Dushanbe

Arrive in Dushanbe, the capital and largest city of Tajikistan, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Check in and relax before heading out to explore the city on foot. Walk around the streets, observe local life, and discover the mix of Soviet and modern architecture, including notable Soviet buildings that reflect the city's heritage from the Soviet Union. Be sure to visit the national museum to learn about the country's rich history and heritage. In the evening enjoy a warm welcome dinner at a traditional Tajik restaurant where you’ll try plov or shurbo. Many residents speak Russian, making it easier for visitors to communicate and connect with locals. This gentle start gives you time to adjust and get used to the unique culture and atmosphere of Tajikistan’s capital.

Hotel Options:

Hyatt Regency Dushanbe

WHY WE LOVE THIS HOTEL

Hyatt Regency Dushanbe, nestled in the heart of Tajikistan's capital, offers a fusion of contemporary elegance and local cultural influences in its architecture. The exterior boasts a modern facade with subtle nods to traditional Tajik motifs, welcoming guests into a refined oasis. Inside, the lobby impresses with its spacious design adorned with local artworks and intricate craftsmanship, creating a sense of cultural immersion.

READ MORE

Modern

Dushanbe

Spend the day discovering Dushanbe’s cultural heritage by visiting some of its key cultural landmarks and historical sites that showcase the city's rich heritage. Start at the Gurminj Museum, a significant cultural landmark and historical site, where you’ll see traditional musical instruments and stories of Tajik folk traditions. Then visit the Museum of Antiquities, another important cultural landmark and historical site, to see Greco-Bactrian artefacts and the famous Sleeping Buddha statue. Learn about the region’s ancient Silk Road links and artistic achievements. Later visit Rudaki Park and Victory Square, popular spots for locals to hang out. Dinner at another local restaurant, maybe mantu or qurutob. This day gives you a full and fascinating insight into the capital’s culture and history.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Qal'ai Khumb

Drive south on the Pamir Highway (M41), one of the most beautiful roads in Central Asia. Pass through the Kulyab region and remote villages, traversing rugged terrain as you descend into valleys carved by powerful rivers. Reach Qal’ai Khumb, a small town on the Panj River that borders Afghanistan. The town is located in a remote area and is home to the Badakhshani people, surrounded by mountains and known for its remote areas. Check into a guesthouse or small hotel, have a simple dinner and take in the laid back pace of life. This is the start of your deeper immersion into the remote and dramatic Pamir landscapes.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Qal'ai Khumb

Khorog

Follow the Panj River as you continue to Khorog, the cultural centre of the Pamirs. The road hugs the riverbank and you’ll see Afghan villages across the water. Khorog is at the confluence of the Panj and Ghunt rivers and surrounded by snow-capped peaks. On arrival you can walk around the town, visit the small botanical garden or have tea with your hosts, experiencing the warm hospitality of local families. Khorog is a special place to slow down, take in the scenery, and observe or even participate in local traditions. Tonight stay in a cozy guesthouse with local families and get ready for the stunning views to come.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ishkashim

Drive deeper into the Wakhan Corridor, a narrow valley that separates Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Stop at scenic spots along the way before reaching Ishkashim, a town famous for its hot springs and Saturday cross-border market. The region has a long history of ruby mining and Silk Road trade, and is home to ancient cities and ancient ruins that offer a glimpse into the area's rich past. Visiting historical sites here is a highlight of this part of the journey, with opportunities to explore remnants of past civilizations along the route. If open you can visit the Afghan market where locals from both sides come to sell goods. Enjoy the views of the Pamirs all around you. Check into your guesthouse or the Dekhli Darbor hotel and have a peaceful evening in this quiet valley.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Langar

Start the day by visiting the Kah-Kaha Fortress in Namadgut, which dates back to the Kushan Empire and reflects the area's rich history and local culture. Stop at a small museum dedicated to Mubarak Wakhani, a 19th-century Sufi scholar and astronomer. See the ruins of a Buddhist stupa—evidence of the region’s spiritual diversity, rich history, and the influence of ancient civilizations. Later soak in the natural hot springs of Bibi Fatima Zahra, named after a local saint. These warm waters are popular among locals for their healing properties. Continue to Langar, a scenic village at the end of the Wakhan Valley, where you may witness traditional clothing worn during local ceremonies or in daily life, offering a glimpse into the vibrant local culture. Stay in a friendly guesthouse and have a home-cooked meal.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Langar

