Over a mountain pass to Kalai-Khumb and the scenery and people change again. Here the people are Badakhshan – not Tajiks but a number of separate tribal groups. Beautiful landscape and view of snow peaks on opposite side- “Afghanistan”.

Distance 350 km

Overnight in homestay or hotel

Continue by road from Kalai-Khumb to Khorog, the capital of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO). From Kalai-Khumb, the road joins the river Panj, which forms Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan. This is a fascinating drive. On the Tajik side of the river, the road is asphalted and buildings have electricity and are constructed using metal and glass. On the Afghan side – only about 100 m distant – the road is a donkey track and buildings are mud and wood

Distance 260 km

Overnight in homestay or hotel

After breakfast, we continue our trip, not far from Khorog we will stop to observe one of the oldest hot springs in Eastern Tajikistan, called “Garm Chashma”, which is popular among the people from whole Tajikistan. Visit the local quirky museum of Sufi Muborak-Kadam, a local Sufi scholar, theologian, poet and traveler, who died in 1910.

Overnight in homestay or hotel

Distance 200 km 

In the morning, start driving to Langar. On the road visit to the fort Kaakha. Then, drive to Yamchun and walk along a ridge to see the “Fortress of Fire Worshippers”. Further up the hillside is the hot springs at Bibi-Fatima. It is possible to take a natural steam bath in a rocky cave.

After lunch continue to Vrang, on a cliff-side pitted with caves, stands a Buddhist complex dating to 4th-7th centuries. Climb up to see the ziggurat at the top.  Continue to Langar. As we enter the Wakhan, there are amazing views of the Pamirs to the left and the Hindu Kush to the right. Straight ahead is a peak of Karl Marx (6,723 m) and Friedrich Engels (6,180m).

Distance 40 km

Overnight in homestay or hotel

In the morning from Langar drive  over Khargush Pass (4272m) to Bulunkul and Yashilkul Lakes. Once again, the landscape and people change as we slowly go higher into the Pamir High Plato. We have left behind the lush valley of the Wakhan and the Pamir tribes. The terrain here is becoming barren and rocky. This region is inhabited by nomadic Kirgiz herders. After lunch in Alichur village continue drive along the Pamir Highway (PHW) and Alichur valley to Murgab city.

Distance 300 km

Overnight in homestay or hotel

In the morning, start driving to the Tajik- Kirgiz border Kizil-Art, over pass Ak-Baital (4655 m), highs point along the tour and via lake Karakul.  Continue to Osh, via  Sary-Tash and  over Taldyk pass   

Distance 220 km

Overnight – self