M41 PAMIR HIGHWAY

Itinerary

M41 "Pamir Highway"

Day 1. Tashkent to Istarafshan
Breakast. 130 km drive to Oibek border crossing. Meet Tajik agent and continue to Khujand. After lunch, an exploration of the fortress by the Syr Darya river, the Khujand ethnographic museum, Panjshanbe Bazaar and the mosque/madrassa complex. In the evening continue to Istarafshan and watch the sun go down from the Mugh-Teppa hill fortress. Dinner. Overnight in hotel.

Day 2. Istarafshan to Dushanbe
Istarafshan's history has shaped the character of the people who live in the city. It's a fascinating place with some of the oldest and most intact Islamic buildings in Tajikistan where the traditional street layout of the old city has been preserved. In the morning, visit the mosque and madrassa of Kok Gumbaz, the mausoleum of Chor Gumbaz. After lunch, depart for Dushanbe passing over Shahriston Pass (3,378 m) and over Anzob Pass (3,373 m), descending into Varzob Gorge. Arrive in Dushanbe in the evening. Accommodation in hotel.

Day 3. Dushanbe
Visit nearby Hissor Fort, former capital of Eastern Bukhara province; the site has two fine 18th/19th century madrassas. After lunch, head back to Dushanbe for shopping, extra sightseeing or rest. Overnight in hotel.

Day 4. Dushanbe to Kalaikhum
Breakfast. Lond day drive east from Dushanbe towards Khorog and the Pamirs. Today's drive is a sharp contrast to the first few days of the tour. This region is much less Muslim, the people here are Pamiris, not Tajiks, a number of separate tribal groups with their own languages. Lunch on the way. Overnight in guesthouse over looking Pyanj river and Afghan bank.

Day 5. Kaiaikhum to Khorog
Follow the fascinating road along the Afghan border. On the Tajik side, the road is asphalted and buildings have metal and glass in their construction. On the Afghan side, about 100m away, everything is mud, wood and donkey tracks. Overnight in hotel.

Day 6. Khorog
Full day in Khorog. In the morning we explore Khorog, its markets and visit to the second highest in the world botanical garden. If that day falls on saturday we explore Afghan market in Khorog outskirts. Dinner in the restaurant on the bank of the river.

Day 7. Khorog - Yashilkul lakes
Breakfast. Head east to Bulunkul and Yashilkul Lakes. Lunch on the way. Expolre the environs. If time permits 10km drive to hot springs to swim. Fresh fish for dinner.

Day 8. Yashilkul to Murghab
We explore the environs in the morning and then travel east from Bulunkul along the Pamir Highway to Murghab. The view is stark and desolate. At night the clear view of the Milky Way is unparalleled. Overnight in a local homestay.

Day 9. Murghab to Karakul
Drive to Karakul Lake, which at 3,915 m is too high to support aquatic life. Cross Tajikistan's highest section of road at Ak-Baital Pass (4,655 m). Overnight in a local home.

Day 10. Karakul to Osh
Cross Kyzyl-Art Pass (4,280 m), which forms the border with Kyrgyzstan and descend to Sary-Tash. Lunch. Continue our drive to Osh. Overnight in a guesthouse.

Day 11. Osh-Bishkek
Visit Suleyman Mountain, Babur's house, History Museum, Rabat Abdullah Khan Mosque and Mausoleum, Osh Bazaar. Transfer to airport for flight to Bishkek and overnight in guest house.

Day 12. Bishkek
Sightseeing tour of Bishkek including the most interesting sites: Ala-Too Square, Panfilov park, Osh market, Protected state flag, Lenin statue - the only one of that size left in central Asia, History Museum, ZUM, and Victory Square. Overnight in a guesthouse.

Day 13. Bishkek-Airport
Onward travel - Transfer to the airport for your return or onward journey.