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Bulunkul
Impressive

Along the Pamir Highway

#Ethno-tours #Lakes #Pamir Highway #Mountains
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Meeting point
Dushanbe
End location
Dushanbe

Duration

10 days

Length

2050 km

Location

Murghob District

Recommended group composition

3-12 per

Difficulty level

Very easy - Suitable for individuals with minimal physical fitness or experience. Involves short, flat walks with little elevation gain or loss.

Easy - Requires basic physical fitness. Involves moderate walking on well-maintained trails with gentle inclines and declines.

Optimal - Suitable for individuals with average physical fitness. Involves moderate to challenging hiking, often with some elevation gain or loss.

Intense - Demands good physical fitness and endurance. Involves long hikes on rugged terrain with significant elevation changes.

Extreme - Suitable for experienced hikers and mountaineers. Involves technical climbing, glacier crossings, and exposure to high-altitude environments.

Super extreme - Reserved for highly skilled and experienced adventurers. Involves challenging mountaineering expeditions with significant risks and potential dangers.

Optimal

Recommended age

18+

The price is per person for a group of 3 people

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Price:

1 200 $ / pr

Tour in brief

Travelling along the enchanting Pamir Highway, you will dig in magnificence of this remotest area undeservedly forgotten by the outside world, which still hide wonderful culture and traditions of the most hospitable people in the world. We travel through some of the most incredible landscapes you are ever likely to see, following the border with Afghanistan to Wakhan – tantalizingly close across the Panj River. Our trip takes us to long abandoned Silk Road fortresses and Buddhist remains, a legacy of the region’s position on once strategic trade routes between east and west. . A challenging journey through an enigmatic region – exciting is an understatement.

Tour organizer and guide

Pamir Trips

Pamir Trips

Pamir Trips, based in Tajikistan, is your expert tour operator specializing in organizing captivating tours and treks across four countries along the ancient Silk Road: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan.

Tour program

Day 1. Arrival Dushanbe sightseeing tour.

Day 1. Arrival Dushanbe sightseeing tour.

• Early arrival in Dushanbe airport, met by your guide and transfer to hotel.
• Rest after long flight till 11:00 a.m. after long flight.
• In 11:00, your guide will meet you in your hotel and the day begins with cultural immense:

• Visit of National Antiquities Museum (archaeological museum), which houses numerous artefacts from the Sogdian, Greco-Bactrian and Kushan periods.
• One of the famous artefacts of this museum is Buddha in Nirvana, a lying 14m statue of Buddha, known as the largest surviving Buddha statue in Central Asia and the longest terracotta Buddha in the world, after the destruction of the Buddha statues in Bamian of Afghanistan.

• You will also find the legendary Bronze Age Princess of Sarazm, discovered from the famous 5500 years old Sarazm city, listed in UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Lunch in traditional restaurant.

• After lunch, the group can make a free exploration of the city, dinner and overnight in hotel.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo , Excursion Where we live Hotel

Day 2. Dushanbe – Kalaikhumb

Day 2. Dushanbe – Kalaikhumb

• The guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in the morning, from where we leave after having loaded our luggage and taken place in the vehicles.

• We stop for a coffee and refuel before hitting the road with the sunrise, and make stops to take pictures at the most beautiful viewpoints.

• In the morning, we have a hearty lunch in a traditional local restaurant in Kulyab.
• In the evening, we sleep in a charming guesthouse in Kalaikhumb.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo , Excursion Where we live Guesthouse

Day 3. Kalai Khumb – Khorog

Day 3. Kalai Khumb – Khorog

• Today your Pamir Highway tour will take you along the Panj River, a tributary of the mighty Amu Darya River.
• You will see Afghanistan from the right side across the river.
• The guests will enjoy the highest cliffs starting directly from the road and can observe the lifestyle of people in Afghanistan villages, from the other side of the river.
• Continue driving to Khorog, a small mountain valley town, the capital of the autonomous Gorno-Badakhshan region.

• The city lies 2000 m above sea level, strung out irregularly along the slopes of the dashing Gunt River.

