Pamir Walks: Bartang Valley Cultural Tour

Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Arrival in Dushanbe. Airport meeting and transfer to the hotel. Excursion to the Hissar Fortress, the Kohna Madrasah museum and the nearby seminary, then Rudaki Central Park, Independence Park and Mehrgon Bazaar. Dinner at a local restaurant and an evening walk. Stay: Hotel in Dushanbe.

2. Day 2

   Dushanbe – Kalai Khumb · 371 km, 6–7 h. Onto the Pamir Highway, which soon runs along the roaring Panj and the Afghan border, past mountain walls and over steep slopes. Stay: Guesthouse in Kalai Khumb.

3. Day 3

   Kalai Khumb – Rushan · 177 km, 5–6 h. One of the most beautiful drives in Central Asia, winding along the Pamir Highway through mountain landscapes. Stay: Homestay in Rushan.

4. Day 4

   Rushan – Bardara · 90 km. Up the Bartang River, famous for its hiking, hospitable villages and musicians, to Bardara, one of the oldest settlements of the valley. See its three sacred trees, 500 m apart, said to be planted by the missionary Nosir Khusraw, and the village shrine. Stay: Homestay in Bardara.

5. Day 5

   Upper Bardara walk · 5 h. Hike to Old (Upper) Bardara past the ice that never melts under large boulders, used by villagers as a natural fridge. A picnic by the Bardara River after 2.5 hours, then back down to the village. Stay: Homestay in Bardara.

6. Day 6

   Bardara – Roshorv · 51 km. Along the Bartang to Roshorv (3,000 m), one of the largest villages of the valley, facing Lapnazar (5,990 m) and Bartang (5,480 m) peaks. After lunch, a hike to the viewpoint over the Lapnazar Glacier and the whole village. Stay: Homestay in Roshorv.

7. Day 7

   Roshorv – Savnob · 25 km walk. About 5 hours on a scenic dirt road to Savnob, with vehicles alongside for anyone who prefers to ride. Savnob is known for its old castle, solar calendar, refuge caves, holy spring and petroglyphs, and a small lake mild enough for a swim. Stay: Homestay in Savnob.

8. Day 8

   Savnob – Pasor · 30 km. Walk and drive along the Bartang past the confluence of the Tanimas and Murgab rivers to Pasor, home of the revered mausoleum of Khojai Alamdor. The outline of the ancient landslide that once dammed a lake here is still visible. Stay: Homestay in Pasor.

9. Day 9

   Pasor – Rukhch – Barchidiv · 55 km. Back down to Rukhch, then on foot to Barchidiv, the first village below the legendary Lake Sarez (18 km away, special permit required) and a base for trekking, mountaineering and wildlife watching. Stay: Homestay in Barchidiv.

10. Day 10

    Barchidiv – Ravmed · 100 km. Drive down the Bartang Valley to Khijez, then a detour hike up to the village of Ravmed. Stay: Homestay in Ravmed.

11. Day 11

    Ravmed – Jizew – Khorog · 120 km. A spectacular 3-hour hike to the remote, car-free village of Jizew with its clear lakes, short walks to the higher lakes and lunch, then back to the road and on to Khorog with photo stops. Stay: Hotel in Khorog.

12. Day 12

    Khorog – Kalai Khumb · 240 km. Explore Khorog, the centre of the Pamirs at the meeting of the Panj and Ghund rivers: the Ethnographic Museum and the Botanical Garden. After lunch, along the Pamir Highway to Kalai Khumb. Stay: Guesthouse in Kalai Khumb.

13. Day 13

    Kalai Khumb – Dushanbe · 371 km, 7 h. Along the Panj, then through deep rocky valleys over the Shurobod Pass to Kulob, with lunch at a chaikhana, and on to Dushanbe. Stay: Hotel in Dushanbe.

14. Day 14

    Departure. Transfer to the airport and flight home.