Tajikistan · August 1 - 5 2025

10 Days on the Roof of the World: Bartang & Wakhan Valley Loop

4 Nights

SOLD OUT

Description

Overview

If your soul has been itching for an off-grid adventure, this 10-day Pamir expedition looping from Dushanbe is your ultimate deep dive into Tajikistan’s wild heart. This journey is about raw mountains, silent valleys, dusty roads clinging to turquoise rivers, and the gentle hospitality of Pamiri families welcoming you into their homes.
You’ll follow the Panj River as it carves the border with Afghanistan, trek into the hidden lakes of Jizeu in the Bartang Valley, stand on the shores of Karakul’s sapphire waters under jagged peaks, and soak your road-weary bones in Yamchun’s hot springs with the Hindu Kush hovering on the horizon. You’ll wander ancient Silk Road fortresses, sip chai in homes where apricots dry on rooftops, and hike into the meadows below Pik Engels, where glaciers loom above wildflower slopes.
This isn’t a glossy holiday. This is the Pamirs: dirt roads, clear stars, warm smiles, and the silence of landscapes that demand you to be present. By the time you roll back into Dushanbe, you’ll carry the Pamirs with you in dust-caked boots and a heart that feels a little bigger than when you left.

Highlights

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The Road Trip of a Lifetime

Taking in some of the best sceneries of Tajikistan, this itinerary will take us from Tajikistan's capital of Dushanbe to the nation's extreme east on an exhilarating road trip.

Exploring the Wakhan Valley

Home to the Wakhi people, historical fortresses and shrines, and views of the Hindu Kush, the Wakhan Valley is truly something special.

Exploring the Wakhan Valley

Home to the Wakhi people, historical fortresses and shrines, and views of the Hindu Kush, the Wakhan Valley is truly something special.

Trekking to Stunning Jizeu

This short walk brings you to a true gem of the Pamir- a stunning village set in the idyllic Jizeu Valley.

Itinerary

Dushanbe | Qala i Khumb

Day 1: Dushanbe to Qala i Khumb

Trade city life for river canyons as you leave Dushanbe behind, following the Vakhsh and Panj Rivers along narrow roads and dramatic cliffs. Villages of mud-brick homes and apricot orchards appear along the way, and the roar of the river becomes a constant companion as you approach Qala i Khumb, a town set along the Afghan border under emerald hills.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Dushanbe | Qala i Khumb

Day 1: Dushanbe to Qala i
Khumb

Follow the Panj deeper into the Pamirs, with Afghanistan waving across the water and the cliffs of the GBAO pressing close. Today is a transition into quieter landscapes, arriving in Rushan, a sleepy village surrounded by sharp peaks, where you can stretch your legs along the river and prepare for the adventure into Bartang tomorrow.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Rushan | Jizeu | Basid

Day 3: Rushan to Basid with Day Hike to Jizeu

The road veers into the legendary Bartang Valley, a place where time slows and the road narrows. From the Bartang road, trek into Jizeu, a hidden village reached by foot over a swaying footbridge over the Bartang River. The trail leads to crystal-clear lakes framed by poplars and mud-brick homes in a place that feels like it belongs in a fairy tale. Hike back down and continue to Basid, another quiet Bartang village.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Basid | Karakul

Day 4: Basid to Karakul

Climb toward the high-altitude starkness of the Pamir Plateau. The road crosses lunar landscapes where yaks graze under endless skies, finally arriving at Karakul Lake, a high-altitude sapphire basin reflecting jagged peaks. This village is quiet, wind-swept, and unforgettable, with sunsets that set the lake ablaze in pink and gold.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Karakul | Alichur

Day 5: Karakul to Alichur

Continue over the Ak Baital Pass (4,655 m), the highest point on the Pamir Highway, where prayer flags snap in the cold wind. The landscape shifts from the blue waters of Karakul to the rolling emptiness of the Alichur Plateau. The sky here is massive, the air crisp, and the feeling of vastness impossible to shake as you arrive in Alichur for the night.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Alichur | Langar

Day 6: Alichur to Langar

Drive south across the plateau, descending into the Wakhan Corridor where the Panj River once again becomes your neighbor. Snow-capped peaks of the Hindu Kush rise across the river in Afghanistan, and dusty villages and crumbling fortresses line your path toward Langar, a village famous for its petroglyphs and warm hospitality.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Yamchun | Engles Meadows | Langar

Day 7: Langar to Yamchun with Day Hike to Pik Engels Meadow

Continue along the Wakhan Valley, stopping to explore petroglyphs etched into rocks by ancient hands before reaching Yamchun. Here, hike up to the meadows below Pik Engels, where glaciers hang above alpine slopes scattered with wildflowers in summer. Return to Yamchun in time for a soak in the natural hot springs under the stars.
Trekking distance: 16 km
Elevation gain: 1100 m+/1100 m-

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Yamchun | Khorog

Day 8: Yamchun to Khorog

Drive back toward Khorog along the Panj, with plenty of chances to stop for photos of fortress ruins and quiet Wakhan villages where donkeys wander roads and apricot trees shade walkways. Arrive in Khorog, the leafy capital of the Pamirs, to enjoy a soft bed, a proper shower, and fresh bread from the local bazaar.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Khorog | Qala i Khumb

Day 9: Khorog to Qala i Khumb

Begin the return journey along the Panj, descending back through the valleys you first entered a week ago. The landscape feels different now, more familiar, and each curve of the river carries stories of the road. Qala i Khumb becomes your final Pamiri stop before returning to Dushanbe.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Qala i Khumb | Dushanbe

Day 10: Qala i Khumb to Dushanbe

The last leg takes you along river canyons and over Shurabod Pass and over undulating terrain back to Dushanbe. The noise of the city will feel surreal after days of wind and river sounds, but the warmth of a hot shower, a good coffee, and a celebratory dinner in the capital will be the perfect end to your Pamiri journey.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What's included

  • All meals as indicated on the itinerary
  • English speaking guide
  • 4WD transportation
  • Shared room accommodations in homestays and guesthouses
  • Tajikistan visa fee (if applicable)
  • BAO permit
  • Personal kit and equipment
  • Sleeping bag (rental available)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips to local staff

Extras & Options

GBAO Permit

GBAO Permit

Need us to obtain your GBAO entry permission for you?