• A few kilometers downstream, the Gunt River merges with the Panj River, the river that marks the border with Afghanistan.
• Overnight at the hotel.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo , Excursion Where we live Guesthouse

Day 4. Khorog – Langar

Day 4. Khorog – Langar

After breakfast, we load the luggage and start the exploration of the mysterious Wakhan.
• Once serving as an important branch of the Silk Road, Wakhan became famous again after the Great Game in the 19th century, which divided this valley between the Russian and British Empires, using the Panj River as a border.
• We make a short stop to observe the canyon and ancient shrine in Darshay, then drive uphill to visit the impressive ruins of the most beautiful fortification of Wakhan – Yamchun Fort, dated back to III-I B.C.
• Yamchun was built by Siapushi – the order of fire worshipers of the Zoroastrian religion.
• You will have a scenic view of the entire Wakhan Valley and the Hindu Kush range of Afghanistan.
• In 500 meters from the fort, we can visit the natural thermal springs called BiBi Fatima Hot Springs.
• Further, we will visit the House Museum and solar calendar of Sufi Muborak, an Ismaili philosopher, poet, theologian, and astronomer.
• Then in Vrang, we make an optional 20-minute hike to explore the hill with the topped ziggurat of Buddhist Stupa IV A.D., one of the reminders of the ancient pilgrim caravans that passed through this region following the Silk Road.
• Tonight we stay in a local homestay and enjoy the traditional meals and hospitality of locals in Langar.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo , Excursion Where we live Homestay

Day 5. Langar – Bulunkul

Day 5. Langar – Bulunkul

• Today, our journey takes us over Kargush Pass (4344m) to Bulunkul, one of the most remote and beautiful areas of Eastern Pamirs, famous as the coldest place in Tajikistan. In winter, the temperature drops here to minus 60°C!
• We make a short stop at a viewpoint on the top of Langar serpentines, in order to observe the Wakhan Valley from bird's-eye view.
• En route, we pass two beautiful alpine lakes and summer camps of the shepherds.
• Lunch with a local family in Bulunkul hamlet, located at 3740m.
• After, we drive down to visit the most beautiful alpine lake of Pamirs – Yashilkul Lake (3719m).
• The guests can do fishing and observe the lifestyle of nomadic Kyrgyz living around. Good chance of trying the delicious fish from the lakes.
• Overnight in homestay in Bulunkul.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo , Excursion Where we live Homestay

Day 6. Bulunkul – Khorog – Baghu

Day 6. Bulunkul – Khorog – Baghu

• Today we have a long drive, so we start earlier.
• Our journey takes us along M-41 Pamir Highway back to Darwaz, a region between Khorog and Dushanbe.
• We travel among the colorful villages, enjoying the lifestyle of locals.
• The driving will go mostly on shaking and dirt roads, but the views will not keep you bored.
• Overnight in a homestay in Baghu.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo , Excursion Where we live Homestay

Day 7. Optional trek Baghu — Jeyzev (Bartang Valley)

Day 7. Optional trek Baghu — Jeyzev (Bartang Valley)

• After a hearty breakfast prepared by our hosts who always take great care of us, we go by jeep to the bridge which will be our starting point for the short and very beautiful hike to Jeyzev.
• The gentle hike takes around 1.5 hours and takes us to one of the remotest, but beautiful villages of Pamirs – Jeyzev.
• Jeyzev is connected to the outside world only by a thin path; there is not even a car road.
• The locals live in absolute isolation during the winter, however, this isolation and remoteness keep safe the unique flora and fauna of Jeyzev.
• Tonight we spend in a small homestay with a family, trying the local food and enjoying the hospitality of locals.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo , Excursion Where we live Homestay

Day 8. Jeyzev – Kalaikhumb

Day 8. Jeyzev – Kalaikhumb

• In the morning, we have a hearty breakfast and start a descent to the bridge, where our loaded jeeps are waiting for us.
• We head back on the road to Dushanbe, with a stopover in Kalaikhumb through the colored villages and landscapes with neighboring Afghan villages.
• Night and meal in the charming guesthouse of Kalaikhumb after the shaky road.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo , Excursion Where we live Guesthouse

Day 9. Kalaikhumb – Dushanbe

Day 9. Kalaikhumb – Dushanbe

• The day is entirely dedicated to the return to Dushanbe.
• We reach the Tajik capital at the end of the day and are dropped off at the hotel.
• Usually, we reach Dushanbe before lunch, so we have lunch in Dushanbe.
• Doing the PCR test (if needed) and other formalities before departure.
• Overnight in hotel in Dushanbe.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo , Excursion Where we live Hotel

Day 10. Departure

Day 10. Departure

Our service will ends with transfer to airport. Hope you enjoyed your trip!
Where we live Without accommodation

Map

Information

What's included:

  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
  • All private transportation 4x4 Toyota Land cruiser or Mitsubishi Pajero with driver.
  • All accommodation during the tour
  • All meals during the tour
  • Driver’s food and accommodation
  • English speaking local guide during the trek
  • Yak and yakmen
  • National park entrance fees and trekking permits
  • Bottled water provided during the tour

What's not included:

  • International airfares
  • Visas
  • Travel Insurance
  • Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol, etc
  • Tips and gratuities

The price is per person for a group of 3 people

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