Tajikistan-Pamir-Wakhan-Bartang Epic Tour

12-Days Tajikistan Pamir Wakhan Bartnag Epic Tour

Tour Dossier: 

This 12 Days Tajikstan Pamir Wakhan Bartnag 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.

Most interesting in our journey visit to Wakhan valley explore local cultural life of eastern Pamir Ethnic Kyrgyz’s,
This is a trip right out there on the edge of civilisation, After visiting th Isolated and remote valley Bartang, What you will experience here though takes you back to another century when people lived in a very different way – unlike so many you hear about, this trip is a true adventure of a life time.

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 your self – the balance is just right.

Day 1  – Dushanbe to Kalaikhumb, (360 km, 9 hours.)

Meeting at your stayed hotel, and prepare luggage’s for our trip and get start our Adventure to Discover Undiscovered Tajikistan.

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 cross the Shurabot Pass (2200 metres), arriving in Kalaikhumb in the early evening.

Overnight in local Guest house.      Meals included:1 Lunch, 1 dinner

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

From Kalaikhumb we leave for to Khorog.

From Kalaikhumb village, for Khorog along river Pianj.

We have reached the capital of Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO).

Overnight in Hotel Lal 3Star        Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

Day 3 – Khorog to Ishkashim Wakhan valley (140 km 5/6 hours)

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 may be the regional centre, but it is essentially still a large village and we stay in a traditional style guesthouse here.       Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 dinner

Day 4 – Ishkashim to Langar (135 km 7/8h)  

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 sister 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. You will have time to talk with local people and explore local farming and way of living.

Overnight in home stay.     Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 dinner

Day 5 – Langar to Keng Shiber,, (240 km 7/8 hours)

Today we get a chance to explore the amazing landscape of this area. Short stop and walking to Petroglyphs.  We drive up to Keng Shiber  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.

An excellent and adventures trip will take us on the unspoiled lunar landscape of high mountains and wide plateau to Keng Shiber 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 17^th 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 and take.

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

Day 6 – Trekking to Keng Shiber jailoo crossing Bel Airyk pass

Drive to Zorkul Lake after short walking near by the Lake 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 Pyanj 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.         Meals: (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

Day 7: Keng Shiber to Murghab.  (128km 4/5 hours)

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 River at an altitude of 3,650 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 8 – Murghab to Kara Kul lake Nomadic camp Jalang (168 km 5/7hours)

We depart today to Kara Kul lake.We will cross a high-altitude pass Ak-Baital Pass (4655 meters) which is the highest section of road in the former Soviet Union. Arrive to Karakul Lake, the highest lake in Central Asia, and at 3915 meters, too high to support any aquatic life.

Today you can explore real Nomadic life of Eastern Pamir people, how to keep Yaks, and see milking the Yaks, also you will have opportunity to taste local Nomad foods, After exploring this harsh isolated are we will stay in herders Yurt camp.

Overnight in Yurt stay,         Meals included (1 breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 dinner)

Day 9 – Jalang drive to Khudara Remote Bartang valley (148km 6/8 hours)

After local Nomad breakfast we set up to drive via remote Bartang valley, This day will start the adventurous challenge trip, that is road less traveled and undiscovered area, the sublimely wild, isolated, and stunningly beautiful Bartang Valley.

Previously however, we cross the Kok-JAR-pass, pass through a meteorite impact crater in AK-Tash and get this on a short hike at Shorolu the first geoglyphs to face – a characteristic phenomenon of the region, which is still repeatedly encounter.

These geoglyphs are several thousand years old according to archaeological evidence. There are oversized stone settings of similar nature elsewhere in the world. They are designed like pictures or drawings on the flat on the ground and to recognize in her whole outline only from above. The purpose of this perspective, which may not capture the human eye, remains mysterious. The geoglyphs in the Eastern Pamir Mountains region are usually in the period of Saka culture that shaped much of Central Asia

After exploring Shorolu crater we continu our trip to Khudara village,

This secluded area reached area roughly the size of Switzerland and consists essentially of a vast high plateau. The average height is around 4,100 meters, we even reach 4780 meters later our tour can reach. While we move through a largely vegetation-free, desert-like environment that bears often enough all hallmarks of a lunar landscape. The sharp ridges of bare ridges, which needle peak rising above a level that is worn smooth and round by glaciers are characteristic.

On arrival to Khudara we will stay today very basic accommodation HomeStay, We will have time to explore local life of this people, in real isolated and remote area of Central Asia.

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

Day 10 – Khudara to Savnob village (160 km 5/6hours)

House will meet again us, the locals ‘Child’ call and its diverse Symbolic has emerged over the centuries. In it combines elements of Zoroastrian origin and performances of the pamirischen Ismailis. After the Imam Ismail ibn Djafar is called a relatively small, temperate in their interpretation of the Koran religion of Islamic-Shia denomination that has taken root in the East of modern Tajikistan (Tadjikistan) a long time ago. Convinced the Pamiris according to a House to recreate the universe. Five pillars are usually the wooden ceiling of the main room – according to the five prophets of Ismaili Islam. Arrive to Savnob village you will have time to explore and have a trekking around, valleys. Today you can look local cultural traditional natural Pamiri Music, a little concert can be organized.

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

Day 11 – Savnob to Kalaikhumb (300 km 8/9hours)

Today we set off in Kalaikhumb, driving back through beautiful scenery, 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 Guest House.         Meals included: 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 12 – Kalaikhumb to Dushanbe (360 km 7/8hours)

Today we set up to Dushanbe, 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.
Overnight Own arrangements
Meals: (1 Breakfast 1 Lunch)

Inclusions:

• Overland transportation by 4WD coach (Land Cruiser 80,J100, J105 / Toyota 4Runner for whole trip, ( parking fees, all necessary permissions fuel and taxes per the whole route)
• Experienced and basic English speaking driver for whole tour
• All accommodation on twin share basis as indicated above: (1 – Hotel, 5 – Guest houses, 2 – Home stays, 3 – Yurt stays).
• Full board meals as listed (11B – Breakfasts, 12L – Lunches, 11D – Dinners)
• Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
• Ticket for Tajik national park
• 1/2L Mineral water per day per person

Excluded:

• Arrival and departure transfers,
• Supplement for single rooms per pax in USD 58
• Services of English speaking local guide for whole tour 539 USD
• International flights
• Any airport taxes
• Travel Insurance
• Alcohol drinks

List of accommodations and meals: