1. Day 1 Arrival Day in Biskek & City Exploration

   We’ll meet at the pre-determined rendezvous point in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. After your arrival, you will have a little time to relax before our pre-tour briefing, after which we’ll head for lunch before beginning our adventure in Bishkek.

   Bishkek is another city to grow from the pages of Russian architects. Prior to Imperial Russia’s involvement in the region, Biskek was a small backwater. With the construction of a Russian fort, the village expanded and became a small town; its numbers boosted by immigrant Russian peasants eager to farm the area’s fertile soil.

   Bishkek became the capital of the new Kirghiz ASSR in 1926 and was renamed Frunze after Mikhail Frunze, a Soviet leader born in Bishkek.

   Our first stop in Bishkek is the amazing Osh Bazaar, a sprawling produce market at the heart of the city which offers an excellent opportunity to view Bishkek local life and see a multitude of goods on sale. Following the market, we’re off into the city to view some of Bishkek’s Soviet history. Our first stop is The National Philharmonic Building, an imposing brutalist building dominating the surrounding area. Continuing the Soviet theme, our next stop is Bishkek’s surviving Lenin Statue located behind the National Museum.

   After Lenin, we’ll head to the city’s beating heart: Ala-Too Central Square. Surrounded by shops, street vendors and Bubbling fountains we’ll have time to grab a coffee or to explore the ZUM Department Store, once a common fixture throughout the USSR. From Ala-Too Central Square, it’s a short walk to Biskek Flagstaff where we can see the massive Kyrgyz flag and, if we’re lucky, the famed changing of the guard. Not too much further and we’ll reach the vast Soviet-era, marble-clad government building known as the White House.

   The last stop on our whistle-stop tour of Bishkek is to the nearby Oak Park, a peaceful leafy park that hosts a number sculptures, new and old, and various local artists selling their paintings. Once our tour has finished, we’ll return to our lodgings to relax and prepare for dinner and taste some local cuisine.

    

   Accommodation: Plaza Hotel

   Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner

2. Day 2 Osh: Markets & Mounts

   It’s an early morning departure as we leave Bishkek and take a dawn flight to Osh. Upon arrival, we’ll first drop our luggage off at the tour hotel before continuing our adventure into the city.

   Unlike many Russian-inspired towns and cities across the region, Osh is one of the oldest settlements in Central Asia, able to trace its history back over 3000 years. Osh made a name for itself in the 8th century when it was a centre for silk production, cementing its importance on the Silk Road.

   Our first visit in the fascinating city of Osh is the Sulayman Mountain, also known as Sulaiman-Too, Sulayman Rock or Sulayman Throne. Named after the Islamic prophet Soloman, Sulaiman-Too was the mountain that Tamerlane climbed to ponder his future and commissioned a mosque at its peak. These days, Sulaiman-Too also incorporates an excellent Soviet-designed museum utilising some of the caves found within the mount.

   After a tiring walk at the mount, we will be sure to visit the National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex Sulayman at the mountain’s base. The Archaeological Museum Complex may be an ageing Soviet affair, but it’s engaging with a few ancient artefacts, especially from Kyrgyzstan’s Soviet period.

   We’ll travel to Osh’s very own Lenin Statue, one of the grandest you will see, still standing tall in rather elegant surroundings in front of the Osh White House.

   Once we’ve finished our visit to Lenin, we will head back to the comfort of our hotel where you will be able to relax until dinner.

    

   Accommodation: The Classic Hotel

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3. Day 3 Sary Tash in the Shadow of Mountains

   For those keen adventurers, this morning is an optional early start. Those travellers willing to forgo a lie-in are welcome to join us on a visit to Osh’s Jayma Bazaar.

   Situated on the western banks of the Ak-Bura river, Jayma Bazaar is a fantastic market housed in the same location for more than 2000 years. We’ll arrive just as the market is opening, the perfect time to get a few photos and explore the market alongside locals. We will wander into the depths of the bazaar, catching everything from cheap Chinese imported goods, pure gold, blacksmithery and more. Once you’ve had a little free time for your own exploration, we will head back to the hotel so you can grab one last shower before we head out on our adventure.

   Once checked out, we will head to a local family residence for lunch. This will give us an excellent opportunity to learn a little more about the culture and people’s lives in this region.

   Once refuelled, we’ll pull out of Osh firmly on our way following the famed M41 (Pamir Highway) to the remote border village of Sary-Tash.

   As we follow the M41, the scenery gradually becomes more and more stunning, aas the approach the Taldyk Pass sitting at an altitude of over 3,600 metres. Built between 1930 and 1932, the Taldyk Pass offers not only spectacular views of the countryside but is also crowned with a monument in honour of Yuri M Grushko, the construction manager in charge of this challenging section.

