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TRIP SUMMARY
TRIP SUMMARY
During our journey, you will learn about the historical and archeological sites of Tajikistan. The beautiful scenery of the river Oxus, which separates the boundary line between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, the natural shrines, as well as the scenery of the high mountains of the Pamirs, will take your breath away. The most impressive and memorable part of the tour is observing the preserved culture, tradition, and lifestyle of the Tajik and Pamirian people in the remote villages of the Pamirs in Wakhan Valley. Please have a look at the itinerary below for more detailed information.
TRIP OVERVIEW
TRIP OVERVIEW
See some essential information about this tour
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StartDushanbe, Tajikistan -
FinishOsh, Kyrgyzstan -
DestinationsTajikistan, Kyrgyzstan -
Physical ratingRelaxed -
ThemeCross-border Jeep Tour -
Group sizeMin 1 - Max 12
ITINERARY
Depart Dushanbe and travel to Kalai Khum through spectacular mountain scenery. You will cross the Norak Water Reservoir, also known as the Tajik Sea, and visit the ancient fortress of Hulbuk, dating back to the 8th century. The highest point of the day is Shurobod Pass (1955m), from which the Afghan border begins. You will be driving along the natural border of the River Panj. This part is wonderful because of its unique mountains, which are already the territory of the Pamir Mountains.
Accommodation
• Homestay (1 night)
Meals Included
• Lunch
• Dinner
Today is mostly a travel day. Set off to Khorog Town, the capital city of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO). Located on high, narrow terraces, at 2200-2300 meters above sea level in the Pamir Mountains at the confluence of the Gunt and Panj rivers. The road will follow near the Panj River, which the Soviets built in the 1930s, and it is in a state of disrepair in many places. You can see the civilization of the two countries and their differences. When you pass from Kalaikhum to Khorog, the scenery and the people change. The people here are Pamiris and have unique traditions and languages.
Accommodation
• Homestay (1 night)
Meals Included
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• DinnerFirst, a trip to the Mineral Hot Spring called “Garm Chashma”. Garm Chashma is approximately 45 km from Khorog, located on the route to Ishkashim. Garm Chashma was built in the late 1950s on the site of a mineral spring. The healing waters of this place are renowned throughout the region and attract a large number of travelers and tourists each year. Along with that, we will also cross the Ruby Mines of Khuhi Lal, where Badakhshan’s rubies were mined already in the 14th century. Ishkashim is a small town at the mouth of the Wakhan corridor, where the 19th-century Great Game ended. As you travel north, you will encounter breathtaking views of the Pamirs to the left and the Hindu Kush to the right. If you get lucky and arrive at Ishkashim on Saturday, you can visit the cross-border Tajik-Afghan market on the Afghan side. There is no need to obtain an Afghan visa for this visit.
Accommodation
• Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• DinnerAs you travel farther, you will visit the Kah-Kaha in Namadgut. It is one of the oldest fortresses on the Silk Road, thought to have been constructed around the 4th century A.D., and is said to be named after the epic kind of dark-skinned fire-worshippers. After that, you will visit the sacred hot springs of Bibi Fatima Zahra, and the ruins of Yamchun fortress (IV-III B.C.) that once guarded the Pamir branch of the Great Silk Road. In the Yamg village, you will visit the Museum of Sufi Muborak-Kadami Vakhani, where visitors can explore the life of a local Sufi scholar, theologian, traveler, and poet who lived in this region until 1910. Some of his most marvelous achievements can be seen here. There is a stone pillar with a hole carved in it near his house, which he used to calculate a solar calendar. His home is decorated with inscriptions and decorations made by the scholar. Near Vrang village, on a hill, there is a Buddhist temple dating back to the 4th – 7th Centuries pitted with caves.
