Tajikistan · August 1 - 5 2025

9 Days Pamir Highway Expedition: Vanj & Wakhan Valleys Expedition

4 Nights

SOLD OUT

Description

Overview

If your soul is craving landscapes that stop you mid-step and roads that challenge you to slow down, this 9-day Dushanbe to Osh expedition through the Vanj and Wakhan Valleys will hit differently. This journey isn’t about ticking boxes or collecting stamps. It’s about standing at the edge of the world overlooking the Fedchenko Glacier, sharing chai with Pamiri hosts, and letting the shifting light over the Hindu Kush leave you quietly in awe.
You’ll trace the Panj River alongside Afghanistan, trek to alpine meadows with glaciers towering overhead, and watch fortress ruins glow at sunrise in the Wakhan. From the deep greens of Vanj’s valleys to the stark blues of Karakul Lake, each day on this route brings a new chapter of mountain silence, warm encounters, and wild beauty, ending under Lenin Peak’s shadow before rolling into the vibrant streets of Osh.
For those craving the simplicity of dusty roads, mountain air, and a slower way of being, this journey across Tajikistan’s most underrated valleys is your open invitation.

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.

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 Dushanbe’s traffic and cafes for the roar of the Vakhsh and Panj Rivers, driving into steep canyons where cliffs drop into jade rapids and the road twists past sleepy roadside settlements. The air cools as you climb, apricot trees dot the roadside, and Afghanistan appears across the river, its terraced hills quietly mirroring your route. You’ll arrive in Qala i Khumb, where riverside life and mountain shadows slow everything down for your first taste of Pamiri hospitality.

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)
  • GBAO 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 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 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
Simple Guesthouse in Osh on final night - Double occupancy

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

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

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.
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, and another 24 km trek in the Vanj Valley, both 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. While those prefer not to trek in the Vanj Valley can explore the village Po i Mazor today.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FAQs