7-Day Pamir Highway Tour: From Dushanbe to Osh via Wakhan Valley

Pick-up time: 08:00 AM

Your expert guide and your driver pick-up from your hotel or accommodation in Dushanbe. After a short briefing, the journey begins toward the Pamir Mountains.

Today’s drive covers approximately 360 km with 7–8 hours of driving, including sightseeing stops. The route follows the A385 road through scenic mountain landscapes and traditional villages.We stop Nurek GES which is the biggest GES in Central Asia then We cross Shurabad Pass (2,200 m) and make a cultural stop at the Hulbuk Fortress (8th century), where a local guide explains the history and structure of the ancient governor’s palace.

Lunch is taken at a local restaurant or roadside café along the route, serving simple Tajik dishes such as soup, rice, bread, and tea.

Estimated lunch cost if paid locally: USD 8–12 per person.

In the afternoon, we continue toward Kalaikhumb, driving along mountain valleys and river scenery. Arrival is expected in the early evening (around 6:00–7:00 PM).

Dinner is served at the guesthouse or a local café in Kalaikhumb.

Estimated dinner cost if paid locally: USD 10–15 per person.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Kalaikhumb

Rooms are simple, clean, usually twin or double, with shared or private bathroom depending on availability.

• Long but scenic mountain drive with frequent photo stops

• First experience of Pamir landscapes and rural Tajik life

• Visit to the historic Hulbuk Fortress with a local guide

• Simple local meals in roadside cafés

• Comfortable overnight stay in a local guesthouse

After breakfast, we depart Kalaikhumb and continue along the Panj River, which forms the natural border with Afghanistan.

We arrive in Khorog, the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO).

Khorog Town

Khorog is a small but historically significant town that has been ruled at various times by Russia, the Emirate of Bukhara, and Afghanistan. Today, it remains one of the least developed regions of Tajikistan, with much of the local economy supported by the Aga Khan Foundation.

Khorog is also home to the second-highest botanical garden in the world (3,900 m).

Dinner at the hotel or nearby restaurant.

Estimated cost if paid locally: USD 10–15 per person.

Overnight: Hotel Lal or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

• Full-day drive along the Afghan border;

• Mountain and river valley landscapes;

• Photo stops along the Panj River;

• Comfortable hotel accommodation;

• Simple local meals;

Departure: 08:30 AM after breakfast in Khorog.

In the morning, there is time to visit Khorog Bazaar and the Botanical Garden, offering panoramic views over the town. The journey then continues toward Ishkashim, entering the Wakhan Valley.

En route, there is an optional stop at Garmchashma Hot Springs and a detour to Namadgut village to visit the Khahkha Fortress.

Lunch at a local café along the route.

Estimated cost if paid locally: USD 8–12 per person.

Arrival in Ishkashim is expected in the mid to late afternoon. Check-in at a guesthouse

Dinner at the guesthouse.

Estimated cost if paid locally: USD 10–15 per person.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Ishkashim, guesthouse is very simple and it is very normal in this area, if there is better option we will try to organize it for you.

• Shorter driving day compared to previous days;

• Entry into the Wakhan Valley;

• Cultural and historical stops en route;

• Optional hot spring visit;

• Guesthouse stay in Ishkashim;

We continue driving through the Wakhan Valley.

A detour brings us again to Namadguti village to explore the Khahkha Fortress, dating back to the 3rd-century Kushan era.

We also visit the impressive Yamchun Fortress, one of the most remarkable ancient structures in the region.

A stop is made at Bibi Fatima Hot Springs, named after the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter and believed by local women to enhance fertility.

Later, we visit the 4th-century Buddhist stupas at Vrang, reminders of ancient Silk Road pilgrim caravans.

• Scenic drive through the Wakhan Valley;

• Visits to ancient fortresses and historical sites;

• Optional hot spring stop;

• Short cultural walks and photo stops;

• Homestay experience in Langar;

Departure: 08:00 AM after breakfast in Langar.

Today we leave the Wakhan Valley and drive toward Murghab via the Kargushi Pass (4,344 m). The landscape gradually changes from green valleys to high-altitude plateau and barren mountain terrain.

Lunch is taken at a simple roadside café or local guesthouse along the route.

Estimated cost if paid locally: USD 8–12 per person.

Arrival in Murghab is expected in the late afternoon or early evening. Check-in at a local homestay.

Dinner at the homestay or a nearby local café.

Estimated cost if paid locally: USD 10–15 per person.

Overnight: Homestay in Murghab.

Crossing the highest pass of the journey;

• Karakul Lake photo stop;

• Border crossing from Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan;

• Dramatic high-altitude landscapes;

• Overnight in a traditional yurt near Lenin Peak;

Departure: 08:00 AM after breakfast in Murghab.

Today’s drive passes through some of the highest and most remote sections of the Pamir Highway. We cross the Ak-Baital Pass (4,655 m), the highest road pass in the former Soviet Union, before descending to Karakul Lake for a short stop and photos.

The route continues over the Kyzyl-Art Pass (4,282 m), marking the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Border formalities are completed before entering Kyrgyzstan.

Lunch is taken at a local café or simple roadside stop along the route.

Estimated cost if paid locally: USD 8–12 per person.

In the afternoon, we continue through the Pamir-Alay Mountains toward Tulpar Kul, located near Lenin Peak (7,134 m). Arrival is expected in the late afternoon.

Dinner is served at the yurt camp.

Overnight: Yurt accommodation near Tulpar Kul (basic facilities).

• Crossing the highest pass of the journey;

• Karakul Lake photo stop;

• Border crossing from Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan;

• Dramatic high-altitude landscapes;

• Overnight in a traditional yurt near Lenin Peak;

Departure: 08:30 AM after breakfast at the yurt camp near Tulpar Kul.

The drive continues through the Pamir-Alay Mountains, passing Sary-Tash village before crossing the Taldyk Pass (3,554 m). The scenery gradually changes from high-altitude plateau to greener farmland and villages.

Lunch is taken at a local café along the route.

Estimated cost if paid locally: USD 8–12 per person.

Arrival in Osh is expected in the early evening. Drop-off at your hotel or city center. Tour services end upon arrival.

Overnight: On your own arrangements.

• Final scenic drive through Pamir-Alay mountains;

• Crossing Taldyk Pass;

• Transition from high mountains to fertile valleys;

• Arrival in Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s oldest city;

• End of Pamir Highway journey;