Tour Pamir - the Roof of the World
Cities:
Tashkent – Khujand – Istaravshan – Panjakent – Dushanbe – Kalaikhumb - Khorugh – Yamg – Langar – Murgab – Osh – Toktogul – Bishkek
Length:
18 days/ 17 nights
Description:
The Pamirs is one of the world's highest mountain systems, located in the south of Central Asia. The Pamirs is located at the point where the greatest mountains of Asia meet: the Himalayas, Karakorum, Hindu Kush, Tien Shan, Gissar and Alai and Kunlun. A trip to the Pamirs is an opportunity to see with your own eyes the most famous mountain system. A distinctive feature of the tour is that it almost passes off-road between the mountain peaks. Pamir is one of the places on earth where you really feel on another planet. This is an amazing nature of the highlands, ancient history and beautiful people. The journey begins in Uzbekistan, passes through Tajikistan and ends in Kyrgyzstan.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Tashkent
Arrival to Tashkent. Check in the hotel. Morning rest at leisure.
Lunch in the local restaurant.
Afternoon sightseeing tour in Tashkent. Visit the old part of the city Khazrat Imam Square, Chorsu Market, the Independence Square, Museum of Applied Arts, the walking via the local Broadway, the underground system.
Dinner at local restaurant
Overnight in the hotel
Day 2: Tashkent – “Oibek” border (Tajikistan) – Khujand – 160 km
Morning drive from Tashkent to Khujand. Cross the border of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
After crossing the border drive to Khujand – center of Sughd region, Northern Tajikistan. Khujand is the second-largest city of Tajikistan and the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan Sughd. It is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, dating back about 2,500 years.
Arrival to Khujand. Lunch in the local restaurant.
After lunch sightseeing tour in Khujand. Visit Arbob Palace. Arbob palace had its special significance in 1992, when it was the place where Tajiks officially declared independence from the Soviet Union. Also, it was the site where the Tajik flag was chosen. Kamoli Khudjandi Square, Timur Malik’s fortress and Sugd museum , Muslihiddin memorial complex, Panjshanbe bazaar – is Khujand’s central market that has many shops offering different kind of goods and services. The name Panjshanbe comes from Persian language meaning “Thursday”.
Dinner in local restaurant.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 3: Khujand – Istaravshan – Panjakent (280km 6-7hrs)
Morning departure from Khujand to Panjakent. On the way stop in the Istaravshan city.
Istaravshan is located 78 kilometers southwest of Khujand, and it is one of the oldest cities in today's Tajikistan, having existed for more than 2500 years.
Sightseeing of Istaravshan: visit Mugtepa fortress, Kok Gumbaz 15th Timurid Mosque built by a son of Uleg Beg, Sar-i Mazor complex of two 15th-16th century mausoleum and lovely 16th-17th century mosque in gardens.
Further, we’ll continue our trip towards Zerafshan Valley, to the historical town Panjakent. We will drive through beautiful Shakhristan gorge. Lunch in a local café.
Arrival to Panjakent. Check in in the hotel.
Dinner in local restaurant
Overnight in the hotel
Day 4: Panjakent - Haft Kul - Panjakent (80km, gravel road)
Ancient Panjakent was a small but flourishing town of the Sogdians in pre-Islamic Central Asia. It was known as Panchekanth. It means five towns (villages) in Sanskrit.
Today we make a visit to Seven Lakes or Haft Kul (80 km) and come back to Panjakent. Seven lakes of Marguzor lakes are located in the west of Fan Mountains; each of them has its own colour which varies from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. You will see Mijgon, Soya, Hushyor, Nophin (2139m), and Khurdak, Marguzor, Hazorchashma lakes (2400m). Here you will enjoy your picnic lunch and after that we drive back to Penjikent (80 km).
Arrival to Panjakent and visit ancient settlement of Sarazm. It dates back to the 4th millennium BCE and it is UNESCO World Heritage site. The site is of great interest for archaeologists as it constitutes the first proto-historical agricultural society in this region of Central Asia.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 5: Panjakent - Dushanbe (220km, 4-5 hrs)
After breakfast, we’ll spend unforgettable time in Panjakent. Panjakent was a major city, established in the 5th century AD by the Sogdians. We'll visit of Rudaki Historic-ethnographic museum, and Ancient Panjakent settlement. Before lunch we'll visit local bazaar and mosque. Lunch in a traditional Chaikhana.
After having lunch drive to Dushanbe. En route we will see beautiful Iskanderkul lake. According to the legend, the Lake Iskanderkul got the name after Alexander the Great, known as Iskander in the East. People say that Alexander the Great’s path to Central Asia from India laid through this lake.
Arrival to Dushanbe, check in to the hotel.
Dinner in the local restaurant.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 6: Dushanbe
Sighseeing tour in Dushanbe. We will visit famous Museum of National Antiquities, which opened in 2001. Featuring artefacts from Tajikistan's Islamic and pre-Islamic history (Greek/Bactrian, Zoroastrian, Buddhist and Hindu), the museum shows that Tajikistan was an important crossroad in Central Asia. The centrepiece is the 14 m reclining Buddha in Nirvana, a 1,400 year-old statue created by the same Kushan civilisation that made the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan.
