Pamir Grand Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Pamir Grand Tour Highlights
Experience an extraordinary journey through the stunning landscapes of Central Asia on this 12-day tour from Osh to Dushanbe. Your adventure begins at the magnificent Tulpar-Kol Lake, where the pristine waters mirror the surrounding mountains. Venture through the remote Murghab region, offering insight into the unique culture of the Pamiri people, and explore the breathtaking Wakhan Valley, celebrated for its dramatic scenery and rich history.
Continue to Khorog, the charming capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, and trek to the stunning Sarez Lake, nestled among towering peaks. Finally, wrap up your exploration with visits to Kalai-Khumb and Dushanbe, immersing yourself in the vibrant local culture and the striking natural beauty of this incredible region.
Difficulty: Challenging Mostly a 4x4 tour at high altitude (up to 4656 m), but the two-day Sarez Lake trek (18 km and 8–10 hours each way) and the optional 8–10 hour Pshart–Madiyan trek require good fitness.
Tour Itinerary
After flying into Osh, Kyrgyzstan, we head to Sary-Mogol, a village with the best views of Lenin Peak (7134 m). Half-day walk towards the Lenin Peak base camp and back, through the beautiful landscape around Tulpar-Kol Lake. Overnight in a yurt at the Tulpar-Kol Lake camp. Altitude: start of the day 950 m (Osh), end of the day 3500 m (Tulpar-Kol Lake).
Sary-Mogol, Lenin peak, Tulpar-Kol Lake
- Osh → Tulpar-Kol Lake (260 km)
Overnight: Tulpar-Kol Lake (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We drive via the Bordoba – Kyzyl-Art Kyrgyz-Tajik border checkpoint towards Karakul, the biggest lake in Tajikistan. Walk along the shore of Karakul Lake. In the afternoon we continue to Murghab over Ak-Baital (4656 m), the highest pass of the former Soviet Union. Short stop near the first Tsarist Russian military post in the Pamirs. Overnight in a homestay in Murghab. Altitude: start of the day 3500 m (Tulpar-Kol), highest point 4656 m (Ak-Baital Pass), end of the day 3630 m (Murghab).
Lake Karakul, Murghab, Kyzyl-Art border control, Ak-Baital Pass
- Tulpar-Kol Lake → Murghab (290 km)
Overnight: Murghab (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Murghab sightseeing: the local bazaar and handicraft shops. There are two options for today: Option A: a detour along the Murghab River to the Madiyan Valley (80 km), enjoying the Eastern Pamir landscape from a different perspective. Picnic on the bank of the Murghab River in the shade of trees – in the Eastern Pamir, trees grow only in the Madiyan Valley. Option B: an 8–10 hour trek from the Pshart Valley to the Madiyan Valley. Overnight in a homestay or hotel in Murghab. Altitude: 3630 m in Murghab, 3500 m in Madiyan village.
Murghab, Madiyan Valley
- Murghab → Murghab (80 km)
Overnight: Murghab (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We drive to Alichur and on to the Bulunkul settlement, the coldest place in Tajikistan, with stops at the Sassyk-Kul and Tuz-Kul lakes. A 15–20 minute walk to Yashilkul Lake for photos of the beautiful panorama. Overnight in a homestay in Bulunkul. Altitude: start of the day 3630 m (Murghab), end of the day 3737 m (Bulunkul).
Alichur, Yashikul and Bulunkul lakes
- Murghab → Yashikul and Bulunkul lakes (145 km)
Overnight: Yashikul and Bulunkul lakes (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We drive to Langar, the first settlement of the Tajik Wakhan, along the Pamir River via the Khargush Pass (4344 m). With luck you will see an Afghan caravan of camels, donkeys and horses on the Afghan side across the river – in places the Afghan side is very close. In the 13th century the Venetian traveller Marco Polo passed here on his way to China. Short hike to the ruins of the Ratm fortress watchtower with a wonderful view. A remote area with wildlife. Overnight in a homestay in Langar or Zong. Altitude: start of the day 3737 m (Bulunkul), highest point 4344 m (Khargush Pass), end of the day 2900 m (Langar).
Wakhan Valley, Langar, Khargush Pass, Ratm Fortress
- Yashikul and Bulunkul lakes → Langar (130 km)
Overnight: Langar (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A 15-minute drive to the start of the Engels Meadow trek, with great views of the immense south face of Engels Peak (6507 m). From the meadow you can see the Hindu Kush range across the river on the Tajik-Afghan border. On the way back we take another path to see the Langar petroglyphs. Overnight in a homestay in Langar. Altitude: start of the day 2900 m (Langar), highest point 3945 m (Engels Meadow camp).
