General
Pamir Lakes Trek (2025-26)
The Pamir Lakes Trek takes you on an exciting high-altitude journey through Tajikistan’s stunning Pamir Mountains. Designed for experienced hikers, this walk combines difficult terrain, tranquil alpine lakes, cultural interactions in isolated towns, and relaxation in natural hot springs to create an amazing adventure into one of the world’s most remote locations.
Dates & Cost – Pamir Lakes Trek
Summers are ideal for the Pamir Lakes Trek. The start and end dates in the table below are your arrival and departure dates from Tajikistan. The months mentioned below are the ideal months for trekking in the Pamir region of Tajikistan. We have guaranteed departures every year. Our dates and costs for the trek are given below.
| Start Dates | End Dates | Price (USD) | Availability | Deposit | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-Jun-2025 | 04-Jul-2025 | US$ 2,300 | Limited Space | US$ 260 | BOOK NOW |
| 20-Jun-2026 | 04-Jul-2026 | US$ 2,300 | Available | US$ 260 | BOOK NOW |
| Start Dates | End Dates | Price (USD) | Availability | Deposit | Registration |
Holiday Information
- Licensed professional guide (government requirement)
- Airport transfers on the first and last day
- All road transport in Tajikistan
- Hotel accommodation in Tajikistan (twin sharing rooms)
- Trekking accommodation in Tajikistan (twin sharing tents)
- Hotel meals in Tajikistan (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Trekking meals in Tajikistan (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Trekking logistics (tents, non-personal equipments and tools)
- Support staff (cook, assistant(s) etc)
- Porters for trekking equipments, kitchen (supplies, tools, equipments, crockery, gas) and personal luggage
- Travel Insurance (recommendations only)
- Visa to Tajikistan (supporting documents offered)
- International airfare
- Personal equipments (list provided on registration or request)
- Tips for guides, porters, staff etc
- Miscellaneous (drinks, phone calls, laundry, souvenir etc)
Highlights – Pamir Lakes Trek
Pamir Lakes Trek has a lot to offer. Given below are the main highlights of the Pamir Lakes Trek:
- Stunning alpine lakes: Yashilkul, Chapdarkul, Zarojkul, and Turumtaykul
- Remote villages: Bulunkul, Bachor, Jelondy, and Javshangoz
- Natural hot springs along the route
- High-altitude trekking up to 4700 meters
- Breathtaking panoramic mountain views
- Challenging and rugged trails
- Camping in complete solitude and remoteness
- Exploration of Khorog, the Pamir region’s capital
- Immersion in local Pamir culture and hospitality
- Unique flora and fauna of the Pamirs
- Traversing vast, untouched high-mountain landscapes
- Opportunities for photography of pristine nature
Itinerary – Pamir Lakes Trek
The itinerary for the Pamir Lakes Trek is given below.
Day 02: Qal'ai Khumb to Khorog
On this Day
On the second day, we continue our trek along the Pamir Highway deeper into the mountains. The uneven road goes for most of the day along the Tajik side of the Panj River. The Panj River serves as the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. You are treated to the first sights of the beautiful Pamir mountains. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Khorog, the capital of Gorno-Badakhshan. Spend the night in Khorog (2100 meters).
Day 03: Kharog to Bulunkul
On this Day
For the final leg, we drive for around 6 hours to the settlement of Bulunkul. The views across the wide high mountain desert landscapes are breathtaking. Along the way, we can view the lakes of Tuzkul and Sassykul. Bulunkul is believed to be Tajikistan's coldest settlement, located at a height of 3750 meters. Winter temperatures can dip to -40˚C. In Bulunkul, we spent the night in a guesthouse.
Day 04: Acclimatization in Bulunkul
On this Day
We take it easy on the fourth day to adjust to the altitude. In the morning, you have time to explore Bulunkul's environs. There are multiple hot springs and a geyser in the vicinity that may be reached by car. You can also take it slow and meander through the marshlands and along the tiny lake adjacent to the settlement. At the end of the morning, we drive west along Yashilkul, one of the largest lakes in the Pamir Mountains. The route offers spectacular far-reaching views of the lake. We set up camp on the western tip of Yashilkul and spent our first night in tents.
Day 05: Travel to Chapadarkul Valley
On this Day
Distance: 16 km
The day begins with a short but hard ascent to the valley that leads up to Chapdarkul Lake, which is located at an elevation of 4500 meters. The hike to Chapdarkul takes two days. Today, we hike all day following a river to our campsite at an elevation of about 4000 meters.
Day 06: Hike to Chapadarkul
On this Day
Distance: 11 km
From the campsite, we hike up a side valley for 500 meters before finishing the journey to Chapdarkul. At Chapdarkul, we pitch our tents for the night. At 4500 meters, this is the trek's highest campground. The outdoor temps here might be extremely cold at night.
Day 07: Trek to Tsaxinkul
On this Day
Distance: 12 km
The walk today continues at sky-high heights. From Chapdarkul, we climb a little higher to the trek's highest point at 4700 meters. We continue along countless small alpine lakes until we reach Tsaxinkul Lake. We pitched a tent on the coast of Tsaxinkul at an elevation of 4300 meters.
Day 08: Trek to Zarojkul
On this Day
Distance: 18 km
The eighth day might be used to explore Zarojkul to the west and the surrounding lakes. We may leave our tents in Tsaxinkul and set forth without having to carry hefty bags. The hike to Zarojkul's lakeshore is around 5 kilometers (one way) with a height difference of 200 meters. From Zarojkul, we can travel farther north to see numerous additional lakes at almost the same elevation. Zarojkul, with its stunning blue colors, is a Pamir Mountains must-see destination. After the day, we return to our former campground. Anyone who is extremely weary can also stay at the camp today.