Later visit National Museum recently opened in the center of Dushanbe where you can see history of Tajikistan from the Stone Age until present days. Unique frescoes and burned wooden statues from Penjikent excavation site are exhibited there. There is a special section devoted to the excavation of Tahti Sangin Temple of Oxsus from Sothern part of Tajikistan.
After the museum, we visit cultural palace “Kohi Navruz”. This the place where you witness the traditional architecture of Tajik people with woodcarving, painting and mosaic arts.
Later visit monument of Ismaili Somoni and Rudaki park in the center of city. Visit local bazaar.
Lunch and Dinner at local restaurant
Overnight in the hotel
Day 7: Dushanbe
Morning visit to Hissor town (23 km from Dushanbe) to see ancient fortress of Hissor - one of the most precious historical sites of Tajikistan. Comfortably located near Dushanbe Hissor Fortress combines the traditional elements of power, trade and culture of the ancient Tajik nation. Visit Medrassah Kuhna (16th c) and Museum and mausoleum of Sufi saint Mahdumi Azam.
Picnic lunch in the valley.
Return to Dushanbe and visit Museum of Musical Instruments. The Museum was founded in 1990 on the basis of the private collection of the Tajik artist Gurminj Zavqibekov. The talented actor started his collection in his early youth. Gurminj Museum currently has more than 200 items exhibited from all over Asia, boasting a wide range of mainly stringed and percussion instruments including “setars”, “dutars”, “rubabs”, “tanburs” and “banjos”.
Lunch and Dinner at local restaurant
Overnight in the hotel
Day 8: Dushanbe – Nurek – Hulbuk - Kalaikhumb (370 km 7-8 hrs) 30% asphalt, 70% gravel road, 1400 m above sea level
Today we will drive to Kalai Khumb village. En route you will see Nurek water reservoir that is called Tajik Sea. The highest point of the day is Shuraba pass (2 267 m) and after the 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 – Panj River. Having visited the Pamirs, many travellers called this giant mountain system the ocean of white and blue mountains.
En route visit Hulbuk ancient city (9-11c) located in Vose town and nearby local museum, which has artifacts from the excavation site.
Dinner at hotel or local restaurant in Kalaikhumb.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 9: Kalaikhumb – Khorugh – 250 km (2070 m) 20% asphalt, 80% gravel road
In the morning we will visit ladies’ craft center called “Mehri Modar”(Mother’s Love) just at the beginning of Kalaikhumb town. You can see how local women sew beautiful patterns of clothing using traditional and modern methods.
Drive to Khorugh in the High Pamirs for 2-nights.
The road is going along Panj River with Afgan villages on the other site. It passes through Vanch region from where all trekkings to Fedchenko glacier start, here mountains have very good quality marble, visible from the road.
From Rushan village starts Ismaili portion of this route. Short stop to see Vamar fotress.
Near to Khorugh (10 km) visit Parshinev village to see the shrine of Pir-I Shoh Nosir, museum and holy spring dedicated to Nosiry Khusrav (1004) the founder of Isamili religion in this area.
On arrival to Khorugh transfer to hotel
Lunch and dinner at local restaurant
Overnight in the hotel
Day 10: Khorugh
Khorugh is a small town and a center of Badakhshan GBAO (Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast of Tajikistan)
Sightseeing tour in Khorugh visit the world’s second highest Botanical Garden and Khorugh Museum.
After the museum, we visit Central Park. It should be noted that the people of Badakhshan have their specific culture and it is obvious in their traditional clothing, cuisine, musical instrument, architecture and folklore. After lunch, you will visit traditional Pamiri house. This is a good chance for you to study the great symbolism behind every details of Pamiri house and observe how local people make traditional Pamiri scull-caps and socks.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 11: Khorog - Garm Chasma - Ishkashim – Yamg - 190 km (4-5hrs), 2782 m above sea level
Morning drive along Panj River via Ishkashim town to Yamg.
Drive through the famous mineral hot springs Garm Chashma and Shrine of Ali (who probably discovered this spring). You can have a nice relaxing bath there.
Across the river see a pass leading to the open valleys of Afghanistan it was the path probably taken by Marco Polo on his journey to Badakshan, he mentions about the famous Ruby mines so called Lali Badahshani (Queen’s Crown does have the famous ruby from these mines!)
Lunch in Ishkashim village.
En route visit Namadgut village to see Kushan Empire time Fortress Kah-Kah, nice local Museum (history, local embroidery, excavation subjects) and typical Ismaili shrine Oston-I Shobi Mardon 11 c with unique beautiful wood carvings and petroglyphs.
On arrival to Yamg transfer to Home stay for overnight.
Dinner and overnight: Home Stay in traditional Pamir House
Day 12: Yamg - Langar – 100 km (3 hrs), 2815 m above sea level
Morning visits of Yamg village:
First visit the museum of local astronomer and poet Sufi Muboraki Vakhoni and his solar calendar with an interesting story of his grand grand son Aydar Malikmamadov who is still living in Yamg village.
