Tajikistan – Pamir Highway

Overview

Start: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Finish: Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Duration: 13 Days

Max. Group Size: 10

To drive the Pamir Highway is to complete one of the world’s greatest high altitude road trips.

Over 13-days we will traverse more than 1,200km of this famous route – linking the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, to Osh in Kyrgyzstan, via the Pamir mountains – known as the Roof of the World.

The adventure evokes the spirit of the ancient-Silk Road, crossing Central Asia by land, through jaw-dropping scenery, stopping at historic sites along the way, and meeting the communities who live in this remote corner of the world.

The early stages of the trip see us cross a 3,000m pass and descent to the Panj River, travelling along it and skirting the border of Afghanistan, which sits just across the water.

We stop at hot springs, travel through immense gorges and pass waterfalls – with overnight stops in Kalaikhumb, Khorogh, Ishkashim and Langar – staying in a mixed of local homestays and guesthouses.

We then head north, turning away from Afghanistan, into one of the most isolated parts of Central Asia. Crossing mountain passes and into vast valleys, we stop at Bulunkul and enjoy a rest day around Yashilkul Lake.

The road trip then returns to the Pamir Highway, where we continue east, to Murghab and on through remote mountains to Kyrgyzstan – at times higher reaching altitudes higher than 4,000m. We then finish the trip in the bustling Kyrgyz city, Osh.

A tour which takes you on one of the world’s greatest road trips, through one of the most beautiful parts of Central Asia.

Route

Itinerary

Arrive in Dushanbe.
Transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Dushanbe.

The trip begins early in the morning were we will be heading straight to one of the most spectacular mountain roads in the world: the Pamir Highway. Our four-wheel drive vehicles will scale the first pass at more than 3000 metres and descend to the valley of the mighty Panj River.
Overnight in Kalaikhum.

Following an early start, we begin our journey along the Pamir Highway, to to the capital of the Pamirs, Khorogh. Following the route of the Panj River, also known as the Oxus in ancient times, with Afghanistan just across on the other side of the water. On the drive you will see daily life in the mud-brick Afghan villages. At times the Pamir Highway squeezes through dazzling gorges and crosses rickety suspension bridges.
Once in Khorogh there will be a little time to explore the town.
Overnight in Khorogh.

A days drive along the Panj river, with Afghanistan a constant companion on the other side.
Visit Khoroghs’ Botanical Garden and the famous Garm Chashma hot springs along the way.
Continue to Ishkashim.
Overnight in Ishkashim.

From Ishkashim we continue towards Langar with several stops on the way.
We will visit Kah’kaha the Yamchun Qala Fortresses, the local museum in Yamg and a Buddhist Ziggurat complex. Later in the day we have the opportunity to relax by the Bibi’ Fatima hot spring.
Overnight in Langar.

Today we leave the views of Afghanistan and turn northward, crossing the 4300m high Khargush Pass (not passable in winter) and then drive to Alichur.
Overnight in Alichur.

Day trip to Bulunkul and Yashikul Lakes.
Bulunkul is famous for being the coldest inhabited place in Central Asia (reaching -63C). However, it is pleasant in summer.
We have a full day in and around Bulunkul lake to enjoy some rest, find some short local hiking routes along the lake or enjoy the warm springs at Yashilkul Lake.
Overnight in Alichur.

Following a rugged road through spectacular mountains and valleys.
We will stop by Okbalik lake and also visit local nomadic families that are herding Yak in the area. This area is well known for its Marco-Polo sheep and Siberian Ibex.
Overnight in Jarty’Gumbaz.

After breakfast we head down the hills off the dirt roads, and return to the Pamir Highway and drive to Murghab.
En-route we stop at the old Soviet Shor-bulak observatory, sitting at an impressing 4300 meters.
Once in Murghab, walk the streets of the town and immerse yourself with the locals.
Overnight in Murghab.

We continue our drive along the Pamir Highway via the highest point of the Pamir Highway, the Ak-Baital Pass (4656m). We then reach Karakul, the biggest lake in Tajikistan.
Spend the afternoon walking around the lake and taking in the scenery.
Overnight in Karakul.

We leave Tajikstan and enter Kyrgyzstan and drive to the small township of Sarimogol for lunch. From here we continue to Tulpar Kul Lake.
If time permits, there will be an opportunity to hike to the viewpoint of the Lenin Peak range.
Overnight in Tulpar Kul.

We make our final journey along the Pamir Highway to Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
In the afternoon we will visit ”Takhty Sulaiman”, a cave and museum in the Solomon’s Mountain.
Overnight in Osh.

Transfer to Osh Airport.
End of trip.

All accommodation
Breakfast
All meals along the Pamir Highway
All transport including English speaking driver-guide
Camping equipment
Driver’s fee
Entrance fees
Drinking water

Visas
Insurance
International flights
Meals in Dushanbe and Osh
Additional transport costs for any detours
Tips

Dates & Prices

Package Confirmed Dates

Trip Status Current Status

Tour Price in USD

Booking

16th Aug

28th Aug, 2027

Available

$ 2750

Book

Information

We do not directly arrange international flights to and from Tajikistan. We can suggest routes and operators.

Many nationalities can travel to Tajikistan visa-free. Some nationalities will require a visa to enter Tajikistan. If so, a single-entry e-visa is available. All guests will require a GBAO permit to visit the Badakhshan region, where we will be travelling in. This can be obtained along with a visa ahead of travel, or we will help facilitate this locally.

We provide breakfast each day, as well as all meals along the Pamir Highway. Lunch and/or dinners are not included in Dushanbe or Osh.

We do not and cannot offer a uniform accommodation standard on our itineraries. Even if we wanted to, the reality is that standards in Dushanbe cannot be compared to a home stay in an isolated valley in the Pamirs. We consider comfort, location, design, character, historical interest and whether the money we spend will go into the pockets of the local community when we make our choices of where to stay. Along the Pamir Highway we will primarily be staying in local guesthouses and homestays that have limited rooms and sharing may be required.

When we choose our vehicles and drivers we take into consideration the road conditions, the length of journey and the competence of the man behind the wheel. We will only be travelling by four-wheel drive vehicles because the majority of the road is essentially a dirt track (despite that “Pamir Highway” suggests smooth tarmac). Your comfort, enjoyment and safety of the journey is the top priority.

On this trip you will be accompanied by an experienced local English-speaking driver-guide.

Tajikistan including the Autonomous Region of Badakhshan is currently a stable area. However, we monitor the situation closely and we listen very carefully to advice from the foreign office and from our friends in the areas we visit. Our client’s safety is our primary concern. We must state that the tour leader has the final word with regards to changes in the itinerary for safety reasons. Whilst the route we have chosen passes through areas which we consider to be stable things can change and we may have to alter the route or cancel sections of the trip at short notice.