Description
Overview
If you’re craving an adventure that’s raw, immersive, and wildly beautiful, this 12-day Pamir expedition looping from Dushanbe will get under your skin in the best way possible. This journey takes you beyond the typical Pamir Highway drive, adding in high-altitude treks into hidden valleys, alpine meadows, and the legendary Base Camp at Peak Revolution, where glaciers and jagged ridgelines dominate the skyline.
You’ll follow the Panj River along Afghanistan’s border, wander into the emerald lakes of Jizeu in the Bartang Valley, trek into the silence of the Pamirs’ high passes, and find yourself beneath the watchful shadow of Pik Engels in the Wakhan Corridor. Along the way, you’ll share chai in mud-brick homes, cross wobbly footbridges, and sleep under skies so clear you’ll lose count of shooting stars.
This expedition is about testing your edges while absorbing the warmth of Pamiri culture, discovering Silk Road fortresses, and feeling the hush of landscapes that demand you to slow down and listen. By the time you return to Dushanbe, the rhythm of the mountains will follow you home, and the simplicity of the road will feel like a new way of seeing the world.
Highlights
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.
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.
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.
Itinerary
Dushanbe | Qala i Khumb
Day 1: Dushanbe to Qala i Khumb
Leave Dushanbe’s cafes and busy streets behind, driving east along the Vakhsh and Panj Rivers into the towering landscapes of the Pamirs. The road winds past cliffs and riverside villages, arriving in Qala i Khumb, a border village pressed between emerald hills and the Afghan mountains across the Panj.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Qala i Khumb | Rushan
Day 2: Qala i Khumb to Rushan
Follow the Panj deeper into GBAO, with Afghanistan on your left and the dramatic Pamirs rising around you. Small chaikhanas along the way offer fresh bread and warm tea as you roll into Rushan, a quiet village set along the river where mountains crowd the horizon.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Rushan | Jizeu | Roshorv
Day 3: Rushan to Roshorv with Day Hike to Jizeu
Head into the Bartang Valley, one of Tajikistan’s most dramatic and off-grid routes. At the trailhead, trek into Jizeu, crossing wobbly suspension bridges into a lush valley where lakes reflect the surrounding peaks. Spend time exploring the village before heading to Roshorv for the night, a high-altitude settlement known for its sweeping valley views.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Roshorv | Revolution BC
Day 4: Trek from Roshorv to Peak Revolution Base Camp
Leave Roshorv on foot, trekking to the Base Camp of Peak Revolution. The route moves through wide valleys, past shepherd camps, and into stark alpine scenery where glaciers hang above and wildflowers bloom in the short summer season. Arrive at Base Camp, set under the massive shadow of Peak Revolution, for a night in the silence of the high Pamirs.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Revolution BC | Roshorv
Day 5: Trek Back to Roshorv from Peak Revolution Base Camp
Spend a quiet morning absorbing the stark beauty of the high camp before trekking back down to Roshorv. The return offers fresh angles on the landscape you climbed, with views across jagged ridges and down into valleys carved by glacial melt.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Roshorv | Karakul
Day 6: Roshorv to Karakul
Leave the Bartang Valley and continue along the upper Bartang. The road turns into a narrow track that winds high up overlooking an area known as Kok Jar before you officially enter the Tanymus Valley, which will take you to Karakul Lake, a high-altitude sapphire basin surrounded by mountains. Watch the sunset paint the lake in fiery colors as you settle into this remote village for the night.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Karakul | Alichur
Day 7: Karakul to Alichur
Follow the sweeping emptiness of Karakul and the Pamir Plateau, passing yaks grazing under endless skies. Arrive in Alichur, a small Kyrgyz village on the wide plains, where the silence of the landscape invites you to slow down and breathe the thin, crisp air.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Alichur | Langar
Day 8: Alichur to Langar
Descend from the plateau into the Wakhan Corridor, where the Panj River returns to your side and the snow-capped Hindu Kush towers across the Afghan border. Drive through quiet Wakhan villages before arriving in Langar, known for its ancient petroglyphs and warm local hospitality.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Langar | Engles Meadows | Yamchun
Day 9: Langar to Yamchun with Day Hike to Pik Engels Meadows
Travel further into the Wakhan, stopping at fortress ruins before reaching Yamchun. From here, hike up to Pik Engels Meadows, where glaciers loom above lush alpine slopes dotted with wildflowers in summer. Return to Yamchun in time to soak in the village’s natural hot springs under the stars.
Trekking distance: 16 km
Elevation gain: 1100 m+/1100 m-
Elevation gain: 1100 m+/1100 m-
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Yamchun | Khorog
Day 10: Yamchun to Khorog
Drive along the Wakhan Valley, passing fortress ruins and small villages with donkeys wandering the roads. Arrive in Khorog, the leafy capital of GBAO, where you can rest, shower, and enjoy a warm meal after your days on the remote roads.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Khorog | Qala i Khumb
Day 11: Khorog to Qala i Khumb
Retrace the route along the Panj, descending through canyons and river valleys as you return toward Qala i Khumb. The landscapes feel different on the return, familiar yet still striking with every bend of the road.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Qala i Khumb | Dushanbe
Day 12: Qala i Khumb to Dushanbe
Drive the final stretch back to Dushanbe, leaving the towering peaks behind as you return to the capital. The city will feel loud after the quiet of the mountains, but a hot shower, a celebratory dinner, and fresh coffee will be waiting to mark the end of your Pamiri odyssey.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What's included
What's Included
- All meals as indicated on the itinerary
- English speaking guide
- 4WD transportation
- Shared room accommodations in homestays and guesthouses
What's Not Included
Tajikistan visa fee (if applicable)- GBAO permit
- Personal kit and equipment
- Sleeping bag (rental available)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
- Tips to local staff
Extras & Options
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
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 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
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 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
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 Pamir Highway Expedition will begin and end in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
This Tajikistan expedition is rated as moderate, yet rugged. We will be staying in simple homestays and guesthouses along the Pamir Highway. This itinerary also includes a 16 km roundtrip trek in the Wakhan Valley, another 16 km trek in the Bartang Valley, and a trek to one of the Pamir’s most beautiful basecamps, all of which are of moderate difficulty due to distance and elevation gain. Those who do not wish to take part in the trek in the Wakhan can spend the day exploring beautiful Langar village.
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.
Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.
Will I Have Internet Access & Electricity?
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.