Osh to Dushanbe / To Join a Tour Group

OSH – SARYMOGOL VILLAGE – TULPARKOL LAKE AT LENIN PEAK BASE CAMP 

Welcome to the Pamir Highway!
Today we start our drive towards Sarymogol village, 4hr. A nice valley opens when you reach Taldyk Pass (3600 meters) with green pastures and yaks grazing around. Arrive in Sarymogol village and cross the bridge to the yurt camp at Tulparkol Lake (3500 m) next to Lenin Peak Base Camp, 1hr. After settling in, enjoy a hike to Traveler’s Pass (4,130 m). The 3-hour ascent offers breathtaking views of glaciers tumbling down from Lenin Peak. After resting at the pass, return to the yurt camp (2 hrs) for dinner and overnight accommodation.

• Driving distance/hour: 250 km/ 155mi / 5 hours
• Hike: 4-5 hours, reaching 4,130m / 13,550 ft
• Internet: MegaCom
• Electricity: Available only after dinner (bring a power bank just in case)
• Facilities: Traditional yurts with outside shared showers and toilets

TULPARKOL LAKE – BORDER CROSSINGS – KARAKUL LAKE  

Today we will cross the border via the second-highest Pass of the Pamir Highway, Kyzylart Pass standing at 4300m. From Tulparkol Lake drive to Bordobo checkpoint,  and cross the border to Karakul Lake in Tajikistan. The different landscape opens up confirming that this is Tajikistan. Karakul Lake is the largest lake in Pamirs, formed by glaciers, and has no outflow.
After lunch take a walk around the lake. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

• Driving distance/hour: 150 km / 94mi – 4 hours
• Altitude: 4,000 m / 13,123 ft (Karakul Lake)
• Internet: No internet coverage until Murgab. Megafon 2G in Karakul.
• Electricity: Available only after dinner (bring a power bank just in case)
• Facilities: Traditional yurts with outside shared showers and toilets

KARAKUL LAKE – MURGAB VILLAGE – ALICHUR VILLAGE  

Travel goes on to Murgab via the highest pass Akbaital (4655 m) you will ever do in Tajikistan, 3hr. Take photos of glaciers on the pass. Lunch in Murgab village. Walk around the village and explore the town. Head on to Alichur village, 2 hrs. On the way stop in ​Bash Gumboz pasture. Here, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a yak ride through the scenic pastures. Capture some incredible photos as you explore the landscape on yak-back—an optional experience that adds a unique memory to your journey. Please note that the yak ride is not included in the tour price. Overnight and dinner in a guesthouse.

• Driving distance/hour: 352 km / 219 mi – 6 hours
• Yak Riding: up to 1 hour
• Altitude: Alichur village -3,850 m / 12,631 ft
• Internet: No internet coverage after Murgab. Megafon 2G in Karakul.
• Electricity:  Solar Panels 12V, only for charging phones
• Facilities: Shared outdoor shower, outdoor western, and squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

ALICHUR – BULUNKUL LAKE – WAKHAN VALLEY – LANGAR VILLAGE 

Breakfast. Take a side trip to visit the Alpine Bulunkul and Yashylkul lakes. Drive back to the main road and head up to the Kargush pass (4 344m). Arrive at the Kargush pass and start the 3-4 hrs trek to Panorama Ridge at 4800 meters. While walking up, two small lakes behind you at the roadside open up to cheer you. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of Great Pamir on the Afghan border on top of the pass. Walk back to your car. After the pass, drive down to the Afghanistan border for another checkpoint to check your GBAO permit. The road follows the river Pamir to Wakhan valley with the chance to admire the Big Pamir of Afghanistan with nomadic Afghan Kyrgyz caravans. Great rugged Hindu Kush mountain ranges welcome you right before entering Wakhan Valley. Overnight and dinner in a friendly homestay in Langar village.

• Driving distance/hour: 145 km/ 90 mi/ 5-6 hours
• Hike: 3–4 hours, reaching 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
• Internet: Limited coverage (Tcell and Megafon)
• Electricity: Available, but power outages are possible (carry a power bank)
• Facilities: Shared indoor shower, outdoor western, and squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

LANGAR VILLAGE – YAMCHUN FORTRESS – ISHKASHIM VILLAGE – KHOROG  

Breakfast. Right after you leave your guesthouse, we do a side trip to admire the 12th-century Yamchun Fortress rising from a platform of natural rock. Walk up to the edge of the fort and you will have an amazing view of the Wakhan Valley. Further up the hillside are located the hot springs of Bibi Fatima, with its crystal waters rich in minerals. Back to the main road. Another fortress Khaaka comes up along the way at Namadgut village when you get closer to Ishkashim village. It is worth a 10-minute stop. Continue to drive to Khorog City. Afternoon, visit the interesting Regional Museum and Central Park of Khorog City. Evening hike in a Botanical Garden that has various plants and trees to explore. Dinner at a cafe. Night in a hotel.

• Driving distance/hour: 225 km / 139 mi, 5-6 hours
• Altitude: 2,200 m / 7,218 ft
• Internet: Tcell (4G), Megafon (4G), Wi-Fi
• Electricity: Available
• Facilities: Shared indoor shower and western toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

KHOROG TO KALAIKUM  

Breakfast. Travel to Darvoz district. A gorgeous road goes along the river up to the Vanj valley where the road widens up.The road from Kalaikhum to Khorog is known for its rugged terrain, winding through narrow passes and offering panoramic views of towering mountains. Ongoing road construction as of 2024 may cause delays, so be prepared for occasional stops and slower sections. Arrive in Kalaikhum village and be accommodated in a guesthouse.

• Driving distance/hour: 240 km / 149 mi – 7 hours
• Altitude: 1200 m / 3,937 ft
• Internet: Tcell (3G), Megafon (3G), Wi-Fi
• Electricity: Available (bring a power bank just in case of outages)
• Facilities: Shared indoor shower and western toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

KALAIKHUM TO DUSHANBE 

Today is the last day of the Pamir Highway trip.
Travel to Dushanbe along the Panj River through numerous local villages along the way. The road has been reconsrtucted recently and it will be a comfortable drive. Deep rocky valleys and gorgeous mountains accompany you up to the Shurobod pass before Kulab village. Lunch in a Chaikana (local cafe). Visit 11th-century Hulbuk Palace on the way and enjoy the views of the world’s second-highest hydropower station Nurek in the distance. Arrival in Dushanbe. Accommodation in your hotel.

• Driving distance/hour: 352km / 219 mi – 6 hours 
• Altitude: 700 m / 2,297 ft
• Internet: Tcell (4G), Megafon (4G), Wi-Fi
• Electricity: Available