Dushanbe to Osh on Pamir Highway

Enjoy the views of one of the world’s highest hydropower station Nurek in a distance. Visit 11th-century Hulbuk Palace before Kulob village. Head on to the Shurobod pass. After the pass, deep rocky valleys and gorgeous mountains open up. Drive along Panj River with amazing mountain views and through numerous local villages. Arrival in Kalaikhum village. Dinner and overnight in a homestay.

Travel to Khorog city. The road continues along the Afghan border with picturesque scenery and widens up in the Vanj valley with gorgeous mountain views along the river. Arrival in Khorog city. Accommodation in a hotel. Afternoon, do evening hike in a Botanical Garden that has various plants and trees to explore.

Visit fortress Khaaka on the way at Namadgut village right after leaving Ishkashim village. It is worth a 10 minutes stop. Take another detour on the way at Yamchun to admire the 12th century Yamchun Fortress rising from a platform of natural rock. Walk up to the edge of the fort and you will have an amazing view of Wakhan valley. Further up the hillside are located the hot springs of Bibi Fatima with its crystal waters rich in minerals. Walk back to your car and drive to Langar village.

Travel to Kargush pass, 2hrs. Road follows the river Pamir all the way to Kargush checkpoint with the chance to admire the Big Pamir of Afghanistan with nomadic Afghan Kyrgyz caravans. Arrival at the Kargush pass and start the 3-4 hrs trek to Panorama Ridge at 4800 meters. While walking up, two small lakes behind you at roadside open up to cheer you. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of Great Pamir on Afghan border on the top of pass. Walk back to your car. Take another side trip to see alpine lakes Bulunkul Yashilkul. Drive to Alichur village, 1 hr.

We take a detour to Observatory Hill. You will see a nice view of Muztagh Ata peak of China on top of the hill if no clouds in the sky. Down the hill, there is a Soviet truck full of skulls of Marco Polo sheep inside. Once upon a time, it was a hunting camp. Back to the main road and go to Murgab village. Lunch in a local guesthouse or café. Travel goes on to Karakul lake with the highest pass Akbaital (4655 m) you will ever do in Tajikistan, 3hr. Take photos of glaciers on the pass. Arrival in Karakul lake. Overnight and dinner in a guesthouse.

Breakfast. Drive to the checkpoint, 1hr. Cross the borders and head up to the Lenin Peak Base Camp via Sarymogol village, 3 hrs. Arrival in the yurt camp at the base camp and lunch in a yurt. Explore the snowcapped Lenin Peak in Pamir mountain range by taking a day hike from your yurt camp to the Traveler’s pass at 4130 meters, 3 hrs. Enjoy the beauty of glaciers while walking up to the pass. Rest at the top of the Traveler’s pass to gaze at glaciers tumbling off the massive peak. Back to your yurts, 2 hrs. Overnight and dinner in a yurt.

Breakfast. Drive to Osh city along the numerous Kyrgyz villages and shepherd’s yurts scattered in mountains slopes, 5 hrs. Arrival and be accommodated in your hotel. End of the trip.