   As we pass over the Alay Mountain Range we will make numerous stops for photography and to admire the scenery before we continue on and break for the evening in the remote village of Sary-Tash.

   With a population of just 2,337 it seems that the roaming cattle in this picturesque valley outnumber the residents. We’ll set up in one of the small but intimate homestays, sharing rooms and possibly a yurt if it’s warm enough. We’ll need plenty of sleep as tomorrow we’re off into Tajikistan.

    

   Accommodation: Sary Tash Guesthouse

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4. Day 4 Over the Pamirs to Tajikistan

   Morning may seem a little blurry, especially as we’re at altitude, but any blurry eyes will soon be cleared with a splash of cold spring water and the sight of the Pamir Mountain Range stretching out across the horizon in front of us.

   Once breakfast is finished, we’ll climb aboard our vehicles and continue on to our first stop, the Kyrgyz Border. We’ll pass the border post and enter into the No Man’s Land separating Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Our ascent will be steep as we climb up over 4,000 metres to the Kyzyl Art Pass making sure to stop to photograph this unbelievably beautiful area. From here, we’ll say goodbye to our Kyrgyz team as we pass over the border and meet out new Tajik friends.

   We are now in the Republic of Tajikistan!

   From the Kyzyl Art Border Crossing the landscape is barren and stark, remisncent of the surface of the moon, although this changes rapidly as the stunning waters of Karakul Lake come into view. Karakul Lake was formed by a meteor many millions of years ago, which created an impact crater that soon filled with water.

   As we skirt the lake, we’ll stop in Karakul Town for some local lunch and a few more scenic pictures of the lake, shadowed by the majestic 7134 metre-high Lenin Peak.

   After lunch we’ll continue upwards, passing the M41’s highest point, the Ak-Baital Pass. At 4,655 metres above sea-level it’s a real dizzying moment in more ways than one. From Ak-Baital, we’ll continue to our final destination for today, the town of Murgab, once known as the Pamirsky Post. This far-flung settlement was the highest in the whole of the USSR and their most advanced military post. These days, Murgab still retains much of its Soviet character, albeit a little more windswept and rugged around the edges.

   Once we’ve checked into our basic accommodation, we’ll take a walk and do a little exploring making sure to visit Lenin and some rather interesting Soviet reliefs.

    

   Accommodation: Hotel Pamir

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5. Day 5 From Lunar Landscapes to the Afghan Border

   This morning, we’ll wake up at the highest altitude so far. You may not be feeling your best but don’t worry since today we will gradually work our way down to a more comfortable altitude.

   After checking out from our hotel, we’ll visit the local market to see if there’s any sign of local life. After this, it’s on with the journey as we continue south over the Khargush Pass at 4344 metres above sea-level. Our first stop on this adventurous drive will be the small, but attractive Ak Balyk Lake. Ak Balyk Lake is a small crystal clear pool located next to the highway, so clear that fish can be seen swimming around in its pure waters.

   From Ak Balyk Lake, we’ll continue our drive past the remote village of Alichur. Perched on the side of the road like a settlement from a spaghetti western with mud-brick buildings baking in the summer sun.

   Our next stop is lunch at Bulunkul Village, located next to a lake of the same name. Bulunkul Lake is famed locally for its fresh fish and offers us a beautiful setting for a break from the dust of travel.

   Once we’ve eaten and returned to the road it’s time to head down towards the Wakhan Corridor and the border with Afghanistan. In the distance, the awe-inspiring mountains of the Hindukush, so high are these mountains it’s difficult to distinguish cloud from horizon.

   This part of the road is one of those journeys that feels like a true adventure as we traverse steep winding switchbacks, bumpy terrain and precipitous cliffs. As we near the Afghan border, we’ll be sure to stop and toss a few stones across the Pamir River into this remote corner of Afghanistan.

   Our eventual destination, the village of Langar, sits on the confluence of the Pamir and Wakhandarya rivers which form the mighty Panj River. A small farming community, Langar is the perfect stop for the night as we bed down in one of the many homestays on offer. Our arrival time may be late, but we will get a hearty meal and maybe have time for a drink or two.

    

   Accommodation: Local Guesthouse

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6. Day 6 Skirting the Afghan Border

   After a local breakfast and a short walk through Langar, we’re back on the road again, following the Panj River through the scenic Wakhan Valley. We will drive along, stopping to learn a little more about the region and peer into neighbouring Afghanistan; the further we move downstream the more local settlements you’ll see.

