Pamir Highway Trip

Dushanbe — Kalaykum

Welcome to the Pamir Highway!
Today we start our drive towards the gorgeous village of Khalaikhum. We will visit the 11th-century Hulbuk Palace along the way before finally entering the iconic Pamir Mountains. After driving through the spectacular valleys of the Shurobod Pass we will arrive in the village of Khalaikhum. Here we will join the Panj River, which we will be following for the next few days, and have our first views into mysterious Afghanistan, just over the border. We will have dinner and overnight in a homestay. 

Accommodation: Guesthouses/Homestays

• Driving distance/hour: 370km / 230 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.

Kalaykum — Jizev (trek) 

Today we drive towards the Bartang Valley and begin an adventure that may prove to be your favorite part of the trip. The 4x4s will drop us off at the trailhead to Jizeu Valley and we will commence a truly spectacular 2-hour hike to the remote Jizeu Village. The views we will discover on this hike are barren and wild, and this is known for being one of the real highlights of the Pamir Highway, that very few travelers visit. There are no roads to this village, so we will need to take our supplies with us for one night staying with local families. You do not need to bring much with you – just a change of clothes, medication, water for the hike, and your camera gear, and everything else will stay with our driver in the car. We will have lunch and dinner in the Jizeu Village. This is an isolated region, and we will only be able to organize our accommodation once we arrive in the village. Food, blankets, pillows, and water are provided at the homestay.

• Driving distance/hour: 210km/ 129 mi/ 6 hours
• Hike: 6km/ 3.7 mi/ 2 hours
• Altitude: Jizeu village 2,495m / 8,179 ft
• Internet: No mobile coverage
• Electricity: Available, Limited
• Facilities: outdoor squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 6 people.

Jizev — Khorog Town

We will wake up for sunrise in the remote Jizev Valley before having breakfast. Once we collect our belongings, we say goodbye to our wonderful hosts and hike back towards the main road. Our driver will meet us there and we will continue our journey towards Khorog, one of the main towns along the Pamir Highway, with plenty of photo stops along the way. In Khorog you can stay in a comfortable homestay or hotel and explore the city afternoon, including a visit to the Khorog Botanical Garden, one of the highest in the world.

• Driving distance/hour: 83km/ 52 mi/ 3 hours
• Hike: 6km/ 3.7 mi/ 2 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 — Ishkashim 

While the traditional Pamir Highway traverses through the interior mountains of Tajikistan, we will choose to follow the Panj River and enter the famous Wakhan Corridor! We leave the town of Khorog and continue to gain altitude as we make our way towards Ishkashim center of Wakhan.

• Driving distance/hour: 110 km / 68 mi, 4–5 hours
• Altitude: 2,900 m / 9,514 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.

Ishkashim — Langar

Be amazed as the imposing Afghan mountains rise on our right-hand side and local farmers across the river go about their daily lives. We’ll stop off at the Ishkashim Fortress along the way then climb up towards to the village of Yamchun. Here we will find the 12th-century Yamchun Fortress, with one of the most sensational views in the entire region. Next to the fortress is the Bibi Fatima Hot Springs, a natural bathing spot renowned for its healing properties. For those interested in a relaxing dip, the springs provide a rejuvenating experience, note that bathing is separated by gender, and clothing is not permitted inside the baths. After these highlights, we’ll drive back down towards the popular village of Langar.

• Driving distance/hour: 130km / 80 mi, 4–5 hours
• Altitude: 2,900 m / 9,514 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 — Alichur  

Today we leave Langar early and visit the ancient petroglyphs and fortress before passing over the Kargush Pass. Once we arrive at the security checkpoint at Kargush we say goodbye to the Pamir River and the nomadic Afghan farmers across the way and drive a short distance further to start the 4-hour hike up Panorama Ridge, which reaches 4800m above sea level, and has insane views of the Wakhan Range of Afghanistan and remote lakes. It’s a moderate hike, but worth the views at the top. Once we descend, we’ll continue to the tiny village of Bulunkul and have the chance to see the high alpine lakes of Bulunkul and Yashikul. We will drive to the nearby Alichur village for our local homestay tonight.

Alichor — Murghab 

We’ll have breakfast cooked by the family and soon will head east along the Pamir Highway toward Bash-Gumboz village, located 30 kilometers from Alichur. Upon arrival, a local Kyrgyz family will welcome you to their traditional yurt camp, giving you a glimpse of nomadic life in the Eastern Pamirs. ​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. We shall have lunch in a local shepherd.

• Driving distance/hour: 175 km / 108 mi – 6 hours
• Yak Riding: up to 1 hour
• Altitude: 4,000 m / 13,123 ft
• Internet: No internet coverage after Murgab. Megafon 2G in Karakul.
• Electricity:  Solar Panels 12V, only for charging phones
• Facilities:  No shower, outdoor western, and squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

Murghab — Tulpar Kul  (Borders Control) TJ-KG 

In the morning after breakfast you will see Kokart there you will see the solo calendar and Ak Baital pass 4655 m. Karakul Lake then cross the Kyzylart pass and cross the Tajik customs and the Kyrgyz customs and then lunch the village of Sarytash after lunch you will go to the village of Sarymogol and then the little lake Tulparkul 2 km. to (Base Camp of Lenin Peak) 

• Driving distance/hour: 285 km / 177 mi – 6-7 hours
• Altitude: Tulparkul Lake -3,500 m / 11,482 ft
• Internet: MegaCom 3G
• Electricity: Available only after dinner (bring a power bank just in case)
• Facilities: Traditional yurts with outside shared showers and toilets

Tulparkul – Osh 

Begin the day with breakfast at the yurt camp, followed by a hike to Traveler’s Pass, located at 4,130 meters (13,550 ft). The 3-hour ascent starts just outside the yurt camp, crossing streams and winding alongside the Achyk-Tash River before reaching the pass. From this vantage point, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of glaciers cascading from Lenin Peak, which towers at 7,134 meters (23,406 ft). After a break to take in the views, we’ll make the 2-hour descent back to the yurt camp. Following lunch, you drive to Osh, one of Kyrgyzstan’s oldest cities with over 3,000 years of history. The driver will drop you off at your hotel.
End of the trip.