Osh to Dushanbe on Pamir Highway in 7 days

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Osh – Sarymogol village – Tulparkol lake at Lenin Peak Base Camp, 5 – 6 hr⌄

   Breakfast. Drive to Sarymogol village, 4hr. A nice valley opens up when you reach Taldyck pass (3600 meters) with green pastures and yaks grazing around. Arrival in Sarymogol village and cross the bridge to get to yurt camp at Tulparkol lake (3500 m) next to Lenin Peak Base Camp, 1hr. Enjoy the beauty of snowcapped mountains. Walk around this turquoise alpine lake Tulparkol. Overnight & dinner in a yurt.

2. 2Tulparkol lake – border crossings – Karakul lake – 5 – 6 hr⌄

   Early breakfast. Take a day hike from your yurt camp to the Traveler’s pass at 4130 meters, 3 hrs. Enjoy the beauty of glaciers while walking up to the pass. Rest at the top of the Traveler’s pass to gaze at glaciers tumbling off the massive peak. Back to your yurts, 2 hrs. Lunch in a yurt. Drive to the check point, 2hr. Cross the borders and travel to Karakul lake in Tajikistan, 2 hrs. The totally different landscape opens up confirming that this is Tajikistan. Be accommodated in a guesthouse. A short walk around the lake.

3. 3Karakul lake – Murgab village – Alichur village, 6-7 hr⌄

   Travel goes on to Murgab via the highest pass Akbaital (4655 m) you will ever do in Tajikistan, 3hr. Take photos of glaciers on the pass. Lunch in Murgab village. Walk around the village and explore the town. Head on to Alichur village, 3 hrs. Overnight and dinner in a guesthouse

4. 4Bulungkul lake – Kargush pass – Wakhan valley – Langar village, 5-6 hr⌄

   Breakfast. Take a side trip to visit alpine Bulunkul & Yashylkul lakes with nice hot springs. Drive back to the main road and head up to the Kargush pass (4 344m). Arrival at the Kargush pass and start the 3-4 hrs trek to Panorama Ridge at 4800 meters. While walking up, two small lakes behind you at roadside open up to cheer you. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of Great Pamir on the Afghan border on top of the pass. Walk back to your car. After the pass, drive down to the Afghanistan border for another checkpoint to check your GBAO permit. Road follows the river Pamir all the way to Wakhan valley with the chance to admire the Big Pamir of Afghanistan with nomadic Afghan Kyrgyz caravans. Great rugged Hindu Kush mountain ranges welcome you right before entering Wakhan valley. Overnight and dinner in a friendly homestay in Langar village.

5. 5Langar village – Yamchun fortress – Ishkashim village – Khorog city, 5-6 hr⌄

   Breakfast. Right after you leave your guesthouse, we do a side trip to admire the 12th century Yamchun Fortress rising from a platform of natural rock. Walk up to edge of the fort and you will have an amazing view of Wakhan valley. Further up the hillside are located the hot springs of Bibi Fatima, with its crystal waters rich in minerals. Back to the main road. Another fortress Khaaka comes up along the way at Namadgut village when you get closer to Ishkashim village. It is worth a 10 minutes stop. Continue to drive to Khorog city. Afternoon, visit the interesting Regional Museum and Central Park of Khorog city. Evening hike in a Botanical Garden that has various plants and trees to explore. Dinner at a cafe. Night in a hotel.

6. 6Khorog to Darvoz (Kalaikhum), 5–6 hr⌄

   Breakfast. Travel to Darvoz district. A gorgeous road goes along the river up to the Vanj valley where the road widens up. The road continues along the Afghan border up to Kalaikhum village with picturesque scenery. Arrival in Kalaikhum village and be accommodated in a guesthouse.

7. 7Kalaikhum to Dushanbe, 5–6 hr⌄

   Breakfast. Travel to Dushanbe along the Panj river through numerous local villages along the way. Deep rocky valleys and gorgeous mountains accompany you up to the Shurobod pass before Kulab village. Lunch in a Chaikana (local cafes). Visit 11th-century Hulbuk Palace on the way and enjoy the views of the world’s highest hydropower station Nurek in a distance. Arrival in Dushanbe. Accommodation in your hotel.