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On the Trails of the Pamirs: Wakhan Valley and High Altitudes

#Ancient Cities #Pamir Highway #Silk Road #Fann Mountains

Review

Meeting point
Osh
End location
Dushanbe

Duration

12 days

Length

2600 km

Location

GBAO Region

Recommended group composition

5-12 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

Super extreme
Extreme
Intensive
Optimal
Easy
Very easy

Recommended age

18+

The price is per person for a group of 2 people.

2 206 $

2 206 $ / pr

Select dates

Participants

Prepayment - 662 $

Tour in brief

Embark on an extraordinary journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Pamirs. Explore the remote and stunning Wakhan Valley, renowned for its dramatic scenery and rich cultural heritage. Traverse high-altitude terrains, from the serene Iskanderkul Lake to the rugged beauty of the Pamir Mountains. Experience the unique nomadic lifestyle and marvel at the awe-inspiring views of the Hindu Kush. This adventure offers a perfect blend of natural splendor and cultural immersion in one of Central Asia's most spectacular regions.

Tour organizer and guide

LLC Pamir Guides

LLC Pamir Guides

It is hard to imagine Pamir Guides, a successful tour operator in Central Asia, without acknowledging the founding fathers. Saitaali and Kuban, come from a little town called Murgab (3560 m) in Eastern Pamir. They started their career when they were working as guides for ACTED (a French development organization) around the year 2000.


Tour program

Day 1. Uzbek Border – Panjakent – 7 lakes

Day 1. Uzbek Border – Panjakent – 7 lakes

10:00 AM – Meet and welcome at the Tajik & Uzbek borders by Pamir Guides.
• Drive to Seven Lakes: Visit up to the 5th lake.
• Return drive to Iskanderkul Lake: One of the most beautiful lakes in Tajikistan, known for its connections to Alexander the Great.
• Lunch at 13:00: Enjoy a meal at a local restaurant.

Leisure time at Iskanderkul Lake:
• Explore the lake and surroundings.
• Learn about local legends of Alexander the Great.
• Visit a nearby waterfall.
• Interact with local residents.
• 19:00 – Dinner at a local homestay by the lake.
• Overnight stay at Iskanderkul Lake. Excursions and leisure Excursion , History , Photo Where we live Guesthouse Alik

Day 2. Iskender kul - Dushanbe

Day 2. Iskender kul - Dushanbe

7:00 AM – Breakfast.
8:00 AM – Morning drive to Dushanbe over the Anzob tunnel, then continue through several tunnels by Varzob Valley, which is stunningly beautiful.

Upon arrival in Dushanbe:
• Visit Mehrigon Bazar, Rudaki Park, Rudaki Avenue, and Somoni Square.
• Drive to hotel for rest and preparation for Pamir.

13:00 – Picnic in nature.
19:00 – Dinner at a restaurant. Excursions and leisure Excursion , Walk , Photo Where we live Hello Duhanbe Hotel

Day 3. Dushanbe - Kalaikhum

Day 3. Dushanbe - Kalaikhum

7:30 AM – Breakfast.
8:30 AM – Departure from Dushanbe: The road takes you towards the Pamir Range, passing through remote areas that were affected by the civil war (1992–1996). Despite leading a rough and conservative lifestyle, the locals are known for their warm hospitality.

On the way:
• Visit Hulbuk Fortress (3rd century BC) and the Hulbuk Art Museum.
• Cross the Shurabad Pass (2267 m) and follow the Amu Darya (Oxus) river.
• Enter the region of Badakhshan, where the local people follow the Ismaili Shia branch of Islam, distinct from their Sunni neighbors. This is reflected in their clothing, lifestyle, and more liberal customs.

12:30 PM – Lunch at the Hulbuk restaurant in Kulob.
19:00 PM – Dinner at the Zing guesthouse. Excursions and leisure Excursion , History , Photo Where we live Guesthouse Zing

Day 4. Kalaikum – Jizeive

Day 4. Kalaikum – Jizeive

8:30 AM – Breakfast.
9:30 AM – Departure: The road follows the Panj (Amu Darya) River, which marks the border with Afghanistan. On the Tajik side, you’ll see asphalt roads and cement-brick houses, while on the Afghan side, just 100 meters away, there are mule tracks and mud houses.

Drive towards Yemts (Bartang Valley) along the Panj River: After crossing the Vanj Valley, we will enter the Pamir region and meet the local Pamiri people. On the way, you will pass through various villages with stunning views of the valley.

