Osh To Dushanbe Pamir Highway Trip

Day 1. Osh – Sarymogol village – Tulparkol Lake at Lenin Peak Base Camp

Welcome to the Pamir Highway!
Today we start our drive towards Sarymogol village, 4hr. A nice valley opens when you reach Taldyk Pass (3600 meters) with green pastures and yaks grazing around. Arrive in Sarymogol village and cross the bridge to the yurt camp at Tulparkol Lake (3500 m) next to Lenin Peak Base Camp, 1hr. After settling in, enjoy a hike to Traveler’s Pass (4,130 m). The 3-hour ascent offers breathtaking views of glaciers tumbling down from Lenin Peak. After resting at the pass, return to the yurt camp (2 hrs) for dinner and overnight accommodation.

• Driving distance/hour: 250 km/ 155mi / 5 hours
• Hike: 4-5 hours, reaching 4,130m / 13,550 ft
• Internet: MegaCom
• Electricity: Available only after dinner (bring a power bank just in case)
• Facilities: Traditional yurts with outside shared showers and toilets

Day 2. Tulparkol lake – border crossings – Karakul lake

Today we will cross the border via the second-highest Pass of the Pamir Highway, Kyzylart Pass standing at 4300m. From Tulparkol Lake drive to Bordobo checkpoint,  and cross the border to Karakul Lake in Tajikistan. The different landscape opens up confirming that this is Tajikistan. Karakul Lake is the largest lake in Pamirs, formed by glaciers, and has no outflow.
After lunch take a walk around the lake. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse. 

• Driving distance/hour: 150 km / 94mi – 4 hours
• Altitude: 4,000 m / 13,123 ft (Karakul Lake)
• Internet: No internet coverage until Murgab. Megafon 2G in Karakul. 
• Electricity: Available only after dinner (bring a power bank just in case)
• Facilities: Traditional yurts with outside shared showers and toilets

.Day 3: Karakul Lake to Alichur village via Murgab town

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, 2 hrs. On the way stop in ​Bash Gumboz pasture. Here, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a yak ride through the scenic pastures. Capture some incredible photos as you explore the landscape on yak-back—an optional experience that adds a unique memory to your journey. Please note that the yak ride is not included in the tour price. Overnight and dinner in a guesthouse.

• Driving distance/hour: 352 km / 219 mi – 6 hours
• Yak Riding: up to 1 hour
• Altitude: Alichur village -3,850 m / 12,631 ft
• Internet: No internet coverage after Murgab. Megafon 2G in Karakul. 
• Electricity:  Solar Panels 12V, only for charging phones 
• Facilities: Shared outdoor shower, outdoor western, and squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people. 

Day 4. Alichur– Bulunkul Lake – Wakhan Valley – Langar village

Breakfast. Take a side trip to visit the Alpine Bulunkul and Yashylkul lakes. Drive back to the main road and head up to the Kargush pass (4 344m). Arrive 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 the 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. The road follows the river Pamir 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.

• Driving distance/hour: 240 km/ 149 mi/ 5 hours
• Hike: 3–4 hours, reaching 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
• Internet: Limited coverage (Tcell and Megafon)
• Electricity: Available, but power outages are possible (carry a power bank)
• Facilities: Shared indoor shower, outdoor western, and squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

Day 5. Hike to Engel’s Peak

We depart Langar early today as we have the opportunity to trek one of the most beautiful trails along the entire Wakhan Valley: The challenging 9-hour return trip to the 4000m-high meadows at the base of Engel’s Peak. You will be rewarded with remarkable views of the Hindu Kush and alpine streams. This is known as being one of the best side trips along the Pamir Highway, and we do not doubt that you’ll be blown away by this unique opportunity to get deeper into the Pamir Mountains. Please, prepare a picnic lunch for yourself to enjoy on the edge of a lake in the meadows, before climbing back down to Langar village. Dinner and overnight at homestay.