Engels peak, Langar
- Langar → Langar (20 km)
Overnight: Langar (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving to Khorog through the Wakhan Valley. On the way we visit the Buddhist stupa in Vrang village, the museum of Sufi Muboraki Wakhoni, a 19th-century astronomer and scholar, in Yamg, the ruins of the Yamchun fortress and the Qah-Qaha fortress (3rd–1st centuries BCE). Soak in the Bibi Fatima hot spring and, if there is time, in the Garm Chashma hot spring, and see the ruby mine in Sist from a distance. Overnight in a homestay in Khorog. Altitude: start of the day 2900 m (Langar), highest point 3200 m (Yamchun fortress), end of the day 2100 m (Khorog).
Vrang, Yamchun Fort, Bibi Fatima Hot Springs, Khorog, Yamg, Qahqaha Fortress, Garm Chasma
- Langar → Khorog (245 km)
Overnight: Khorog (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Khorog city tour: the Regional Museum, the city park and PECTA (Pamir Eco-Cultural Tourism Association). We then drive to Barchadev village in the Bartang Valley, with short stops to stretch our legs and lunch in Khuf village. Overnight in a homestay in Barchadev. Altitude: start of the day 2100 m (Khorog), end of the day 2900 m (Barchadev).
Khorog, Bartang Valley, Khuf Valley, Barchadev
- Khorog → Barchadev (210 km)
Overnight: Barchadev (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we meet the local guide, who takes care of all logistics (food, accommodation and safety) during the trek to Sarez Lake and its Usoi Dam (567 m), the highest natural dam in the world. The trek from Barchadev to the Sarez Lake dam usually takes 8–10 hours, so we start at 8–9 am to arrive before dark. The nature on the way is beautiful, especially the river that flows out from under the rubble of the dam. In places the path is very narrow – take care. Halfway there is a camping site, Chaikhana, for lunch and a short rest. On arrival, if it is still light, enjoy the lake and talk to the staff of the Ministry of Emergency Situations who work at the station. Night in a tent. Altitude: start of the day 2900 m (Barchadev), end of the day 3623 m (Usoi Dam).
Sarez Lake
- Barchadev → Sarez Lake (18 km)
Overnight: Sarez Lake (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning enjoy the beauty of the lake and take pictures. Walk down to the shore and taste the absolutely transparent, fresh water of Sarez while the guide tells the story of the lake. Sarez Lake formed in 1911, when a great earthquake triggered a landslide that blocked the Murghab River and created the Usoi Dam. The lake is about 75 km long, up to 505 m deep and lies at about 3,263 m. We then walk back down to Barchadev – the descent is usually easier. On the way enjoy the nature; the water of the Bartang River is clean and tasty. Overnight in a homestay in Barchadev. Altitude: start of the day 3623 m (Usoi Dam), end of the day 2900 m (Barchadev).
Sarez Lake
- Sarez Lake → Barchadev (18 km)
Overnight: Barchadev (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We leave Barchadev and drive towards Dushanbe along the Panj (Oxus) River, enjoying views of the Afghan villages across the river. Overnight in a homestay in Kalai-Khumb. Altitude: start of the day 2900 m (Barchadev), end of the day 1295 m (Kalai-Khumb).
Kalai Khum
- Barchadev → Kalai Khum (320 km)
Overnight: Kalai Khum (Homestay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Heading to Dushanbe. Short stops at the mausoleum of the 14th-century poet and scholar Khoja Mir Sayid Ali Hamadani in Kulob, at the Hulbuk fortress and at the viewpoint over the Nurek dam lake. Overnight in a guesthouse in Dushanbe. Altitude: start of the day 1295 m (Kalai-Khumb), highest point 2126 m (Shurobod Pass), end of the day 780 m (Dushanbe).
