Name: Osh to Dushanbe, 7-days
Location: Tajikistan

Visit Alay

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38 reviews

Duration: 7 days

Group size: 1 - 2500

Osh to Dushanbe, 7-days

Tajikistan

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Visit Alay

Email address verified

38 reviews

$475

Duration: 7 days

Group size: 1 - 2500

Immerse in Local Culture: Enjoy traditional hospitality and local cuisine and stay in Kyrgyz yurts at Lenin Peak base and Pamiri homestays. Explore historical landmarks like Yamchun Fortress and Hulbuk Palace, and relax in the healing waters of Bibi Fatima Hot Springs.

Epic High-Altitude Hikes: Trek to Traveler’s Pass (4,130 m) at Lenin Peak and Panorama Ridge (4,800 m) for panoramic views of Lenin Peak and glaciers cascading from the Great Pamir mountains.

Explore Stunning Lakes: Discover the beauty of Tulparkol, Karakul, Bulunkul, and Yashylkul, pristine alpine lakes that reflect the surrounding peaks.

Wakhan Valley Adventures: Drive along the legendary Panj River, tracing the Afghan border with views of remote villages, nomadic caravans, and the Hindu Kush mountains.

Conquer the Highest Passes: Cross the Kyzylart Pass (4,300 m) into Tajikistan and the Akbaital Pass (4,655 m), the highest point on the Pamir Highway.

GBAO permit

$35

The GBAO permit is required for the Pamir Region in Tajikistan, If you're from a visa-free country, you must obtain it through us. The passport holders of the following nationalities (countries) are eligible to enter Tajikistan without a visa.

Andorra Argentina Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Brazil Bulgaria Canada Chile Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Estonia Finland France Germany Greece

Hungary Iceland Indonesia Ireland Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malaysia Maldives Malta Marshall Islands Mexico Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Netherlands New Zealand North Korea (DPRK) Norway OmanPhilippines Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines San Marino Saudi Arabia Serbia Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Thailand UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNITED STATES Uzbekistan Vatican City

Also, visa-free travel to Tajikistan for up to 14 days is available for persons over 55 years of age from the following countries:

Albania Algeria Barbados China Commonwealth of Dominica Fiji Laos Lebanon Madagascar Morocco Nicaragua North Macedonia Panama Tunisia Vanuatu Vietnam

Day 1
Day 1
Osh – Sarymogol village – Tulparkol Lake at Lenin Peak Base Camp
Welcome to the Pamir Highway!
Today we start our drive towards Sarymogol village, 4hr. A nice valley opens when you reach Taldyk Pass (3600 meters) with green pastures and yaks grazing around. Arrive in Sarymogol village and cross the bridge to the yurt camp at Tulparkol Lake (3500 m) next to Lenin Peak Base Camp, 1hr. After settling in, enjoy a hike to Traveler’s Pass (4,130 m). The 3-hour ascent offers breathtaking views of glaciers tumbling down from Lenin Peak. After resting at the pass, return to the yurt camp (2 hrs) for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Driving distance/hour: 250 km/ 155mi / 5 hours

Hike: 4-5 hours, reaching 4,130m / 13,550 ft

Internet: MegaCom

Electricity: Available only after dinner (bring a power bank just in case)

Facilities: Traditional yurts with outside shared showers and toilets

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Day 2
Day 2
Tulparkol lake – border crossings – Karakul lake
Today, we will cross the border via the second-highest Pass of the Pamir Highway, Kyzylart Pass, standing at 4300m. From Tulparkol Lake, drive to the Bordobo checkpoint and cross the border to Karakul Lake in Tajikistan. The different landscape opens up, confirming that this is Tajikistan. Karakul Lake is the largest lake in the Pamirs, formed by glaciers and with no outflow.
After lunch take a walk around the lake. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

Driving distance/hour: 150 km / 94mi – 4 hours

Altitude: 4,000 m / 13,123 ft (Karakul Lake)

Internet: No internet coverage until Murgab. Megafon 2G in Karakul.

Electricity: Available only after dinner (bring a power bank just in case)

Facilities: Traditional yurts with outside shared showers and toilets

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Day 3
Day 3
Karakul lake – Murgab village – Alichur village
Travel goes on to Murgab via the highest pass Akbaital (4655 m) you will ever do in Tajikistan, 3hr. Take photos of glaciers on the pass. Lunch in Murgab village. Walk around the village and explore the town. Head on to Alichur village, 2 hrs. On the way stop in Bash Gumboz pasture. Here, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a yak ride through the scenic pastures. Capture some incredible photos as you explore the landscape on yak-back—an optional experience that adds a unique memory to your journey. Please note that the yak ride is not included in the tour price. Overnight and dinner in a guesthouse.

