Dushanbe to Osh

Day 1. Dushanbe to Kalaikhum

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 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: 205km/ 128 mi/ 5 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 3. Jizeu village to Khorog town

We will wake up for sunrise in the remote Jizeu Valley before having breakfast. Once we collect our belongings, we say goodbye to our wonderful hosts and hike back towards the main road. Our driver will meet us there and we will continue our journey towards Khorog, one of the main towns along the Pamir Highway, with plenty of photo stops along the way. In Khorog you can stay in a comfortable homestay or hotel and explore the city afternoon, including a visit to the Khorog Botanical Garden, one of the highest in the world.

• Driving distance/hour: 83km/ 52 mi/ 3 hours
• Hike: 6km/ 3.7 mi/ 2 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 4. Khorog city to Langar village

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 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 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.

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 9. 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.

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.