Day 09: Andaravadzh Valley
On this Day
Distance: 16 km
We begin our journey back to civilization. The journey today takes you down through the valley of the Andaravadzh river. Hot springs can be found in the valley. We spend the night in tents by the river.
Day 10: Back journey to Bachor
On this Day
Distance: 11 km
Continuing down the valley brings us to the Gunt River and, finally, the village of Bachor. We spend the night at a guesthouse in Bachor (3300 m).
Day 11: Drive to Jelondy
On this Day
Today, we travel by automobile to the village of Jelondy (3550 m). The 1.5-hour trip takes you back along part of the Pamir Highway. Jelondy is known for its hot springs. Steam is rising from the earth throughout the village. We are relocating to a guesthouse in Jelondy. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the warm natural spring waters.
Day 12: Travel to Turumtaykul
On this Day
Distance: 18 km
Following a day of relaxation in Jelondy, we resume our adventure into the Pamirs. We travel by automobile to Turumtaykul, an isolated lake at 4200 meters. After admiring the stunning views of Turumtaykul, we travel south across a huge plain. We pass via a relatively straightforward mountain crossing at 4300 meters. From here on out, the hike is all downhill. On the way down, we enjoy views of some of the southern Pamirs' highest peaks, including Karl Marx Peak (6726 m) and Engels Peak (6510 m). The large valley we reach at the foot of the slope is sparsely populated. We walk to Javshangoz (3450 meters) and spend the night in a guesthouse.
Day 13: Javshangoz to Khorog
On this Day
It takes six hours to drive from Javshangoz to Khorog. The road along the Shohdara River passes through several small mountain communities. Near the end of the drive, we stop at the botanical garden for a view of Khorog. We spent the night at Khorog.
Day 14: Kharog to Qal'ai Khumb
On this Day
From Khorog, we drive over the rough Pamir Highway towards Dushanbe. We continue our journey along the Panj River, passing through beautiful scenery. Today we will drive to Qal'ai Khumb and spend the night in a hostel.
Day 15: Qal'ai Khumb to Dushanbe
On this Day
The final day's journey back to Dushanbe takes approximately 8 hours. Arrive in Dushanbe in the evening. In Dushanbe, you are driven to your selected spot.
Why Register Early?
1. Early Bird Discount: The given prices for the holiday are limited-time discount offers and are subject to change. Service providers including (but not limited) to airlines and hotels increase prices in peak-season. Early reservations cost less than peak-season.
2. Limited Flight Seats: Domestic flight seats to the Pamir and Himalayas are sold out way ahead of time because there are only two daily flights during peak season. Among other things, the deposit is used to book domestic flights for you in advance.
3. Pay Balance after arrival in Tajikistan: In these unusual times, we appreciate that paying the final balance for your trip may cause concern. Our policy is to only receive your final balance once you arrive in Tajikistan. The only payment before arrival is the deposit.
4. Deposit valid for 3 years: We understand the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic (Covid-19). As part of our relaxed booking conditions following Covid-19, deposits are valid for 2 years.
6. Pay Minimum Deposit: The deposits for the holiday are also early-bird discounts and automatically change accordingly:
- 1st October: USD 190
- 1st November: USD 290
- 1st January: USD 350
- 15th February: USD 400
- 1st March: USD 450
- 1st May: USD 490
Note: The same dates above apply to next season's deposits.
Refund Policy for All
Deposit: Once paid, the deposit is non-refundable (but valid for 2 years) as it will be spent on making in-country arrangements.
Balance: Pay the balance only after arrival in Tajikistan on the first day. Payment guidelines will be shared timely.
Currency
All international travelers can pay in US Dollars (USD) or equivalent in Euros (EUR) or Pound Sterling (GBP). Tajikistani travelers are charged the equivalent in Tajikistani Somoni (TJS).
Single Supplement
Separate hotel rooms (single supplement) will cost an additional USD 290. This includes all hotel nights. This payment should be made with the balance upon arrival.
Separate tents (single tent) will cost an additional USD 180. This includes the cost of additional porterage. This payment should also be made with the balance in Tajikistan.
As Featured In:
Photo Gallery – Pamir Lakes Trek
Overview – Pamir Lakes Trek
The Trek is an amazing trip that takes experienced trekkers through the heart of Tajikistan’s Pamir Mountains, providing breathtaking vistas of beautiful lakes, rocky terrain, and secluded settlements. This tough journey, which reaches heights of up to 4700 meters, is ideal for those looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.
Beginning in the village of Bulunkul, the trip winds past a series of stunning lakes, including Yashilkul, Chapdarkul, Zarojkul, and Turumtaykul, all surrounded by tall mountains and affording calm scenery. The trail is challenging, with ascents and descents, but it rewards hikers with breathtaking views and moments of solitude in nature. Hikers can relax in natural hot springs strewn throughout the trail, which provide a relaxing reprieve after long days of climbing.
The journey also introduces hikers to the Pamir people’s culture and daily lives. Stops in mountain villages such as Bachor, Jelondy, and Javshangoz allow trekkers to meet Tajik inhabitants and learn about their traditional lifestyles, hospitality, and practices. In addition to walking, the journey offers time to explore Khorog, the Pamir region’s capital and a bustling city tucked in the mountains.
The trek offers a unique opportunity to see one of the world’s most remote and gorgeous locations while relaxing in natural hot springs. It’s a strenuous hike for experienced hikers who enjoy rough terrain and high-altitude adventures.
Website Last Updated: October 29th, 2024
