Tour Schedule

• Day 1: Rushon– Jizew

  Driving with car into the Bartang valley till the crossroad with the Jizew footpath. Two or three hours walk up to the pristine Pamiri village of Jizev, which has no road connection and is therefore still very traditional. It is situated in a valley with many small forests and marvellous milky-turquoise lakes. Time spent in car: approximately 6-7 hours. Walking time: 2-3 hours. Accommodation in homestay with nice manja (outdoor-bed)

• Day 2: Strolling around in Jizew valley

  Strolling around in Jizew valley. Walking up Jizew valley to the upper lakes and the pastures of the village, going as far as you wish. Walking time: As long as you want. Accomodation: homestay

• Day 3: Jizew – Khorog

  Jizew – Khorog, on foot and in jeep. Back down the way to Jizew Bridge on foot. By car drive to Khorog. Overnight in Khorog.

• Day 4: Khorog - Ishkashim

  

  Not far from Khorog (45 km) there is the famous Mineral Hot Spring-Garm Chashma and Ruby Mines of Khu i Lal (where Badakhshani rubies were mined as early as 14th century). The road to Ishkashim is smooth journey. Ishkashim is a small town at the mouth of the Wakhan corridor, where the 19th century Great Game ended. Continuing up northwards we will see amazing views of the Pamirs to the left and the Hindu Kush to the right; a number of peaks in view are above 6,000m. If we are lucky and we arrive to Ishkashim on Saturday, we will be able to visit the Crosse border Tajik-Afghan market on the Afghan side. There is no need to obtain Afghan visa for this visit. Guesthouse. B/L/D.

• Day 5: Ishkashim to Langar

  Ishkashim to Langar. On the way we will visit the Kah-Kaha in Namadgut one of the oldest fortress on the Silk Road, museum a local scholar, theologian, poet and traveler Sufi Muborak-Kadami Vakhani, who died in 1910. There is a stone pillar with a hole near his house, which he used to calculate a solar calendar. His house is decorated with inscriptions and decorations made by the scholar. On the way we will visit Buddhist Stupa in Vrang, sacred hot springs of Bibi Fatima Zahra, ruins of Yamchun fortress (IV-III B.C.) that once guarded Pamir branch of the Great Silk Road. Home stay. B/L/D.

• Day 6: Langar – Bulunkul and Yashil Kul Lake

  Langar – Bulunkul and Yashil Kul Lake: After breakfast we will leave the spectacular views of Afghanistan, with the ice-capped summit of the Wakhan Range, and the Pamir River and will cross Khargushi pass. We will arrive to Bulun Kul and Yashil Kul Lakes, where we will stay in a small hamlet of Bulunkul. The people living here are Pamiris, Tajiks and Kyrgyz nomads living in a harsh but hospitable environment. Here we will deepen our understanding of how people have adapted to a life in such remote mountainous areas. We will walk around the ruins of a caravanserai and solar calendar on the north side of Lake Yashil Kul. Homestay. B/L/D.

• Day 7: Yashil Kul-Murgab

  Yashil Kul-Murgab. On the way we will visit an old color paintings in grot Shakhty and if the weather is clear enough, we will head up to the Shorbulak Observatory, from where we can see the Muztag Ata and Kongur Peaks, which are part of the Khun Lun Range (located in China). Murgab is a quiet town with an only bazaar of the High Pamir region where Kyrgyz’s and Tajiks live. We will pay a visit to handicraft shop in “Yak House”:

• Day 8 Murgab-Karakul

  Murgab-Karakul. The views of mountains and glaciers along the way this day are simply breath-taking as the road takes us to the Ak Baital Pass (The White Horse Pass 4655m). This is the highest pass in the former USSR. This is indeed the “The Roof of the World” and the hidden site in this expanse of arid landscape is the stunning Karakul Lake, created millions of years ago by a meteorite and noted as one of the most geologically fascinating places on earth. We will have an opportunity for a short walk along the lake. The surrounding area offers some spectacular views, which are especially dramatic with the sun setting over the nearby snow-capped mountains. Home stay. B/L/D.