this remote village located on the riverbank of the country’s largest river Naryn.
Overnight: Guest House.   –    Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch and Dinner)

Day 10 Kazarman village to Song Kul Lake (238kms 6/7h)

To Song Kol Lake over Moldo Ashuu Pass
Transfer to Song kol Lake. Enjoy driving along the overflowing river Naryn, the largest river in Kyrgyzstan. Pass by yurts of shepherds while driving over passes. After a few hours, we drive up Moldo Ashuu Pass standing at 3220 meters through a gorgeous road with evergreen trees decorating the mountains. A magnificent view of alpine lake Song Kol opens up on the pass with craggy mountains surrounding the lake. Enjoy driving on the southern shore of the lake with scattered yurts of nomads all the way to your yurt.
Overnight: Yurt Stay     –      Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch and Dinner)

Day 11 Song Kul Lake to Issyk Kul lake (248kms 6/7h)

After Breakfast. Take a 2-3 hour walk or horse riding around this alpine lake to get the best view of the area and see shepherds busy with morning activities. Lunch in a yurt. After lunch, we drive to Kochkor city over Kalmak Ashuu Pass. You can spot some grazing yaks around the pass. A short stop in Kochkor to visit souvenir shops to see locally handmade rugs and carpets. Then we drive to our camp on the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake. Arrival at Bel Tam yurt camp and be accommodated. Walk up to the shore of the lake and enjoy swimming in this clear lake. Overnight: Yurt Stay    –    Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch and Dinner)

Day 12 Explore Jeti Oguz gorge – Fairy Tale Canyon and Barskoon waterfall (168kms 4/5h)

After breakfast, drive to a nearby hillside where you will see the Eagle hunting masterclass with a local hunter (optional). Then we continue driving to Kok Jaiyk summer camp at Jeti Oguz valley. On the way, we take a side trip to visit Fairy Tale Canyon – fantastic rocks with different shapes of amazing colors. Take photos by walking around. Then we drive to one of the best waterfalls in Kyrgyzstan called Barskoon, there are three waterfalls that you can admire. Take an easy hike around these waterfalls with lush evergreen trees. We can continue your trip Jeti Oguz valley, 1-hour. Arrival at Arrival in Kok Jaiyk summer camp and accommodation in a yurt camp.
Overnight: Yurt Stay      –      Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch and Dinner)

Day 13 Kok Jaiyk – Karakol city (32kms 4/5h)

Radial day hike towards the Oguz Bashy Peak – Karakol city Trekking distance/time: 15km / 5-6 hours, Ascent: 340 meters
Today we will take an easy hike to see the astonishingly beautiful panoramic view of Oguz Bashi peak which is located in the heart of Tian-Shian Mountain Range. We leave the yurt camp early in the morning right after we eat breakfast. From the trailhead, we follow the roadbed along the tumbling Jety Oguz river. Stunning white mountain peaks slowly begin to appear as we gain elevation. Reach the viewpoint and enjoy the beautiful scenery, and pose for stunning photos. Have a lunch. After lunch, we hike back to the camp. Meet the awaited driver, get in the car and transfer to Karakol city, in 1 hr.
Overnight: Hotel 3Stars      –    Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch and Dinner)

Day 14 Karakol to Bishkek (418kms 7/9h)

On the way, visit the open-air petroglyphs in Cholpon Ata and the architectural complex of Burana Tower which dates back to the 10th to 11th century, an important site on the Great Silk Road. Arrival in Bishkek. Get dropped off at your hotel.
Overnight: Own aragements    Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch)

Inclusions:

• All accommodation on twin share basis (Hotel, Guest houses 4)
• Meals as listed: 6 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 6 Dinners.
• Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
• Ticket for Tajik National park and permition
• 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)
• Mineral water (1/2L per day per person)

Excluded:

• International flights
• Supplement for single room USD 58
• GBAO permit per person USD 30
• English speaking guide service for whole tour USD 422
• Any airport taxes
• Travel Insurance
• 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