Description
OSH – MURGHAB – ISHKASHIM – KHOROG – JIZEV – KALAI KHUMB – DUSHANBE
VIA PAMIR HIGHWAY TO WAKHAN CORRIDOR
ITINERARY
Day 1. Osh – Sary Mogol – Tulparlake (8-10 hours of driving including stops)
After flying into Osh, Kyrgyzstan, heading to Sary-Mogol, a village which offers the best views of Lenin Peak (7134 m). Half day hike towards the Lenin Peak base camp. Overnight in a homestay in Sary-Mogol (Tulparlake). 265 km
Meals: L/D
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the day – 950m in Osh. at end of the day – 3355m Sary-Mogol)
Day 2. Tulparlake – Ak-Baital Pass (4656m) – Murghab (10-12 hours of driving)
Drive to the border and cross over into Tajikistan, change of cars/drivers. Short hike along the biggest lake – Karakul. Visit solar calendar. Continue driving to Murghab via the highest mountain pass in the former Soviet Union – Ak-Baital (4656 m). Short stop near the first Tsarist Russian military base in the Pamirs. Overnight in a homestay in Murghab. 311 km
Meals: B/Picnic/D
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the day – 3355m Sary-Mogol. The highest point 4656m Ak-Baital. At end of the day – 3630m Murghab)
Day 3. Murghab – Modian (boating day)
A day boating on Murgab River to Madian village. Enjoying the stunning landscape of the Murghab plateau from a new perspective. Overnight in a homestay in Murghab. 70km
Meals: B/Picnic/D
(Altitudes above sea level during all day:– 3630m Murghab)
Day 4. Murghab – Bulunkul (5-6 hours of driving)
Heading towards Bulunkul village (the coldest place in Tajikistan). A half-day yak safari to observe the wildlife (in particular of Marco-Polo sheep and Ibex) with binoculars / spotting scopes. In the evening drive to Bulunkul village. Overnight in a homestay in Bulunkul. 145 km
Meals: B/L/D
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the day – 3630m Murghab. At end of the day – 3737m Bulunkul)
Day 5. Bulunkul – Khargush Pass – Langar (8-10 hours of driving)
Early morning visit of Yashilkul and Bulunkul lakes. Heading to the Tajik Wakhan via the Khargush pass (4344 m). 2-3 hours hike to the viewpoint of the pass (Panorama Ridge) for the great view of the entire Wakhan valley. Overnight in a homestay in Langar village. 130 km
Meals: B/L/D
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the day – 3737m Bulunkul. The highest point 4344m Khargush Pass. At end of the day – 2800m Langar)
Day 6. Langar-Zong trek - Vichkut
2-3 hours mountain trekking on the route Langar- Zong. Highlights: great view of the whole Wakhan valley with Afghan Hindukush on the background, ruins of Abreshimkala (‘Silk fortress), petroglyphs, good view of the Engels (6507 m) South face. In the afternoon visit Solar Calendar and Museum of Sufi Muboraki Wakhoni, astronomer and scholar of the 19th century, ruins of ancient Yamchun fortress (3rd-1st century BCE). After dinner at a homestay, soak in Bibi-Fatima hot spring. Overnight in a homestay in Vichkut village. 35 km
Meals: B/Picnic/D
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the day – 2800m Langar. The highest point 3200mYamchun fortress. At end of the day – 3000m Vichkut)
Day 7. Vichkut – Khorog (8-10 hours of driving)
Heading to Khorog. On the way short stop to discover the ruins of Kah-Kaha fortress and watch Kuhi-La’l ruby mines from distance. Overnight in a homestay in Khorog. 211km
Meals: B/L/D
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the day – 3000m Vichkut. At end of the day – 2100m Khorog)
Day 8. Khorog city full day tour
Khorog City Tour: Botanical Garden, Khorog Historical Museum, University of Central Asia - Khorog Campus, City Park, Visitor Info Center, handicraft shops. Overnight in a homestay in Khorog. 30 km
Meals: B/L/D
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the day – 2100m Khorog. The highest point 2320m Botanical garden. At end of the day – 2100m Khorog)
Day 9. Khorog – Jizev (8-10 hours of driving)
Drive to Bartang valley. 2-3 hours hike uphill to Jizew village. Discover the small villages and the lakes. Overnight in a homestay in Jizew village. 102 km
Meals: B/Picnic/D
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the day – 2100m Khorog. At end of the day – 2800m Jizev)
Day 10. Jizev – Kalai Khmub (also Darvaz), (8-10 hours of driving)
Hike down to the main road. Drive to Kalai-Khumb. On the way short stop to see the Vomar fortress. Enjoy the view of the Afghan villages along the Panj River. Overnight in Darvaz Guest-house. 225 km
Meals: B/L/D
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the day – 2800m Jizev. At end of the day – 1295m Darvaz)
Day 11. Darvaz –Kulyab – Dushanbe (10-12 hours of driving)
Drive to Dushanbe. On the way discover the mausoleum of a poet and scholar of the 14th century Khoja Mir Sayid AliHamadani in Kulyab, Hulbuk fortress and enjoy the view of Nurek Lake Dam. Overnight in a private apartment in Dushanbe. 355 km
Meals: B/L/D
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the day – 1295m Darvaz.The highest point 2126m Shurobod. At end of the day – 780m Dushanbe)
What you will see:
Panj River and its gorges, along the Afghan border/ The famous Wakhan valley /Ancient fortresses Abreshimkala, Kah-Kaha and Yamchun / Petroglyphs / Tulparkul and Yashilkul lakes / Jizev village with lakes/ the Pamir plateau/ Hulbuk Fortress/ Nurek lake dam
What you will enjoy:
historical places / bathing in hot springs / amazing scenery of the Afghan Hindu-Kush and Jizev beauty/ Pamiri hospitality / Tulaprkul lake and Yashikul lake fantastic scenery/ possibility of seeing ducks and Indian goose (Anser Indicus) in their natural habitat
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Visa
Insurance
Supplement for single room
All other personal expenses
Accommodation options:
1. – Tulpar Lake -Guesthouse
2. - Murghab -Guesthouse
3. - Murghab -Guesthouse
4. - Bulunkul -Homestay
5. - Zong -Guesthouse, double room and twin room, share washroom
6. -Vichkut -Homestay
7. - Khorog -Pamir Alibaba Hotel
8. - Khorog -Pamir Alibaba Hotel
9. - Jizev -Homestay
10. -Kalai-Khumb/Darvaz -Guesthouse