   We’ll eventually arrive at the village of Vrang and climb the surrounding hills to visit the remnants of an old Buddhist monastery. The Buddhists have long gone, as has much of their impressive complex. All that remains is a forlorn stupa and 11 man-made caves cut into the surrounding cliffs.

   Continuing on to the Osorkhonai Abdullo Ansori Museum, the local guide will tell us more about history and life in the Wakhan region. From the museum, and after viewing one of the local Zoroastrian shrines in the area, it’s just a short walk to the nearby Kahkaha Fortress

   The 4^th century Kahkaha Fortress was once a massive fortification which is said to be named after the then-king of the fire-worshippers. Whatever its origins, these days the ruined fortress still defends its occupants – Tajik troops guarding the Tajik-Afghan border. We will seek permission to enter these old walls and catch some amazing views over Afghanistan.

   From Vrang, we’ll stop for lunch in the small town of Iskhshim, once the site of a cross-border Afghan Market, now a bustling town opposite an Afghan settlement of the same name.

   From Ishkashim, we’ll follow the Panj River ever onwards past some of its narrowest points where the river foams and bubbles as it is forced through a narrow gap where Tajikistan and Afghanistan almost touch.

   Before reaching today’s lodgings, we’ll make one more stop at the Garm Chashma hot spa. There are many natural hot springs along the valley, however, Garm Chashma is one of the most picturesque as water cascades from deep below the earth over smoothed geological features.

   We’ll eventually arrive in Khorogh, the capital and thriving heart of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region with a population of 28,000. Our home for the next two nights.

    

   Accommodation: Hotel Zafar

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7. Day 7 Exploring Khorogh

   After our adventure to get to Khorogh, today we’ll set a more leisurely pace with a visit to the local Khorog Bazaar. The bazaar is a typical Central Asian affair crammed with fresh fruit, vegetables, milk products and various other wares. Not commonly visited by tourists, we may be as much a spectacle to the locals as the colourful traders are to us.

   From the bazaar, we’ll call at the Ismaili Jamatkhana Centre not only an absolute architectural delight but the centre for Isma’ilism in the region. Once inside the Ismaili Centre we will learn a little more about this fascinating sub-sect of Shia Islam. We’ll also have the unique opportunity to ask their opinion on the recent political change in Afghanistan, clearly visible from the ornate terraced grounds around us.

   Heading out of the city centre we’ll climb higher as we drive high above Khorogh to visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens. A little unkempt, the Khorogh Botanical Gardens were begun in the 1940s as a project of the Soviet Union to observe the survival rate of plants at altitude and the associated climatic conditions. Not only do the gardens now boast of over 2,300 species of trees and plants and a beautiful residence fit for a president, but they also afford mesmerising views over the city.

   From the gardens, we’ll drive back down into the city for a spot of lunchm but not before visiting Victory Park and its Soviet monuments harking back to a different era in history.

   After lunch, you’ll have a choice; for those who wish to stay and relax in Khorogh, you can explore a little more of the city or soak up the ambience by enjoying a drink by the river. If, however, you have the energy there is the option of an afternoon hike in some of the surrounding countryside. It is very mountainous, but the views over the surrounding valleys are reward enough.

    

   Accommodation: Hotel Zafar

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8. Day 8 Tajikistan's Borderlands

   Today our journey begins with a trip to the beautiful town of Qal’ai Khumb, but there’s plenty of adventure to be had along the way!

   Once we leave Khorogh, we’ll stop for some quick photos of the airport, said to be one of the most dangerous in the world. At one time, Aeroflot pilots were paid extra for venturing to this far-flung piece of tarmac. With no escape corridor, pilots would have to navigate the mountain valley, crisscrossing over the Tajik and Afghan borders. Needless to say, at the current time flights are suspended.

   As we return along the meandering M41 Highway, we will again make stops for pictures looking out over Afghan villages as well as stopping at some Tajik settlements, such as the village of Rushon. Rushon is a typical Tajik village with a small higgledy-piggledy market bazaar at its heart. Known by most locals as Vamar, Rushon offers us a break from our drive and an excellent opportunity to meet and mix with locals off the beaten track.

   The village of Rushon and the surrounding area have long lived in the shadow of a sleeping dragon; Sarez Lake was created in 1911 when a giant earthquake caused a massive landslide, forming the world’s highest natural dam. It has been said that the remote dam is unstable and could collapse in the event of another quake. Inhabitants of the region hope that the 16,000 cubic kilometres of water will be held back for another 100 years at least.

   Continuing on, we’ll stop for lunch before passing through the patchwork of green fields and farms clustered around the base of the surrounding mountains. The clays, soils and glacial waters create excellent conditions for these fertile terraces. With the Hindu Kush disappearing behind us, we’ll eventually arrive back to the warm embrace of Qal’ai Khumb.

