Dushanbe to Osh on Pamir Highway

Dushanbe to Osh on Pamir Highway – 7 days

Explore the planet’s epic road trip Pamir Highway: one of the wildest roads in the world. Stretching more than 1,200km between the cities of Osh in Kyrgyzstan and Dushanbe in Tajikistan, the Pamir Highway Road Trip travels through savage wilderness, ranging from high desert to snowy mountains and crossing passes of more than 4,000m. It is likely inhabited by more snow leopards and spiral-horned Marco Polo sheep than humans are. Stay with local people along the way and experience the Pamiri culture. Enjoy panoramic views while doing short hikes on your tour.

Highlights from the Pamir Highway Adventure:

Journey through the stunning Wakhan Valley, following the Panj River along the Afghan border, with breathtaking views of Afghan villages and towering peaks.
Stay in traditional Pamiri homestays and Kyrgyz yurts, experiencing warm hospitality and home-cooked meals.
Hike to the Majestic Lenin Peak Glaciers one of the Pamir Mountains’ most iconic peaks.
Explore ancient sites like the Ishkashim Fortress, and Yamchun Fortress, and unwind at the Bibi Fatima Hot Springs.
Discover the second-highest dam in the world, Nurek Dam, and the second-highest Khorog Botanical Garden in the world.
Ride yaks in Bash-Gumboz and photograph high-altitude lakes like Yashilkul, Karakul, and Tulparkul.
Cross the Akbaital Pass (4,655 m) and scenic Alay Valley, concluding in Osh, one of Kyrgyzstan’s oldest cities.

Destination: Pamir Highway, Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan
Itinerary: Dushanbe – Darvoz (Kalaikhum) – Khorog – Ishkashim – Langar – Bulunkul and Yashilkul lakes – Alichur – Murgab – Karakul Lake – Sarymogol – Lenin Peak Base Camp – Osh city
Tour type: auto + hike
Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
Best Season: April – October
Min / Max Elevation: 750m – 4800m
Overnight stays: guesthouses, yurt camps

DAY 1: DUSHANBE TO KALAIKHUM – INTO THE PAMIRS

Welcome to the Pamir Highway!
Today we start our drive towards the gorgeous village of Khalaikhum. We will visit the 11th-century Hulbuk Palace along the way before finally entering the iconic Pamir Mountains. After driving through the spectacular valleys of the Shurobod Pass we will arrive in the village of Khalaikhum. Here we will join the Panj River, which we will be following for the next few days, and have our first views into mysterious Afghanistan, just over the border. We will have dinner and overnight in a homestay.

Driving distance/hour: 352km / 219 mi – 6 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 2: KALAIKHUM TO KHOROG – EXPLORING THE HEART OF THE PAMIRS

Once we collect our belongings, we say goodbye to our wonderful hosts and continue our journey towards Khorog, one of the main towns along the Pamir Highway, with plenty of photo stops along the way. The road from Kalaikhum to Khorog is known for its rugged terrain, winding through narrow passes and offering panoramic views of towering mountains. Ongoing road construction as of 2024 may cause delays, so be prepared for occasional stops and slower sections. Explore the town, including a visit to the Khorog Botanical Garden, one of the highest in the world.

Driving distance/hour: 240 km / 149 mi – 7 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 3: KHOROG TO LANGAR – INTO THE WAKHAN CORRIDOR

While the traditional Pamir Highway traverses through the interior mountains of Tajikistan, we will choose to follow the Panj River and enter the famous Wakhan Corridor! We leave the town of Khorog and continue to gain altitude as we make our way towards Langar. Be amazed as the imposing Afghan mountains rise on our right-hand side and local farmers across the river go about their daily lives. We’ll stop off at the Ishkashim Fortress along the way then climb up towards to the village of Yamchun. Here we will find the 12th-century Yamchun Fortress, with one of the most sensational views in the entire region. Next to the fortress is the Bibi Fatima Hot Springs, a natural bathing spot renowned for its healing properties. For those interested in a relaxing dip, the springs provide a rejuvenating experience, note that bathing is separated by gender, and clothing is not permitted inside the baths. After these highlights, we’ll drive back down towards the popular village of Langar.