Kulob, Hulbuk Fortress, Nurek dam, Dushanbe, Shurobod
- Kalai Khum → Dushanbe (355 km)
Overnight: Dushanbe (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 2 travelers | $1,952 |
| 3 travelers | $1,567 |
| 4 travelers | $1,443 |
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What's included
Included
- Transport (4WD), including fuel and driver expenses
- Food, including 1.5 L drinking water per person per day
- Accommodation (except Osh and Dushanbe)
- Entrance fees (hot springs, museums, Botanical Garden, Tajik National Park, Sarez Lake)
- Sarez Lake trek expenses, including permit and local guide with donkey service
- GBAO permit
Not included
- Insurance
- Guide service
- Supplement for single room
- All other personal expenses
Where you'll stay
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Night 1
Tulpar-Kol Lake
Yurt camp at Tulpar-Kol Lake or similar
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Night 2
Murghab
Homestay in Murghab or similar
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Night 3
Murghab
Homestay or hotel in Murghab or similar
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Night 4
Yashikul and Bulunkul lakes
Homestay in Bulunkul or similar
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Night 5
Langar
Homestay in Langar / Zong or similar
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Night 6
Langar
Homestay in Langar or similar
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Night 7
Khorog
Homestay in Khorog or similar
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Night 8
Barchadev
Homestay in Barchadev or similar
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Night 9
Sarez Lake
Tent at the Usoi Dam or similar
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Night 10
Barchadev
Homestay in Barchadev or similar
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Night 11
Kalai Khum
Homestay in Kalai-Khumb or similar
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Night 12
Dushanbe
Guesthouse in Dushanbe or similar
What to bring
- Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
- Warm clothes
- Rain clothes
- Sunscreen
- Cap for the sun and sunglasses
- Personal medications
Tajikistan travel information
Practical essentials for each country on this tour. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan before booking.
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek has plenty of ATMs, but outside the larger towns and the northern shore of Issyk-Kul cash is how almost everything is paid.
ATMs and cards
Some ATMs in Bishkek dispense US dollars as well as som. Beyond the capital, ATMs are found in the few largest towns but mostly not in smaller ones, except on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. Mastercard works in all ATMs, but Visa is still the more widely accepted card. Demirbank's red ATMs have lately been the best option for foreign cards, with moderate fees.
Exchanging money
Exchange offices in the major cities change US dollars, euros and roubles into som. Notes must be clean, fresh and without any signs of wear. Exchange offices prefer larger notes from 50 USD and 50 EUR, and sometimes give a better rate for them.
Paying by card
Cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, large supermarkets and some museums in Bishkek and Osh, and occasionally even in taxis. Elsewhere, apart from the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, paying by card is not practical.
Kyrgyzstan is generally safe for travellers and tourism is growing fast, but the usual precautions matter.
Documents
Always carry your passport or a notarised copy. Without proper identification you can be detained by the police.
In towns
- Robberies, some of them violent, and thefts happen especially in crowded places such as the bazaars. Take care after dark.
- Sexual harassment has been reported on public transport. Avoid walking or travelling alone, especially at night.
- Book taxis in advance from established services.
- Stay away from crowds and demonstrations.
- Watch where you step: some streets have large holes and pavements are often uneven.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religious practices.
- Possessing or using narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Do not photograph anything related to the armed forces or security services.
- Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely discussed or publicly recognised.
Border areas
Smuggling makes the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan unstable and best avoided.
Kyrgyzstan is visa-free for travellers from many countries. Others can apply for an electronic visa or through an embassy.
Visas
For a tourist visa, most passport holders need an invitation letter from a tourism company. Kyrgyzstan has had an electronic visa system since 1 September 2017.
Border regions
Visiting border regions requires a special permit.
The best times to visit Kyrgyzstan's lower areas are May–June and September. In the high mountains, July and August are best.
Lower areas: May–June and September
In late spring and early autumn the valleys, Issyk-Kul's shores and the towns are green or golden, days are pleasant rather than hot and there are fewer visitors.
High mountains: July and August
This is when the high pastures, yurt camps and mountain passes are open, and trekking and horse-riding routes that are under snow the rest of the year can be reached. Days in the valleys can reach about 30°C, and nights at altitude can still be close to freezing. Summer is also the time of festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
Winter
Winters in the highlands are long and close the high passes, but it is still a captivating season. Hiking, horse riding and skiing are all possible, and yurt stays are available too.
Healthcare in Kyrgyzstan is basic and medical facilities are scarce, so comprehensive medical and travel insurance is essential.
Medicines
If you rely on regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip: it can be hard or expensive to find locally.
Insurance
Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance before you arrive. A serious accident or illness may mean emergency air evacuation to a neighbouring country.
Food and water
Treat tap water and other local water as contaminated and boil it before drinking; bottled water is the safest choice throughout your stay. Be careful with unpasteurised dairy and other animal products.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis are recommended before entering the country, and others may also be advisable. Ask your doctor or travel clinic.
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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