Pamir Highway M41 Dushanbe-Osh

We will meet tourists at the hotel in Dushanbe, give a brief briefing on the tour program, and then head to Kulyab and then to Qal'ai Khumb, Darvaz.

On the way to Kulyab we will visit the Hulbuk Fortress (165 km from Dushanbe). Along the way, panoramic views of rural settlements, manicured fields and gardens, and the spurs of the Khatlon Mountains open up, vividly demonstrating the natural diversity of southern Tajikistan. If conditions are favorable, a stop at the Nurek Reservoir ("Blue Sea") and a short detour to purchase local dried fruit (optional) are possible.

From the 9th to 11th centuries, the Hulbuk Castle was strategically located in the heart of one of Central Asia's most significant cities. It served as the official residence of Shah (King) Khutalon and was fortified by a substantial salt hill, a notable landmark due to its importance as a source for one of the three prized commodities traded along the Silk Road, along with gold and horses. During the rule of the Bajurids, who were vassals of the Samanids, Hulbuk flourished as a central hub for trade and travel in Khutalan. The city's strategic location saw it as a pivotal point for trade, connecting Bukhara to Badakhshan and India via major trade routes.

The name of the city is believed to originate from the Tajik "kulob" signifying “lake". The city of Kulyab was established 2,700 years ago and was situated along a significant trade route, the Great Silk Road. This strategic location fostered robust trade, economic, and cultural ties with numerous countries in the East and West.During the Middle Ages, Kulyab served as the seat of the Kulyab khanate, a subdivision of the Bukhara Khanate. It was an important political, economic, and cultural center.In the 17th and 19th centuries, 40 poets lived and worked in Kulyab, including the renowned Hastily (Abdurakhman Khoja), Haji Husaina Kangurti, Bismil, and Shohin

The Complex of Mir Saeed Ali Hamadoni is located in the center of Kulyab. This historical monument dates back to the XI-XV centuries of our era. Historical sources indicate that two major Silk Road trade routes passed through the ancient city of Kulyab. The mausoleum's strategic location on one of the major trade routes of the Silk Road underscores its historical and cultural significance. Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani (1312–1385 CE) was a prominent Sufi Muslim saint of the Kubrawiya order, who played a significant role in spreading Islam in the Kashmir Valley of northern India. Throughout his life, Hamadani was addressed honorifically as the Shāh-e-Hamadān ("King of Hamadan"), Amīr-i Kabīr ("the Great Commander"), and Ali Sani ("second Ali").

After lunch we will continue our journey to Qal'ai Khumb, Darvaz (from Kulob - 169 km, 1200 m above sea level).

The ancient town of Karon is located in the village of Ruzvai, at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level on the mountain Zogik. Karon is a naturally inaccessible and protected area. Its grandeur and size have led scholars to hypothesize that it was once a royal city and a place of nobility, where the king, his relatives, troops, and servants resided. Historical sources mention the existence of the town of Karon city in medieval times. However, this site was not recognized as a historical and cultural heritage site or a tourist attraction until recently. In 2012, Tajik and Russian archaeologists unearthed fragments of a five-story fire temple, water and wind temples, a windmill, and a fragment of a book (presumably a Zoroastrian sacred book of Avesta) at the site. Here we will have to climb to an altitude of 2700 meters above sea level, the route length is only 3.6 km (40 minutes); ascent/descent - 500 meters.

After breakfast departure to Khorog (from Qal’ai Khumb - 243 km, 2600 m. above sea level). Khorog serves as the administrative hub of the GBAO region in the Pamir Mountains. Strategically Khorog is a prominent regional hub for commerce, transportation, and educational opportunities. The city also serves as a prominent tourist destination and serves as a starting point for visitors wishing to explore the region's main attractions.

The Pamir Botanical Garden, located in Khorog, boasts the distinction of housing the highest mountain in the CIS and the second highest mountain above sea level in the world, surpassed only by the Botanical Garden of Nepal. The garden was founded in 1940. The garden's collection boasts over 4,000 species of plants from all regions of the world, making it a valuable resource for research and education. During the period of independence of Tajikistan, the garden has continued to function successfully, with ongoing scientific research

Early in the morning after breakfast we will set off for Murgab (from Khorog – 310 km, 7 hours’ drive).

Bulunkul lake (optional) If desired, we can visit Lake Bulunkul along the way (18 km, 40 m from the main road). Bulunkul is considered the coldest place in Tajikistan. In the winter, temperatures there reach as low as 57 to 60 degrees below zero. Bulunkul is an alpine lake located 3,734 meters above sea level. The lake's water is fresh, and the surrounding area is home to diverse flora and fauna. A diverse avian community, including ducks, geese, and seagulls, inhabits the shoreline. Bulunkul Lake is significant because it was the first basin in the Pamirs where fishing was introduced to the local community. From May through October, fishermen set their nets near the river mouths flowing into the lake to catch osman and marinka.

Murgab is a district in the Mountains of Badakhshan, with a population of just under 7,500. It is the highest town in Tajikistan, situated at an elevation of 3,650 meters above sea level. The Pamir Highway traverses the Bartang River at this location. The Pamir Highway extends northward to Sary-Tash and continues onward to Osh in Kyrgyzstan. Another road goes east over the Kulma Pass to the Karakoram Highway in China, connecting to Tashkurgan to the south and Kashgar to the north

Early in the morning after breakfast, we'll head to the Kyrgyz border via the Kyzyl-Art Pass (185 km, a 3-hour drive from Murgab). Along the way, we'll explore Lake Karakul, Tajikistan's largest lake.

Karakul Lake (Tajik name Siyohob) is a 25-kilometer-diameter lake within a 52-kilometer-diameter impact crater. Located in Tajik National Park at an elevation of 3,960 meters above sea level, the lake is situated within a circular depression that has been interpreted as an impact crater. The lake is divided into two basins by a peninsula projecting from the south shore and an island off the north shore, with a smaller (19 m) and a larger (230 m) deep basin, respectively

Crossing Kyzyl-Art checkpoint border. Note: To save time, there is a possibility that our tour partner in Kyrgyzstan will collect you from the border (their contact information will be provided closer to the start of the tour).

Head to the Osh (from border - 230 km, 5-hour drive). We'll arrive in Osh at the evening, and that concludes our journey along the M41-Pamir Highway. We hope to see you again. Thank you for joining us!