Pamir Mountain Lakes Trek: Ghund to Sarez

Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Arrival in Dushanbe – Kalai Khumb. Meeting at the airport and departure for the Pamirs via Kulob. The scenery and people change as you approach Kalai Khumb on the Panj, a major tributary of the Amu Darya (Oxus). Stay: Guesthouse in Kalai Khumb.

2. Day 2

   Kalai Khumb – Jizew · 270 km. Along the Panj to Rushan, then into the Bartang Valley to the Jizew bridge. Cross the river on a wooden bridge and walk 7 km to Jizew, an eco-village with no road or power lines, small lakes, birds and groves. Next morning, a hike further up the valley to another lake. Stay: Homestay in Jizew.

3. Day 3

   Jizew – Khorog – Bachor · 150 km. Drive to Khorog (2,110 m), the administrative centre of the Pamirs at the meeting of the Panj and Ghund rivers, for lunch, then up the Ghund Valley to Bachor village (3,332 m). Stay: Homestay in Bachor.

4. Day 4

   Bachor – Warmagin pasture · 12 km. The trek begins: 5–6 hours on foot with luggage carried by pack animals. Lunch on the trail. Stay: Tent camp.

5. Day 5

   Warmagin – Qarghizshabar (4,530 m). About 6 hours to the majestic Chapdarkul lake, often with yaks grazing nearby. Stay: Tent camp.

6. Day 6

   Qarghizshabar – Uchkul lakes – Ahmad's shelter (4,314 m). Seven hours past the three Uchkul ('three lakes'). At his summer pasture the shepherd Ahmad serves tea and home-made yoghurt. Stay: Tent camp by the pasture.

7. Day 7

   Ahmad's shelter – Rathonak (3,880 m). Descend through the Langar Valley to a good campsite on the bank of the Langar River, about 5–6 hours. Stay: Tent camp.

8. Day 8

   Rathonak – Irkht meteo station · 14 km. About 5 hours towards Irkht Bay, partly on a trail broken by mudflows, crossing the Langar River twice. Camp on the shore of Lake Sarez by the meteorological station, with snowy peaks reflected in the water. Stay: Tent camp on Lake Sarez.

9. Day 9

   Irkht – Usoy Dam – Khurmochaz. Sunrise over Lake Sarez (3,200 m), then a 45–50 minute motorboat ride to the Usoy Dam, monitored by the Emergencies Committee. After lunch, about 2 hours across the rocky dam and down to the 'Choykhona' (teahouse) on the Murgab River. Stay: Tent camp (2,800 m).

10. Day 10

    Khurmochaz – Barchidiv · 11 km. A rocky walk along the Bartang River to Barchidiv, one of the most remote villages of the valley. Stay: Homestay in Barchidiv (2,600 m).

11. Day 11

    Barchidiv – Rushan · 145 km. Drive down the Bartang Valley to Rushan. Stay: Homestay in Rushan (2,000 m).

12. Day 12

    Rushan – Kalai Khumb · 177 km. 6–7 hours along the Panj River. Stay: Guesthouse in Kalai Khumb (1,200 m).

13. Day 13

    Kalai Khumb – Dushanbe · 380 km. About 7 hours back to the capital. Stay: Guesthouse in Dushanbe.

14. Day 14

    Dushanbe city tour. Rudaki Central Park, the Somoni Monument and an evening walk through the city. Stay: Guesthouse in Dushanbe.

15. Day 15

    Departure. Transfer to the airport and flight home.