Route: Dushanbe – Kalai Khum – Vamd – Bardara (Bartang Valley) – Yelga – Lazar pass – Khaburga – Chapdar Lake – Kyrgyz-shabar – Yashilkul Lake – Bulunkul – Wakhan corridor – Ishkashim – Khorog – Kalai Khum – Dushanbe.
The tour starts and ends in Dushanbe.Alternative departure and arrival points are possible, please inquire.
Our guide will meet you at the airport and accompany to the hotel. In the morning we will drive 35 km to visit Hissar fortress (VII- XVII centuries). This historical site has fortified areas and citadel. The fortress used to be the residence of the delegate of the Emir of Bukhara; it was located on a high hill and was well defended with 1 m thick walls and loopholes for guns and cannons. Once we are back to Dushanbe, first of all we will visit Rudake Park, National library, White House, National state seal, House of parliament and, Jomi theatre. After it we will walk in National park to make photos of Ministry of Inner Affairs and the second biggest National Flag in the world – 165 m high pole, 30 m wide, 60 m long. After excursion in Central Museum you will have lunch. Then you will visit to Gurminj Museum of traditional musical instruments. To feel real life you should visit Asian bazaar. It has colorful goods, fruits and vegetables. We will see today the main highlights of Dushanbe and you will find out many interesting facts about Tajik people. Dinner will be in a traditional restaurant where you try Tajik food. Night is in a hotel.
Day 2: Dushanbe – Norak – Kalai Khum (370 km, 8 hours)
Today we will drive to Kalai Khum village. You will see Norak water reservoir that is called Tajik Sea. The highest point of the day is Shuraba pass (2 267 m). We will then drive along Afghanistan border. This part will amaze you by its unique mountains – it is already Territory of Pamir Mountains. Over the centuries, the Pamirs have inspired the world’s greatest explorers – Marco Polo, Hsuan Tsang, Mirza Muhammad Haidar. And now you also have a chance to travel here. You will drive along natural border – Pyanj River. Having visited the Pamirs, many travellers called this giant mountain system the ocean of white and blue mountains. This night you will spend in a home stay to encounter how local people live here.
Day 3: Kalai Khum – village Vamd (180 km, 4.5-5 hours)
In the morning we drive to Rushan. 10 km from Kalai – Khum we will hike up to the ancient Old city of Karon. This old city was built in 3 century and in 2013 was restored. Ruins of the ancient settlement of Karon lie not far away from the village Ruzvai placed on the mountain Zogic at an altitude of 1700m. Zoroastrian sacred river Vanaguh Doytijo bends around the mountain from the east south and west. There is the tower of sacred fire built on a cruciform platform in pre-Islamic architecture style, which dates back to the ancient period of history. Then you will drive to Vamd village (Rushan). Overnight and dinner is in a home stay.
Day 4: Vamd – Bardara (Bartang valley) (110 km, 5-6 hours)
Today you will drive to Bartang valley. In 2015 Bartang valley was included in TOP 100 Green Destination on the planet. Today you will find out why. You will meet Bartang people who are still keeping their traditions for many centuries. This area consists of scenic forests, gravel roads, rocks, glaciers etc. You will drive from the Down Bartang to Upper Bartang along the river. The Bartang River flows into the Panj River which divides the border between Tajikstan and Afghanistan. Already in the 1930s the Russian explorer Pavel Luknizki stated: “The one who has not been in Bartang valley has not been in the Pamirs at all”. Even the Pamiri themselves consider Bartang valley possibly the most prototypical region of their homeland. Night and dinner are in a home stay.
Day 5: Bardara – Yelga (2900 – 3600 m)
In the morning we will meet with the crew and get ready as we fix the luggage on donkeys. Our hiking starts from Bardara towards Bardara valley. The trail is quite easy and some parts of it are stretched along the Bardara river, so you can enjoy freshness and breeze coming from it. Camping is near Yelga where people in the past used to cultivate wheat for their livestock. Overnight in tents (3600 m). Hiking net 4 hours.
Day 6: Yelga – Below the Shtik Lazar pass (3600 – 3700 – 4000m)
In the morning we start hiking towards the pass along Bardara valley until Gulzor. After a lunch break, we will continue hiking until we reach a camping point just below Shtik Lazar pass (4800m). Overnight in tents (4000 m). Hiking net 4/5 hours
Day 7: Below the pass – Zaroj lake – Khaburga (4000 – 4800 – 4518 – 4430)
We start early in the morning before sunrise. Our plan is to cross the Shtik Lazar pass and walk about 5 km through the snow. If donkeys struggle to pass the snow the crew will help us to carry the luggage as porters. On the other side of the pass a new crew from Bachor will pick us up and accompany us. We will have a picnic near Kulen Lake. After the picnic, we will go for a short sightseeing trek towards Zaroj (4518 m) which lasts around 2.5 hours. Once we are back to the lake we head to Khaburga and camp there (4430 m). Hiking net 7/8 hours.
Day 8: Khaburga – Vikhinj – Chapdar Lake (4340 – 4100 – 4200 – 4553 m)
In the morning we start trekking along Vikhinj valley. On the way, we will see many beautiful lakes and panoramas. We will stop for a lunch break near Uchkul lakes (Three lakes) where you can relax and catch fish. Later we will continue trekking up until Chapdar Lake (4553 m). This is the highest lake in Central Asia. Overnight in tents on a lake shore (4553 m). Hiking net 6 hours.
