9 days Pamir Highway tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
9 days Pamir Highway tour Highlights
This 9-day private 4x4 tour from Dushanbe follows the legendary Pamir Highway deep into the Pamir Mountains of the Gorno-Badakhshan region. From Kalai-Khumb the road runs along the gorges of the Panj River, with Afghan villages just across the water, to Khorog, the small capital of the Pamirs. Next comes the famous Wakhan Valley facing the Hindu Kush, with the ancient fortresses of Kah-Kaha and Yamchun (3rd–1st century BC), the Garm-Chashma and Bibi Fatima hot springs and the petroglyphs of Langar.
From Langar you climb over the Khargush Pass (4,344 m) to the Bulunkul and Yashilkul lakes, Alichur and Murghab on the high Pamir plateau. A day trip leads to the Rangkul and Shorkul lakes and over the Ak-Baital Pass (4,656 m), the highest point of the Pamir Highway, to the vast Karakul Lake – with luck you will see bar-headed geese and other Pamiri wildlife.
On the way back you walk into the green Jizev side valley of the Bartang Valley for a night with a local family, then follow the Panj River again and take the northern road over the Sagirdasht Pass back to Dushanbe. Expect long driving days, amazing mountain scenery, hot springs and warm Pamiri hospitality in homestays – a private journey for 2–4 travelers in July and August.
Difficulty: Moderate Mostly a 4x4 tour with very long driving days (most days 230–355 km and 7–14 hours) on partly rough roads, at high altitude: two nights in Murghab (3,630 m) and passes up to 4,656 m (Ak-Baital). The 7 km walk to Jizev village and back (3–4 hours each way) needs basic fitness.
Tour Itinerary
After breakfast you meet your driver/guide at your hotel or guesthouse in Dushanbe and head for the Pamirs via Kulob. On the way enjoy the views of the Nurek Water Reservoir and visit the Hulbuk Fortress in Vose and the mausoleum of a 14th-century poet and scholar. Overnight in a homestay in Kalai-Khumb. Altitude: start of the day 780 m (Dushanbe), highest point 2126 m (Shurobod Pass), end of the day 1295 m (Kalai-Khumb).
Nurek dam, Hulbuk Fortress, Kulob, Kalai Khum
- Dushanbe → Kalai Khum (355 km)
Overnight: Kalai Khum (Homestay)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Kalai-Khumb (Darvaz), you drive up the Panj (Oxus) River to Khorog and watch the daily life of the Afghan villages across the river – in some places they are very close to the road. Short stop in Porshinev at the monument to Nosiri Khusraw, one of the great poets of the Persian language and an important Muslim philosopher of the 10th century. Khorog city tour: the State Historical Museum, the market, the city park and the Tourism Information Center. Overnight in a hotel in Khorog. Altitude: start of the day 1295 m (Kalai-Khumb), end of the day 2100 m (Khorog).
Porshinev, Khorog
- Kalai Khum → Khorog (270 km)
Overnight: Khorog (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Heading to Ishkashim, with a short stop to soak in the Garm-Chashma hot spring and a view from a distance of Kuhi La’l, the famous Badakhshan ruby mines. You then drive into the Wakhan Valley (Wakhan Corridor) and visit the ruins of the Kah-Kaha and Yamchun fortresses, the Bibi Fatima hot spring, pre-Islamic shrines and the private museum of Sufi Muboraki Wakhoni, a 19th-century astronomer and scholar, with his solar calendar. If time allows, walk to the Langar petroglyphs. Overnight in a homestay in Hisor or Langar village. Altitude: start of the day 2100 m (Khorog), highest point 3200 m (Yamchun Fortress), end of the day 2800 m (Langar).