Visit the Yamchun village to see Bibi Fatima hot spring, and ruins of Yamchun fortress (3 -1 c BC). After having bath in hot spring you can enjoy unforgettable view of the most picturesque part of Pamir valley! Return to Yamg for lunch.
Today we will also visit local village of Vrang. There on the top of the hill you will see a Buddhist stupa with 60 caves (V-VI cc).
Later proceed to Langar. See the famous Wakhan corridor across in Afghanistan and continue to Langar. On arrival transfer to a local family Traditional Pamiri House for overnight.
Dinner and overnight: Home stay in Hisor
Day 13: Langar
Morning make a steep climb above Langar village to see the unique gallery of petroglyphs carved into the rock, depicting mountain goats, caravans, horse riders with banners, and the Ismaili symbol of a hand (4 km - 2hrs hiking).
Lunch at the guest house in Langar
Later short hiking to the side of “Silk road” fortress in Zong village (III-I cc BC), it is total 6 km walking both ways (2 hrs hiking).
Today we will also visit local shrine Mazor-I Shoh Kambar-I Oftob (Master of sun).
Dinner and overnight: Home stay in Hisor
Day 14: Langar – Murgab (250 km, 6-7 hrs, 3688 m above sea level)
Start unique drive towards Murgab through Wakhan region. Historically the Wakhan has been an important region for thousands of years as it is where the Western and Eastern portions of Central Asia meet. Agreements between Britain and Russia in 1873 and between Britain and Afghanistan in 1893 effectively split the historic area of Wakhan by making the Panj and Pamir Rivers the border between Afghanistan and the Russian Empire.
Today we cross high Khargush (4344 m) and Nauzetash (4314 m) mountain passes and Alichur village (3863 m), en route we stop to see holy pool with fish Ak Balik. The scenery here is mountain semi desert.
On arrival to Murgab possible to visit local handicraft shop to take a Pamiri traditional hand made souvenir for good memory.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 15: Murghab - Kizil Art Pass - Sary Tash (230 km) - Osh (185km)
Early morning departure to Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
Today we drive via Akbaital Pass (4655m), Uybulok pass (4232m) and Kyzyl Art Pass (4336m) en route see mountain desert sceneries, Karakul Lake (3914m Lenin peak 7134 m is visible from there).
After we cross the border of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan we drive up to Sary Tash, where we stop for lunch and then continue the journey up to Osh.
Arrival to Osh. Check in the hotel. Dinner in the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 16: Osh – Toktogul (360 km)
Morning departure from the hotel, sightseeing tour in Osh, lunch and departure via Uzgen to Toktogul.
Osh is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located in the Fergana Valley in the south of the country and often referred to as the "capital of the south". It is the oldest city in the country estimated to be more than 3000 years old.
After breakfast sightseeing tour in Osh: visit Osh Bazaar, the largest market in Central Asia. You walk along the colorful rows of Golden market, watch black smiths working and smell aromas of spices, fruits and vegetables of Food market.
After visiting bazaar we continue to Sulaiman Mount, one of the main shrines of the Islamic world in Central Asia. On the mount, first we see the historical museum, located right in the main cave. After the museum tour, we follow the way of all pilgrims up to the top of the hill where you watch a little mosque of Babur, The Great Moguls Dynasty founder, and take a bird eye’s view of the city.
Afternoon transfer to Toktogul lake. On the way excursion to the ancient minaret and mausoleums in Uzgen town (54 km from Osh). Uzgen was one of the capitals of Karakhanid State, occupied vast areas in Central Asia in 10-12 centuries AD. Islam became state religion in this khanate in Central Asia that is why minaret and masoleums of governors were in the very citadel (center) of the city.
Continue driving to Toktogul lake via beautiful and picturesque canyons and gorges of Central Tien Shan Mountains.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 17: Toktogul - Bishkek (360 km)
After breakfast we drive to Bishkek via Chichkan gorge, which is one of the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan. Today we will be crossing mountain passes over 3000 m high. You will drive over the Too-Ashu Pass and through a beautiful Suusamyr valley.
Upon arrival in Bishkek you will have a city tour to visit Manas Monument, the main national hero of the Kyrgyz people. Then excursion to the State History Museum and walking tour around main Ala Too Square to watch ceremony of changing of the Guard of Honor, Independence Monument, main governmental buildings, and finish at the Old Square with Parliament House and the only survived in Central Asia Lenin’s Monument. Transfer to the Victory Square to finish the city tour by short excursion there.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 18: Bishkek – departure
Early morning transfer to the airport
End of the tour
The tour includes:
- Meeting and seeing off at the airport
- Booking and accommodation in the hotels;
- Transport;
- Guides throughout the tour;
- Entrance fees to all attractions;
- Meals - full board;
- Water;
- Visa support (invitation, state registration).
The tour not includes:
- International flight;
- Medical insurance;
- Optional excursions outside the tour program;
- Tips for guides and drivers;
- Photo and video shooting.