Pamir Highway with day trip to Afghanistan (Osh - Dushanbe) | Roof of the World Travel | The leading company in the tourism market of Tajikistan

The Pamir Highway and Wakhan Adventure tour also starts with fixed dates from Osh to Dushanbe with day trip to Afghanistan. You can join this tour on the below mentioned dates.

                                    HIGHLIGHTS
                                      Visiting the most beatifull village in Pamir 
   Day trip to Afghanistan 
   Wakhan Corridor 
   Driving along the Afghan border 
    Driving on Pamir Highway 

                                

Itinerary

Day 01: Osh – Kyzyl Art – Karakul

Today you will drive to Tajik border. On Tajik said you will meet you Tajik guide. Right on the highway of the Pamir Tract is situated the light-blue lake of Karakul (3, 815 m), the name of which can be translated as “The Black Lake”. Karakul is the highest large mountain lake of the world, excluding those in Tibet and Titicaca. The lake is situated in a meteorite crater and surrounded by swampy and wet meadows and bogs with a rich flora and fauna and several endemic species. Flooding, melting permafrost and buried ice sheets shape the landscape with small hillocks and a large variety of small creeks and water courses between 3 500 and 4 000 m. The rich plant cover is grazed by wild and domestic ungulates. Dinner and night is in a home stay.

Day 02: Karakul Lake – Murgab

They say in the Pamir: “to arrive here and do not see Murgab is like not visiting the Pamirs at all”. After all, by the Roof of the World, we mean Murgab. In the morning we will drive to this town. On the way you will drive over the highest Ak Baital pass (4 655 m). At the flat landscape of desolate Murgab there are dozens of peaks with absolute altitude over 6 000 meters above sea level. Often the landscape of Murghab is compared to the surface of the Moon by visitors, viewing the scene with outsiders’ eyes. Indeed, this comparison speaks to the unrepeatable experience of being in Murghab and the uniqueness of the place. The desolate and high-altitude climate of Murghab is almost Arctic. Dry air, short and cool summers and almost snowless, severe, freezing winters characterize the weather. Dinner and night is in a guesthouse.

Day 03: Murgab – Yashil Kul Lake – Bulunkul Lake

The most beautiful lakes of the Pamirs are Yashil Kul and Bulunkul (Blue lakes), stretched on the altitude of 3 700 meters above sea level, are situated in the Murghab district. Today we will spend a night near them. The color of water in Bulunkul is a subtle inter-play of violet and dark-blue in the sunlight. Species of fish like are found in abundance in the lake. There is the opportunity to see yaks, a unique species of domestic animals, sharing features of cow and sheep, traditionally used as a beast of burden apart from giving milk and meat products. On the way to the lake you will drive over Naizatash pass (4 137 m). Dinner and night is in a home stay.

Day 04: Bulunkul – Khorog

In the morning we will drive to Khorog along Pamir Highway, known as M41 Pamir Tract. It is considered the second highest mountain road after highway of Tibet. The road lies over mountains and passes on the elevations of more than 4 000 meters above sea level. On the way you will drive over Koitezak pass (4 271 m). The almost inaccessible landscape and the rocky mountains of this corner of the world have given safe haven to a unique diversity of wildlife. Amongst the most common species of wild mammals are Turkestan rat, tiger-cat, grizzly bear, badger, stoat, fox, grey and red wolves. Pamirs provides a large and thriving population of Marco Polo sheep, the largest sheep in the world, with all year round and a strong population of the highly endangered snow leopard. Dinner is in a restaurant. Night is in a guesthouse.

Day 05: Khorog – Sultoni Iskashim (Afghanistan)

Arranging the afghan visa in the early morning and drive to afghan border near Ishkashim. Today you will have a day trip to Afghanistan. We leave Khorog in the morning and seeing Afghanistan on the right side of the rout we will continue to the cross border point in Ishkashim. Then we cross to Afghanistan through the bridge on the Panj River in Ishkashim. Our afghan guide will meet you on the border and accompany to Sultoni Ishkashim. After arranging the Wakhan Permit you will have lunch. Our guide will show you the traditional houses of afghan local people. Today you will see their way of the life and how they are living in the mountain areas. Overnight is in home stay.

