Undiscovered Tajikistan

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

Mountainous and landlocked, Tajikistan is the smallest of the five ‘Stans’ of Central Asia. Though its lands may not spread wide, they certainly grow tall as more than half of the ‘roof of the world’ – as its frequently referred to – sits at altitudes above 3,000 metres. This breathtaking journey begins in the Tajik capital and descends deep into the heart of one of the region’...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

EXPAND ALL ITINERARY DAYS
COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

Day 1 Arrive Dushanbe: City Tour

Day 1 Arrive Dushanbe: City Tour

Upon arrival into the Tajik capital early this morning, you will be met and driven to check into your hotel and recuperate from the flight. Later in the day you can enjoy a sightseeing tour of Tajikistan’s modern capital visiting the blue-domed mosque, mausoleum and madrasah complex of Mawlana Yakubi Charki, a 15th-century Sufi teacher. Also visit Dushanbe's Museum of Archaeology which now holds the largest surviving Buddha in Central Asia. This evening, you’ll be taken out to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Rumi Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 2 Dushanbe - Khaburabad Pass - Kalaikhumb

Day 2 Dushanbe - Khaburabad Pass - Kalaikhumb

The journey deep into Tajikistan’s famous mountain scenery begins as you leave Dushanbe for the Pamirs this morning, via Tawildara and the Khaburabad Pass (3,252m). A change in both the scenery and the people is noticeable as you make for today’s destination of Kalaikhumb located on the Panj River, a major tributary of the famous Amu Darya (Oxus) river.

Karon Palace Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Kalaikhumb – Khorog: Tracing the Amu Darya

Day 3 Kalaikhumb – Khorog: Tracing the Amu Darya

Following the Amu Darya river that outlines the border with Afghanistan, you’ll make your way over to the town of Khorog which marks the beginning of the Pamirs. Today’s full-day drive cuts through gorges and villages, providing the rare opportunity to compare differences between those on the Tajik and Afghan sides

LAL Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Khorog - Bulunkul Village (Yashikul Lake): Into the Pamirs

Day 4 Khorog - Bulunkul Village (Yashikul Lake): Into the Pamirs

Taking the legendary Pamir Highway, the formidable peaks of the Pamirs engulf your car from all sides as you get lost deeper into Tajikistan’s wild southern mountain plateau. The spectacular drive eventually turns off the highway down a wide valley strewn with immense boulders to the tiny village of Bulunkul. The village is home to just 30 families that make a living fishing in the nearby Yashikul lake. Settle into your homestay for the afternoon.

Yashikul Guest House
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Bulunkul Village (Yashikul Lake) – Murgab: Homestay by the Lake

Day 5 Bulunkul Village (Yashikul Lake) – Murgab: Homestay by the Lake

Pull up a pillow and sit down to a homemade breakfast this morning before walking down to the lake to see its brilliantly blue glacial water reflecting an image of the encircling snow-capped mountains. Saying goodbye to your host family, this afternoon you’ll advance towards Murgab with a stop in the valley to visit an old Soviet observatory from which, on a clear day, the western peaks of China can be seen.

Murgab Pamir Guesthouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Murgab: Pamiri Town & Madiyan Valley

Day 6 Murgab: Pamiri Town & Madiyan Valley

The small town of Murgab is the largest in the Pamirs, and the highest in Central Asia, dramatically located at the foot of a mountain. At the heart of the village is a market made from containers, which you’ll take a walk around with your guide. Later, drive to the nearby flower filled Madiyan Valley dotted with hot springs for a scenic afternoon walk. Return for dinner back in town.

Murgab Pamir Guesthouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Murgab - Langar (Wakhan Valley)

Day 7 Murgab - Langar (Wakhan Valley)

A long, scenic drive back across the Pamirs and into the fertile Wakhan Valley brings you to the village of Langar, one of the largest in this remote corner of the country. As you pass along the river gorge separating the two countries of the Wakhan, Afghanistan feels so close you could touch it; camel caravans of traders can often be seen on the paths on the opposite bank.

Langar Guesthouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Langar - Yamg

Day 8 Langar - Yamg

A steep climb to the top of the village this morning takes you to some petroglyphs. These largely ignored etchings chronicle the history of those passing through the region from the Stone Age to early Islamic texts and Russian soldiers. Then, drive on to the village of Yamg, once home to a Sufi poet whose ancestors you will stay with tonight. There is the possibility of stopping off en route for a hike up to see isolated Buddhist relics above the villages.

Yamg Guest House
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Yamg - Ishkashim - Khorog

Day 9 Yamg - Ishkashim - Khorog

The long day’s drive passes through the border town of Ishkashim today where a lively Afghan market is held on Saturdays. The road clings to the river and the Afghan side becomes more and more populated with small houses and villages before arriving back to your hotel in Khorog, this time for a couple of nights.

LAL Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Khorog: City Tour

Day 10 Khorog: City Tour

Spending a day in the city provides the opportunity to visit the local history museum and explore the market. You could also spend the afternoon sat drinking tea in the park cafes relaxing by the ice-cold river that cuts through the town. 

LAL Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Khorog - Bartang Valley

Day 11 Khorog - Bartang Valley

A short drive north brings you to the Bartang Valley. The road through this narrow valley winds through green and fertile villages decorated with pretty flowers and fruit trees. Take a walk through some of the nearby villages along the valley this afternoon where the local irrigation systems provide every house with their own stream giving rise to the beautiful, lush gardens you see before you. 

Traditional Guesthouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Bartang Valley - Kalaikhumb

Day 12 Bartang Valley - Kalaikhumb

Backtracking onto the main road, the return journey towards the capital begins with a stop in Kalaikhumb this evening, where the valley scenery and protruding peaks are no less majestic.

Karon Palace Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 Kalaikhumb - Dushanbe

Day 13 Kalaikhumb - Dushanbe

Exiting the incredible peaks of the past days, the feeling of isolation starts to leave you as you make your way through larger towns and small cities to arrive to Dushanbe for your final night.

Rumi Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14 Depart Dushanbe

Day 14 Depart Dushanbe

A good night’s sleep at one of the city’s higher-end hotels is followed by breakfast and check out before you’re transferred to the international airport in time for your flight back home, concluding your magical adventure into the Pamirs. 

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT'S INCLUDED

14 days from C$9,767

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 6714 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Natalie

Natalie is our Central Asia expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Natalie by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258

Tajikistan is the ideal country for those wanting to combine historical Silk Road sites with the chance to explore rural life amongst the stunning Fan Mountains and Margazor Lakes.

OTHER ITINERARIES IN TAJIKISTAN