Murghab

In the morning visit the petroglyphs in Langar—rock carvings thousands of years old, depicting animals, hunters and caravans. Continue north into the higher Pamirs where vast plateaus stretch beneath dramatic skies. You’ll pass remote settlements where basic infrastructure is limited, with essential services like water, internet, health, and education still facing significant challenges. Arrive in Murghab, the highest town in Tajikistan, where you’ll stay in an eco-friendly guesthouse. The town is known for its Kyrgyz community and handmade crafts, which you can see at the small local market while sampling local food prepared using traditional techniques. Tonight stargazing here is one of the clearest in Central Asia.

Meals Included: Breakfast

KIZYLART

Drive from Murghab to the Kyrgyz border via the Kizylart Pass. Today’s journey takes you over the Ak-Baital Pass, the highest point on the Pamir Highway at over 4,600 metres. Stop for photos at Karakul Lake, renowned for its crystal clear lakes and stunning natural landscapes, where the blue waters contrast with the surrounding mountains. Lunch or tea near the lake and then continue to Kizylart where your guesthouse awaits. Dinner with your hosts and a peaceful evening near Lake Progulka, a quiet retreat after the long drive through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Osh & The Fergana Valley

Cross into Kyrgyzstan and descend to Osh, one of Central Asia’s oldest cities. On arrival visit the lively Jayma Bazaar and see Solomon’s Throne, a sacred mountain and UNESCO-listed site. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the city and learn about the legends surrounding this historic peak. Osh’s culture is a mix of Uzbek and Kyrgyz influences visible in its cuisine, music and crafts. Lunch at a teahouse and time to browse the market stalls. Overnight in a comfortable hotel as you start the Kyrgyz part of your journey. This part of the journey takes you off the beaten path into Kyrgyzstan's Fergana Valley, renowned for its lush landscapes, rich greenery, and vibrant scenery. The valley is a highlight for those seeking authentic experiences beyond typical tourist routes, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural attractions.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Osh & The Fergana Valley

Jalal-Abad

Drive to Jalal-Abad, a town famous for its mineral springs and health resorts. Spend the day relaxing in one of the region’s traditional “Kurorts” (spa retreats), where locals come for treatments and visitors can experience local traditions such as wellness rituals and hospitality. Walk along Lenin Street, lined with shops and bakeries, and stop at a hilltop café for views of the Fergana Valley. You may also visit the local market to find fresh produce, dried fruits, handmade souvenirs, and observe local traditions in daily commerce. During your stay, you may have the opportunity to interact with local families, sharing in their customs and enjoying authentic cultural experiences. Overnight in a local hotel and unwind in this peaceful town often seen as the gateway to Kyrgyzstan’s southern mountains.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Arslanbob Valley

Drive to the Arslanbob Valley, home to one of the largest walnut forests in the world. This peaceful mountain village is one of the region's remote villages, surrounded by waterfalls, streams and alpine meadows. Walk through the walnut groves and meet local villagers who maintain this forested paradise. Experience authentic local food prepared by your hosts, using traditional methods passed down through generations. Arslanbob is cooler and greener than the dry plains below, perfect for walking and relaxing. Enjoy the warm hospitality of your guesthouse hosts during dinner and overnight in a small guesthouse with views over the valley. A quiet day in nature, perfect for slowing down and enjoying rural Kyrgyz life.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Arslanbob Valley

CHICHKAN GORGE

Drive to Chichkan Gorge, a beautiful region of pine forests, alpine lakes, and rushing rivers, set against the backdrop of the nearby Alay Mountains. This scenic area is home to ibex and mountain goats and is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rugged terrain. Walk along easy trails, visit the local waterfall, and take photos of the colourful landscapes. Picnic by the river or tea in a yurt and then settle into a cosy homestay where you’ll have dinner with your hosts. The gorge is a hidden gem, a peaceful place to reflect on your journey so far.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bishkek - DEPARTURE

Drive back to Bishkek via the Suusamyr Valley, a wide alpine plateau with yurts and animals. Arrive in Bishkek by afternoon, relax at a café or do some last minute shopping depending on your flight time. You can choose to stay longer or head to the airport for your next destination. After two weeks of exploring valleys, mountains and cultures, your Central Asian adventure comes to an end.

Meals Included: Breakfast