Bartang Valley & Wahan Corridor

Day 1 Dushanbe City Tour

Our guide will meet you in the airport and accompany to Dushanbe. The entire day is dedicated to a guided city tour. First of we will visit Rudake Park, National library, White House, National state seal, House of parliament and Jomi theatre. After it we will walk in National park to make photos of Ministry of Inner Affairs and the biggest National Flag in the world – 165 m high pole, 30 m wide, 60 m long. After excursion in Central Museum you will have lunch. Then you will visit to Gurminj Museum of traditional musical instruments. To feel real life you should visit Asian bazar. It has colorful goods, fruits and vegetables. We will see today the main highlights of Dushanbe and you will find out many interesting facts about Tajik people. Dinner will be in a traditional restaurant where you try Tajik food.

Day 2 Dushanbe-Kalai Khumb

Today we will drive to Kalai Khum village. You will see Norak water reservoir that is called blue Sea. The highest point of the day is Shurabad pass (2 200 m) and after drive along Afghanistan border starts. This part will amaze you by its unique mountains – it is already Territory of Pamir Mountains. Over the centuries, the Pamirs have inspired the world’s greatest explorers – Marco Polo, Hsuan Tsang, Mirza Muhammad Haidar. And now you also have a chance to travel here. You will drive along natural border – Pyanj River. Having visited the Pamirs, many travellers called this giant mountain system the ocean of white and blue mountains. This night you will spend in a home stay to see the way of local people’s life.

Day 3 Kalai Khumb- Khorog

In the morning we will drive to Khrorog. It is perhaps one of the tiniest cities on the map of the world. It is surrounded by rocky mountains from all four sides. The town was built on the confluence of the 3 rivers where Shokhdara river and Ghund river flow into Pyanj river. On the way to Khorog you will meet Pamir people. A number of anthropological features set the Pamir people apart from the Tajik people. Among the Pamiris, there is a high percentage of people with blonde hair, fair skin and blue eyes. Pamirs Mountains are the highest mountains in the world with human population after the Himalayas in Tibet. Life in the mountains made traditions of local people different from Tajik people.

Day 4 Khorog-Ishkashim

This morning we have a time to explore Khorog including the bazaar and the lovely Botanical Gardens which are perched high above the town, affording some great panoramic views. Then drive to Ishkashim valley some 110 km from Khorog. We will stop at Garmchasma hot springs for an (optional) dip in the natural hot springs.

Day 5 Ishkashim-Langar

Visit to the nearby village of Namadguti to visit the Khahkha Fortress. This impressive structure rises from a naturally formed platform of rock and dates back to the Kushan era of the 3rd Century. There are a number of these ancient fortresses in the area, and we also visit Yamchun fort, perhaps the most impressive of them. We take a break at the Bibi Fatima hot springs, named for the Prophet Mohammed’s daughter and where local women believe they can increase their fertility. Continuing on we then stop at the 4th Century Buddhist stupas at Vrang, reminders of the ancient pilgrim caravans that passed through the region. (130km today) Overnight homestay with shared basic bathroom facilities. Tonight you will sleep on Asian style bedding on the mattresses and blankets on the floor in a few rooms of a Pamiri House

Day 6 Langar-Murgab

Leave behind the lush valleys of the Wakhan Valley and enter a landscape that is rocky, mostly barren but nevertheless dramatic. This is the Pamir Highway we have anticipated, with the route between Khorog and Osh completed in 1931 across a Tibetan-plateau style high altitude terrain. With a total of 240kms to cover today, we anticipate arriving in Murghab early evening.

Day 7 Murgab-Karakul

Our journey today takes us to Karakul. The road climbs up to the Ak Baital Pass (The White Mare Pass), which at 4655m stands as the highest pass in the former USSR. We will take a short detour to the Shor and Rankul Lakes, where we will stop for a picnic lunch.
Views of mountains and glaciers along the way are simply breath-taking. The stunning Karakul Lake is hidden deep in this expanse of arid landscape. It is a body of water thought to have been created millions of years ago by a meteorite and noted as one of the most geologically fascinating places on earth. We’ll have the
opportunity for a short walk along the lake to our homestay in Karakul village. The surrounding area offers some spectacular views, which are especially dramatic with the sun setting over the nearby snowcappedmountains.

Day 8 Karakul-Jalang (Summur Pasture)

Today Drive from Kara kul to Jalang summer pasture. There will see petro glyphs and yaks. Overnight in yurt. This region is margined and far from the centers and civilized life. The landscape around is not shaped and it is purely natural.

Day 9 Jalang- Ghudara

After 50km, we will be reaching geometric Sake tombs of Shohola, solar calendar, dating back as the second millennium B.C. After reaching the Kook Jar Pass, from here we will start walking down to the wonderful peaceful Bartang Valley. Overnight in a typical Pamiri homestay in Ghudara

Day 10 Ghudara-Spunj

Very different from both the High Pamir and the Wakhan Valley, Bartang is dotted with small villages and plots of land are carved out of the mountainsides to
provide for the local farmers. Considered to be one of the most impressive spots in the western Pamirs, the valley is famous for its superb climbing, hospitable villages and local musicians. We will spend the
night in Siponji village, historically used as a shelter from neighbouring Afghan slave traders. On arrival we will have time to explore the local village.

Day 11 Spunj-Jizef (hike)

Transfer to Jizev junction (bridge). Gisev village is one of the ecological villages in the Pamirs that still has neither vehicle road not electrical cabling. Some houses use solar energy or small generators. The entire valley has only about 15 houses. This valley has many small beautiful lakes, different varieties of birds and herbs and few groves and is very popular for tourists. We will cross the Bartangriver through wooden bridge. Further we begin the trek to Gisev village (7 km hike).

Day 12 Jisef- Kalai Khumb

Transport from Bartang Valley to Kalaikhumb Drive back down this beautiful valley and on to the main road. The route to Kalaikhumb takes you further along the river and Afghan border twisting and turning through the mountains.

Day 13 Kalai khumb-Dushanbe

In the morning we will drive to Dushanbe via mountain road. You will drive over high Khoburubot Pass (3 252) known as Western Pamir Tract. The road goes through the most picturesque river valley and amazing gorges in the terrain, where one can stop for rest and shoot photos of the mountain and rivers. On the way you will see small villages and meet local people. Tajiks are by nature hard working, hospitable, and kind-hearted. This nation greatly respects its traditions and folklore. This trip is attractive for the lovers of exotics, those curious about the ethnic and cultural diversity and captivated by the beauty of wild nature. Dinner will be in a restaurant.

Day 14 Departure