Day 06: Sultoni Ishkashim – Yamg – Langar

Drive to Wakhan corridor. On the road we will visit Kah-Kaa and Yamchun Fortresses, Further up the hillside are the hot spring at Bibi Fatima: dense and very salty minerals, the water at Bibi Fatima is crystal clear. There are several places of interest to stop. Above the village of Vrang , on a cliff-side pitted with caves, stands a Buddhist complex dating from 4th- 7th centuries. At Yamg , we visit the reconstructed home of Sufi mystic Muabara Kadam , who died in 1910. Near this house there is stone pillar with a hole in it which he used to calculate a solar calendar. In the cool of the morning we climb up above Langar village to see petroglyphs. Overnight in homestay.

Day 07: Langar – Khorog

In the morning we will drive to Khorog. It is perhaps one of the tiniest cities on the map of the world. It is surrounded by rocky mountains from all four sides. The town was built on the confluence of the 3 rivers where Shokhdara river and Ghund river flow into Pyanj river. On the way to Khorog you will meet Pamir people. A number of anthropological features set the Pamir people apart from the Tajik people. Among the Pamiris, there is a high percentage of people with blonde hair, fair skin and blue eyes. Pamirs Mountains are the highest mountains in the world with human population after the Himalayas in Tibet. Life in the mountains made traditions of local people different from Tajik people. Dinner is in a restaurant. Night is in a guesthouse.

Day 08: Khorog – Bartang valley – Trek to Jizew

Today we will drive to Bartang valley. The Bartang Valley is one of the wildest and most memorable valleys in the western Pamirs. Even the Pamiri themselves consider the Bartang valley as the maybe most prototypical region of their homeland. On the one hand most of the Non-Bartangi view their compatriots, especially those from Upper Bartang, with reverent respect due to their harsh living conditions, which do not seem to have anything in common with those in the provincial capital Khorog. On the other hand they are fascinated in the face of the age-old traditions that are still alive in this particularly remote region. Today you will feel the really life on the mountains. Overnight with locals.

Day 09: Jizew – Kalai Khum

In the morning we will do hiking down to the main road and then drive to Kalai Khum. This area consists of high rocky mountains over 6 000 meters and only 1 road was possible to be built. Passing though the Pamirs, the tourists have the rare opportunity to not only marvel the beauty of virgin environment, but also know more about the ethnography, history and everyday life of mountain dwellers and with this imagine how the history of humanity evolved as in the story of creation. On the way we will stop in small villages to communicate with local people and to see their life. Human settlements are located on both sides of the river in narrow mountain valleys. On the other side of the river you will see Afgan stony villages and gardens. Night is in a home stay.

Day 10: Kalai Khum – Norak – Dushanbe

In the morning we will drive to Dushanbe. Today we will finish drive along Afghanistan border. The highest point of the day is Shuraba pass (2 267 m). This part will amaze you by its unique mountains – it is Territory of Pamir Mountains. Over the centuries, the Pamirs have inspired the world’s greatest explorers – Marco Polo, Hsuan Tsang, Mirza Muhammad Haidar. And now you also have a chance to travel here. You will drive along natural border – Pyanj River. Having visited the Pamirs, many travellers called this giant mountain system the ocean of white and blue mountains. You will see Norak water reservoir that is called Tajik Sea. Night is in a hotel.

