DISCOVER THE PAMIRS WITH A TREK TO SAREZ LAKE IN 12 DAYS

Dushanbe – Kalai-Khumb (355km, 8-10 hours of driving including stops).

Picking up from a hotel in Dushanbe and heading to Kalai-Khumb (Darvaz). On the way enjoying the view of Nurek Lake Dam and discovering Hulbuk fortress in Vose and the mausoleum of a poet and scholar of the 14th century, Khoja Mir Sayid Ali Hamadani in Kulyab. Overnight in a home-stay in Kalai-Khumb town. 355km.

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the  day – 780 m in Dushanbe, at end of the day – 1295m in Kalai- Khumb)

Kalai-Khumb – Jizev (225km, 8-10 hours of driving) 

Departing Kalai-Khumb (Darvaz) and heading to Jizev of the Bartang valley. On the way enjoying the Afghan villages along the Panj (Oxus) River. A shortstop in Vomar to see the ruins of Womar fortress. 2-3 hours hiking uphill to Jizev village. Overnight in a homestay in Jizev. 225km. 

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the  day – 1295 Kalai-Khumb , at end of the day – 2800m JIzev)

Jizev – Barchidev (120km, 6-8 hours of driving) (250 km 8-10 hours of driving, the road is not so good).

In the morning discovering the village and the lakes. Hiking down to the main road and driving to Barchidev village. Overnight in a homestay in Barchidiv. 120km.

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: at the beginning of the  day – 2800 Jizev, at end of the day – 2900m Barchidev)

Trekking to Sarez Lake (8-10 hours) was formed in 1911, as a result of a great earthquake, when the Murghab River was blocked by a big landslide. Camping.

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: at the beginning of the  day – 2900m Barchidev, at end of the day – 3263mSarez Lake)

Relax and trekking day. Camping.
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: at the beginning of the  day – 3263m Sarez Lake, at end of the day – 3263m Sarez Lake)

Sarez lake – Barchidev (0km) 
Trekking back to Barchidev village. Overnight in a homestay.
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: at the beginning of the  day – 3263m Sarez Lake, at end of the day – 2900 Barchadev)

Barchidev – Khorog (220km, 8-10 hours of driving).

Heading to Khorog. A shortstop in Porshinev at the monument of Nasir Khusraw, one of the great poets of the Persian language and an important Muslim philosopher of the 10th century. Overnight in a hotel in Khorog. 220km.

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: at the beginning of the  day – 2900m Barchidev, at end of the day – 2100m Khorog)

Khorog – Ishkashim (150km, 7-8 hours of driving)

Morning Khorog City Tour: Botanical Garden, City Park, and Historical Museum. After lunch driving to Ishkashim. 150km

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: at the beginning of the  day – 2100m Khorog, at end of the day – 2500m Ishkashim)

Ishkashim – Langar/Hisor (135km, 6-8 hours of driving)

Departing Ishkashim and driving to the Wakhan Corridor. Visit the ruins of Kah-Kaha and Yamchun fortresses, Bibi-Fotima hot-spring, pre-Islamic shrines, Museum of Sufi Muboraki Wakhoni, astronomer and scholar of the 19th century. 2-3 hours trek on the route Zong-Langar to see the ruins of Abreshimkala (‘Silk fortress’) and Langar petroglyphs. Overnight in a homestay in Hisor village. 135km

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the  day – 2500m Ishkashim, at end of the day – 2800mHissor)

 Hisor – Jelondy (210 km, 8-10 hours of driving)

Heading towards Murghab region, a very isolated and cold part of Tajikistan, through Khargush Pass (4344 m) and high mountains salty-lakes. Short detour to Bulunkul and Yashilkul lakes. Overnight in a guest-house in Jelondy village. 210 km.

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the  day – 2800m Hissor. The highest point – Khargush Pass 4344m. At end of the day – 3500m Jelondi)

Day 11. Jelondy – Kalai-Khumb (380 km, 10-12 hours of driving)

Departing Jelondy and heading to Khorog. On the way short hike to the ruins of Zoroastrian fire temple in Boghev. After lunch driving to Kalai-Khumb. Overnight in a homestay in Kalai-Khumb. 380km

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the  day –3500 Jelondi.. At end of the day –1295m Kalai Khumb)

Kalai-Khumb – Dushanbe (283km, 8-10 hours of driving).

Heading to Dushanbe via the Sagirdasht pass (3252 m). Short stop to stretch the legs at Goluboye Ozero (‘Blue Lake’). Overnight in a guest-house in Dushanbe. 283km

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: in the beginning of the  day – 1295m Kalai Khumb. The highest point – Sagirdasht Pass 3252m. At end of the day – 780m Dushanbe)