Pamir Mountains
Connecting Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan by road through the Pamir Mountains, the M41, commonly referred to as The Pamir Highway, is the second highest highway in the world.
The area is notoriously unstable, with landslides, earthquakes and areas prone to rock falls; it attracts cyclists and motorcyclists as well as drivers for road trips through the mountains. Homestays offering traditional yurt accommodation are scattered along the road and you’ll pass villages with bazaars and plenty of opportunity to sample local cuisine as you go.
As well as the generally spectacular mountain views, there are lakes and rivers to explore as well as a plethora of ruins left over from ancient forts and more modern military remains.
Hidden gems in Pamir Mountains
Central Asia
Bachor to Yashilkul Lake
The Bachor region of the Pamirs offers some of the most remote, high-altitude and overall challenging trekking anywhere in the Pamirs, and all Tajikistan for that matter. One of my favourite routes is a ten day hike from Bachor to Yashilkul Lake staying in a mixture of camping and local homestays. This trek hops from one glacial lake to the next, with Kulen Lake topping out at 4,800 metres. But the scenery makes it all well worthwhile, the views over Zaroshkkul Lake can bring you to tears and after dark you’re treated to spectacular night scapes of the Milky Way. After eight days of high altitude hiking you descend through through the wide valley of the Chapdarkul river to Bachor pasture grazed by herds of yaks, before crossing the river to Yashilkul Lake.
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Central Asia
Engels Peak Base Camp
ExperienceLike the definition of short but sweet, Engels Peak Base Camp day hike is just a 3.1-mile round trip from Engels Village. Engels Peak Base Camp is the starting point for those looking to conquer Engels Peak, one of the significant summits in the Tajik Pamirs. The base camp sits at an altitude of around 4,200 metres and, for those with just a day, is a scenic introduction to Engels Peak without the commitment of a summit climb. The trail is graced with stunning panoramas, rivers, and isolated hamlets, where you can experience the Tajik mountain culture firsthand.
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Central Asia
Bachor to Sarez Lake
ExperienceThe Bachor to Sarez Lake trek is a spectacular journey in Tajikistan's Pamir Mountains. This demanding eight-day trek starts in Bachor, a remote village in the Bartang Valley. Accommodation options are primarily camping, with occasional homestays. The route takes you across high passes, rocky landscapes, and past swift rivers. Along the way, you'll visit secluded villages, experience local Pamiri culture, and witness stunning panoramas of snow-capped peaks. The pinnacle of the journey is the arrival at Sarez Lake, a high-altitude lake created by a devastating earthquake in 1911. The natural dam, Usoi Dam, is the tallest in the world and has trapped a stunning body of water over 55 km long. The lake's deep blue waters set against the stark mountainous backdrop form a breathtaking vista and haven for migratory birds.
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Bachor to Yashilkul Lake
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Engels Peak Base Camp
View experience
Pamir Mountains itineraries
Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan itinerary
Explore the lakes and landscapes of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
10 days
Pamir Mountains travel companies
