Question 1

What will the food be like on a Pamir Highway trip?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

Food along the Pamir Highway will be simple, hearty, and shaped by the local Pamiri and Kyrgyz cuisine. Expect a lot of home-cooked meals at the homestays as they usually offer breakfast and dinner. A typical day’s eating might be:

Breakfast: Often this is tea, bread with butter/jam or porridge. It’s basic fuel to start the day.
Lunch: We usually stop in a village or at a roadside chaihana (tea house). Lunch could be a bowl of laghman (noodle soup with veggies and maybe meat) or another local specialty. Sometimes the driver/guide will arrange a picnic style lunch if there’s a scenic spot and no cafe – like bread, cheese, canned meats, cucumbers, etc., on the go.
Dinner: Dinners at homestays might include a soup or stew (like shorpo, a mutton soup with potatoes) and side dishes like boiled potatoes and salads of tomato and cucumber (in summer). You’ll also get endless pot of tea (green or black) and bread (the round Central Asian naan bread). Pamiri homes may serve dairy products like fresh yogurt. Meat is a precious protein in these remote regions so don't expect big portions of it.

Vegetables and fruits are scarce at the highest altitudes as they have difficulties growing, but in lower towns (e.g., Khorog) you’ll see more greens and maybe even fruits in season (apples, apricots). We encourage you to try local specialties like pamir “butter tea” or "sheer chai" is tea with butter and salt). It's an acquired taste but part of the experience. We also encourage you to bring snacks like biscuits, chocolate, or nuts so you won’t go hungry between stops. Many guests enjoy the unique experience of dining by candle or solar lamp, sharing a meal with a host, and experiencing the regional flavors that few people have an opportunity to taste. If you are vegetarian or have dietary restrictions, let us know in advance so we can make arrangements with the hosts. You'll be served more eggs, dairy and vegetables, when possible.

Question 2

What will the food be like on a Pamir Highway trip?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

Food along the Pamir Highway will be simple, hearty, and shaped by the local Pamiri and Kyrgyz cuisine. Expect a lot of home-cooked meals at the homestays as they usually offer breakfast and dinner. A typical day’s eating might be:

Breakfast: Often this is tea, bread with butter/jam or porridge. It’s basic fuel to start the day.
Lunch: We usually stop in a village or at a roadside chaihana (tea house). Lunch could be a bowl of laghman (noodle soup with veggies and maybe meat) or another local specialty. Sometimes the driver/guide will arrange a picnic style lunch if there’s a scenic spot and no cafe – like bread, cheese, canned meats, cucumbers, etc., on the go.
Dinner: Dinners at homestays might include a soup or stew (like shorpo, a mutton soup with potatoes) and side dishes like boiled potatoes and salads of tomato and cucumber (in summer). You’ll also get endless pot of tea (green or black) and bread (the round Central Asian naan bread). Pamiri homes may serve dairy products like fresh yogurt. Meat is a precious protein in these remote regions so don't expect big portions of it.

Vegetables and fruits are scarce at the highest altitudes as they have difficulties growing, but in lower towns (e.g., Khorog) you’ll see more greens and maybe even fruits in season (apples, apricots). We encourage you to try local specialties like pamir “butter tea” or "sheer chai" is tea with butter and salt). It's an acquired taste but part of the experience. We also encourage you to bring snacks like biscuits, chocolate, or nuts so you won’t go hungry between stops. Many guests enjoy the unique experience of dining by candle or solar lamp, sharing a meal with a host, and experiencing the regional flavors that few people have an opportunity to taste. If you are vegetarian or have dietary restrictions, let us know in advance so we can make arrangements with the hosts. You'll be served more eggs, dairy and vegetables, when possible.