The Pamir Highway & Across Fabled Frontiers
The Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan are some of the most rugged and beautiful on Earth, soaring upward where the Himalayas, the Tien Shan and the Hindu Kush meet. This adventurous journey over the Pamir Highway is a breathtaking route, in use since the time of the Silk Road.
Days 1-3: Bishkek, Kochkor and Tokmok villages, Naryn
Explore Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, enjoying a performance of the Kyrgyz epic tale of Manas. In Tokmok village, attend traditional Kyrgyz horse games and visit a handicraft cooperative. Continue to Naryn, set between red cliffs and green hills at 6,000 feet.
Days 4-7: Tash Rabat, Torugart Pass, Kashgar, Western China
Follow the old Silk Road, overnighting in yurts near Tash Rabat, a 15th century caravanserai. Cross the 12,000-foot Torugart Pass on the Kyrgyz-China border, the most spectacular route into or out of Central Asia. Spend a morning at Kashgar’s unrivaled Sunday Market and enjoy a performance of Uighur folk dances.
Days 8-10: Irkeshtam Pass, Sary Tash, Murgab
Set out on the stunning drive over Irkeshtam Pass back into Kyrgyzstan. Pick up the Pamir Highway near the little town of Sary Tash. The road climbs over 14,000-foot Kyzyl-Art Pass into Tajikistan, across the Pamir Plateau, up dramatic Ak-Baital Pass, at almost 15,200 feet, and down to Murgab. Hike in the surrounding mountains, visiting ancient petroglyph sites, summer pastures and hot springs.
Days 11-13: Langar, Yamchan, Ishkashim, Horog
Stop in little mountain towns, conversing with local people as they go about their daily lives. In Horog, the capital of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, visit the Regional History Museum and a handicraft center.
Days 14-18: Kalaikhumb, Dushanbe
Drive along the Panj River, which forms the natural border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, overnighting
in the village of Kalaikhumb. Continue to Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan. Explore nearby Gissar, dominated by the 18th century Ibrahim Beg Fortress.
Trip Details
| Length of Trip: |
18 Days |
| Departures: |
1 |
| Dates: |
August 6-23, 2012 |
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| Land Tour Cost: |
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| 4-12 travelers |
$7,495** |
| Partial Single Supplement |
$995 |
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| No Hidden Costs! |
| **Land tour cost includes internal flight costs which are subject to change; see the Descriptive Daily Itinerary for details. |
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MIR Signature Experiences
- Experience the spirit of Kyrgyzstan at exhilarating horse games in a remote village
- Overnight in yurts near the massive stone Silk Road caravanserai at Tash Rabat
- Cross borders at rarely-used frontier stations near dramatic mountain passes
Map - Click to Enlarge
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| Day 1: |
Arrive Bishkek |
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| Day 2: |
Bishkek |
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| Day 3: |
Bishkek, drive to Naryn via Kochkor Village |
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| Day 4: |
Naryn, Tash Rabat |
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| Days 5: |
Tash Rabat, Torugart Pass, cross into China, Kashgar |
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| Day 6: |
Kashgar |
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| Day 7: |
Kashgar Sunday Market |
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| Day 8: |
Kashgar, Irkeshtam Pass, cross into Kyrgyzstan, Sary Tash |
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| Day 9: |
Sary Tash, cross into Tajikistan, Murgab |
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| Day 10: |
Murgab |
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| Day 11: |
Murgab, Langar, Yamchan |
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| Days 12-13: |
Yamchan, Ishkashim, Horog |
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| Day 14: |
Horog, Kalaikhumb |
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| Days 15-19: |
Kalaikhumb, Dushanbe |
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Suggested Extensions
Consider a post-tour extension to Uzbekistan. Contact us for details.
Some images on this page courtsey of James Carnehan
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