Begin the day with breakfast at the yurt camp, followed by a hike to Traveler’s Pass, located at 4,130 meters (13,550 ft). The 3-hour ascent starts just outside the yurt camp, crossing streams and winding alongside the Achyk-Tash River before reaching the pass. From this vantage point, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of glaciers cascading from Lenin Peak, which towers at 7,134 meters (23,406 ft). After a break to take in the views, we’ll make the 3-hour descent back to the yurt camp. Lunch at the yurt camp and continue to the Bordobo checkpoint, cross the border to Karakul Lake in Tajikistan. The different landscape opens up, confirming that this is Tajikistan. Karakul Lake is the largest lake in the Pamirs, formed by glaciers, and has no outflow. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse. 

• Driving distance/hour: 150 km / 94mi – 4 hours

• Hike: 6 hours, reaching 4,130 m / 13,549 ft

• Internet: No internet coverage until Murgab. Megafon 2G in Karakul. 

• Electricity: Available only after dinner (bring a power bank just in case)

• Facilities: The guesthouse has a traditional Russian-style sauna, where water is heated and you can wash yourself by mixing hot and cold water in a bucket, and outdoor western squat toilets. Shared rooms for up to 4 people. 

Travel continues to Murghab via the Ak-Baital Pass (4,655 m) — the highest road pass in Tajikistan and one of the most impressive sections of the Pamir Highway. The drive takes about 3 hours, with a short side trip offering a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of Karakul Lake and surrounding glaciers. Take a one-hour walk near the pass to enjoy panoramic mountain scenery and capture stunning photos. Upon arrival in Murghab — often called the “heart of the Eastern Pamirs” — stop for lunch. This remote highland town is an important hub where you can buy snacks, refill water, exchange money, or purchase a local SIM card.
After lunch, continue towards Alichur village. Along the way, those interested can enjoy a short yak-riding experience (10–15 minutes, cost 5-6 USD per person) and visit a local nomadic family. You’ll be welcomed into their yurt (please note that yurt camp season last from June to early Sep, early spring, or late autumn you visit to their village houses), where you can taste traditional yak yogurt and fresh bread while learning about their mountain lifestyle. Return to the main road and continue to Alichur. Dinner and overnight in a cozy guesthouse.

• Driving distance/hour: 352 km / 219 mi – 6 hours

• Yak Riding: up to 10-15 minutes 

• Altitude: Alichur village -3,850 m / 12,631 ft

• Internet: No internet coverage after Murgab. Megafon 2G in Karakul. 

• Electricity:  Solar Panels 12V, only for charging phones 

• Facilities: The guesthouse has a traditional Russian-style sauna, where water is heated and you can wash yourself by mixing hot and cold water in a bucket, outdoor western squat toilets. Shared rooms for up to 4 people. 

 Breakfast. Take a side trip to visit the Alpine Bulunkul and Yashylkul lakes. Drive back to the main road and head up to the Kargush pass (4 344m). Arrive at the Kargush pass and start the 3-4 hrs trek to Panorama Ridge at 4800 meters. While walking up, two small lakes behind you at the roadside open up to cheer you. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of Great Pamir on the Afghan border on top of the pass. Walk back to your car. After the pass, drive down to the Afghanistan border for another checkpoint to check your GBAO permit. The road follows the river Pamir to Wakhan Valley with the chance to admire the Big Pamir of Afghanistan with nomadic Afghan Kyrgyz caravans. Great rugged Hindu Kush mountain ranges welcome you right before entering Wakhan Valley. Overnight and dinner in a friendly homestay in Langar village.

• Driving distance/hour: 240 km/ 149 mi/ 5 hours
• Hike: 3–4 hours, reaching 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
• Internet: Limited coverage (Tcell and Megafon)
• Electricity: Available, but power outages are possible (carry a power bank)
• Facilities: Shared indoor shower, outdoor western, and squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

After breakfast drive back to the main road and head up to the Kargush pass (4 344m). Arrive at the Kargush pass and start the 3-4 hrs trek to Panorama Ridge at 4800 meters. While walking up, two small lakes behind you at the roadside open up to cheer you. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of Great Pamir on the Afghan border on top of the pass. Walk back to your car. After the pass, drive down to the Afghanistan border for another checkpoint to check your GBAO permit. The road follows the river Pamir to Wakhan Valley with the chance to admire the Big Pamir of Afghanistan with nomadic Afghan Kyrgyz caravans. Great rugged Hindu Kush mountain ranges welcome you right before entering Wakhan Valley. Overnight and dinner in a friendly homestay in Langar village.