Driving distance/hour: 352 km / 219 mi – 6 hours

Yak Riding: up to 1 hour

Altitude: Alichur village -3,850 m / 12,631 ft

Internet: No internet coverage after Murgab. Megafon 2G in Karakul.

Electricity: Solar Panels 12V, only for charging phones

Facilities: Shared outdoor shower, outdoor western, and squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

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Day 4
Day 4
Alichur– Bulunkul Lake – Wakhan Valley – Langar village
Breakfast. Take a side trip to visit the Alpine Bulunkul and Yashylkul lakes. Drive back to the main road and head up to the Kargush pass (4 344m). Arrive 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 the roadside open up to cheer you. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of Great Pamir on the Afghan border on top of the pass. Walk back to your car. After the pass, drive down to the Afghanistan border for another checkpoint to check your GBAO permit. The road follows the river Pamir to Wakhan valley with the chance to admire the Big Pamir of Afghanistan with nomadic Afghan Kyrgyz caravans. Great rugged Hindu Kush mountain ranges welcome you right before entering Wakhan Valley. Overnight and dinner in a friendly homestay in Langar village.

Driving distance/hour: 240 km/ 149 mi/ 5 hours

Hike: 3–4 hours, reaching 4,800 m / 15,748 ft

Internet: Limited coverage (Tcell and Megafon)

Electricity: Available, but power outages are possible (carry a power bank)

Facilities: Shared indoor shower, outdoor western, and squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

5-6 hours of drive
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Day 5
Day 5
Langar village – Yamchun fortress – Ishkashim village – Khorog
Breakfast. Right after you leave your guesthouse, we do a side trip 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 the Wakhan Valley. Further up the hillside are located the hot springs of Bibi Fatima, with its crystal waters rich in minerals. Back to the main road. Another fortress Khaaka comes up along the way at Namadgut village when you get closer to Ishkashim village. It is worth a 10-minute stop. Continue to drive to Khorog City. Afternoon, visit the interesting Regional Museum and Central Park of Khorog City. Evening hike in a Botanical Garden that has various plants and trees to explore. Dinner at a cafe. Night in a hotel.

Driving distance/hour: 110 km / 68 mi, 4–5 hours

Altitude: 2,200 m / 7,218 ft

Internet: Tcell (4G), Megafon (4G), Wi-Fi

Electricity: Available

Facilities: Shared indoor shower and western toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

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Day 6
Day 6
Khorog to Darvoz (Kalaikhum)
Travel to Darvoz district. A gorgeous road goes along the river up to the Vanj valley where the road widens up. The road from Kalaikhum to Khorog is known for its rugged terrain, winding through narrow passes and offering panoramic views of towering mountains. Ongoing road construction as of 2024 may cause delays, so be prepared for occasional stops and slower sections. Arrive in Kalaikhum village and be accommodated in a guesthouse.

Driving distance/hour: 240 km / 149 mi – 7 hours

Altitude: 1200 m / 3,937 ft

Internet: Tcell (3G), Megafon (3G), Wi-Fi

Electricity: Available (bring a power bank just in case of outages)

Facilities: Shared indoor shower and western toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

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Day 7
Day 7
Kalaikhum to Dushanbe
Today is the last day of the Pamir Highway trip.
Travel to Dushanbe along the Panj River through numerous local villages along the way. The road has been reconstructed recently and it will be a comfortable drive. Deep rocky valleys and gorgeous mountains accompany you up to the Shurobod pass before Kulab village. Lunch in a Chaikana (local cafe). Visit 11th-century Hulbuk Palace on the way and enjoy the views of the world’s second-highest hydropower station Nurek in the distance. Arrival in Dushanbe. Accommodation in your hotel.

Driving distance/hour: 352km / 219 mi – 6 hours

Altitude: 700 m / 2,297 ft

Internet: Tcell (4G), Megafon (4G), Wi-Fi

Electricity: Available

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Day 1

Osh – Sarymogol village – Tulparkol Lake at Lenin Peak Base Camp

Welcome to the Pamir Highway!
Today we start our drive towards Sarymogol village, 4hr. A nice valley opens when you reach Taldyk Pass (3600 meters) with green pastures and yaks grazing around. Arrive in Sarymogol village and cross the bridge to the yurt camp at Tulparkol Lake (3500 m) next to Lenin Peak Base Camp, 1hr. After settling in, enjoy a hike to Traveler’s Pass (4,130 m). The 3-hour ascent offers breathtaking views of glaciers tumbling down from Lenin Peak. After resting at the pass, return to the yurt camp (2 hrs) for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Driving distance/hour: 250 km/ 155mi / 5 hours
Hike: 4-5 hours, reaching 4,130m / 13,550 ft
Internet: MegaCom
Electricity: Available only after dinner (bring a power bank just in case)
Facilities: Traditional yurts with outside shared showers and toilets

We had such a nice trip ! First, we are very grateful that Visit Alay managed to customize the trip to accommodate our schedule. Then we had 2 great drivers (one in Tajikistan and one in Kirghizstan) along the way. We found friendly people ate each of our homestays. Also, we especially want to thank our Tajik driver, Mahmad : he had very good suggestions on what to do/see on the road (slowing down/stopping whenever possible so we could take pictures) and managed to be both eager to talk about his country, and not overwhelming with info or small talk. And he was also helpful when passing some of the checkpoints, in assisting with the bureaucracy, and generally made the trip as pleasant as could be. All in all, if we ever get to come back, hopefully we'll meet again !

