Tour to Pamir lakes

Tour 8: Tour to Pamir lakes
Duration: 8 days
In short: Dushanbe – Khoburubot – Kalai Khum – Khorog – Yashil Kul Lake – Bulunkul Lake – Khorog – Kalai Khum – Norak – Dushanbe

Day 1: Dushanbe
You will be met by our guide at the airport. He will take you to the capital city of Tajikistan. Dushanbe is located on the Varzob River. You will start exploring city on the eastern shore, where the Rudake Park takes place during your travel. Then you will visit National library, White House, National state seal, and House of parliament. Near the National Palace you will find the Flagpole which was noted in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest one in the world It. Some attractions of the city are the National Museum of Tajikistan and Gurminj Museum of musical instruments. A great place to gain a sense of local life and see the traditional clothes is the Asian bazaar, the heartbeat of Dushanbe trade. After the tour, you will be transferred to the hotel.

Day 2: Dushanbe – Khoburubot – Kalai Khum
Today you will head to Kalai Khum village. The village is located near the Afghanistan border on the valley of Panj river. The road goes over 3252 meters high Khoburubot Pass, which is the part of Western Pamir Tract. You will drive through the charming valley with stunning gorges in the terrain. The small villages will pop up on the way. Tajik people are well known for their hospitality and openness. They are true to their traditions and folklore. This tour will introduce you to ethnic and cultural diversity of the area and the beauty of the wild nature. You will spend the night in a home stay to watch the life of the locals more closely. 

Day 3: Kalai Khum – Khorog
Today you will drive to Khorog. Nestled 2,100 m above sea level and surrounded by the Pamir Mountains, the town of Khorog is home to 30,000 people. It is located on the confluence of the Ghund and Pyanj rivers. The majority of the local residents are Pamiris. There is a high percentage of people with blond hair and blue eyes. Living on the high elevations and isolated from the rest of the country the locals also have different traditions during travel in Tajikistan. Today Khorog is a real center of Gorno-Badakhshan. There is a trade road from China to Central Asia crossing the city. It is also indispensable point for all touristic routes around Pamir. Night is in a guesthouse.

Day 4: Khorog – Yashil Kul Lake – Bulunkul Lake
Today you will explore two beautiful high mountain lakes of Pamir – Yashil Kul and Bulunkul. The lakes are located in Murgab district atan altitude of 3700 meters above sea level. Both of the lakes are surrounded by other wetlands as well as sand and pebble plains. It forms part of the Bulunkul and Yashilkul lakes and mountains Important Bird Area. Bulunkul has incredible water color, and is home to different species of fish. Also you will meet the yaks and a unique species of domestic animals, sharing features of cow and sheep. On the way to the lakes you will overcome the Koitezak pass. It is 4271 meters high. Night is in a home stay.

Day 5: Bulunkul – Khorog
In the morning you will drive back to Khorog along the Pamir Tract. The highway is a part of an international road M41, lies via high-mountain region of Pamir on the elevations of more than 4 000 meters above sea level. It is the second highest mountain road in the world after highway of Tibet. The highway is a unique experience where you will learn the culture of Pamir people, history of the region, and enjoy breathtaking landscapes of severe mountains during your tours. Almost unreachable mountains created a natural habitat for such species as Turkestan rat, tiger-cat, grizzly bear, badger, stoat, fox, grey and red wolves. It is also home to endangered animals like snow leopard and Marco Polo sheep. Upon arrival to Khorog, you will have a dinner in a local restaurant. End of travel for today. Night is in a hotel.

Day 6: Khorog – Kalai Khum
The area of Khorog consists of high rocky mountains over 6 000 meters and there is only 1 road connecting it with other cities. That’s why you will take the same road on the way back.  The mountains of the Pamir with its’ sharp peaks and deep rocky gorges gives you opportunity to observe unique landscapes along the winding roads heading to the clouds. You will have a lot of photo stops to capture the beauty of the magnificent area. And also you will learn more about the ethnography, history and everyday life of mountain dwellers and communicate with them. Overnight is in a home stay.

Day 7: Kalai Khum – Norak – Dushanbe
Today you will be transferred to Dushanbe. You will drive over the Shuraba pass. These roads once were leading the worlds greatest explorers and conquerors such as Marco Polo, Hsuan Tsang, Mirza Muhammad Haidar, the Persian Kings, the Troops of Alexander the Great, Tamerlan and Bobur, dozens of pioneers of glacier and mountain exploration. Although you have learned much more about the Pamirs, but will not stop being surprised at its beauty and diversity. Pyanj river forms the natural border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. You will drive past the Norak water reservoir. The locals call it the Tajik sea. Night is in a hotel.

Day 8: Dushanbe – Airport
Transfer to the airport.  

Price per person:
02 pax – 1 320 $
04 pax – 790 $
06 pax – 870 $
08 pax – 715 $
10 pax – 780 $
Single – 90 $

Early check-in – 35 $
Single early check-in – 55 $ 

Half board – 110 $
Full board – 215 $ 

English speaking guide – 700 $ per group

Transport:
02-04 pax – Hyundai Starex
06-08 pax – 2 cars: Hyundai Starex
10 pax – 3 cars: Hyundai Starex

Service includes:
- Driver with a car
- Hotels and Guesthouses:
      Dushanbe – “Meridians” Hotel 3*
      Kalai Khum – Home stays
      Khorog – “Lal” Guesthouse
      Bulunkul – Home stays
- Entrance fees to all museums
- Bottled water during the tour                                            

Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- GBAO permit
- Travel insurance
- Guide with competence of English language