Holidays with Downtown

After a first approach to Dushanbe, the capital, you take the direction of the Pamir mountains. The road winds through the heart of the mountains, in the middle of vertiginous peaks culminating at around 20,000 feet of altitude. Several stops in the small isolated villages of the region allow you to meet the locals, known for their smiles and warm welcome. Thanks to the nights at the inhabitant's, you discover their way of life far from any civilization and share unforgettable moments. You continue your route on the second highest road on our planet, sometimes crossing the path of an altitude lake, sometimes emerald, sometimes turquoise. From time to time, a wild animal will be added to the exceptional landscapes: bear, fox, gray wolf, tiger-cat, etc. This comprehensive itinerary in Tajikistan is aimed at travelers eager for new encounters, wild landscapes and nature.

A word on Tajik weather

During the winter months, extremely low temperatures and high volume of rain make conditions for travel very difficult and quite dangerous, especially in the Pamir where the passes are impracticable. During the Summer months, the temperatures can be very uncomfortable if you have heath conditions. Spring and Fall are the best time to travel to Tajikistan,

Day 1: Dushanbe

After clearing Immigration and Customs at Dushanbe airport our guide will pick you up and escort you to your hotel in the capital.

Day 2: Dushanbe

The whole day is devoted to visiting the city. First, we visit Rudaki Park, National Library, White House, Chamber of Parliament. Then we walk around the National Park to take pictures of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the tallest flag in the whole world (541 feet pole and the flag is 98 feet wide, 197 feet long). After the excursion to the Central Museum you have lunch followed by a visit to the Gurminj Museum of traditional musical instruments. But to feel the real Tajik life you have to visit the Oriental Bazaar with its colorful sundries, fruits and vegetables on display. During the city tour you’ll discover lots of interesting facts about the local life. Rest of the afternoon is free, Overnight at the hotel. [B/L]

Day 3: Dushanbe, Nurek, Kalaikhum

Today we’ll head towards the village of Kalaikhum. On the way we stop at the Nurek water reservoir which is called Lake Tajik. The day’s highlight is the Khaburabot pass (7,438 feet) that offers amazing views of these unique mountains, already in the Pamir territory, and an impressive look at the valley. Continue driving the rough road along the Afghan border. This is the chance to follow the path the world's greatest explorers, such as Marco Polo, Hsuan Tsang and Mirza Muhammad Haidar, have traveled over the centuries, inspired by the Pamir Mountains. You will follow the natural border created by the Pyanj river. After visiting the Pamir region many travelers have called this giant mountain system “the ocean of white and blue mountains”. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night at a homestay to see the way of life of the locals. [B/L/D]

Day 4: Kalaikhum, Khorog

This morning we take the road to Khorog, perhaps one of the smallest towns on the world map. The city was built on the confluence of the three rivers, where the Chokhdara and the Ghound flow into the Pyandzh, and is surrounded by rocky mountains on all four sides.  On the way you will meet locals from the Pamir region. A number of anthropological characteristics set the Pamir people apart from the Tajiks. Among the Pamiris there is a high percentage of people with blond hair, fair skin and blue eyes and speak the indigenous language of the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous province (GBAO). The Pamir Mountains are the second-highest mountains in the world with human population after the Himalayas in Tibet. Life here makes the local traditions different from those of the Tajik people. Tonight, dinner will be served in a restaurant and you’ll spend the night in a guest house. [B/L/D]

Day 5: Khorog, Yamg

After breakfast we start our drive along the Tajikistan/Afghanistan border to reach the village of Yamg, located in the heart of Asia, a majestic corner of the snow-capped mountains decorated by transparent blue waters of lakes and rivers, vast valleys and dry deserts creating the environment for the ancient ethnic and cultural peculiarities of the Pamir people, now spread between Tajikistan, China and Russia. Over the years, communities were isolated from each other by impassable mountain ranges and developed into separate enclaves with different dialects and sometimes distinct languages. For hundreds of years, understandably, people have called these high mountains, located at elevations between 11,480 to 13,780 feet above sea level, the “roof of the world”.  Dinner and overnight with the locals. [B/L/D]