FROM $25.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates
Hotel in Dushanbe final night - single occupancy

Hotel in Dushanbe final night - single occupancy

Let us handle the logistics

FROM $100.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates
Hotel in Dushanbe on final night - Double occupancy

Hotel in Dushanbe on final night - Double occupancy

Let us handle the logistics

FROM $130.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates
Hotel in Dushanbe on night before trip start - Double occupancy

Hotel in Dushanbe on night before trip start - Double occupancy

Let us handle the logistics

FROM $130.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates
Hotel in Dushanbe on night before trip start - single occupancy

Hotel in Dushanbe on night before trip start - single occupancy

Let us handle the logistics

FROM $100.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates
Simple Guesthouse in Dushanbe on final night- Single or Double occupancy

Simple Guesthouse in Dushanbe on final night- Single or Double occupancy

Let us handle the logistics

FROM $40.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates
Simple Guesthouse in Dushanbe on night before trip start - Single or Double occupancy

Simple Guesthouse in Dushanbe on night before trip start - Single or Double occupancy

Let us handle the logistics

FROM $40.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates
Single Supplement

Single Supplement

Opt for a private room when it's available. Subject to availability.

FROM $360.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates

FAQs

Both Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are generally safe countries to visit. The main concerns while traveling in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are the risk of injury during outdoor activities and altitude sickness.
This Express Pamir Highway Expedition will begin in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and end in Osh, Kyrgyzstan.

Some nationalities need a Tajik visa issued by an embassy or consulate to enter the country, while others may only need an e-visa, visa on arrival, or may enter visa-free. If you are eligible for an e-visa, we recommend getting it to ease the process of obtaining a GBAO permit (read more about GBAO in the next section of the FAQ).

You can read an overview of Tajikistan’s visa policy here but it would still be wise to check with your nearest Tajik consulate or embassy as visa schemes are always subject to change.

Note that if you will be entering Tajikistan visa-free and you will be staying in the country for more than 10 business days, you must register with OVIR. We will handle this process for you after you’ve checked into the hotel on the first day.

In Kyrgyzstan, most nationalities are eligible to enter the country visa-free for up to 60 days.

To enter the Pamir region of Tajikistan, foreign travelers are required to obtain a GBAO (Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast) permit. Those who are eligible for a Tajik e-visa can obtain a GBAO permit for an additional $20 USD when applying for the e-visa. The GBAO permit will be issued on the e-visa document.

If you will be visiting visa-free we can obtain the GBAO permit for you for a $25 additional fee.

Those visitors that will be arriving earlier and staying a bit longer in Tajikistan will need to register with OVIR if staying in-country more than 10 business days. If this is the case, please let us know and we will assist with the registration.

To join any Safar Expeditions departure you will need to carry an active travel insurance plan. Be aware that Tajikistan’s generally remote nature poses very real challenges in the event of medical emergencies and serious illness. Because of this, it is recommended to select an insurance plan that covers both medical care and evacuation. We recommend using IATI travel insurance for medical coverage and an evacuation plan from Global Rescue. Prescriptions and over-the-counter meds are usually possible to find in Dushanbe, but we still recommend to make sure to bring any meds you need or may need with you.
The Tajik Somoni (TJS) is the official currency of Tajikistan. The value of the Somoni fluctuates a little but seems to have steadily stayed around 10-12 TJS to $1 USD for the past couple of years. In Kyrgyzstan (KGS), the Kyrgyz Som is the official currency and has been steadily staying around 80-90 KGS to $1 USD.
Yes, we do provide a suggested packing list and preparation guide for our Tajikistan expedition that can be viewed here.

The food you’ll encounter during your time in Tajikistan will be simple and traditional. In the cities and towns, we will have the chance to try different Tajik and Central Asian dishes in local restaurants. On the Pamir Highway portion of the trip, we’ll mostly be eating homecooked meals provided by the homestays we’ll staying in. You can expect flavorful soups and salads, plov (a traditional Central Asian take on fried rice), noodle dishes, and meat dishes. Of course, almost any meal in Tajikistan is accompanied by a hot glass of chai.

The food you’ll encounter during your time in Tajikistan will be simple and traditional. In the cities and towns, we will have the chance to try different Tajik and Central Asian dishes in local restaurants. On the Pamir Highway portion of the trip, we’ll mostly be eating homecooked meals provided by the homestays we’ll staying in. You can expect flavorful soups and salads, plov (a traditional Central Asian take on fried rice), noodle dishes, and meat dishes. Of course, almost any meal in Tajikistan is accompanied by a hot glass of chai.

Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.

SIM cards are available for purchase in Dushanbe, with T-Cell and Megafon having the best service. Internet can be intermittent in the Pamir, as we will have some nights where we won’t have access to mobile internet or Wi-Fi. You can expect to have electricity most nights of the expedition.
Yes, a minimum of 2 passengers will need to be on this expedition in order to run. If the minimum isn’t reached, we will contact you about the potential to still operate the trip but at an additional charge or you will be given the option to cancel and your deposit/payment can either be returned to you or applied toward a different expedition of your choosing.