On the way:
• 13:30 – Lunch at a small tea house in Khalod after Vanj.
• Continue the drive to Jeziev Valley until reaching the bridge (approx. 25 km).
• Cross the bridge and start a 2.5-hour hike up to the village of Jeziev, located near a small lake, offering picturesque scenery.
• 19:30 – Dinner at a homestay. Excursions and leisure Excursion , Walk , Photo Where we live Homestay Khijez

Day 5. Jizeive – Khorog

Day 5. Jizeive – Khorog

8:30 AM – Breakfast.
9:30 AM – Departure: Begin the morning with a walk through the area, passing by other beautiful lakes. Walk down to the bridge (approx. 2 hours).

• Drive to Khorog: The capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, Khorog is nestled in a mountain pass along the Gunt River.
• Upon arrival, enjoy free time to explore the town center before dinner.
• 13:30 – Lunch at a small tea house in Khalod after Vanj.
• 19:30 – Dinner at a homestay. Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Hotel Kevikas

Day 6. Ishkashim – Langar

Day 6. Ishkashim – Langar

8:00 AM – Breakfast.
9:00 AM – Departure:

• Visit the Khorog Regional Museum, showcasing fascinating historical and cultural objects.
• Explore the Pamir Botanical Garden, the second highest in the world.

Late morning:
• Depart from Khorog to the open-air thermal baths of Garm-e Chesmeh for a relaxing experience.
• Continue driving to Ishkashim, a border village at the entrance of the Wakhan Valley. This area once served as a buffer zone between the Russian and British empires.
• Admire the splendid views of the Pamir Range on one side and the Hindu Kush mountains, including Noshaq peak (7492 m), on the other.

On the way to Yamg:
• Visit the Khaakha Fortress (3rd century BC) near Namadgut village.
• Explore the Ismaili Ali Shrine.
• In Yamg, visit the small museum dedicated to Sufi Muborak-Kadam, a poet, theologian, and traveler.
• Excursion to Yamchun to see the spectacular Zoroastrian fortress.
• Relax in the Bibi Fatima thermal baths, where clear water emerges from the rocks, offering a peaceful retreat.

13:00 – Picnic at Garmcheshme.
19:00 – Dinner at the Davladhon homestay. Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Homestay Davlathon

Day 7. Langar – Engels peak

Day 7. Langar – Engels peak

8:00 AM – Breakfast.
9:00 AM – Departure:

• Depart from Yamg for a trek along one of the most beautiful trails in the Wakhan Valley. This challenging 9-hour round trip takes you to the meadows at the base of Engel’s Peak (4000m). The trek offers stunning views of the Hindu Kush mountains and serene alpine streams.
• The trail takes 5 hours up and 4 hours down, with a gradual and moderate ascent. It’s considered one of the best side trips along the Pamir Highway, providing a deeper connection with the Pamir Mountains.
• 13:00 – Picnic by a lake in the meadows, enjoying the breathtaking scenery before descending.

After returning to the highway:
• Continue to the town of Langar, known for its beautiful terraced farmland.
• 19:00 – Dinner at the Davlathon homestay. Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Homestay Davlathon

Day 8. Yshilkul lake - Bashgumbez

Day 8. Yshilkul lake - Bashgumbez

7:30 AM – Breakfast.
8:30 AM – Departure:

• Morning walk to discover ancient petroglyphs upstream of Langar (30 minutes).
• Drive over the Khargush Pass (4344m) towards the Alichor area (3800m). Leaving behind the Wakhan Valley and the Pamiri ethnic groups, the landscape becomes a high-altitude desert, sparsely inhabited by nomadic Kyrgyz and Pamiris. The desolate yet striking beauty of this region is accentuated by vast open skies, where the stars seem within reach at night.

• Travel along the Pamir River, occasionally spotting Afghan Kyrgyz nomads on the opposite side. Visit small Kyrgyz summer pastures.
• Continue the journey to Bulunkul and Yashilkul Lakes, where the landscape dramatically shifts between the western and eastern Pamirs. The scenery is grandiose, offering a clear contrast in terrain, environment, and culture.
• After arriving in the Alichor Valley, visit a nearby geyser and the Alichor Mosque. This area was once used during Soviet times for extensive livestock farming (yaks and sheep).
• Further drive to the Chatir-Tash summer pasture, with a stop at Akbalik Holy Lake.
• 13:00 – Picnic along the Pamir River after the Khargush checkpoint.
• 19:00 – Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt at Chatir-Tash. Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Yurtstay Chatir Tash

Day 9. Bashgubez – Ak Zoo Lake

Day 9. Bashgubez – Ak Zoo Lake

8:30 AM – Breakfast.
9:30 AM – Departure:
• Jeep transport will be provided for the group.
• Morning drive of approximately 6 km, followed by the start of the trek to Akzoo Lake.
• Cross the Kara Seky Pass (4500m) during the trek, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Keep an eye out for marmots along the way.
• Enjoy a picnic in the beautiful scenery, where you’ll have the opportunity to witness nomadic life and experience the warm hospitality of Kyrgyz nomads. Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Yurt stay Urustom

