Destination: Pamir Mountains, south-east of Tajikistan
Don’t just visit the roof of the world — climb all over it. Take a 3-day trek through the remote and imposing mountains Pamirs. The challenging trails will reward you with a stunning combination of towering peaks and vast valleys. Rest and relax overnight in authentic shepherd’s yurt, where you’ll experience the traditional ways long forgotten by the modern world.
- Vast expanses of craggy and snow-capped mountains
- Meet a local yak-herders in their authentic yurt camps
- The scenic alpine Lake Zor Kul once called a Victoria Lake by British explorers
Time: 5 days, 4 nights
Accommodation: 2 night at homestays / 2 nights in yurts
Trekking Distance: 36 km
Total Elevation Gain/Loss: 2820m+ / 2156m-
Months Possible: July – September
Difficulty: Moderate to Demanding
Start/End Point: Alichur village
Note: The length of the tour can be adjusted according to your schedule and desired length.
Day 1 – Arrival in Alichur Village
Accommodation: Homestay
Arrival at Alichur village off the main Pamir Highway M41 Road. Be accommodated at your hotel. Take an evening walk around the village to see the local life in of the remotest regions across Tajikistan. Dinner.
Day 2 – Trek over Koburgan Pass to Lake Ak Zoo
Drive – 1 hour: Accommodation – yurt stay/tent: Trekking distance – 20 km, time 7-8 hours:
Ascent – 606 m: Descent – 760 m
Epic Journey starts by taking a drive for 20 minutes to the start point via another Kyrgyz village Bash Kumboz. Trek towards the pass Koburgon standing at 4630 meters. Reaching the top opens a vast valley of Pamirs beyond Tajikistan to China. Descend down to alpine lake Ak Zoo (4190 m) right at the foot of this Alichur Range. Locals from Alichur village set their yurt on the lakeshore to spend summertime to herd their yaks. Take your place in your yurt and connect with locals to enjoy your day. Dinner and overnight in a yurt or tent.
Day 3 – Trek over two small passes to Bel Ayiryck yurt camp
Accommodation – yurtstay/tent: Trekking distance – 18 km, time – 7-8 hours:
Ascent – 805 m, Descent – 663 m
Get up early to see the morning life of locals. Breakfast. Be ready for another 5-hours hike along this Alichur Range towards your yurt camp. Trail goes up and down with the view of vast valleys. Pass by shepherd’s yurts along the way. These valleys are the land of spiraled-horn wild sheep Marco Polo. Try to spot them grazing in mountain slopes around. Arrival at your yurt camp in a valley along the small stream. Relax in a yurt after this accomplishment. Dinner and overnight in a yurt.
Day 4 – Bel Ayiryck yurt camp to Chech Dobo
Accommodation – homestay; Trekking distance– 18 km trekking, time – 6-7 hours
Ascent – 538 m: Descent – 654 m
We head south in this valley all the way to Bel Ayiryck Pass at 4781 meters. A three-hour hike along the stream will bring you to the foot of the pass. Ascend the pass 30 minutes on a trail going through fallen small rocks. Arrival at the pass. Enjoy the rugged Afghanistan Wakhan Range and scenic view of Zorkul Lake running along the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan and taking its waters from the glaciers. It was known to the British as “Lake Victoria in the Pamirs”. Descend the pass into the valley while enjoying the mountains sceneries with green turquoise lakes of Wakhan Valley. Arrival the shore of the lake and get pick up by your driver. Transfer to the homestay with hot shower and small swimming pool filled from the hop spring reaching the 65 °C near the homestay. Rest after these great accomplishments. Dinner and overnight in a homestay.
Day 5 – Pick up by car to continue the Pamir Highway road trip
Continue your Pamir Highway Road Trip either to Dushanbe or Osh in Kyrgyzstan.
You can add this trekking to your Pamir Highway Trip.
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