Day 6: Yamg, Lake Yashilkul, Lake Bulunkul

The most beautiful lakes in Pami are Yashilkul and Bulunkul, known as Blue Lakes, located in the Mourghab district at 12,140 feet above sea level. The lakes and surrounding wetlands, slopes and broad highland valleys are home to a huge number of diverse bird species from those who come just to breed to passing migrants. These include Saker Falcons, Himalayan Vultures and Eastern Imperial Eagles and form an impressive bird population within the lake’s dramatic landscape. Lake Yashilkul has clear, fresh waters which stretch to 12 miles in length. Schools of fish live in its pure, deep waters which drop down to 164 feet in some areas. The lake offers warm waters of up to 57 degrees Fahrenheit, a stark contrast against Bulunkul Lake, that are clear enough to observe aquatic life and try to catch a glimpse of ‘Tuya Suu’ - a water camel that local people believe lives in the lake. Bulunkul Lake is the smaller of the two lakes, with depths of up to 19 feet. This region has the lowest recorded temperatures in Tajikistan and waters of the lake are known to drop below minus 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Stunning scenes of the icy blues of the lake against the sun-kissed peaks make an idyllic picture. On the way we pass through the Karghush Pass  at 14,252 feet of altitude. Tonight, we’ll have dinner and spend the night with the locals. [B/L/D]

Day 7: Bulunkul, Khorog

In the morning we drive back to Khorog along the Pamir Highway known as the M41 Pamir Tract. It is considered to be the second highest mountain road after the Tibet Highway. The road goes along elevations of over 13,125 feet above sea level reaching the Koitezak Pass at 14,015 feet on its way. The almost inaccessible landscape and the rocky mountains of this corner of the world have given refuge to a unique diversity of fauna, counting among the most common species of wild mammals the Tourkestan rat, tiger-cat, grizzly bear, badger, ermine, fox, gray and red wolves. The Pamir region provides a large and thriving population of Marco Polo sheep, the largest sheep in the world and a strong population of the snow leopard which is on the verge of extinction. Dinner and overnight at a guest house. [B/L/D]

Day 8: Khorog, Kalaikhum

The road from Khorog to Kalaikhum is the same we took before. This area also consists of high rocky mountains over 19,600 feet high where only a single road could be built. Passing through the Pamir region, you’ll have the rare opportunity to not only marvel at the beauty of the pristine environment but also learn about the ethnography, history and daily life of the mountain dwellers. One can imagine how the history of mankind evolved as in the history of creation. On the way we stop in small villages to communicate with the local populations and learn more about their life. Villages are located on both sides of the river in the narrow mountain valleys. Across the river you will see stone Afghan villages and gardens. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. [B/L/D]

Day 9: Kalaikhum, Khoburabot, Dushanbe

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Dushanbe by the mountain road, passing through the high Khoburabot pass (10,670 feet) Known as the Western Pamir Tract. The road crosses the most scenic river valley and magnificent gorges where one can stop to rest and take pictures of the mountain and rivers. On the way you will cross small villages and meet the local population. The Tajiks are, by nature, hard workers, hospitable and benevolent. This nation greatly respects its traditions and folklore. This trip is attractive for lovers of exotic plants, for those who are curious about the ethnic and cultural diversity and captivated by the beauty of wild nature. Overnight at the hotel in Dushanbe. [B/L]

Day 10: Dushanbe (Lake Iskanderkul)

Our trip today is towards the high mountain lake Iskanderkul, located at 7,398 feet, in the famous Fann Mountains. This fabulous area is one of the most beautiful places in Central Asia. The road to the lake passes over the Anzob pass, at 7,782 feet, with a breathtaking panoramic view. After arriving at the lake, we’ll take a walk along the beach and continue for another 40 minutes to see the waterfall. Tajikistan ranks second among the CIS countries for the volume of water resources and: it has the highest water reserves of any Central Asian country with more than 1,000 rivers, 2,000 lakes and 8,000 glaciers. After a rest near the lake we return to Dushanbe for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel. [B/L/D]

Day 11: Dushanbe, USA

Around mid-night be ready for your transfer to the airport to board your flight back home.

[B/L] = Breakfast and Lunch | [B/L/D] = Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner