Pamir Highway 2

Transfer along the Pamir Highway. The drive promises to be incredibly scenic, so grab a window seat: we’ll see red mountains and rivers, the vastness of the Alay Valley, and the dizzying serpentine road of the Taldyk Pass (3600 m), and finally, the snowy northern face of the seven-thousander, Lenin Peak (7134 m).

Upon arrival at the yurt camp, situated in the Edelweiss Meadow (3600 m) with the best views of Lenin Peak, we’ll check-in and enjoy lunch.

Afterward, we’ll take a walk to the Lukovaya (Leek) Meadow (3800 m) – a protected meadow that was once place for climbing camps but is now inhabited only by marmots and wild green onions. During the height of the swift Pamir summer, the meadow turns into a vibrant green carpet with a riot of colors, and by the end of August, it becomes a silent realm painted in ochre hues.

We'll follow a beautiful route along the edge of the Achik-Tash Canyon, where we’ll see whimsical pillar-like rocks, a conical pyramid, the confluence of two rivers, and colorful mountains. We’ll hear the rush of water and the resonant silence of the stones.

Walking time: 2 hrs; altitude difference: +250 m, -250 m.

Overnight at “Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp (3600 m).

Travel time: 5–6 hrs; altitude difference: -260 m, +260 m.

We’ll start this morning with an easy hiking along the picturesque "fjords" of the Achik-Tash Valley, dotted with a variety of beautiful, colorful lakes. Some of them even join together, changing shapes every year. Their sparkling turquoise surface reflects the impressive peaks of the Pamirs, and herds of yaks often graze along the shores.

Next, we’ll head to the large, pristine Tulpar-Kol Lake. We’ll descend to the river and cross a bridge to the other side, where the sacred lake lies. The locals believe one shouldn't take water, bathe, and feed cattle or fish. According to shepherds, it's best to come to the lake with a clear mind. You can pray on the shore, dip sick parts of your body or sprinkle them with water, and you'll definitely receive healing. We’ll walk around the lake, taking in its winding shapes from different view points, and learn about the daily life and traditions of the nomadic Kyrgyz whose yurts are nearby. Along the way, we may encounter donkeys, horses, and untouched meadows filled with delicate blooming edelweiss, vibrant buttercups, and alpine forget-me-nots.

Return to the yurt camp. Culinary master class on cooking Uzgen plov.

Overnight at “Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp (3600 m).

After breakfast at the yurt camp, we will set out for the "Kyzyl-Art" Kyrgyz-Tajik land border.The journey includes an ascent to the Kyzyl-Art Pass (4280 m) through the Trans Alay Range. 

Following border formalities, we continue to the picturesque high-altitude Karakul Lake (3914 m). Karakul, meaning "Black Lake" in Turkic, is an endorheic glacial-tectonic lake formed approximately 25 million years ago by a meteorite impact. Situated 100 meters higher than Lake Titicaca in the Andes, Karakul is surrounded by barren rocky ridges, with its western edges descending directly into the lake and the eastern ridges standing several kilometers away. The crater has a diameter of 45 km, and the lake covers an area of 380 sq. km (excluding islands) with a maximum depth of around 240 meters.

After a roadside lunch, the journey continues to Murghab via the Ak-Baital Pass (4655 m), one of the highest drivable pass in the world.

Murghab, the highest settlement in Tajikistan and all of Central Asia, is located on the Murghab Plateau. Founded in the late 19th century as the Pamir Post of the Russian Empire, Murghab is home to a bazaar and craft shops where you can purchase unique handmade items crafted by Pamiri artisans: handwoven carpets, traditional hats (kalpaks), bags, embroidered textiles, and other souvenirs.

Accommodation at a local hotel and dinner.

Overnight at the hotel.

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Transfer to Langar, a high-altitude village in the Wakhan Valley of the Southern Pamirs.

The journey takes you through the Wakhan Corridor, a remote and rarely visited region that is part of the historical and cultural Gorno-Badakhshan (“Mountain Badakhshan”) autonomous region. This narrow strip of land, bordered by the Pamir ranges to the north and the Hindu Kush mountains to the south, connects Afghanistan and China along the upper reaches of the Panj and Wakhan rivers. Prepare for dizzying switchbacks and steep slopes as the road winds along high terraces. On clear days, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the snow-capped seven-thousanders of the Hindu Kush, the highest peaks of Afghanistan.

Arriving in Langar, situated at an altitude of 3000 meters and surrounded by towering peaks of the Pamirs and Hindu Kush, you’ll experience the unique lifestyle and traditions of the local Wakhi people. Langar is famous for its ancient petroglyphs – over 6,000 rock carvings depicting scenes of hunting, caravans, and horsemen have been discovered here. The village also features a small local museum and the Shrine of Shoh Kambari Oftob, the man who brought Ismailism to the region. This mausoleum is a sacred site where traditional mountain rituals are still performed.