Driving distance/hour: 110 km / 68 mi, 4–5 hours
Altitude: 2,900 m / 9,514 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 4: LANGAR TO ALICHUR VILLAGE VIA BULUNKUL LAKE

Today we leave Langar early and visit the ancient petroglyphs and fortress before passing over the Kargush Pass. Once we arrive at the security checkpoint at Kargush we say goodbye to the Pamir River and the nomadic Afghan farmers across the way and drive a short distance further to start the 4-hour hike up Panorama Ridge, which reaches 4800m above sea level, and has insane views of the Wakhan Range of Afghanistan and remote lakes. It’s a moderate hike, but worth the views at the top. Once we descend, we’ll continue to the tiny village of Bulunkul and have the chance to see the high alpine lakes of Bulunkul and Yashikul. We will drive to the nearby Alichur village for our local homestay tonight.

Driving distance/hour: 240 km/ 149 mi/ 5 hours
Hike: 3–4 hours, reaching 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Altitude:: Alichur village -3,850 m / 12,631 ft
Internet: Limited mobile coverage (Tcell and Megafon)
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 5: ALICHUR TO KARAKUL LAKE

We’ll have breakfast cooked by the family and soon will head east along the Pamir Highway toward Bash-Gumboz village, located 30 kilometers from Alichur. Upon arrival, a local Kyrgyz family will welcome you to their traditional yurt camp, giving you a glimpse of nomadic life in the Eastern Pamirs. 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. We shall have lunch in a local cafe in Murgab, then continue onwards to Karakul Lake. Today we cross over the 4655m high Akbaital Pass and then drive down to Karakul Lake at 4000 meters above sea level. Arrival at the lake with numerous households on the shore. Enjoy walking around this remotest village. The vistas, as you can appreciate, are phenomenal. Tonight’s accommodation will be in a local homestay near the shores of Karakul Lake.

Driving distance/hour: 352 km / 219 mi – 6 hours
Yak Riding: up to 1 hour
Altitude: 4,000 m / 13,123 ft (Karakul Lake)
Internet: No internet coverage after Murgab. Megafon 2G in Karakul.
Electricity: Solar Panels 12V, only for charging phones
Facilities: No shower, outdoor western, and squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

DAY 6: KARAKUL LAKE TO TULPARKUL LAKE, KYRGYZSTAN

We begin the day with an early departure from Karakul Lake, heading toward the Kyrgyz border. After completing the formalities at the Tajik border post, we enter an 18-kilometer neutral zone, surrounded by stunning glaciated slopes, offering breathtaking mountain views. Once we cross the Kyrgyz border at Kyzyl Art Pass, the journey continues into the scenic Alay Valley.
Our first stop is the village of Sary Moghul, where you can have lunch. Afterward, a short one-hour drive brings us to Tulparkul Lake, situated at 3,500 meters (11,482 ft) above sea level. The lake is near the base of Peak Lenin, which towers at 7,134 meters (23,406 ft). At Tulparkul, you will stay in a traditional yurt camp, often regarded as one of the most beautiful in the region.

Driving distance/hour: 150 km / 94mi – 4 hours
Altitude: Tulparkul Lake -3,500 m / 11,482 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 7: HIKE TO LENIN PEAK GLACIERS – OSH CITY

Begin the day with breakfast at the yurt camp, followed by a hike to Traveler’s Pass, located at 4,130 meters (13,550 ft). The 3-hour ascent starts just outside the yurt camp, crossing streams and winding alongside the Achyk-Tash River before reaching the pass. From this vantage point, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of glaciers cascading from Lenin Peak, which towers at 7,134 meters (23,406 ft). After a break to take in the views, we’ll make the 2-hour descent back to the yurt camp. Following lunch, you drive to Osh, one of Kyrgyzstan’s oldest cities with over 3,000 years of history. The driver will drop you off at your hotel.
End of the trip.

Driving distance/hour: 250 km/ 155mi / 5 hours
Hike: 4-5 hours, reaching 4,130m / 13,550 ft
Altitude:: Osh -900m / 2,953 ft
Internet: Available, Wi-Fi
Electricity: Available

Price in USD for Dushanbe to Osh:

Number of people	1	2	3	4
Price per person	1900	950	640	475

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.