Bishkek to Dushanbe Pamir Highway Trip

DAY 1: BISHKEK – BURANA TOWER – SONG KUL LAKE 

Driving: 5-hour   Accommodation: Yurt stay

Travel to Song Kul Lake. Take a detour to visit the 12th-century architectural sight Burana Tower. An exotic view of the alpine lake Song Kul opens up when you reach Kalmak Ashuu Pass. Drive down to the shore of the lake and be accommodated in a yurt. Walk around the lake.

DAY 2: SONG KUL LAKE – NARYN CITY – TASH RABAT  

Driving: 6-hour,   Accommodation: Yurt stay

Drive south of the lake to reach Moldo Ashuu Pass. Nice drive on switchbacks. Enjoy the beauty of colorful mountains while driving to Naryn City. Lunch break in Naryn. Arrive in Tash Rabat Silk Road caravanserai. We take a tour to this historical site. Overnight and dinner in a yurt.

DAY 3: TASH RABAT – NARYN CITY – KAZARMAN VILLAGE 

Driving: 7-hour,   Accommodation: Homestay

Head on to Kazarman village. Enjoy driving along the overflowing river Naryn, the largest river in Kyrgyzstan. Pass by yurts of shepherds while driving over passes. Arrival and accommodation in a homestay.

DAY 4: KAZARMAN VILLAGE – KALDAMA PASS – OSH CITY  

Driving: 6-hour,   Accommodation: Hotel

The highlight of the day is Kaldama Pass. Amazing mountain ranges open up on top of the pass. Descend down the pass. Driving through dense bushes covering the road and mountain slopes that delights your senses. Arrival in Osh city and accommodation in a hotel.

DAY 5: OSH CITY – SARY MOGOL VILLAGE – LENIN PEAK BASE CAMP

Driving: 5-hour,   Accommodation: Yurt stay

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. Arrive in Sarymogol village and cross the bridge to get to the yurt camp at Tulparkol Lake (3500 m) next to the base camp of Lenin Peak, 1hr. Enjoy the beauty of the snowcapped mountains of Lenin Peak (7134 m). Walk around the lake. Overnight & dinner in yurt.

DAY 6: SARYMOGOL VILLAGE – KARAKUL LAKE IN TAJIKISTAN 

Driving: 5-hour,   Accommodation: Homestay

Breakfast. Drive back to the main road and further up to the checkpoint, 2hr. Cross the Kyrgyz border and drive on no man’s land about 20 km to get to the Tajik border point. Enjoy driving over Kyzylart Pass (4280 m) with glaciers at the roadside. Cross Tajik border and head up to Karakul Lake, 1hr. Totally different landscapes and relief open up in front of you. Have lunch in a guesthouse at Karakul Lake. A short walk in the village. Be accommodated in a guesthouse.

DAY 7: KARAKUL LAKE – MURGAB – ALICHUR VILLAGE 

Driving: 5-hour,   Accommodation: Homestay

Travel continues to Murghab via the Ak-Baital Pass (4,655 m) — the highest road pass in Tajikistan and one of the most impressive sections of the Pamir Highway. The drive takes about 3 hours, with a short side trip offering a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of Karakul Lake and surrounding glaciers. Take a one-hour walk near the pass to enjoy panoramic mountain scenery and capture stunning photos.
Upon arrival in Murghab — often called the “heart of the Eastern Pamirs” — stop for lunch. This remote highland town is an important hub where you can buy snacks, refill water, exchange money, or purchase a local SIM card.
After lunch, continue towards Alichur village. Along the way, those interested can enjoy a short yak-riding experience (10–15 minutes) and visit a local nomadic family. You’ll be welcomed into their yurt, where you can taste traditional yak yogurt and fresh bread while learning about their mountain lifestyle. Return to the main road and continue to Alichur. Dinner and overnight in a cozy guesthouse.