Inclusions

Transport

4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser or Toyota 4runner

Meals

9 breakfasts, 10 dinners

Accommodation

Homestay (9 nights), Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Karakul Lake
Bulunkul and Yashilkul Lake
Wakhan - Bibi Fotima hotspring and Yamchun Fort
Afghanistan - local market
Ishkashim - visiting garmchashma hotspring
Khorog – walking tour
Jizew - trekking

Date and price

You can choose to join a small group on a guaranteed departure or book a private tour on the date of your choice

PRIVATE TOUR

Flexibla departures / Customizable itinerary

PRICE UPON
REQUEST

SMALL GROUP TOUR

Fixed and garanteed departures

Trip Starting Price

771

Dollars

10

Days

Single supplement available for $80

Deposit: $300

Price per pax:

Price per person:
01 pax – 2418$
02 pax – 1423$
03 pax – 1050$
04 pax – 863$
05 pax – 771$

Departures

No departures have been added for this tour yet. Coming soon...

Price includes

Transport
Breakfasts
Dinners
Accommodation
Wakhan permit
English speaking guide in Afghanistan
Entrances to all museums
Mineral water during the tour

Price does not include

Visa for Afghanistan
Lunches
Single rooms
Early check-in
Travel insurance
English speaking guide in Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan

Important notes

                                                 Optionally:
  English speaking guide in Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan – 800$ per group
  Visa for Afghanistan – 200$ per person (price for the visa can change anytime)

                                            

Information

Money & costs

Safety

Entry & exit

Best Time to Go

Health

MONEY & COSTS:

The Tajik currency is called the Somoni (TJS). In the capital Dushanbe there are a few ATMs that you’ll find in shopping centres, supermarkets or on the main streets, but most of them accept only Visa cards. Outside of Dushanbe we don’t recommend relying on ATMs as there are only a few of them and they may run out of money.
We recommend bringing cash in new USD bank notes of denominations of at least 20 USD. There are many exchange offices, some working 24/7. Small and old-looking bank notes are harder to exchange. Paying directly with credit card is still not possible at most places, except for few high-end restaurants and hotels. An emergency fund of around 500 USD in cash is always good to have during guided trips to Central Asia.

SAFETY:

The political situation in the country has been calm in recent years and there are no indications of upcoming tensions. The border area with Afghanistan is safe as well, but we do not recommend crossing the border for a trip into Afghanistan. Guests and locals are treated with respect and Tajikistan can be regarded as safe destination for travelers. That being said, you are advised to wear a money belt, watch your belongings, avoid dark streets at night and only take official taxi rides. Your safety is our first priority at Kalpak Travel; we know and regularly assess all our Tajik partners and we closely monitor political events.

ENTRY & EXIT:

Citizens of almost every country can obtain an e-Visa online for stays of up to 45 days in Tajikistan. All you need to do is enter the requested information then pay a fee of 50 USD by credit card and you will receive almost immediately the eVisa by email. You can print it out and use it just like an ordinary visa to enter the country. Please note, if you are planning to visit Pamir region, you need a GBAO permit, which you can purchase online, together with the eVisa, for an additional fee of USD 20.
As soon as we receive the deposit payment for your tour, we will confirm your booking and send you an email with important pre-departure information. Please read it carefully as it contains important information on customs regulations for Tajikistan.

BEST TIME TO GO:

The climate of Tajikistan is continental and dry across most of the country, including the largest cities. In regions situated at relatively low altitude, such as the capital Dushanbe, the south of Tajikistan around Kulob and the Khujand region, summers are very hot with day temperatures between 30° and 40° Celsius. However, most of the country is situated at high altitudes, where temperatures are in the mid 20s or less during the summer. If you visit the Fann or Pamir Mountains, make sure to bring some warm clothes, as it can get very cold at night at elevations of more than 3000 metres. The best season to visit is during summer.

HEALTH:

Do not drink water, unless it is bottled, filtered or boiled. Do not use tap water for brushing teeth or making ice either. Do not eat ice cream. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. If you follow these basic rules, you are likely to avoid any health issues like traveler’s diarrhea. Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus are recommended vaccinations for Tajikistan. Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. Medical services in Tajikistan are basic at best. Please note: there is a small risk of malaria in the south of Tajikistan by the borders with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. None of our tours visit this region.

Pamir Highway with day trip to Afghanistan (Osh - Dushanbe)

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HIGHLIGHTS