High altitude trekking in the Pamirs

Your flight arrives at mid night. You will be transferred to your hotel for a short break. After breakfast, you start your journey towards the Pamir over the mountain pass at Kalai Kumb, the halfway point of Khorog. We take the southern road via Kulyab. While driving on there are will be a lot of stop, driving along Afghan boarder is very good feelings. It will gives you what is look like afghan village. Accommodation: guesthouse

After breakfast, we will drive to Khorog. This idyllic canyon town is the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan (GBAO) region and lies surrounded by picturesque mountain peaks. Along the way, we will drive along the Panj River which forms a natural border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan and visit Karon ruins – the Machu Picchu of Central Asia. In Khorog you we visit bazaar or botanical gardens which is the second highest in the world. Accommodation: 3* Lal hotel

Before we continue our journey towards Ishkashim, we will visit the Ismaili Center and Botanical Garden in Khorog, which offers stunning views of the town. As we drive south, our first stop will be at Garm Chashma, a natural hot spring where you can take an optional dip in the mineral-rich waters. Moving further south, we will reach the Wakhan Corridor, a remote and isolated region that spans across both Tajikistan and Afghanistan. The Wakhan Corridor gained prominence in the 19th century as a buffer zone between the Russian and British Empires during the Great Game, but it has been a crucial Silk Road pass through the mountains for millennia, with even Marco Polo claiming to have walked it. Overnight in a family-run guesthouse with shared western bathroom

We will continue our journey along the Wakhan Corridor, which offers several interesting points of attraction along the way. At Namadgut village, we'll explore the Kah Kahka Fortress, dating back to the 3rd century, before climbing up to the impressive Yamchun Fortress situated dramatically along the valley. Another stop will be at the Bibi Fatima Hot Springs, believed by local women to enhance fertility. Additionally, we'll visit the Sufi Muborakqadam Museum with its intriguing solar calendar, and take a short hike in Zong to reach a 4th-century Buddhist stupa which was once a significant monastery. Locals believe that the stupa's top stone has the Buddha's footprint, making it an ancient pilgrimage site. Our final destination today is Langar village, where we will stay at an authentic Pamiri guesthouse run by a local family. Accommodation: homestay

Today's itinerary includes a hike up to view the Langar petroglyphs, a collection of over 6,000 ancient messages left by Scythians, Arians, Zoroastrians, and other past inhabitants of the area. The petroglyphs, which date back to the Bronze and earlier eras, depict hunting scenes, ibex, various symbols, and unknown markings. After viewing the petroglyphs, we will continue our trek through a narrow gorge, which eventually leads to a lush green area with a small river where we may encounter local shepherds and their livestock. Here, we will enjoy a picnic lunch while taking in the breathtaking views of Engels peak and its surrounding area, before descending back to our guesthouse. This trek will take approximately 7-8 hours. Elevation gain +/- 1200m, 16km. Accommodation: homestay

Today's itinerary will take us from the verdant valley to the barren high altitude desert of the Great Pamir. Our ascent will be gradual until we reach the rugged landscape characterized by lunar-like features. We will traverse the Kargushi Pass, standing at an elevation of 4,300 meters above sea level, before descending slightly to reconnect with the renowned Pamir Highway. The highway, completed in 1931, runs between Khorog and Osh, reaching heights of almost 4,000 meters above sea level at certain points. Afternoon we will arrive to the small Bachor village. If we arrive in good time, we will have a chance to stroll around the mountain village with its traditional houses. Located 3170 meters above sea level, this is a fantastic opportunity to explore and chat to the friendly locals while acclimatizing at the same time. Accommodation: homestay

Wake up to snow-capped mountains in the village of Bachor. After a hearty breakfast, we will trek from Bachor to the Kavch Spring, located 3600 meters above sea level. After an approximately five-hour hike, we will stop and set up camp for the night. Tuck into a home-cooked dinner around the campfire before crawling into your cozy tent for a well- deserved rest. (3600 m, 10 km, +430 m, 5-6 hrs). Accommodation: Camping

Today is an acclimatization day as we climb up to the hot hydrogen sulfide springs in Kavch at an altitude of 4200 meters above sea level. If you wish, you can bathe in the hot springs (locals say the water has natural healing powers) and enjoy a picnic lunch. After a lazy afternoon, we will descend to base camp (3600 m, 6 km, +/-600 m, 4-5 hrs).

Wake up to the sounds of nature; this is as far away from modern civilization as it gets. Stock up on reserves with a hearty breakfast (it’s a seven-hour hiking day) before trekking from Kavch Spring to Chashin Lake, located 4300 meters above sea level. Don’t forget to enjoy the exceptional snow-capped views along the way! (10 km, +600 m, 6-7 hrs). Accommodation: Camping (4300 m).

Today is less of a challenge as we ascend higher still from Chasin Lake (4200 m) to Zaroshkkul Lake (4518 m). We first hike to the hill where we enjoy the panoramic view to the surrounding mountains and Zaroshkul lake - one of the most photogenic lakes in the region. We continue decent to the shore of the lake where we will stop and set up camp for the night. Be prepared for the best nightshoot with milky way. (6 km, +410 m, -218 m, 6- 7 hrs). Overnight Camping

Today, we will hike to the Shtik Lazar glacier. We hike up till pass and see some small glacier lakes on the top then we descend to Kulen Lake. This is the highest point of the trek at nearly 4800 meters. (10km, +390m, -220m). Overnight Camping

After breakfast, we set off early. Admire the incredible views over Kulen Lake as we trek to the gorgeous Zaurbek pasture (4100 m), home to yak, sheep and other mountain cattle. We will continue onwards to Uchkul Lake (4300 m) where we will set up camp for the night with the most spectacular views. (11 km, -200m, +200 m, 5-6 hrs). Overnight Camping

Today, we start on a five-hour trek to the fork of Pass Langar, where you will have the chance to explore the rugged terrain and discover hidden wonders along the way. We will ascend towards Chapdarkul Lake, a stunning alpine lake nestled at an impressive altitude of 4,553 meters above sea level. The climb to the lake may prove to be a challenge, but the breathtaking views and unique landscapes along the way will make every step well worth it. (12km, +310m, -100m). Overnight Camping

It’s time to make our way down again, descending towards the Bachor pasture. It is going to be gradual long descend along the Langar river through wide valley of river Chapdarkul through numerous herds of yaks, to pasture Lower Bachor (3630m) located at the confluence of Chapdarkul and Gunt. (19 km, 8 hrs, +60m, -1340m). Overnight Camping

Today our group will cross the Gunt River, which is slightly below the dam of Yashilkul Lake. There are three possible ways to get across the river, depending on the water level of the river delta at the time we are trekking either we cross unassisted or cross by vehicle (jeep). Once we complete our crossing of Yashilkul Lake we will depart for Bulunkul village (24 km, 1 hour). Here we enjoy dinner and overnight at a homestay in Bulunkul village (3700 m). (8 km, -200 m, +300 m, -200 m, 4-5 hrs). Overnight Homestay

Early in the morning after having breakfast we drive back to Kalai Khumb taking the road M41. It is quite long drive today, be patient! Overnight at guesthouse

Today we drive back to Dushanbe but this time we will take a northern road through Gharm Valley (if the road condition is good).

Overnight: 4* Atlas hotel