By Alexandra C for Pamir Highway on Dec 10, 2024

Our trip was absolutely fabulous, thanks to the fabulous drivers - notably Shamil Nasirov on the Tajik side (drivers change at the border, and the chap on the Kyrgyz side was excellent too). Alay Travel's arrangements worked very well and, despite my slight fear sending a deposit to an organisation I didn't know, the jeep was waiting on the day planned. Better still on the day before, we were given a helpful chat by the organisers. Most importantly though, Shamil (driver, vet and all round good fellow) was utterly delightful - very responsive to our suggestions and requests and drove calmly and responsibly. He was obviously well connected locally, a few times stopping to help out other road users who had problems and he spoke some English which was helpful for those whose understanding of Russian was zero. However, it's clear that we were lucky. A a different group in a second jeep that left on the same day we did, had a driver who spoke minimal English, and according to their stories, would simply refuse to slow down, driving at a crazy pace and seemingly unaware of some of the interesting stops/viewpoints en route. My suspicion is that this driver was brought in at the last minute as a replacement - or perhaps the ride was booked relatively late so the best drivers had already been allocated. Essentially my takeaway point was that it is probably worth booking well ahead and you must accept that driver quality can vary enormously. A couple of general points. > The schedule on the first day changed somewhat from what was noted in the original listing - we did a short hike from a yurt camp near the Lenin Base camp rather than sleeping early then walking to Travellers Pass. That suited me fine (I was not acclimatised to the altitude so the longer walk would have been too much for me) but this change might have been a disappointment to some. > There's a snow leopard rehabilitation centre just west of Murgab town - worth going around 5pm as in the morning you won't see the animals feeding > If you have US$ cash it's worth bringing enough with you to pay the balance directly as otherwise you'll have to pay a credit card supplement even when paying in situ, and while one of the banks in Osh does dispense US$ from its cash machine, that machine sometimes runs out of $ bills. Remember also that once in Tajikistan, MasterCard is essentially hopeless - Visa usage is better but still not ubiquitous. > I did the 9 day Osh-Dushanbe route. If I were to make a suggestion it would be to add one extra day in Khorog so that one could enjoy that relative oasis of a town for two nights but still leave early enough to have a decent time in Jizeu. Another interesting possibility would be to add another day to take the back route from Kulob to Dushanbe via Childuktaron (the hotel there is luxurious yet great value) then continue via Khovaling and Baljuwon with its new ancient fortress-palace. The road is nicer than the main road and while narrow in parts, only a few km are not fully asphalted and some of the views are lovely. In summary, doing the Osh-Dushanbe trip with Alay Travel was a highly recommended experience, prices are fair and I would do it all again if I had a chance. Thank you to the whole team but especially our wonderful drivers.

By Mark E for Pamir Highway Deposit on Nov 11, 2024

I had the absolute best time on the Pamir Highway trip I did in September 2024. Made some really great new friends, enjoyed the marvelous views and time spent in the mountains. Moreover, all guest houses we stayed at were great and the food was excellent. Also big shout-out to our driver, Kokan, who made our trip even better. He speaks English quite well so it was never boring in the car during the sometimes long hours of driving and told us so much about this region and its culture. Thank you for everything, Kokan, you're the best!!!!

By Marije D for Pamir Highway Remaining Balance on Nov 10, 2024

It was a wonderful trip. We had a great time on the Pamir Highway. Good food, friendly people, and exiting hikes. I can highly recommend the trip. Thanks to WeTravel for the smooth organization.

By Horst M for Cross Border Permit & GBAO on Nov 10, 2024

We had a great time traveling across Tajikistan from Penjikent to the Chinese border at Irkeshtam in Kyrgyzstan. Our driver Bakha was great character with many good suggestions and deviations from the original program. Contrary to the advice given by the office it is not recommended to book your own accommodation in Khorog - difficult and unsatisfactory. Bakha sorted this for us. As others have commented the homestays were fine with very friendly hosts and comfortable beds. Clearly these are not hotels but every one was memorable in a good way.

By Greig H for Pamir Highway Remaining Balance on Nov 09, 2024

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Osh to Dushanbe, 7-days

Osh to Dushanbe, 7-days

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