• Driving distance/hour: No driving
• Hike: 20km/ 12.5 mi/ 9 hours
• Altitude: 3.956m / 12,973 ft
• Internet: Limited coverage (Tcell and Megafon)
• Electricity: Available, but power outages are possible (carry a power bank)
• Facilities: Shared indoor shower, outdoor western, and squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people. 

Day 6. Langar village – Yamchun fortress – Ishkashim village – Khorog

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 the edge of the fort and you will have an amazing view of the 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-minute 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.

• Driving distance/hour: 110 km / 68 mi, 4–5 hours
• Altitude: 2,200 m / 7,218 ft
• Internet: Tcell (4G), Megafon (4G), Wi-Fi
• Electricity: Available
• Facilities: Shared indoor shower and western toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people. 

Day 7. Khorog town to Jizeu village

Today we drive towards the Bartang Valley and begin an adventure that may prove to be your favorite part of the trip. The 4x4s will drop us off at the trailhead to Jizeu Valley and we will commence a truly spectacular 2-hour hike to the remote Jizeu Village. The views we will discover on this hike are barren and wild, and this is known for being one of the real highlights of the Pamir Highway, that very few travelers visit. There are no roads to this village, so we will need to take our supplies with us for one night staying with local families. You do not need to bring much with you – just a change of clothes, medication, water for the hike, and your camera gear, and everything else will stay with our driver in the car. We will have lunch and dinner in the Jizeu Village. This is an isolated region, and we will only be able to organize our accommodation once we arrive in the village. Food, blankets, pillows, and water are provided at the homestay.

• Driving distance/hour: 83km/ 52 mi/ 3 hours
• Hike: 6km/ 3.7 mi/ 2 hours
• Altitude: Jizeu village 2,495m / 8,179 ft
• Internet: No mobile coverage
• Electricity: Available, Limited
• Facilities: outdoor squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 6 people.

Day 8: Jizeu Village to Khalaikhum Village

Wake up for sunrise in the remote Jizeu Valley before having breakfast. Once you collect your belongings, you say goodbye to your wonderful hosts and hike back towards the main road. Our driver will meet you where you were dropped off yesterday and we will continue the journey towards Kalaikhum with plenty of photo stops along the way. In Kalaikhum, you can stay in a comfortable homestay.

• Driving distance/hour: 205km/ 128 mi/ 5 hours
• Hike: 6km/ 3.7 mi/ 2 hours
• Altitude: 1200 m / 3,937 ft
• Internet: Tcell (3G), Megafon (3G), Wi-Fi
• Electricity: Available (bring a power bank just in case of outages)
• Facilities: Shared indoor shower and western toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people. 

Day 9: Khalaikhum to Dushanbe City

Today is the last day of the Pamir Highway trip.
Travel to Dushanbe along the Panj River through numerous local villages along the way. The road has been reconsrtucted recently and it will be a comfortable drive. Deep rocky valleys and gorgeous mountains accompany you up to the Shurobod pass before Kulab village. Lunch in a Chaikana (local cafe). Visit 11th-century Hulbuk Palace on the way and enjoy the views of the world’s second-highest hydropower station Nurek in the distance. Arrival in Dushanbe. Accommodation in your hotel.

• Driving distance/hour: 352km / 219 mi – 6 hours 
• Altitude: 700 m / 2,297 ft
• Internet: Tcell (4G), Megafon (4G), Wi-Fi
• Electricity: Available 

Price in USD:

Included: English-speaking driver, transport, side trips, driver’s meals and accommodation, fuel, border fees for transport 

Not included: Your meals and accommodation, entrance fees to the site, GBAO permit and visa 

• If you plan for a private tour, you can choose your own start date and book it exclusively for yourself.
• If you prefer to join a group and share costs with fellow travelers, visit this page to view available group dates.
• Should none of the listed trip dates suit your schedule, you are welcome to set your own date. We will then advertise your chosen date to gather other interested travelers to join you.