Description
Overview
This 7-day expedition from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to Osh, Kyrgyzstan, isn’t just a road trip. It’s a pilgrimage across one of Central Asia’s most legendary corridors, tracing the ancient arteries of the Silk Road and the lifeline of the Panj River as it tumbles through the jaw-dropping Wakhan Valley.
This is the land where Afghanistan’s rust-hued villages wave at you across the river, where Tajikistan’s Pamir giants rise in timeless silence, and where Marco Polo sheep still roam under skies so wide it feels like you could fall into them. The route is a living museum of Silk Road history, Ismaili shrines perched on hillsides, and thermal hot springs tucked away like secrets, waiting for your road-weary body. You’ll hike to meadows below the sharp tooth of Peak Engels, drive through the stark lunar landscapes of the Alichur Plateau, and pause by Karakul’s mirror waters before finishing under the shadow of Lenin Peak at Tulparkul, ending our odyssey in Osh.
The roads are rough, the chai stops are many, and the moments of laughter with locals in remote chaihanas will stay with you long after your boots are dusty and your camera roll is maxed out. This journey isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about feeling the wind of the Pamirs on your face, hearing stories in tea houses, and watching the Milky Way blaze across the roof of the world.
Ready? Let’s hit the Pamir Highway and find out why this is one of the last true adventures on earth.
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.
Hike in the Shadow of Engles
Trek to one of the most beautiful sights of the Wakhan, the meadows below Pik Engles.
Itinerary
Dushanbe | Qala i Khumb
Day 1: Dushanbe to Qala i Khumb
Leaving the relative chaos of Dushanbe’s morning traffic, hit the road toward Qala i Khumb, gateway to the Pamirs. The Vakhsh River roars alongside you, cliffs dropping sharply into jade rapids as we wind past sleepy villages and fields of wheat and cotton. This drive is a warmup for the adventure ahead, with your first taste of Tajikistan’s rugged, heart-stirring landscapes. We’ll stop in Shurabad Pass to stretch our legs, as you officially enter the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region at our first (of many) GBAO checkpoints. This is where the views start to get absolutely mind-blowing as we descend to the Panj River with Afghanistan’s mountains just across the water. Prepare to be glued to the window all the way from here to Qala i Khumb tonight.
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 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
Simple Guesthouse in Osh on final night - Double occupancy
Let us handle the logistics
FROM $60.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates
Simple Guesthouse in Osh on final night - Single occupancy
Let us handle the logistics
FROM $60.00/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 $310.00/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 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and end in Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
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 which is of moderate difficulty due to distance and elevation gain. Those who do not wish to take part in the trek 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.