Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan - Along the Pamir Highway

Itinerary

Day 1 – Dushanbe
Arrive in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore. Overnight Hotel Poytaht or similar.

Day 2 – Hissar – Dushanbe
Drive to the nearby town of Hissar to visit the remains of the 18th century fort as well as two nearby madrassahs. Return to Dushanbe in the afternoon and visit the bazaar and the excellent Museum of National Antiquities. Overnight Hotel Poytaht or similar. (BL)

Day 3 – Kalaikhumb
We set off east towards the Pamirs and Kalaikhumb, driving through beautiful scenery and interesting villages en route. This area is a little more conservative, and we see many men with beards, and women wearing traditional dress. More arrestingly, along the road we also see relics of Tajikistan’s bitter civil war of 1992-96, as tanks and armoured vehicles lie decaying wherever they were left. We cross the Khaburabot Pass (3252 metres), arriving in Kalaikhumb in the early evening. Overnight local guesthouse. (BLD)

Days 4-5 – Geisev Valley
Drive to the Geisev Valley, arriving in the afternoon of Day 4. Although we should have some time to explore upon arrival, we will explore in more depth on Day 5. The trek begins on the river Bartang just beyond Bhagoo village and is mostly gently uphill, for about 8km to the upper of three lakes. The first houses in Geisev are reached after about 5km. The abundant vegetation, the gnarled trees, the lakes and the ever-changing river - sometimes frothing with energy, sometimes limpid and blue - create a very special peaceful atmosphere, ideal for a short break without too much physical effort. This route passing lakes and rivers traverses some of the most magnificent scenery in the Pamirs. Overnight homestay. (BLD)

Day 6 – Khorog
Drive through more superb scenery, alongside the river Panj which forms the border with Afghanistan. We stay in relative luxury tonight, having reached the capital of the Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO). We have a little time to explore Khorog including the bazaar and the lovely Botanical Gardens which are perched high above the town, affording some great panoramic views. Overnight Hotel Delhi Darbar or similar. (BLD)

Day 7 - Ishkashim
About 50kms along the road to our next stop, Ishkashim, we will stop at Garmchasma hot springs for an (optional) dip in the waters. From here, we enter the Tajik half of the Wakhan Valley (shared with Afghanistan) and pass regional gem mines mentioned by Marco Polo. The most famous mine is Koh-i-Lal ruby mine which is visible from the road. Ishkashim itself may be the regional centre, but it is essentially still a large village and we stay in a traditional style guesthouse here. (BLD)

Day 8 - Langar
Visit detour to the nearby village of Namadguti to visit the Khahkha Fortress. This impressive structure rises from a naturally formed platform of rock and dates back to the Kushan era of the 3rd Century. There are a number of these ancient fortresses in the area, and we also visit Yamchun fort, perhaps the most impressive of them. We take a break at the Bibi Fatima hot springs, named for the Prophet Mohammed’s sister and where local women believe they can increase their fertility. Continuing on we then stop at the 4th Century Buddhist stupas at Vrang, reminders of the ancient pilgrim caravans that passed through the region. Overnight homestay. (BLD)

Day 9 – Murghab
Leave behind the lush valleys of the Wakhan Valley and enter a landscape that is rocky, mostly barren but nevertheless dramatic. This is the Pamir Highway we have anticipated, with the route between Khorog and Osh completed in 1931 across a Tibetan-plateau style high altitude terrain. With a total of 240kms to cover today, we anticipate arriving in Murghab early evening. Overnight homestay. (BLD)

Day 10 – Sary Tash
The final leg of our Tajik journey today as we head for Sary Tash, across the border in Kyrgyzstan. We cross several high altitude passes, including Ak-Baital Pass (4655 metres) which is the highest section of road in the former Soviet Union. We descend to Karakul Lake and then cross our final Pamir Highway high pass, the Kyzyl Art (4282 metres), which essentially forms the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Overnight homestay. (BLD)

Day 11 – Osh
We depart the high mountains of the Pamir-Altay range, leaving behind us the crossroads of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and China. The drive offers a contrast as we encounter lush farmlands and small villages on this side of the mountains, instead of the stark high altitude plateau of Tajikistan. En route we cross the Tol Dek Pass (3554m) and enjoy some beautiful views - if we're lucky we may even catch a glimpse of Peak Lenin, at 7134m the second highest mountain in Central Asia. We expect to arrive in Osh, Kyrgyzstan's oldest city in the afternoon, with time to explore. Overnight Hotel Pekin or similar. (BL)

Day 12 - Chichkan
Drive to the Suusamyr valley, along the picturesque mountain Osh highway to the Chichkan gorge. Time permitting, spend some time with opportunities to take hikes, ride horses or simply meet the local shepherds who still adhere to age old traditions. Overnight Osmon Hotel or similar, (BLD)

Day 13 - Bishkek
Drive to Bishkek and explore the capital, visiting Ala-Too Square and the History Museum among other sites. Overnight Asia Mountains Hotel or similar. (BL)

Day 14 – Lake Issyk Kul
Morning walking at Ala Archa canyon before transferring to Issyk Kul, the largest and most beautiful lake in Central Asia. Overnight Raduga Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day 15 – Bishkek
Spend some time exploring Issyk Kul, visiting the open air museum of ancient petroglyphs. Return to Bishkek, visiting the Burana Tower en route, an 11th century monument with Sogdian and Karakhanid ruins nearby. Overnight Asia Mountains Hotel or similar. (BL)

Day 16 – Bishkek
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)