PAMIR HIGHWAY
ROADTRIP
TAJIKISTAN-KYRGYZSTAN
QUICK OVERVIEW
Date
April 24- May 5
Arrival Airport
Dushanbe ( DYU )
Accommodation
Homestays
Duration
11 nights
Meals
All meals during roadtrip
Group size
16
Bhutan backpacking
SHORT ITINERARY :
DAY 1 : ARRIVE IN DUSHANBE
Arrive in the afternoon and check in to your hotel . Today we will do a briefing and quick supply fills before our trip starts tomorrow.
DAY 2 : DUSHANBE → KALAIKHUMB (360KM, 7-8HRS) Into the Wild
Accommodation: Guest House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, you begin the journey east towards the Pamirs. The drive takes you through beautiful mountain landscapes and traditional Tajik villages.
Stop: On the way, visit Hulbuk Fortress, which dates back to the 8th century, and hear stories from a local guide about the fortress’s role in ancient times.
Shurabad Pass: Cross the Shurabad Pass (2200 meters), offering panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and peaks.
Arrival: Reach Kalaikhumb in the evening. This small town sits on the edge of the Pamir Mountains and serves as an ideal place to rest before the more rugged parts of the journey.
Overnight: Stay in a local guest house.
DAY 3 : KALAIKHUMB TO KHIDJEZ VILLAGE (216KM, 5-6 HOURS) – BORDERLINE PERSPECTIVES
Accommodation: Home Stay in Khidjez
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Depart Kalaikhumb for Rushan, passing through gorgeous riverside scenery along the Panj River, which marks the border with Afghanistan.
Stop at Rushan: Rushan is the administrative center of the area and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
Bartang Valley: From Rushan, head into Bartang Valley for some of the most beautiful landscapes along the Pamir Highway.
Khidjez Village: Arrive in Khidjez Village for an overnight stay in a family-run homestay. You’ll have the opportunity to interact with locals and experience their warm hospitality.
Evening: Enjoy a traditional Tajik meal and relax after the drive.
DAY 4 : TREKKING IN GISEV VALLEY → DRIVE TO KHOROG (120KM, 9-10KM TREK)
Accommodation: Hotel Pamir Palace, Khorog
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning Trek: After a short drive to Bhagoo Village, begin a 9-10 km trek through the stunning Gizev Valley. The trek is gentle, passing through forests, pastures, and several picturesque lakes. You will cross the river on a footbridge.
Scenery: The trek offers magnificent views of the Pamir Mountains and the river winding through the valley.
Return Drive: After the trek, drive to Khorog, the capital of Gorno-Badakhshan, for the night.
Overnight: Stay at Hotel Pamir Palace, a comfortable hotel with great views of the surrounding mountains.
DAY 5 : KHOROG → ISHKASHIM (130KM, 4-5HRS)
Accommodation: Guest House in Ishkashim
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: After breakfast, explore Khorog’s Bazaar, a vibrant market where locals trade goods. You can find everything from fresh produce to handwoven crafts.
Garm Chashma Hot Springs: Make a stop at the Garm Chashma Hot Springs, where you can take an optional dip in the mineral-rich waters.
Wakhan Valley: Continue your journey into the Wakhan Valley, a region that forms part of the historical Silk Road. The valley is shared with Afghanistan, and you can see its remote villages across the river.
Arrival: Reach Ishkashim, a small town that still retains much of its traditional way of life. Stay in a local guest house.
Evening: Explore the surroundings and relax for the night.
DAY 6 : ISHKASHIM TO LANGAR VIA AFGHAN MARKET (110KM, 6-7 HOURS)
Accommodation: Guest House in Langar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: If you are visiting on a Saturday, head to the Afghan market on the island in the Panj River. Here, you will cross over into Afghan territory (without actually entering Afghanistan) to witness the bustling trade between Tajiks and Afghans.
Visit Historical Sites: Drive along the Wakhan Valley and visit the Khahkha Fortress, a relic from the Kushan period. You will also visit Yamchun Fortress, one of the region’s most impressive historical sites.
Bibi Fatima Hot Springs: Stop at the Bibi Fatima Hot Springs, where local people believe the waters have healing properties.
4th Century Stupas: Visit the Buddhist Vrang Stupas, remnants of an ancient pilgrim site from the Silk Road.
Arrival: Arrive at Langar and stay in a guest house.
DAY 7 : LANGAR TO JARTY GUMBOZ (305KM, 8-9 HOURS)
Accommodation: Yurt Stay in Jarty Gumboz
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Begin the long drive to Bulunkul and Yashil Kul lakes, two of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the Pamir region.
Drive to Jarty Gumboz: Continue the drive up to Jarty Gumboz, a nomadic Kyrgyz village. The landscape here is harsh, barren, and dramatic, but extremely scenic.
Traditional Life: At Jarty Gumboz, learn about the nomadic lifestyle of the Kyrgyz people, who live in yurts and practice animal herding.
