Duration: 9 nights / 10 days
Period: June – October 2022
Number of pax: Minimum two
What you will experience here will take you back to another century when people lived in a very different way… unlike so many you hear about, this trip is sure to be a true adventure of a lifetime. Through this region passed one of the arteries of the Great Silk Road – the route through the Pamir knot. Here were the boundaries of the Great Game, players. The Czarist Russia and the British Indian Empire coincided and collided in these high Pamirs and finally decided to co-exist with these high regions as their boundaries in 1890’s
What to expect when choosing this route?
- Pristine mountain scenery.
- Badakhshi & Wakhi hospitality, familiarize with their interesting lifestyles § Learn history of Great Games between Russia, British and India.
- Driving along the famous Pamir Highway
DAILY ITENERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Dushanbe. Transfer to the hotel. Acclimatization before the trip to Pamir. Accommodation in Hotel on full board basis
Day 2: Dushanbe – Norak –Kalaikhum (370 km – 8h). Today we will drive to Kalai Khum village. You will see Norak water reservoir that is called Tajik Sea. The highest point of the day is Shurabad pass (2 267 m) and after drive along Afghanistan border starts. This part will amaze you by its unique mountains – it is already Territory of the Pamir mountains. Over the centuries, the Pamirs have inspired the world’s greatest explorers with the Marco Polo, Hsuan Tsang, Mirza Muhammad Haidar. And now it is your chance to see it for yourself. We will drive you along the natural borders of Pyanj River. Having visited the Pamirs, many travelers called this giant mountain system the ocean of white and blue mountains. This night you will spend in a home stay to see the way of local people’s life. Accommodation in Hotel. (Full board).
Day 3: Kalaikhum – Khorog (240 km -6h): In the morning we will drive to Khorog town. It is perhaps
one of the tiniest cities in 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 Pamirian people. A number of anthropological features set the Pamir people apart from the Tajik people. Among the Pamirians there are 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 local restaurant. Accommodation in Hotel. (Full board) Day 4: Khorog- Garm Chashma – Ishkashim: You will start the day with a visit to the Botanic Garden and museum. After, head to the famous mineral hot spring Garm-Chashma. Depart to Ishkashim, a small town at the mouth of the Wakhan corridor, where the 19th century Great Game ended. Continue up the north side of the river with amazing views of the Pamir on your left and the Hindu Kush on the ride sides; a number of peaks in view are above 6,000 m. Overnight at the guesthouse. (Full board)
*Please be aware: the first half from Khorog to Ishkashim is a poor dirt road, the second part is paved. 6km ramp to Garm-Chashma has a rough ground.
Day 5: Ishkashim – Langar (115km – 2h). Drive from Ishkashim to Langar. On the way, visit KahKaha, one of the old fortresses on the Silk Road. Then, continue to the ruins of Yamchun Fortress (4-3rd centuries B.C.), sacred hot springs of Bibi Fatima Zahra,
the Museum of Sufi Muborak-Kadami Vakhani, a local Sufi scholar, theologian, poet and traveller, who died in 1910. There is a stone pillar with a hole near his house that he used to calculate a solar calendar and a building with inscriptions and decorations. We will also visit Buddhist Stupa. Homestay overnight. (Full board)
*Road conditions: All day you will drive on the paved and smooth road, only descent and ascent to the Yamchun fortress lies across a bad dirt road.
Day 6: Langar –Murghab – (Burunkul & Yashikkul) (250 km – 7h): After breakfast we will leave the spectacular views of Afghanistan, with the ice-capped summit of the Wakhan Range, and the Pamir River, which is marking the border and crossing Khargushi pass (4344 m) and Nazay-Tash Pass (4137 m). Arrive in Murgab. Murgab is a quiet town with an only bazaar of the High Pamir region where Kyrgyz’s and Tajiks live. Visit to handicraft shop in “Yak House”. Homestay on Full board basis.
*It might be difficult to fall asleep on the height of 3600meters due to the lack of oxygen and dry air. *Road conditions: the first half of the way will be a dirt road, the second half, on the turn towards Khorog, there will be a raugh sinuous paving.
Day 7: Murgab – Khorog (320 km – 6h): 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. The 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. Hotel on Full board basis
Day 8: Khorog – Kalaikhum (240 km -6h): 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. Accommodation in Full board basis.
Day 9: Kalaikhum – Kulob – Dushanbe (380 km – 6h): Early transfer to Kulob, outstanding views along the way. We will stop for photo shooting with amazing views. Lunch in local café of Kulob. We continue to the mausoleum of Sheikh Said- Hamadoni, dating from the first Islam period. Arrive in Dushanbe and checkin the Hotel. (Accommodation in Full board basis)
Day 10: Departure from Dushanbe: After breakfast, our driver will take you to Dushnabe International Airport for your flight.
We hope you will have a good time during your tour. We are very excited to show you our beautiful mountainous country!
Things to take with you on this trip
| • • • • • | Camera/spare film/memory cards Gloves and warm hat Sun hat, sunglasses High factor sunscreen Lip save | • • • • • | Long sleeve T-shirt, warm clothes Waterproof clothing in case of any rain Personal medication/first aid kit Insect repellent Day carry sack / a backpack |
Cost of the tour program for person in a group.
| Group | Price per person including all taxes & fees |
| 2 pax | $1609 |
| 4 pax | $1530 |
INCLUSIONS:
Transportation services on comfortable air-conditioned vehicles 4X4 Jeep;
Maximum occupancy is 4 pax
Accommodation: Hotel/Homestays/Guesthouse
Full board basis meal plan
1L bottled water per day per person
English speaking guide
Entrance fees to mentioned attractions All service Charge and Local Taxes
EXCUSION:
Visa, GBAO permits, international flight
Personal life insurance
All personal expenses (extra luggage fee, room service, medical expenses etc.)
Fees for extra service (folklore performance, meetings)
Tips to the guides and drivers
Other beverages & tobacco