   Upon arrival, we’ll rest and relax before heading for fresh shashliks and draught beer in a restaurant next to the raging mountain river of Obikhumbou.

    

   Accommodation: Karon Palace Hotel

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

9. Day 9 One More Pass & One More Adventure

   Today we’ll embark on our final drive on the M41 as we head across southern Tajikistan to Dushanbe. Unlike many tour companies travelling the Pamir Highway, we’ll make sure to stay on this famous road right up to Dushanbe.

   Leaving Qal’ai Khumb, we’ll head north, on the true M41, peeling away from the Afghan border. The road we take is tough, on a route closed for much of the year. As the winter snow and spring rain makes the route unpassable. The driving will still be challenging and complex, but the scenery is astonishing. Along the way, we will pass over the 3,852 metre high Khaburabot Pass. The Russians say unless you take the M41 over the Khaburabot Pass, then you haven’t truly travelled the Pamir Highway. We will regularly stop to admire and photograph this most rugged region of Tajikistan.

   This route used to be the only way to reach Tajikistan’s western region. Built during the Soviet period, the road was almost destroyed during Tajikistans bloody civil war when Western rebels tried to cut this vital link.

   As we take the central route, we will pass through some of Tajikistan’s poorest regions, but the villages are still lovely, the scenery beautiful, and the local people no less friendly. Journeying along the Obikhingou River we’ll pass Tavildara, home of the first Tajiks.

   Leaving the mountains behind, we’ll work our way across Tajikistan’s fertile region, eventually arriving at the nation’s beautiful capital, Dushanbe.

   Dushanbe is a relatively young capital. Prior to 1929, it was just a small market village. Dushanbe gained prominence under the USSR as a textile production hub, although under the rule of the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic the city was initially named Stalinabad. These days, Dushanbe takes on a post-Soviet elegance with its tree-lined streets and large parks creating a cosy, homely urban environment.

   Once we’ve arrived and checked into our hotel, we will be sure to head to one of the city’s nearby restaurants to enjoy a hearty meal.

    

   Accommodation: Hotel Vatan

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

10. Day 10 Explore Dushanbe

    After a filling breakfast, our day begins as we head into the city for a tour of Dushanbe. On foot and by bus, we’ll catch many of the city’s highlights and a few more quirky sights. The beautiful Victory Park is our first stop. Located on the hills above Dushanbe, the park was built in 1975 to commemorate the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. This Soviet-built monument offers excellent views over Dushanbe.

    As we continue our day, we’ll be sure to crisscross and walk along sections of Rudaki & Somoni Avenues, not just two of Dushanbe’s main streets but also home to beautiful Soviet-era tree-lined boulevards and many of the city’s more picturesque buildings. From Somoni Avenue, we’ll reach the imposing 13-metre tall Ismaili Somoni Monument. A fantastic statue of the ancient king stands on the former site of Lenin. It is said that Somoni’s crown contains 10 kilograms of Tajik gold. Behind the Ismaili Somoni Monument stands one of Dushanbe’s most impressive buildings, the  9 storey 45,000 square-metre National Library of Tajikistan.

    The National Library of Tajikistan looks out across the beautiful Rudaki Park, named after the Persian poet Rudaki who penned over a million poems and whose statue stands proudly at the centre of this leafy sanctuary. We’ll make our way across the park to visit two of the city’s newer attractions. First, the Dushanbe Flagpole; a 165-metre giant that used to be the world’s tallest until recently. Our next stop, the Tajikistan National Museum, which gives us the chance to learn a little more about the history of Tajikistan and its importance in the region.

    After a delicious lunch, it’s on with the tour! Our first visit is Kokhi Navruz (The World’s Largest Tea House), a massive, opulently designed building that houses a leisure centre and numerous restaurants, shopping areas, and even a cinema. Visits are by appointment only and you may need to wait, but it’s worth it. The fantastic on-site guides will show you around the core meeting halls used for hosting foreign dignitaries.

    Before resting for the day we will make one more stop at the Mehrgon Market Building, where many of Dushanbe’s residents do their shopping, a modern option that replaced the once-thriving green bazaar. After finishing our last day, we will head out into the city to enjoy our last group meal and bid farewell to our fantastic team.

     

    Accommodation: Hotel Vatan

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

11. Day 11 Departure Day

    The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel.

    Extensions are possible – please speak to your Tour Manager to discuss options.

     

    END OF TOUR

     

    Included Meals: Breakfast

Hotels, Guesthouses and Homestays