Accommodation
• Homestay (1 night)
Meals Included
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• DinnerYou will have breakfast at your accommodation before enjoying the stunning views of Afghanistan, including the ice-capped Wakhan Range and the Pamir River. After crossing the 4,344-meter Khargushi Pass, you'll arrive at Bulunkul Lake in a small hamlet. Bulunkul is one of Tajikistan's high-mountain lakes, located at 3,734 meters above sea level, known for being one of the coldest inhabited places in the former Soviet Union, with a record low of -63 degrees Celsius. The residents include Pamiris, Tajiks, and Kyrgyz nomads who thrive in this harsh environment. After reaching Bulunkul, you can take a short drive or hike (about 15 km) to Yashikul Lake, where you can explore the shore and hike to viewpoints for stunning vistas.
Accommodation
• Homestay (1 night)
Meals Included
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• DinnerAs the journey continues, and if the weather is clear enough, you will head up to the Shorbulak Observatory, from where you can see the Muztag Ata and Kongur Peaks, which are part of the Khun Lun Range (located in China). Murgob is a quiet town with only a bazaar (market) in the High Pamir region where Kyrgyz and Tajik people live. You will pay a visit to a handicraft shop in “Yak House”. The marvelous views of the mountains and glaciers along the way will be simply breathtaking, as the road takes you to the Ak Baital Pass at an altitude of 4655m. This is the highest pass in the former USSR and was called “The Roof of the World”. The hidden site in this expanse of an arid landscape is the stunning Karakul Lake, created millions of years ago by a meteorite and noted as one of the most geologically fascinating places on earth. You will have an opportunity to take a short walk along the lake. The surrounding area offers some spectacular views, which are especially dramatic with the sun setting over the nearby snow-capped mountains.
Accommodation
• Homestay (1 night)
Meals Included
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• DinnerThe next morning, you will continue your trip to Osh. Osh is the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan. It is the oldest city in the country. Your final Pamir Highway high pass is the Kyzyl Art Pass at an altitude of 4282 m, which essentially forms the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. After Sary Tash village, you depart the high mountains of the Pamir-Alay range, leaving behind you the crossroads of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. You will cross the Taldyk Pass at an altitude of 3554 m and enjoy some beautiful views. You must travel about 185km from Sary Tash, and depending on the road conditions and travel times, you expect to arrive in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, early evening.
Meals Included
• Breakfast
• LunchROUTE MAP
- INCLUSIONS
- TransportPrivate vehicle
- Meals6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
- AccommodationHomestay (6 nights)
- Activities
- Complimentary airport arrival transfer (Airport Dushanbe)
- Vose - Fortress Hulbuk
- Ishkoshim - Hot spring Garm Chashma
- Ishkoshim - Fortress Kah-Kaha
- Ishkoshim - Fortress Yamchun
- Ishkoshim - Hot springs Bibi Fatima Zahra
- Ishkoshim - Museum of Sufi Muborak-Kadami Vakhani
- Ishkoshim - Buddist Stupa
- Murgab - Bulunkul and Yashikul Lakes
- Murgab - Driving over the Ak-Baital Pass (4655 m)
- Murgab - Karakul Lake
PRICE PER PAX
- 01 pax – $2206 per person
- 02 pax – $1268 per person
- 03 pax – $958 per person
- 04 pax – $799 per person
IMPORTANT NOTES
IMPORTANT NOTES
- The best season to visit is during the summer.
- During the Pamir Highway tour, you may experience limited internet access in certain areas.
- Please be aware that during our homestays, you may need to share a room with someone of the opposite gender or with your group leader. Since we will be staying in real people's homes, the sleeping arrangements may include fold-out sofas, mattresses on the floor, or even a yurt in the backyard. Some of the accommodation options we encounter will be very basic, including local guesthouses, yurts, and houses with limited amenities. Please note that some amenities are shared, and certain places may only have cold running water or no bathrooms at all.
- Travelers at high altitudes may experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, and trouble sleeping. To prevent altitude sickness, we will ascend slowly and gradually throughout the journey. We recommend monitoring for symptoms of altitude sickness and drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- It's advisable to bring a book, save your favorite songs on your phone, and have other forms of entertainment since the journey will take many hours.
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