Pamir Highway Tour: Odyssey Through the Roof of the World
Highlights of the trip
Take a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the roof of the world — an odyssey carved through the sky-high Pamir Mountains. But take this journey if you have a spartan mind and spirit as it is not a typical tour. It is an adventure that delves you into raw nature, ascetic ways of life, titanic mountains, and crystal clear alpine lakes. You will get a glimpse and maybe even hear the whispers of ancient caravans that risked it all for unimaginable fortunes of the Great Silk Road. You will witness the majesty of a pristine nature, so untouched, seeming otherworldly. And you will interact with Kyrgyz and Pamiri highlanders – warm-hearted and philosophically resilient people of the mountains. So if you seek primordial freedom, thrilling discoveries, and mystics of the unknown – Pamir is waiting for you.
Tour Details
Available
April-November
Schedule
Upon request
Duration
8 days (customizable)
Price
upon request
Difficulty
moderate (not much of a hike, but high altitudes)
Required items
Trekking boots (+light shoes), weatherproof warm clothes, hat, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses
Itinerary
Day 1: Osh – Tulpar Kul lake (4-5 hours driving)
Meeting at 8.45 am at the hotel/hostel. Visit the local mall to buy necessary items (if applicable).
Heading to Tulpar Kul lake through the scenic Alay Valley. Stopping by the picturesque spots to capture the juiciest moments in photos and videos for your social media. Lunch stop at Sary-Tash village and directly heading to Tulpar Kul lake. After arriving at the Yurt camp,you can either rest or do a three-hour hike to the View Point. You can also walk around the lakes and explore the nature. After dinner, you can gaze at the crystal clear night sky and distant stars. Overnight at the Yurt Camp.
Note! The evenings are quite cold.
Day 2: Tulpar Kul lake – Murgab (5-6 hours driving)
After breakfast, you will be heading to the border and cross the checkpoint. The first stop will bring you to Kara Kul lake where you will enjoy the lunch and walk around the lake shores. After, you will head to Murgab and stop at Ak-Baital Pass (4655m). Overnight at guest house.
Day 3: Murgab – Langar (5-6 hours driving)
Leaving Murgab after breakfast and driving to Langar at the Wakhan Corridor. Stopping at Ak-Balyk Ata Sacred Lake, ordering lunch at Bulun Kul before heading to Jashyl Kul National Park. After exploring the National Park, heading back to the village for a preordered lunch. Returning to the main road after lunch via Kharugush Pass to Langar, overnight at homestay.
Day 4: Langar – Ishkashim (4-5 hours driving)
Enjoying breakfast and leaving the Langar. The day is full of stops for historic sites such as Ablashim Fortress, Buddha Temple, Yamchun Fortress, and Bibi Fatima hot springs. And yes, you are getting into these hot springs! Back on the trek to Ishkashim, yet with more stops along the way before the overnight at the guest house.
Day 5: Ishkashim – Khorog (3-4 hours driving)
Leaving Ishkashim at 9:00 am. Heading to Khorog via Garm chashma hot springs along the border with Afghanistan. Behold the lands that became the graveyard of empires. Dinner in the restaurant and overnight at a guest house.
Day 6: Khorog – Rushan (1-2 hour driving)
Eat your breakfast in full as you might need an extra energy for hiking. You are heading to the Bartang Valley, from where you’ll go hiking to the Jizev Valley. The driver will wait for you at the bridge. Hiking takes around three hours up to the lake and village. There you can embrace theh the nature, have a lunch and get to know the local family. Driving to Rushan, having dinner, and overnight at a guest house.
Day 7: Rushan – Kalaikumb (7-8 hours driving)
And early breakfast (at 7:30-8:00 am.) before an early departure to the Pyanj River. It is a raging river that will take your breath away by its flow. Dinner and overnight at a guest house.
Day 8: Kalaikumb – Dushanbe (6-7 hours)
Enjoy the final epic sceneries on your way to Dushanbe from Kalaikumb. Have your lunch in Kulob, and witness the largest water reservoir in the world Nurek. Arrival to Dushanbe.
End of the trip.