• Driving distance/hour: 125 km/ 77 mi/ 5-6 hours

• Hike: 3–4 hours, reaching 4,800 m / 15,748 ft

• Internet: Limited coverage (Tcell and Megafon)

• Electricity: Available, but power outages are possible (carry a power bank)

• Facilities: Shared indoor shower and western squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people.

Breakfast. Right after you leave your guesthouse, we do a side trip to admire the 12th-century Yamchun Fortress rising from a platform of natural rock. Walk up to the edge of the fort and you will have an amazing view of the Wakhan Valley. Further up the hillside are located the hot springs of Bibi Fatima, with its crystal waters rich in minerals. Back to the main road. Another fortress Khaaka comes up along the way at Namadgut village when you get closer to Ishkashim village. It is worth a 10-minute stop. Continue to drive to Khorog City. Afternoon, visit the interesting Regional Museum and Central Park of Khorog City. Evening hike in a Botanical Garden that has various plants and trees to explore. Dinner at a cafe. Night in a hotel or guesthouse.

• Driving distance/hour: 290 km / 179 mi, 6-7 hours

• Altitude: 2,200 m / 7,218 ft

• Internet: Tcell (4G), Megafon (4G), Wi-Fi

• Electricity: Available

• Facilities: Shared indoor shower and western toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms up to 4 people. 

Today we drive towards the Bartang Valley and begin an adventure that may prove to be your favorite part of the trip. The 4x4s will drop us off at the trailhead to Jizeu Valley and we will commence a truly spectacular 2-hour hike to the remote Jizeu Village. The views we will discover on this hike are barren and wild, and this is known for being one of the real highlights of the Pamir Highway, that very few travelers visit. There are no roads to this village, so we will need to take our supplies with us for one night staying with local families. You do not need to bring much with you – just a change of clothes, medication, water for the hike, and your camera gear, and everything else will stay with our driver in the car. We will have lunch and dinner in the Jizeu Village. This is an isolated region, and we will only be able to organize our accommodation once we arrive in the village. Food, blankets, pillows, and water are provided at the homestay.

• Driving distance/hour: 83km/ 52 mi/ 3 hours

• Hike: 6km/ 3.7 mi/ 3 hours

• Altitude: Jizeu village 2,495m / 8,179 ft

• Internet: No mobile coverage

• Electricity: Available, Limited

• Facilities: outdoor squat toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 6 people.

Wake up for sunrise in the remote Jizeu Valley before having breakfast. Once you collect your belongings, you say goodbye to your wonderful hosts and hike back towards the main road. Our driver will meet you where you were dropped off yesterday, and we will continue the journey towards Kalaikhum with plenty of photo stops along the way. In Kalaikhum, you can stay in a comfortable homestay.

• Driving distance/hour: 205km/ 128 mi/ 5 hours

• Hike: 6km/ 3.7 mi/ 2 hours

• Altitude: 1200 m / 3,937 ft

• Internet: Tcell (3G), Megafon (3G), Wi-Fi

• Electricity: Available (bring a power bank just in case of outages)

• Facilities: Shared indoor shower and western toilets at the homestays. Shared rooms for up to 4 people. 

 Today is the last day of the Pamir Highway trip.
Travel to Dushanbe along the Panj River through numerous local villages along the way. The road has been reconstructed recently, and it will be a comfortable drive. Deep rocky valleys and gorgeous mountains accompany you up to the Shurobod pass before Kulab village. Lunch in a Chaikana (local cafe). Visit 11th-century Hulbuk Palace on the way and enjoy the views of the world’s second-highest hydropower station Nurek in the distance. Arrival in Dushanbe. Accommodation in your hotel.

• Driving distance/hour: 352km / 219 mi – 6 hours 

• Altitude: 700 m / 2,297 ft

• Internet: Tcell (4G), Megafon (4G), Wi-Fi

• Electricity: Available