Overnight: Experience a night in a yurt, staying with a nomadic family and experiencing their traditional way of life.
DAY 8 : TREK TO BEL AIRYK PASS ( 7-8 HOURS, ALTITUDE 4,835M)
Accommodation: Guest House or Yurt Stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning Trek: Begin your trek to Bel Airyk Pass, a migration route for Marco Polo sheep, with stunning views of the Zor Kul Lake and the Hindukush Mountains in Afghanistan.
Wildlife Observation: The region is rich in wildlife, including the endangered Marco Polo sheep, snow leopards, and eagles. Keep an eye out for these creatures along the trek.
Scenic Views: Enjoy breathtaking views of Zor Kul Lake, which straddles the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
Evening: Return to your guest house or yurt for the night.
DAY 9 : JARTY GUMBEZ → MURGHAB (167KM, 4-6HRS)
Accommodation: Guest House in Murghab
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: After breakfast, travel towards Murghab, the center of the Eastern Pamirs, passing through the Mamazair settlement.
Arrival in Murghab: Murghab is a small, remote town at 3,670 meters. It is the highest town in Tajikistan and offers a true sense of the ruggedness of the Pamir region.
Explore: Spend some time exploring the town and learning about the local way of life.
Overnight: Stay in a local guest house.
DAY 10 : MURGHAB → KARAKUL → SARY TASH (470KM, 8-9HRS)
Accommodation: Yurt Stay in Sary Tash
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Begin the journey to Sary Tash, crossing high passes like Ak-Baital Pass (4655m), the highest point of the journey.
Kara Kul Lake: Stop at Kara Kul Lake, one of the highest lakes in Central Asia at 3915m. Enjoy the serenity of the lake and the surrounding lunar-like landscape.
Lenin Peak Views: Arrive at Sary Tash, where you’ll have stunning views of Lenin Peak (7134m). This is one of the highest peaks in the Pamir range.
Overnight: Stay in a yurt near Lenin Peak.
DAY 11 : SARY TASH → OSH (285KM, 6-7HRS)
Accommodation: Hotel in Osh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner
Morning: Depart from Sary Tash and drive through the Pamir-Alay mountain range, crossing the Taldyk Pass (3554m).
Arrival in Osh: Arrive in Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city. Known for its lively market, Osh is an ancient city with significant historical and cultural landmarks like Solomon’s Throne and the largest mosque in Kyrgyzstan.
End of Tour: The tour ends here, and you’ll have time to explore Osh at your leisure before making your own travel arrangements.
DAY 12 : DEPART FROM OSH
Our epic trip comes to an end today . You will depart today from OSH airport today. We are linking the flight route to be taken below.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Cross seven high-altitude mountain passes, including Ak-Baital (4,655m)
- Explore ancient fortresses, petroglyphs, and Buddhist stupas along the Silk Road
- Experience nomadic culture in Kyrgyz yurt camps
- Trek remote valleys with pristine lakes, glaciers, and rare wildlife
- Travel through one of the most isolated, dramatic landscapes on Earth
TRIP REVIEWS
Monali Pardeshi
Traveling with Vyshakh is super fun. He is not just a superb organiser but an awesome human being as well. I had been to my very First trip with him to Bhutan and I am still awe struck. The whole journey was filled with so much fun and excitement which is difficult to describe in words. we had 5 birthdays on the trip n Vyshakh had ensured he planned each birthday and is celebrated uniquely in a unknown land, which was truely amazing. Going on trip with Vyshakh you are rest assured to be in happy space throughout. He has that zest to create small moments in your life which you will be carrying with you forever like strolling around deserted roads to find perfect place to cut the cake, sitting by the river (which is not part of the itinerary), to new year celebration to having long night sessions of Mafia n connecting in the bus to assuring that he is there for each one of us... all this is just the part of the unsaid itinerary... Just awaiting for the next trip together... As he always says "See you in the mountains".
Ankita Khandelwal
I recently went on a trip to Bhutan with OJ. This was my first solo trip and I was really nervous on how would the trip be, the crowd, safety etc. But right from the start, the OJ team assured me that I will find my tribe. And on the new years night, I did find my tribe 🙂 Neha, my trip leader, also the one with whom I shared my room; I saw the background work she had put to ensure everyone in the trip were having a good time. It was not easy to manage a group of 24 people, but Neha did it so effortlessly. She could have just stuck to her job and followed the itinerary as planned, but what stood her out was the personal connection she made with everyone. Am sure everyone of us on the trip have at least one good memory with Neha involved 🙂 Right from picking us on the airport, our immigration, recommending us the best local cuisines to eat, clicking photos of every single person, spending time with all of us together and alone, being patient every time we were late, Neha was truly commendable as a trip leader. Also the smile our local Bhutan Guide Kinzang(King) had constantly on the trip and his genuine effort in showing us his country gave us a glimpse of the warmth Bhutanese ppl carried 🙂 He had answers to all our questions related to the country and otherwise. I also want to specially thank the OJ team for our rooms and travel. We stayed in rooms with beautiful views and the cars and buses along with their drivers were very good. This was my first solo trip, but not even once did i feel alone. Everyone in the trip were mesmerised by the beauty Bhutan held. The culture and heritage the country carried is very rare in today's fast paced world. Rafting in those freezing waters is an experience you cannot miss. Thank you OJ for making sure I made beautiful memories. Cant wait to travel again with OJ and Neha especially. Neha - Thank you for being an amazing trip leader and roomie, and now an awesome friend 🙂
GROUP TRIP DATES:
FLIGHTS & VISA CONSIDERATION :
COST ( excluding 5% GST )
1300 USD
HOW TO BLOCK A SLOT ?
Step 1 : Block the slot
You can block the slot by paying a token amount of 10000 INR for this trip either by UPI , credit card/ EMI or by Bank transfer.
Be Proud Of You. A Trip Is Gift To Self. When Was The Last Time You Gifted Yourself ?
Step 2 : Refer to get a Discount
You are loosing Rs.3000 by not referring this trip to your friend ( Refer to your friends who might join you & all of you gets Rs.3000 off each while you book together )
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Transport: 4x4 vehicle with an experienced driver for the entire journey.
- Accommodation: Guesthouses, homestays, and yurt stays (shared rooms).
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner daily during roadtrip. Some lunches in remote areas.
- Permits & Fees: Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) permit and other necessary entry permits.
- Guided Activities: Local guides for treks and cultural sites.
- Border Crossings: Assistance at Tajik-Kyrgyz border.
- Drinking Water & Tea: Provided at guesthouses and homestays.
- A Trained Outdoor leader to keep you safe. I Promise 🙂
- International & Domestic Flights: You need to book your flights separately.
- Visa Fees: Tajikistan ( 50 USD ) and Kyrgyzstan visas ( 50 USD ) . We will be guiding you.
- Lunch & Snacks: Lunches and dinners in towns, snacks, and extra drinks.
- Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, laundry, phone charges, or additional activities.
- Travel Insurance: Highly recommended
- Tips for Drivers: Not mandatory but Expected.
- Letter of invitation( Around 35 $ )
NOTE: The Pamir Highway is one of the most remote journeys on Earth—expect basic accommodations, unpredictable weather, and limited connectivity. But that’s all part of the adventure! 🚀
Before 45 days of trip, there will be 10% cancellation charge
Before 30 days and within 44 days of arrival, there will be 25% cancellation charge
Before 15 days and within 29 days of arrival ,there will be 50% cancellation charge
Within 14 days of trip there will be 100% cancellation charges
Note that the cancellation charge is on the trip amount. All this been said if you or me can find a replacement for the slot. I will be happy to refund the entire amount. 🙂
- *Mandatory : Original ID Proof
Clothes : 1 Fleece jacket , 1 down jacket , 4 Synthetic / cotton pants ,5 Full sleeves tees , Sunhat ,Towel .
Shoes & socks: High ankle shoes , cotton socks
Skin care essentials : Sunglasses with UV protection ,Lip balm Cold cream, Sunscreen lotion
Other accessories : LED Torch/ headlamps (If already bought), Universal multi plug
Most people come alone for my trips. About 25% of the people bring a friend or partner.Honestly It really doesn't matter. I have seen on all the batches I have lead. Most people really gel with everyone, even the ones who thought wouldn't gel up, surprise themselves always with the way they got comfortable with everyone.
Each trek/ trip is rated according to the number of days we spend outdoors . If you aren't sure where to start, go with an easy trip or trek.
For trips,
I dreamed of trips where we could go out hike , get exhausted , come back to hotel and have a great evening. This is exactly why some of my trips have Day hikes in it. It is a perfect chance for people who have never hiked in their entire life. Don't worry, We are there :).
For treks,
you can start with Sandhakphu or Chandrashila . You can also benchmark yourself for the treks.
- If you can run for 30 mins and cover around 3-3.5 km , then you can go ahead with an easy trek
- If you can run for 30 mins and cover around 3.5-4 km , then you can go ahead with an moderate trek
- If you can run for 30 mins and cover around 4-5 km , then you can go ahead with an difficult trek
If you have never done a high altitude trek, then start with a easy or Easy- moderate trek. That way you will understand how your body reacts to high altitude and you can check you cardio strength too.
Usually, most batch sizes are between 12-20 people who are aged between 16-38. Most people come alone or with a friend. The trip would feel like you are travelling more with college friends than strangers. We tend to do more outdoorsy things than regular trips .
For example : If we find a very pretty waterfall/ a beautiful sunset / Rainbow on the way. We would stop the vehicle right away to catch the beauty of it.
We usually sleep very late on these trips as we play a lot of group games and most people feel they will miss the precious time with the group members and decides to stay awake.
Here are few places you can read more about the brand and trips
away on 
your Birthday ? 
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