Extended tour in Pamir
Tour 9: Extended tour in Pamir
Duration: 10 days
Places to visit: Dushanbe - Iskanderkul Lake - Dushanbe - Hissor - Norak - Kalai Khum - Khorog - Kalai Khum - Khoburubot - Dushanbe
Day 1: Dushanbe
Local guide will meet you at the airport. Today your guide will show main attractive places of Dushanbe during your sightseeing tour. It includes travelling National library, White House, National State Seal, and House of Parliament, Rudake Park. Later you will take a walk to the largest National Flag all over the world, reaching 165 m high pole, 30 m width, 60 m length. Ministry of Inner affairs will be another beautiful monument on the way. Following the interesting excursion in Central Museum, have a lunch at the local restaurant. Gurminj museum will take you to the land of traditional musical instruments. Asian Bazaar will give a perfect idea of the life of local people. These main places of sightseeing provide you interesting information about Tajikistan and Tajik people. Night in a hotel.
Day 2: Dushanbe - Iskanderkul Lake
Today's journey goes to the Iskanderkul Lake - Mountain lake at the altitude of 2 255 m for a mountain tour. It lies in famous Fann Mountain, popular among travelers. It is one of the most wonderful lakes in Central Asia. In order to reach lake, we will drive via Anzob pass (3 372 m). On the top of the pass, there is stunning view to valley. After arrival, you will have an opportunity can walk along the beaches. There is a beautiful waterfall in 40-minute walk. Tajikistan is the water giant of Central Asia with more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. Furthermore, it boasts being the second country in the CIS, according to the water deposits.
Day 3: Iskanderkul Lake
Today you will hike in the beautiful Fan Mountains, popular in Tajikistan. This amazing mountain area known as a "Kuhistan" from ancient times. In translation from Farsi language: "Mountainous Country". It really fits its name, in the territory of these mountains; there are more than 30 small and big lakes. Nowadays, Fann is very popular place for trekking and climbing destination. It also became weekend touristic spot among locals. Moreover, the fauna and flora is diverse with rare kind of plants and animals which you will notice during your travel. Today you will have a great opportunity discover surrounding of Fann Mountains. Overnight in a homestay.
Day 4: Iskanderkul Lake - Dushanbe - Hissor
After breakfast, return to Dushanbe via enjoyable road through Anzob pass (3 372) and Isticlol Tunnel, well-known in Tajikistan. The way will be accompanied by magnificent beauty of mountains and brilliant blue rivers during travel. Afternoon, the tour continues by the drive to Hissor fortress, which is the historical site dating back to 12th -17th centuries. It will take about 40 minutes to drive from Dushanbe. It represents citadel and other fortified areas. In ancient time, it was the representatives of Bukhara Emirate used this place as a fort. High strong walls rounded it and there were many holes for barrels and guns. Moreover, there were a pool, a big garden and a busy market square with a caravanserai and shops in its boundaries. However, today only two towers next to the main gate survived. Moreover, there are "Madrasa I Kuhna" mosque dating back to 16th-17th centuries, the mausoleum of "Mahdumi Azam" from 16th century, which were reconstructed not long ago . Overnight in a hotel in Dushanbe.
Day 5: Dushanbe - Norak - Kalai Khum
Today you will start for adventures trip to famous Pamir Mountains. Drive to Kalai Khum village through Norak water reservoir, the biggest reservoir also known as a "Tajik Sea" in Tajikistan. The highest point of the day is 2,267m, which is Shuraba Pass along the drive Afghan border. Here it starts legendary Pamir Mountains; you will be amazed by the massive as the same time glorious mountains during the tour. Even the world's most popular travelers like Marco Polo, Hsuan Tsang, Mirza Muhammad Haidar were impressed by these mountains. Now it is you have chance to explore this site easily. The River Pyanj defines the border naturally. Most of the explorers associated Pamir Mountain with the ocean of blue and white mountains. In order to come closer to the local life, night will be at family homestay.
Day 6: Kalai Khum - Khorog
Carry on your tour to small town Khorog, which is surrounded by massive mountains all around. Khorog is located on the crossroads of three river, where Shokhdara river and Ghund river join to Pyanj River which travelers find astonishing view. En route, you will meet Pamir people, whose physical and cultural characteristic differs from Tajik people. Most of the Pamir people are with light skin, blonde hair and blue eyes in Tajikistan. The most interesting fact is that Pamir is the second populated mountainous area after Himalayas in Tibet. Perhaps mountain lifestyle of Pamiriis make them different from Tajiks in culture and traditions. Dinner at the local restaurant and overnight in a guesthouse.
Day 7: Khorog
In the morning, first oа all during the tours you will visit the Botanical Garden. Due to the big rivers nearby, the town surrounded by lots of gardens in Tajikistan. To the east of the city, on the altitude of 2320m, it is located well-kept Pamir Botanical Garden. Lavish garden grows unusual plants all over the world which you notice during your travel. The main activity of the garden to acclimatize plants into the local climate conditions. Later, we will enjoy the city park and explore local handicraft shops, museum. In addition, the liveliest local bazar will have a lot to see, friendly local farmers, bargaining of buyers and the smell of fresh buttery bread. For sure, you will have many colorful photos. Night in a guesthouse.
Day 8: Khorog - Kalai Khum
Today drive back to Kalai Khum, taking the same way to complete the tour. Due to the high rocky mountains surrounding, there is only one road goes to Kalai Khum. In addition to the stunning beauty of the Pamir, travelling to these areas offers to find out more about the development of history, culture and life style of the mountain habitants in Tajikistan. Observing them, gives an idea of how the history of the human beings advanced to the modern world. En route, possible to take a break in a small village to meet friendly local people and listen to their story of life. The settlements are on the both sides of the river, just on the other side you will be able to see stony Afghan villages. You will spend a night in a homestay.
Day 9: Kalai Khum - Khoburubot - Dushanbe
Today you will enjoy the mountain road to Dushanbe, which takes you through Khoburubot Pass, at the altitude of 3 252 m. This way is famous as Western Pamir Tract. On this way along the wide and silvery river valley and spectacular gorges, you will have many photo stops to capture the virgin beauty of the terrain. En route it is possible to meet local people friendly waving to you. Tajik people are warm-hearted, hardworking and generous from the nature and hospitable especially to travelers. They are very faithful to their traditions and customs in Tajikistan. During this tour, you will be able to merge the cultural experience with natural beauty. Night in a hotel.
Day 10: Flight
In the morning, after packing all the best memories transfer to the airport.
Transport:
02-04 pax - Hyundai Starex
06-08 pax - 2 cars: Hyundai Starex
10 pax - 3 cars: Hyundai Starex
