On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 800 m
Sightseeing: 4-5 hs

Today, we delve further into local history and continue our city tour by visiting the Museum of Antiquities, which houses a beautiful collection of Buddhist art from the lost towns of the ancient Kushan Empire. The Greco-Bactrian period's artistic school from numerous sites along the Oxus River and elsewhere, with a large Buddha statue in Nirvana (after the destruction of Bamyan standing Buddha statues in Afghanistan, this is the largest in Central Asia). We then leave the city for the nearby town of Hissar, which is known for its old fortifications and remarkable madrasahs from the VII to XVI centuries. Lunch in the open-air National restaurant. Drive back to Dushanbe. Guests have free time to tour the city, which includes the second-highest flag stock (165m), Rudaki Park, and shops selling souvenirs and jewelry. Overnight at the hotel.

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 1200 m
Distance: 380 km
Duration: 6-7 hrs

After breakfast, the drivers load the bags into the cars and begin their journey to Kalaikhumb, the midway town between Dushanbe and Khorog. En route, we visit the mausoleum of Mir Said Ali Hamadoni, a 14th-century poet, philosopher, and physicist. The mausoleum is lavishly embellished with woodcarvings. Lunch in the Kulyab traditional restaurant. After there, we continued driving to the Pamir Mountains along the Panj River, which is extremely near to Afghanistan. You may watch Afghan people's manner of life as well as the breathtaking vistas of the Pamir Highway. Dinner and sleep at a guesthouse in Kalaikhumb.

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 2200 m
Distance: 270 km
Duration: 4-5 hrs

Today, we will ride for around 6-7 hours along the banks of the Panj River to Khorog, Tajikistan's largest city and administrative capital. The Afghan villages clinging to the slopes and the pathways that snake between the rocks are easily identifiable. We will stop for lunch and a short city tour in Khorog. Upon arrival, we are transferred to Serena guesthouse, which has been designed in the style of a Pamiri house. Lunch in the Serena Teahouse in Central Park, which has been rebuilt thanks to the Aga Khan Foundation's sponsorship. Tonight we are staying in a lovely hotel on the banks of the Panj River.

P.S. If we arrive on a Saturday, we can attend the Tajik-Afghan cross-border market between the Ismaili communities, which is 10 kilometers from Khorog.

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 2000 m
Distance: 50 km, 1-2 hrs
Sightseeing 4-5 hrs

Today is a memorable day: we will visit the key locations of the Aga Khan Development Network in Khorog. We start with Jama'atkhana, Tajikistan's second Ismaili center. Guests can visit the Center's unique architecture and hear the narrative of its development and Aga Khan's efforts. Lunch in a restaurant. After lunch, we drive upward to the University of Central Asia, which is the major branch of three universities, with two identical campuses in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The University of Central Asia was established in 2000 as a private, non-profit, secular university by an International Treaty signed by the Presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, as well as His Highness the Aga Khan, which was ratified by their respective parliaments and registered with the United Nations. The Presidents are the University's Patrons, while His Highness serves as Chancellor. UCA's objective is to promote the social and economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain towns, by providing an internationally recognized standard of higher education and enabling the region's peoples to maintain their unique cultural heritage as assets for future generations. UCA carries with it the Aga Khan Development Network's broad commitment and engagement. The guides will introduce the tourists to the many regions of the campus. Overnight in a hotel.

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 2600 m
Distance: 60 km
Duration: 3 hrs

After breakfast, we visit the Botanical Garden, the world's second tallest, with a diverse collection of plants, flowers, fruit trees, and ornamental trees at 2200 meters altitude. After lunch in Khorog, we begin our tour of the mystical Wakhan Valley. The Wakhan Corridor became famous following the Great Game in the nineteenth century, which divided this valley between the Russian and British Empires, with the Panj River serving as a border. Wakhan is renowned as a magical location where Nosir Khusraw, a distinguished physicist, philosopher, and missionary, propagated Ismaili ideas. We go to Garmchashma hot spring, which is about 14 kilometers deep in the gorge and accessible via the main road. It is possible to take an optional bath in an open-air pool surrounded by intriguing colored minerals. We spend the night in the sanatoria.

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 3000 m
Distance: 260 km
Duration: 6 hrs

This morning, we head down to begin our exploration of the enigmatic Wakhan. We stop in Darshay to see the canyon and old shrine, then travel uphill to relax in Bibi Fatima's sacred hot springs and explore the fort of Yamchun III-I B. C., one of the most important fortifications for Zoroastrian devotees. Scenic vista of Afghanistan's Wakhan valley and Hindu Kush range. En route, we visit various sacred sites belonging to Ismailis, with interesting legends.

We go to Sufi Muborak's house museum and solar calendar, which is dedicated to an Ismaili philosopher, poet, theologian, astronomer, and musician from the nineteenth century. He produced a calendar, which was popular in the East. We trek 200 meters to examine the hill with the capped ziggurat of Buddhist Stupa IV A.D., which is a reminder of the ancient pilgrim caravans that passed through this region along the Silk Road. We had lunch at the traditional Pamiri House in Vrang. After lunch, take an optional 1000-meter climb up a hill to see the ancient petroglyphs of Langar, which were left by Scythians, Arians, Zoroastrians, and other locals for the next generation. Over 10,000 pictograms and rock art dating back to bronze and various times (3200m). Traditionally, the proprietor of the guesthouse arranges an evening musical performance for the guests. You might try to dance with the locals and enjoy your time in this isolated part of the world. Overnight at a guesthouse in Langar.

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 3740 m
Distance: 150 km
Duration: 4-5 hrs

Today's journey takes us over Kargush Pass (4344m) to the Military Camp at Kargush (rabbit), and after registration, we travel along the Pamir River to Bulunkul, one of the most remote areas inhabited by the Ismaili community in Eastern Pamir. We will make a brief stop at the lookout on top of the Langar serpentines to see the entire Wakhan valley from a bird's-eye perspective. We cross two magnificent mountain lakes, which serve as shepherds' summer camps. We make multiple stops for photographs. We begin to see why people chose to live in these enormous latitudes. We approach the M42 Pamir Highway and turn right to explore Tajikistan's coldest location, Bulunkul Lake (3737m) with stunning scenery. In the winter, the temperature here can plunge to -60°C. Guests can interact with locals and learn more about their way of life. We visit a small local school, speak with the students, and learn how they survive at this altitude. After lunch, we go across the hill to Yashilkul Lake, the most spectacular alpine lake in the Pamirs at 3719 meters. Guests can go fishing and watch the lifestyle of the nomad Kyrgyz living nearby. Good chance to taste the tasty lake fish for dinner with a nice beer. Overnight in a family homestay (multi-share, no beds, no shower, and pit toilet). At night, the view of the Milky Way is breathtaking.

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 2000 m
Distance: 235 km

After breakfast, we go to Gunt Valley along the M-41 Pamir Highway, taking in the spectacular views of Pamir Plato. Today we return to M-41 Pamir Highway, then to Pamir Plato. We drive over the 4271-meter Kuytezak hill and into the lovely Gund valley. Lunch and possible soak in Jelondy's thermal springs. Following a dusty trek, travelers can relax in sanatoria pools. Then drive to Khorog. En way, we visit Sumbi Duldul's sacred site, as well as Imam Village's holy shrine and cave. According to tales, Imam visited these individuals before disappearing inside the cave. When we arrive in Khorog, we have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 1200 m
Distance: 280 km
Duration: 6-7 hrs

We travel down the Pamir Highway back to Dushanbe. This time, we take the top route through Porshnev village to see the Holy Spring of Nosir Khusraw. We then visit the garden and mausoleum of Pir Said Yusuf Alishah, an Ismaili Mazhab spiritual leader. We spend the night in Yoged, a little settlement populated by the Ismaili community and surrounded by Sunni branch adherents. After speaking with residents, we learned how they maintain their beliefs while living in the Sunni society. Hazrat Mawla Shah Karim, Aga Khan IV, paid a visit to this location in 1995. Overnight in a local guesthouse.

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 800 m
Distance: 370 km
Duration: 6-7 hrs

Start your journey back to Dushanbe. After 6 hours of driving on good roads, we arrived in Dushanbe. Lunch is on the way. After arrival, transfer to the hotel. A farewell meal in a restaurant with the support team. Overnight at the hotel.

On this Day

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart. This marks the end of the tour.