Day 10. Orto Uchkol - Jartygumbez

Day 10. Orto Uchkol - Jartygumbez

8:30 AM – Breakfast.
9:30 AM – Departure:
• Morning trek from Akzoo Lake to Orto Uch Kol summer pasture. This unique valley features highland pastures and pastoral communities.
• Along the way, observe yaks, sheep, and the typical Eastern Pamir nomadic lifestyle. Enjoy stunning views of the valley and meet local people, experiencing their warm hospitality.
• Look out for Marco Polo sheep during the trek. The high altitude provides an excellent vantage point to see Lake Zor Kul (also known as Victoria Lake).
• 12:30 PM – Picnic in nature amidst the beautiful landscape.
• In the afternoon, return to the Jeep. The terrain is desolate yet grandiose, with numerous pastures where nomadic Kyrgyz graze their livestock during the summer.
• Drive to Jartygumbez Hot Spring and arrive at a comfortable guesthouse featuring a wonderful pool with natural hot springs.
• 7:00 PM – Dinner at the campsite. Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Kubans Guesthouse

Day 11. Jartygumbez - Murghab

Day 11. Jartygumbez - Murghab

8:30 AM – Breakfast.
9:30 AM – Continuation of the trip:
• Stop for photos at Kuu-Tatirbel Pass (4300m).
• Visit the Shakhty rock paintings (4200m), dating back to the Neolithic period. Three similar figures are depicted beneath the last animal, reminiscent of Paleolithic art. These paintings were studied by the notable Russian archaeologist Ranov, and date from 8000-5000 B.C.
• Continue driving to Murghab, stopping at the Shorbulak Observatory viewpoint for a stunning view of Muztag Peak (7546m) in China.
• Explore a Meteorite Crater, experiencing the immense scale of nature, where one feels microscopic in comparison.
• The local populations primarily engage in breeding sheep and yaks.
• 13:00 PM – Picnic in nature along the way.
• 7:00 PM – Dinner in Rasul. Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Guesthouse Rasul

Day 12. Murghab – Osh

Day 12. Murghab – Osh

8:00 – Breakfast.
9:00 – Departure:
• Morning drive to Karakul Lake.
• En route, visit Rang Kul Lake and the Chrak Tash holy rocks.
• The views of the mountains and glaciers along this trip are breathtaking. Cross the Ak-Baital Pass ("White Horse") at 4655m, the highest point of the journey, followed by a 70 km descent to Karakul Lake (3915m), the largest lake in Tajikistan (380 km²). This lake was formed about 10 million years ago and is situated in a desert landscape where rainfall is scarce.

• Visit the Kara-Art solar calendar of the Sak people, dating back to the Bronze Age.
• Continue the drive from Karakul Lake to Sary Mogol village, near Lenin Peak (7000m), enjoying beautiful views of the Alay Range.
• Cross the Kyzyl-Art Pass (4282m) to the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, with a stunning farewell to Tajikistan.
• Travel to Osh, crossing the Taldyk Pass (3554m) and taking in more picturesque views. We expect to arrive in the early evening.
• Osh is Kyrgyzstan's oldest city, with a rich history dating back around 3000 years. It has connections to legends of Alexander the Great and King Solomon. Situated at the edge of the Ferghana Valley, it is home to both Uzbek and Kyrgyz communities, known for its vibrant market, one of the most interesting in Central Asia.
• Visit Solomon’s Throne, a significant pilgrimage site for Muslims, and see the reconstructed 15th-century mosque at the top, offering excellent views of the surrounding countryside.

13:00 – Lunch in Sary Tash.
19:00 – Dinner at Restaurant Shugnan. Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Hotel Eco House

Map

Information

What's included:

  • All transfers;
  • 4 Jeep type 4WD Vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser) + driver
  • Double/twin Accommodation according itinerary
  • Breakfasts // Lunches or form of picnic // Dinners as per itinerary,
  • All sightseeing as specified in the itinerary;
  • 1,5 l ml bottle of mineral water per day during tour.
  • Guide interpreter

What's not included:

  • International Airfares;
  • Medical & travel insurance;
  • Tourist Visa GBAO permit
  • Camera and Video charges during sightseeing (if applicable);
  • Money transfer commission
  • Personal shopping (Handcraft so on)

What safety measures are taken during the tour?

We ensure the safety of our clients throughout the tour by providing insurance, adhering to sanitary norms and recommendations, as well as offering reliable transportation and qualified guides.

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