Day 9: Chapdar Lake – Kyrgyz-shabar (4553 – 4200 m)
In the morning we decent down along Chapdar valley. According to your wish, you can take another route via Langar pass, so it will be 5km extra. Camping is in Kyrgyz-shabar. 19km – 7-8 hours walk. Overnight in tents at 4200 m.
Day 10: Kyrgyz-shabar – Langarghev – West end of Yashilkul (4200 – 3720 m)
In the morning we gradually hike down towards Langar gate. The decent is quite easy. Lunch break at Langar gate. We will then cross Chashma river and continue hiking towards Langarghev until we arrive at the West end of Yashilkul lake. Overnight in tents (3720 m). Hiking net 6/7 hours.
Day 11: West end of Yashilkul – Bulunkul (25 km, 1 hour)
The most beautiful lakes of the Pamirs are Yashil Kul and Bulunkul (Blue lakes) stretched on the altitude of 3700 meters above sea level. Today we will spend a relaxing day near them. The color of the water in Bulunkul is a subtle interplay of violet and dark-blue in the sunlight. Species of fish like are found in abundance in the lake. There is the opportunity to see yaks, a unique species of domestic animals, sharing features of cow and sheep, traditionally used as a beast of burden apart from giving milk and meat products. You will drive to visit the hot spring and geyser near the lake of Bulunkul. Dinner and night is in a home stay.
Day 12: Bulunkul – Langar (145 km, 5-6 hours)
In the morning we will drive to Langar. On the way, you will drive over Khargush pass (4 344 m). The almost inaccessible landscape and rocky mountains of this corner of the world have given safe haven to a unique diversity of wildlife. Amongst the most common species of wild mammals are Turkestan rat, tiger-cat, grizzly bear, badger, stoat, fox, gray and red wolves. 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. You will climb up above Langar village to see petroglyphs. Dinner and night is in a home stay.
Day 13: Langar – Ishkashim (140 km, 5 hours)
Drive towards the Wakhan corridor. There are several places of interest to stop. Above the village of Vrang, on a cliff-side pitted with caves, stands a Buddhist complex dating from 4th- 7th centuries. At Yamg, we visit the reconstructed home of Sufi mystic Muabara Kadam , who died in 1910. Near this house there is a stone pillar with a hole in it which he used to calculate a solar calendar. On the road we will visit Kah-Kaa and Yamchun fortresses, further up the hillside are the hot spring at Bibi Fatima: dense and very salty minerals, the water at Bibi Fatima is crystal clear. Overnight and dinner is in guesthouse.
Day 14: Ishkashim – Khorog (110 km, 4-4.5 hours)
Today we will drive along Tajik-Afgan border to Khorog. It is perhaps one of the tiniest cities on the map of the world. It is surrounded by rocky mountains from all four sides. The town was built on the confluence of the 3 rivers where Shokhdara river and Ghund river flow into Pyanj river. On the way to Khorog you will meet Pamir people. A number of anthropological features set the Pamir people apart from the Tajik people. Among the Pamiris, there is a high percentage of people with blonde hair, fair skin and blue eyes. Pamirs Mountains are the highest mountains in the world with human population after the Himalayas in Tibet. Life in the mountains made traditions of local people different from Tajik people. On the way you will visit Garmchashma hot spring. Night is in a guesthouse.
Day 15: Khorog – Kalai Khum (240 km, 7 hours)
More than half of the road (from Rushan to Kalai Khum) is the same as you had before. This area consists of high rocky mountains over 6 000 meters and only 1 road was possible to be built. Passing through the Pamirs, the tourists have the rare opportunity to not only marvel the beauty of the virgin environment but also know more about the ethnography, history and everyday life of mountain dwellers and with this imagine how the history of humanity evolved as in the story of creation. On the way,we will stop in small villages to communicate with local people and to see their life. Human settlements are located on both sides of the river in narrow mountain valleys. On the other side of the river, you will see Afgan stone villages and gardens. Night is in a home stay.
Day 16: Kalai Khum – Khoburubot – Dushanbe (290 km, 7-8 hours)
In the morning we will drive to Dushanbe via a 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.
Day 17: Departure back home
3 star hotel in Dushanbe,
Price per person:
01 pax – 4915$
02 pax – 2724$
03 pax – 2058$
04 pax – 1709$
05 pax – 1512$
Single supplement – 40$
Early check-in – 30$
Single early check-in – 55$
Service includes:
– Transport
– Full board
– Accommodation:
Dushanbe – “Maridians” Hotel 3*
Kalai Khum – Home stay
Vamd – Home stay
Bardara – Home stay
Khorog – “Lal” Guesthouse
Ishkashim – “Hanis” Guesthouse
Langar – Home stay
Bulunkul – Home stay
Tents during trekking
– English speaking guide
– Porter & donkey
– Cooker during trekking
– National Park fee
– Visa support
– Entrances to all museums
– Mineral water during the tour
– All equipment (including tents, mats & all necessary kitchen equipment)
Service does not include:
– Single rooms
– Early check-in
– Travel insurance
– Visa
– GBAO permit