The Aryan peoples inhabiting the Wakhan Valley are extraordinarily fascinating. Their culture reflects a vivid and unique blend of various religions, traditions, and philosophies, all while maintaining a deep sense of unity and harmony with the surrounding majestic mountains. The history of the Wakhan bears the footprints of Alexander the Great and his army, who propagated Greco-Buddhism here; Tibetan Buddhists, who founded massive monasteries; Arabs, who brought Islam; and Mongol conquerors, whose assistance was sought by Sunni and Ismaili factions in their struggles against each other.

Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional guesthouse.

Transfer to the village of Ishkashim, with a stop at Jamg along the way. Sightseeing in Jamg: visit the tomb and reconstructed house-museum of the renowned scholar, inventor, poet, and musician Sufi Mubarak Kadam. You’ll also see a stone with a hole that was used as a sundial over 700 years ago.

We will also stop at the Bibi Fatima hot springs, famous for their legendary healing properties. The name of the springs is associated with Fatima, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad. The water, which maintains a constant temperature of +40°C throughout the year, contains radon and other minerals, giving it unique therapeutic qualities. The springs emerge from the rock in two places, referred to by locals as “Fatima’s sleeves.” There is a small infrastructure around the springs, including a pool, changing rooms, and relaxation areas. You can also descend a staircase to enjoy a refreshing shower under a small natural waterfall.

Lunch will be provided as boxed meals en route.

Arrival in Ishkashim.

Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional guesthouse.

Transfer to Khorog, the administrative center of Gorno-Badakhshan, a charming green town surrounded by towering poplar trees and traditional Pamiri houses on its outskirts. Nestled in a deep gorge at 2200 meters above sea level, near the confluence of the Gunt and Panj Rivers, Khorog is protected from strong winds and harsh winters, enjoying warm, dry summers. The town is famous for its lush gardens filled with apple, apricot, and mulberry trees.

Upon arrival in Khorog, check-in at the hotel. Sightseeing in Khorog: visit the Pamir Botanical Garden, the second highest botanical garden in the world (after Nepal’s), featuring a unique collection of flora from across the globe. The garden is located on river terraces above the eastern part of Khorog at an altitude of 2320 meters, offering stunning views. Next, explore the History and Ethnography Museum, showcasing fascinating exhibits on the region’s history, art, and crafts. A standout artifact is the first piano brought to the Pamirs, carried by ten soldiers on foot from Osh in 1914 for the daughter of a local ruler. The soldiers followed much the same route we have traveled over the past few days, but without the convenience of modern transport.

Finally, stop by the local bazar, where you can purchase fresh produce, fruits, and local specialties.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to the village of Kalai-Khumb with a stop at the ancient site of Karon, located at an altitude of around 2000 meters in the Darvaz District of Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan. This archaeological treasure is an ancient monument of architecture and culture, with excavations that began in 2013.

Lunch en route. Arrival in Kalai-Khumb, a small town near the Afghan border, situated at the confluence of the Khumbob and Panj Rivers. This settlement, located at an altitude of 1200 meters, has a population of around 2,000 people. Its name translates from Tajik as "Fortress at the Bottom of a Jug." Kalaikhumb was founded in the 15th century as a fortress along the Khumbob River and served as the capital of the independent Tajik principality of Darvaz (meaning "gateway") until the mid-19th century.

The Darvaz District is known for its fertile land and agricultural production. Locally grown crops include grains, melons (watermelons and cantaloupes), vegetables, and fruits. In Kalaikhumb, you’ll have the opportunity to taste the region’s finest pomegranates, figs, persimmons, pistachios, and almonds, freshly harvested from the surrounding areas.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, with stops at the Mausoleum of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani and Hulbuk Fortress along the way.

Lunch in the city of Kulob.

Arrival in Dushanbe, a vibrant and sunny city with a well-developed infrastructure, known for its numerous streets, avenues, and squares named after poets and writers. The name "Dushanbe" translates from Tajik as "Monday," as the city grew around a crossroads where a major market was held on Mondays.

Sightseeing in Dushanbe: National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan, home to a unique collection of ancient artifacts, including the centerpiece, the colossal statue "Buddha in Nirvana," measuring 12.9 meters in length and weighing 5.5 tons (6th–8th centuries); Independence Square and Rudaki Avenue; Monument to Ismail Samani, the founder of the Samanid dynasty.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport. The end of the program.