Garm Chasma, Iskashim, Qahqaha Fortress, Bibi Fatima Hot Springs, Yamchun Fort, Yamg, Langar
- Khorog → Langar (246 km)
Overnight: Langar (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive over the Khargush Pass (4,344 m) and on to the Bulunkul and Yashilkul lakes. The Bulunkul settlement near the lakes is known as the coldest place in Central Asia, with winter temperatures dropping to –60 °C. Lunch is served in the open air or at a restaurant in Alichur. In Alichur travelers often take a two-hour yak ride, which must be arranged in advance. The drive continues to Bashgumbez and on to Murghab, with a stop at Ak-Baliq to see the Chinese cemetery from a distance. Overnight in Murghab. Altitude: start of the day 2800 m (Langar), highest point 4344 m (Khargush Pass), end of the day 3630 m (Murghab).
Khargush Pass, Yashikul and Bulunkul lakes, Alichur, Ak-Baliq, Bashgumbez, Murghab
- Langar → Murghab (275 km)
Overnight: Murghab (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave Murghab for the Rangkul and Shorkul lakes. In the afternoon head for Karakul (“Black Lake”), the largest lake in Tajikistan, crossing the Ak-Baital Pass (4,656 m), the highest point of the Pamir Highway – take photos and move slowly because of the high altitude. A short detour leads to the Karaart geoglyphs (8th–3rd century BC). In the evening enjoy a walk along Karakul Lake, then return to Murghab for the night. Altitude: start of the day 3630 m (Murghab), highest point 4656 m (Ak-Baital Pass), end of the day 3670 m (Murghab).
Rangkul Lake, Ak-Baital Pass, Lake Karakul, Murghab
- Murghab → Murghab (330 km)
Overnight: Murghab (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Photo stops at Chatyr-Tash and Bashgumbez, then drive to Khorog through the Gunt Valley. If time allows, ask your driver for a stop at the Jelondi hot spring for a relaxing bath. Overnight in Khorog. Altitude: start of the day 3630 m (Murghab), end of the day 2100 m (Khorog).
Chatyr-Tash, Bashgumbez, Alichur, Khorog
- Murghab → Khorog (320 km)
Overnight: Khorog (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Khorog, you head for the Bartang Valley and stop at the bridge over the Bartang River. The car stays there with the driver while you trek about 7 km (3–4 hours) up to Jizev village. In the afternoon explore the village and walk along its small lakes; the people are very kind and like to talk with guests. Overnight in a homestay in Jizev village. Altitude: start of the day 2100 m (Khorog), end of the day 2500 m (Jizev).
Bartang Valley, Jizev
- Khorog → Bartang Valley (100 km)
- Bartang Valley → Jizev (7 km)
Overnight: Jizev (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walk back down to the main road and your car, then drive on to Kalai-Khumb, enjoying the views of the Afghan villages along the Panj River. On the way visit the Womar Fortress in Rushan. Overnight in a guesthouse in Kalai-Khumb. Altitude: start of the day 2500 m (Jizev), end of the day 1250 m (Kalai-Khumb).
Rushan, Kalai Khum
- Jizev → Bartang Valley (7 km)
- Bartang Valley → Kalai Khum (230 km)
Overnight: Kalai Khum (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Return to Dushanbe on the northern route over the Sagirdasht Pass (3,252 m) and through the Tavildara district. In Darvaz the driver checks whether this road is open – it is sometimes closed. Short stop to stretch your legs at Goluboye Ozero (“Blue Lake”), and a view from a distance of the construction site of Rogun, the biggest hydropower station in Central Asia, with the highest dam in the world (335 m). Altitude: start of the day 1250 m (Kalai-Khumb), highest point 3252 m (Sagirdasht Pass), end of the day 780 m (Dushanbe).
Tavildara, Rogun Dam, Dushanbe
- Kalai Khum → Dushanbe (355 km)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 2 travelers | $1,650 |
| 3 travelers | $1,334 |
| 4 travelers | $1,178 |
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What's included
Included
- Transport in a 4x4 vehicle, including fuel
- Entrance fees (hot springs, museums and the national park)
- GBAO permit (Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region)
- Meals, including 1.5 L drinking water per person per day
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (8 nights)
Not included
- Guide service
- Accommodation in Dushanbe
- Yak ride in Alichur (can be included on request)
- Single room supplement
- Travel insurance
- All other personal expenses
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
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Night 1
Kalai Khum
Homestay in Kalai-Khumb or similar
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Night 2
Khorog
Hotel in Khorog or similar
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Night 3
Langar
Homestay in Langar or similar
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Nights 4–5
Murghab
Guesthouse in Murghab or similar
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Night 6
Khorog
Hotel in Khorog or similar
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Night 7
Jizev
Homestay in Jizev or similar
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Night 8
Kalai Khum
Guesthouse in Kalai-Khumb or similar
Tajikistan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Tajikistan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Tajikistan before booking.