DAY 8: ALICHUR VILLAGE – HIKE TO PEAK MAHAN 4400M – MALJURAN YURT CAMP

Driving: 1-hour   Accommodation: Yurt camp

After breakfast, drive to the beautiful Maljuran Valley — a hidden gem surrounded by rugged peaks and crystal-clear alpine lakes.
Today’s hike covers approximately 11 km and takes about 5–6 hours. The trail begins near the yurt camp and ascends gently at first, with a short steep section before flattening out for the next couple of kilometers. As you continue, the path alternates between moderate and steeper climbs, leading to the first panoramic viewpoint. Here, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. Those preferring a shorter hike may return from this point or wait for the group, while avid trekkers can continue to Mahan Peak 4400m. From the summit, enjoy a truly magnificent view of Yashilkul Lake, Bulunkol Lake, and the vast Alichur Valley shimmering in the distance — a breathtaking scene that captures the essence of the Pamirs.
After a well-deserved break and some snacks, descend along the same trail back to the yurt camp, enjoy a hearty homemade meal and unwind in the natural hot spring — the ideal way to relax after a challenging yet rewarding day in the mountains. In the evening, immerse yourself in local life as herders milk their yaks, offering a glimpse into traditional Pamiri culture. Overnight at the yurt camp.

DAY 9: MALJURAN YURT CAMP – PANORAMA RIDGE HIKE AT KARGUSH PASS – LANGAR 

Driving: 6 hour,  Hiking: 3-4 hours, Accommodation: Homestay

Breakfast. Take a detour to visit Bulunkul and the Yashylkul lakes with nice hot springs. Back to the main road and head up to the Kargush Pass, 1hr. Arrive on the pass and start the hike to Panorama Ridge at 4800 meters. It gives you a chance to view a snowy Afghan Wakhan and to spot the stunning mountain scenery of Great Pamir on the Afghan border. While walking up, two small lakes behind you at the roadside open up to cheer you. Break for lunch at the top of Panorama Ridge and walk back to your car on the south side of the ridge. Drive down to the Afghanistan border for another checkpoint to check your GBAO permit. Road follows the river Pamir all the way to the Wakhan corridor, with the chance to admire the Big Pamir of Afghanistan with nomadic Afghan Kyrgyz caravans. Great rugged Hindu Kush mountain ranges of Pakistan welcome you right before entering Wakhan valley. Overnight and dinner in a friendly homestay in Langar village.

DAY 10: LANGAR – YAMCHUN FORTRESS & HOT SPRINGS – ISHKASHIM VILLAGE – KHOROG CITY Y

Driving: 5-hour,   Accommodation: Homestay

Breakfast. Right after you leave your guesthouse, we do a detour on the way 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 Wakhan Valley. Further up the hillside are located the hot springs of Bibi Fatima, with its crystal waters rich in minerals. 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 café. Night in a hotel.

DAY 11: BARTANG VALLEY – JIZEU VALLEY – LAKES & WILDLIFE COMMUNITY

Driving: 5-hour,   Hiking: 3-hour,     Accommodation: Homestay

Drive to Bartang Valley, 3 hours. Arrive at the starting point and cross the bridge off the road. Walk along the stream up to the seasonally over-flowing, tree-lined river lakes in the village, 3 hours. Be accommodated in one of the guesthouses. The first lake is at the beginning of the village and the second one is about 2,3km beyond the last guesthouse. And 10 km beyond the second lake, there are two more lakes and a horizon of high peaks that need one more overnight to do it. Bring your food or things you need since there is no shop and electricity. You can use spring waters if it is Ok for you.

DAY 12: BARTANG VALLEY TO KALAIKHUM VILLAGE 

Driving: 6-hour,   Hiking: 2-hour,     Accommodation: Homestay

Breakfast. Walk back to your car, 2-hour. Meet your driver and travel to Darvoz district, 4hrs. The 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. Arrive in Kalaikhum village and be accommodated in a guesthouse.

DAY 13: KALAIKHUM VILLAGE TO DUSHANBE CITY 

Driving: 7-hour,  Accommodation: No

After breakfast, drive to Dushanbe along the Pang river with amazing views and numerous local villages. Deep rocky valleys and gorgeous mountains accompany you up to the Shurobod Pass before Kuliab 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.

Price in USD for Bishkek to Dushanbe Pamir Highway Trip:

Included: 
English speaking driver
Transport
Side trips
Driver’s meals and accommodation
Fuel
Border fees for transport
Taxes

Not included:
Your meals and accommodation
Entrance fees to sites

• 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.