Pamir Highway Expedition – 10 Days
Overview:
Travel the fabled Pamir Highway, one of the world’s highest and roughest highways, for ten days and create memories that will last a lifetime. You will travel across the magnificent Pamir Mountains on this adventure, which offers stunning vistas, isolated communities, historic strongholds, and a wealth of cultural activities. Discover the unspoiled landscape of Tajikistan, make friends with people in remote mountain villages, and see important Silk Road sites. For daring tourists looking for both natural beauty and cultural immersion, this journey is ideal.
Itinerary Summary
| Day | Place | Highlights |
| 1 | Dushanbe | Arrival, city tour |
| 2 | Kalai-Khumb | Scenic drive, mountain views |
| 3 | Khorog | Panj River, Gorno-Badakhshan Museum |
| 4 | Bulunkul | High-altitude lakes, wildlife |
| 5 | Murghab | High plateau, nomadic life |
| 6 | Langar | Wakhan Valley, ancient petroglyphs |
| 7 | Yamchun | Yamchun Fortress, Bibi Fatima hot springs |
| 8 | Khorog | Return to Khorog |
| 9 | Dushanbe | Drive back to Dushanbe |
| 10 | Dushanbe | Departure |
Itinerary
- Arrival: Arrive in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. You’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
- Afternoon: Take a relaxed walk around Rudaki Park and visit the National Museum of Tajikistan, which displays the history and culture of the region.
- Evening: Enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional Tajik restaurant, sampling dishes such as qurutob and plov.
- Morning: After breakfast, start your journey along the Pamir Highway toward Kalai Khum (approximately 7-8 hours by road), a picturesque village located on the banks of the Panj River.
- Afternoon: Stop along the way to enjoy panoramic views of the Pamir Mountains and visit small villages.
- Evening: Arrive in Kalai Khum, check into your guesthouse, and enjoy a local dinner with fresh ingredients.
- Morning: Continue your journey towards Khorog, the administrative center of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (approximately 7-8 hours by road).
- Afternoon: Arrive in Khorog, which lies at the confluence of the Panj and Gunt rivers. Explore the Pamir Botanical Garden, known for its unique collection of alpine flora.
- Evening: Dinner in Khorog with local specialties such as mantu (dumplings) and shashlik.
- Morning: Depart for Ishkashim, a small town nestled on the border with Afghanistan (approximately 4-5 hours by road).
- Afternoon: Explore Ishkashim, known for its close proximity to the Wakhan Valley, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Hindu Kush mountains.
- Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Ishkashim.
- Morning: Continue your journey to Langar, a village located at the gateway to the Wakhan Valley (approximately 4-5 hours by road).
- Afternoon: Visit the ancient Buddhist Stupa and explore the ruins of the old fortresses that dot the valley.
- Evening: Enjoy a traditional Tajik meal and stay overnight in a guesthouse.
- Morning: Drive to Murghab, located in the eastern part of Tajikistan in the Pamir Plateau (approximately 6-7 hours by road). This town is the highest point along the Pamir Highway, at 3,650 meters (11,980 feet).
- Afternoon: Visit the local bazaar and enjoy views of the rugged mountain landscapes.
- Evening: Dinner in Murghab, featuring hearty local fare like pilaf and shurpa.
- Morning: Depart for Karakul Lake (approximately 3-4 hours by road), a remote lake situated at 3,900 meters (12,800 feet) in the Pamir Mountains.
- Afternoon: Explore the lake, taking in stunning views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and the Muztagh Ata Mountain. You may also have the opportunity to visit a local Kyrgyz nomadic family.
- Evening: Stay overnight in a yurt or guesthouse by the lake, and enjoy a traditional meal with the locals.
- Morning: Drive across the border into Kyrgyzstan and head toward Osh, a city with a rich history and a key stop along the ancient Silk Road (approximately 6-7 hours by road).
- Afternoon: Arrive in Osh, often called the “Gateway to the Pamirs.” Visit the Sulaiman-Too Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and explore the bustling Osh Bazaar.
- Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Osh, trying dishes like lagman (noodle soup) and pilaf.
- Morning: Continue your journey toward Sary Tash, a small settlement in the Alay Valley (approximately 4-5 hours by road).
- Afternoon: Sary Tash offers dramatic views of the Pamir Mountains and is the perfect place to rest and reflect on your journey. Visit the Tash Rabat Caravanserai on the way, an ancient Silk Road stop.
- Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse in Sary Tash.
- Morning: Drive back to Dushanbe (approximately 9-10 hours by road) or Bishkek (depending on flight connections), where your adventure along the Pamir Highway comes to an end.
- Afternoon: If you’re returning to Dushanbe, enjoy some last-minute shopping or sightseeing. If you’re headed to Bishkek, explore the Ala Archa National Park or Osh Bazaar.
- Evening: Farewell dinner at a restaurant and transfer to the airport for your departure.
Inclusions
- Guesthouses, hotels, and yurt accommodations.
- Meals during the trek.
- 4x4 transport and experienced driver.
Exclusions
- Visa fees.
- Alcoholic beverages.