The official currency is the somoni (TJS). US dollars are accepted in some places, but the somoni is what you use day to day.
ATMs
Withdrawing cash can be difficult, so carry some cash with you. There are ATMs in Dushanbe, Panjakent, Khujand, Khorog, Isfara, Istaravshan and Bokhtar (Kurgan-Tube), and even in smaller towns, but not in Murghab. Eskhata Bank in Dushanbe is a reliable choice for US dollars and has a generous limit for somoni withdrawals. ATMs may be harder to find at weekends, and ATMs that take Mastercard can be tricky to find.
Exchanging money
US dollars and euros are widely accepted, though in rural areas without exchange offices people often prefer dollars. Changing money on the black market is illegal.
The overall security situation is generally stable and Dushanbe is relatively safe, though robbery and petty crime occasionally happen, and foreigners can be targets.
Documents
Always carry a copy of your passport's photo page, as the authorities may ask for identification.
Staying safe
- Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and stay alert in public places.
- Do not leave drinks unattended, decline drinks from strangers and keep an eye on how much you drink.
- If you are followed or harassed at the airport, report it right away to your tour agent or the consular office at the airport.
- Women travelling alone may face unwanted attention or harassment.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions.
- Smoking while walking in the street is prohibited.
- Possessing or using drugs is strictly illegal.
- Photographing anything related to the military or security services can cause trouble with the authorities.
- Same-sex relationships are not illegal, but local views are conservative and tolerance varies, especially outside the major cities.
Roads and services
- Vehicles are often poorly maintained and driving standards are basic. Fuel stations are rare outside the cities and emergency services may not be available, so bring what you need and expect delays.
- Roads outside the major cities are poor and some are passable only by four-wheel drive. Spring is especially hazardous because of avalanches and landslides.
- Energy and water shortages and power cuts are common, especially in winter and spring and mostly outside Dushanbe.
Border areas and nature
- Avoid the border area with Afghanistan because of the unstable security situation there.
- Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan signed a border treaty in 2025 after the clashes of 2022, and the northern Sughd region, including Khujand, is safe to visit.
- Tajikistan is prone to earthquakes, avalanches, landslides and floods.
Visitors from many countries can travel to Tajikistan visa-free. Leave the country before your visa or visa-free stay runs out, to avoid fines and having to get an exit visa.
Pamirs (GBAO) permit
A permit is required to visit the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).
Borders and customs
Tajikistan's borders can close at short notice. Declare large amounts of money on arrival, and show the customs declaration when you leave.
The best months to explore Tajikistan are April, May, June, September and October. September may be the very best: the heat on the plains has eased and nearly all mountain passes are still open.
Autumn
In September the markets are full of fresh produce and the landscape turns golden.
The Pamirs
The best time to visit the Pamirs is August.
Summer and winter
Summers are dry and very hot, up to 40°C in the lowlands. Winters can be extremely cold, down to −20°C in the mountains, and heavy snow in the west can disrupt winter routes and close the high passes.
Medical facilities in Tajikistan are limited and essential medicines are often in short supply. Outside Dushanbe facilities are basic, and some areas have almost none.
Insurance
Before you go, check that your destination can provide any medical help you might need, and make sure your travel insurance covers treatment and unexpected medical evacuation. If you are sent to a medical facility, contact your insurer straight away.
Medicines
Some medicines containing codeine are strictly prohibited. Check that any medication you bring is legal, and declare all medicines and other restricted items on arrival.
Vaccinations and risks
Ticks are common in forests and rural areas from spring to autumn. Improperly disposed uranium and pesticides in the northern Sughd region are a possible health hazard. At a minimum, get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B and tetanus before your trip.
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