This 9 day journey will take you back to another century when people lived in a very different way unlike so many you hear about, this trip is sure to be a true adventure of your lifetime.
The far corners of civilization, the peculiar life, the meeting of cultures, and ancient history is some that could
characterize this route. Through this region passed one of the arteries of the Great Silk Road – the route through the Pamir Mountains. Pamir is one of the highest mountain systems on our planet with up to 4’900m above sea level. You also can overview the famous Hindu Kush mountain on the Afghan side.
What to expect when choosing this route?
- Pristine mountain scenery.
- Badakhshi & Wakhi hospitality, familiarize with their interesting lifestyles
- Driving along the famous Pamir Highway
- The total length of the route – is 1700 km.
- The temperature during the tour: from 0°C degrees to +30°C
- Maximum height of 4650 m - Minimum height of 500m
Tour in details:
Day 1: Dushanbe – Kulob – Kalai Khum
Today we will go to the village of Kalai Khum through the city of Kulob. You will see Norak lake on the way. The highest point of the day is the Shurabad pass (2267 m), after which the drive along the Afghan border begins. This part will amaze you with its unique mountains - this is the Territory of the Pamir Mountains. For centuries, the Pamirs have inspired the world's greatest explorers - Marco Polo, Xuan Zang and Mirza Muhammad Haidar. And now you have the opportunity to come here. You will pass along the natural border - the Panj River. Having visited the Pamirs, many travelers called this giant mountain system the ocean of blue and white mountains.
Day 2: Kalai Khum – Khorog
In the morning we continue along the border, enjoying the views of Afghanistan. The road to Khorog will take about 5-6 hours. Khorog is perhaps one of the tiniest cities on the world map. It is surrounded by rocky mountains on all four sides. The city was built at the confluence of 3 rivers, where the Shokhdara River and the Gund River flow into the Panj River. Among the Pamiris, there is a high percentage of people with blond hair, fair skin and blue eyes. The Pamir Mountains are the highest inhabited mountains in the world after the Himalayas in Tibet. Life in the mountains has changed the traditions of the locals.
Day 3: Khorog – Ishkashim – Langar
We continue our adventure towards the Wakhan valley. Wakhan, known as it, served as a buffer zone between the Russian and British empires in the 19th century. Located in the heart of Asia, Pamir is a corner of skyscrapers, snow-capped majestic mountains, clear blue waters of lakes and rivers, wide valleys and dry deserts. For hundreds of years, people have referred to these highest mountains in the world as the "Roof of the World". Today you will understand why. On the way, we will stop at the Kah-Kakha fortress dating back to the 3rd century. Here you will have a stunning view of the Afghan side of the Wakhan.
Continuing towards Wakhan, we will have a detour uphill to visit the Yamchun fortresses and further down the hillside is the Bibi Fatima hot spring. In Yamg village, we will visit the reconstructed house of the Sufi mystic Mubarak Kadam, who died in 1910. Near this house is a stone pillar with a hole, which he used to calculate the solar calendar. Another stop will be in the village of Vrang. Here is a Buddhist complex dating from the 4th-7th centuries.
Day 4: Langar – Bulunkul & Yashilkul Lakes – Murgab
In the morning we continue driving along the Khargush valley. On the way, you will pass through the Khargush pass (4344 m). The most beautiful lakes of the Pamirs - Yashilkul and Bulunkul, spread at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level, are located in the Murghab region. The colour of the water in Bulunkul is a subtle weave of purple and blue in the sunlight. Such species of fish are found in abundance in the lake. It is possible to see yaks, a unique species of domestic animals that share features with cows and sheep, which were traditionally used as beasts of burden, in addition to milk and meat products. Upon arrival at the lake, you will have a short walk of about 1-2 hours around the lake. Then you drive to Murgab along the legendary Pamir Highway.
Day 5: Murgab – Karakul Lake – Murgab
Right on the highway of the Pamir Tract is situated the light-blue lake of Karakul (3, 815 m), the name of which can be translated as “The Black Lake”. On the way to the lake you will drive over the highest Ak Baital pass (4 655 m). Karakul is the highest large mountain lake of the world, excluding those in Tibet and Titicaca. The lake is situated in a meteorite crater and surrounded by swampy and wet meadows and bogs with a rich flora and fauna and several endemic species. Flooding, melting permafrost and buried ice sheets shape the landscape with small hillocks and a large variety of small creeks and water courses between 3 500 and 4 000 m. The rich plant cover is grazed by wild and domestic ungulates. You will go for a short hike around the lake and then you drive back to Murgab for an overnight.
Day 6: Murgab – Khorog
In the morning we will drive to Khorog along Pamir Highway, known as M41 Pamir Tract. It is considered the second highest mountain road after highway of Tibet. The road lies over mountains and passes on the elevations of more than 4 000 meters above sea level. On the way you will drive Koitezak pass (4 271 m). The almost inaccessible landscape and the rocky mountains of this corner of the world have given safe haven to a unique diversity of wildlife. The Pamirs provides a large and thriving population of Marco Polo sheep, the largest sheep in the world, with all year round and a strong population of the highly endangered snow leopard.
Day 7: Khorog – Bartang valley – hike to Jizev
Today we will drive to Bartang valley. The Bartang Valley is one of the wildest and most memorable valleys in the western Pamirs. Even the Pamiri themselves consider the Bartang valley as the maybe most prototypical region of their homeland. You will drive to the junction with Jizev side valley and hike up for about 2-3 hours up to the village. Today you will spend the night in a real Pamir traditional house and get acquainted with the mountain life of the locals. Overnight and dinner with locals.
Day 8: Jizev – Kalai Khum
In the morning you will hike down to the main road where your driver will pick you up and drive you to Kalai Khum. The road from Rushan to Kalai-Khum is the same as before. This area consists of high rocky mountains over 6,000 meters high and only one road could be built. Passing through the Pamirs, tourists have a rare opportunity not only to admire the beauty of virgin nature, but also to learn more about the ethnography, history and life of the highlanders and thus imagine how the history of mankind developed, like in a story. creation. Along the way, we will stop at small villages to interact with the locals and see how they live. Settlements are located on both sides of the river in narrow mountain valleys. On the other side of the river you will see rocky Afghan villages and gardens.
Day 9: Kalai Khum – Khoburubot pass – Dushanbe
In the morning we will drive to Dushanbe via mountain road. You will drive over high Khoburubot Pass (3 252) known as Western Pamir Tract. The road goes through the most picturesque river valley and amazing gorges in the terrain, where one can stop for rest and shoot photos of the mountain and rivers. On the way you will see small villages and meet local people. Tajiks are by nature hard working, hospitable, and kind-hearted. This nation greatly respects its traditions and folklore. This trip is attractive for the lovers of exotics, those curious about the ethnic and cultural diversity and captivated by the beauty of wild nature.
Dinner will be in a restaurant. Night is in a hotel. End of the trip!
Lufthansa City Center