Contents
This is a variation on our classic Pamir Jeep Tour, operating in the reverse direction, starting in Osh, Kyrgyzstan and finishing in Khujand in north Tajikistan (close to Tashkent).
| 21 July-3 August 2007 | Pamir Jeep Tour, Osh to Khujand Start: Osh
Finish: Khujand | GBP £1,359 ground only |
- Discovering Zoroastrian Fire Temples in the Wakhan Corridor
- The spellbinding scenery and cultures of the High Pamirs
- Follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and Marco Polo
The Pamir Mountains are a remote wilderness with a history of romance and adventure. The 19th century Great Game – the players were British India and Tsarist Russia and the prize was Central Asia – concluded here.
The central Pamir (Badakhshan) occupies almost half of modern Tajikistan, a total of 63,700 Km2. The Tajiks call this region Bom-i-Dunyo, the Roof of the World. Merchants and traders have been travelling the Silk Road across the Pamir for centuries. Unlike trading routes across steppe, which form a complex web, the mountain tracks followed a fixed route, passing along valley floors. Thus it is possible to follow the exact routes which have been in use for centuries.
Aside from trade caravans and military units, missionaries and pilgrims passed along this road giving it the name Road of Ideologies. Temples and monasteries along the way remain as evidence of the pre-Islamic religions of Badakhshan. The ancient Badakhshanis worshipped fire, the sun and the spirits of their ancestors, and practiced a Badakhshani version of Buddhism.
High above the populated river valleys, the vast, stony Pamir Plateau stretches like a giant dish edged by mountain ranges. This region was known to Ptolemy and was also travelled by Marco Polo, who wrote:
For twelve days you cross the valley; it is called Pamirs, and for the whole twelve days you see no houses, neither vegetation; food should be brought by yourself. There are no birds here because it is high and cold. Because of terrible cold, fire is not as bright and not of the colour like in other places.
Itinerary
Day 1 / Sat 21 July - Morning start in Osh. In the centre of the city is a hill called Takht-i-Suleiman (“Suleiman's Throne”), a local place of pilgrimage. As well as the impressive views from the top of the hill (1,070 m) there is an interesting museum built into the cliff face. Our tour will also include Babur's house, Rabat Abdullah Khan Mosque and Mausoleum and the famous Osh Bazaar. Guest house.
Day 2 / Sun 22 Jul - Drive South over Ak-Baital Pass – at 4,655m, the highest section of road in the former USSR. The plateau is dominated by Lake Karakul. By the lakeside, there are some mysterious stone circles. Head to our next stop at Rangkul. Yurt.
Day 3 / Mon 23 Jul - The Kirgyz keep yak, sheep and goats, and in summer take them to the higher pastures. Stay in a yurt camp with local herders. Bactrian camels are native to this region, and at Rangkul we have the opportunity to try riding a camel. Spend the morning camel trekking near the lake.Travel to Murghab that afternoon. Accommodation in Murghab is in a very good homestay arranged by a local ecotourism project. There is an opportunity to buy handcrafts made by local people from felt and yak hair. Homestay.
Day 4 / Tue 24 Jul - Travel to Yashikkul and Bulunkul lakes. Homestay.
Day 5 / Wed 25 Jul - Drive to Langar. Make a steep climb above Langar village and see the petroglyphs carved into the rock, depicting mountain goats, caravans, horse riders with banners, and the Ismaili symbol of a hand. Stay in a house built in traditional style for a visit of the Aga Khan.
Day 6 / Thu 26 Jul - Drive to Yamchun stopping off at Yamg and Vrang along the way. From Yamchun, it is possible to walk along a ridge to see the Zoroastrian “Fortress of Fire Worshippers”. Further up the hillside are the hot springs at Bibi Fatima. It is possible to take a natural steam bath in a rocky cave. Homestay.
Day 7 / Fri 27 Jul - Drive to Khorog via Iskashim and the hot springs at Garmchashma, including the opportunity to bathe in the sulphurous waters. Guest house.
Day 8 / Sat 28 Jul - Day in Khorog visiting Khorog's bazaar, museum and botanical gardens. Guest house.
Day 9 / Sun 29 Jul - Drive to Kalaikhum, our last stop in the Pamir mountains before heading on to Dushanbe. Guest house.
Day 10 / Mon 30 Jul - Drive on to Dushanbe. Guest house.
Day 11 / Tue 31 Jul - Visit Hissor Fort in the morning, then return to Dushanbe in the afternoon and visit the Museum of National Antiquities. Guest house.
Day 12 / Wed 01 Aug - Drive through the mountains, over Anzob Pass (3,373 m) and Shahriston Pass (3,370 m) to reach Istarafshan. Guest house.
Day 13 / Thu 02 Aug - Spend the day sightseeing in Istarafshan. Istarafshan is a fascinating city with some of the oldest and most intact Islamic buildings in Tajikistan, including many mosques and several significant madrassa complexes. Some of the residents can show us ornate woodwork and painted ceilings in their homes, dating back to the 18th century.Istarafshan is also well known for its traditional crafts. Around the bazaar, we will visit the workshops of the blacksmiths (knife makers) and a famous local wood carver. Guest house.
Day 14 / Fri 03 Aug - Drive to Khujand and visit the fortress, Panjshanbe bazaar and Sheikh Musliddin Mosque, Madrassa and Mausoleum complex. Hotel.
Day 15 / Sat 04 Aug - Tour ends after breakfast. We can arrange your onward travel to the border with Uzbekistan.
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