Pamir Lakes Trek and Wakhan Valley

Itinerary

The day-to-day itinerary gives a detailed overview of the hiking and highlights planned for each stage of the trek. The itinerary has been carefully tested and tried. Although it rarely happens, unforeseen circumstances can force us to make (minor) adaptations to the schedule, even during the trek. For example, weather and road conditions may change rapidly while trekking and make certain parts of the route less passable. Flexibility is indispensable when traveling and hiking through the rugged lands of Tajikistan.

Day 1 – Dushanbe to Qal'ai Khumb

Pick-up is in the morning at your desired location in Dushanbe and followed by a briefing and collection of equipment and provisions. Then we take a car to head toward the east of Tajikistan via Danghara and Kulob through a variety of landscapes. Half-way to the capital of the Pamir region, we reach the city of Qal'ai Khumb (1250 m), where we stay for the night.

Day 2 – Qal'ai Khumb to Khorog

On the second day, we continue our journey on the Pamir Highway deeper into the mountains. The bumpy road runs most of the day right along the banks of the Tajik side of the Panj river. The Panj river forms the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. You are treated on the first views of the majestic Pamir Mountains. In the late afternoon, we reach Khorog, the capital of Gorno-Badakhshan. We spend the night in Khorog (2100 m).

Day 3 – Ishkoshim

After breakfast, we leave Khorog and continue south along the Panj River towards Ishkoshim. The road passes through numerous Pamiri villages, offering glimpses of traditional life in this remote corner of Tajikistan. Along the way, we stop at Garm Chashma, famous for its travertine formations created by its mineral-rich hydrothermal springs. We continue via the Dasht viewpoint, with impressive views across the Panj and into the Afghan mountains, before making a stop at the natural hot springs of Avj. In the afternoon, we arrive in Ishkoshim and hike up to the historic Ishkoshim Fortress, overlooking the valley and the Panj River. We spend the night in Ishkoshim.

Day 4 – Langar

Today we enter the heart of the Wakhan Valley, home to the Wakhi people and one of the most culturally fascinating regions of the Pamirs. As we travel along the Panj River, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, with spectacular views towards the 7.000-meter peaks of the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Along the way, we visit the ancient Kahkaha fortress and the impressive Yamchun Fortress, perched high above the valley. Nearby, we can relax at the famous Bibi Fatima hot springs and visit a Buddhist stupa, reminders of the Wakhan’s rich history as a crossroads of cultures and trade routes. In the afternoon, we continue to Langar, with an optional visit to the historic Ratm Fortress. We spend the night in Langar.

Day 5 – Engels Meadows Hike

20 km

Today we leave Langar for a full-day hike into the mountains above the Wakhan Valley. The trail climbs gradually from the Panj River, following an irrigation channel and opening up increasingly spectacular views over the valley, including the confluence where the Wakhan and Pamir rivers meet to form the Panj. As we enter the Kishtijarob side valley, the impressive Engels Peak (6510 m) gradually comes into view. After a final steeper section, we reach the beautiful Engels Meadows, lying directly below the steep rock walls of the peak. After time to enjoy the scenery, we return to Langar along the same route, with the changing afternoon light offering a different perspective on the Wakhan Valley.

Day 6 – Khargush Pass and Bulunkul

Today we leave the Wakhan behind and gradually climb along the Pamir River towards the high-altitude desert landscapes of the eastern Pamirs. As we gain altitude, the vegetation becomes increasingly sparse until we reach the vast, barren plateau of the Murghob District. We cross the Khargush Pass and make a short ascent to a nearby summit, rewarded with sweeping views across the surrounding mountains and desert-like valleys. We then rejoin the Pamir Highway with views over the lakes of Tuzkul and Sassykul. From here, the road leads us to the remote mountain village of Bulunkul, our base before the start of the trek. We spend the night in Bulunkul (approximately 3700 m).

Day 7 – Chapdarkul Valley

14 km

In the morning, we drive westward along Yashilkul – one of the bigger lakes in the Pamir Mountains. The road provides impressive far-reaching views over the lake. At the western tip of Yashilkul, we start trekking. The trail starts off with a short but steep climb to reach the valley that leads up to Chapdarkul Lake, which lies at an altitude of 4500 meters. The entire hike to Chapdarkul takes two days. Today, we hike all day along a river to reach our campsite at an altitude of approximately 4000 meters.

Day 8 – Chapdarkul

13 km

From our campsite, we hike up a side valley, gaining 500 meters in elevation to reach the stunning lake of Chapdarkul at an altitude of 4500 meters. At Chapdarkul, we pause to take in the breathtaking views and have a rest. We then continue northward, descending through a different valley. By late afternoon, we arrive at our next campsite, set at 4450 meters. This is the highest overnight stop of the entire trek. Nights here can be very frigid, so be prepared for freezing temperatures.

Day 9 – Uchkul

17 km

We begin the day with a gentle descent from the campsite down to around 4250 meters. The trail then flattens, guiding us along a chain of picturesque mountain lakes for the next 10 kilometers. Eventually, we enter the Langar Valley and begin following it upstream toward Zarojkul. Today’s journey ends halfway up the valley, where we set up camp beside one of the many lakes in the valley, an ideal spot to relax and take in the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.

Day 10 – Zarojkul and Tsaxinkul

14 km

On day eight, we complete the ascent to Zarojkul, climbing about 200 meters in elevation. Along the way, we pass several smaller lakes, including Uchkul. The area of Zarojkul, with its intense blue colors, is an absolute highlight of the Pamir Mountains. From here, we continue our hike at sky-high altitudes for approximately 5 kilometers, also reaching the trek’s highest point at 4600 meters. The route then descends gradually until we arrive at the lake of Tsaxinkul, where we set up camp on its shores at 4300 meters.

Day 11 – Andaravadzh Valley

12 km

We start making our way back towards civilization. Today's hike leads downhill through the valley of the Andaravadzh River, where we can enjoy beautiful views and spend the night in tents beside the river. Those who feel like exploring a little further at the end of the day can visit the natural Kavch hot springs, also known as Kauk. Set amid the surrounding wilderness, these hot springs can be reached on a short hike of 1 km up the side of the valley, with a total ascent of 200 meters.

Day 12 – Bachor

18 km

Continuing further down through the valley brings us to Gunt river and finally to the village Bachor. We spend the night in a homestay in Bachor (3300 m).

Day 13 – Turumtaykul

24 km

From Bachor, we drive by car via the village of Jelondy to the remote lake of Turumtaykul (4200 m). After enjoying the great views over Turumtaykul, we hike south over a vast plain. We cross a relatively easy mountain pass at 4300 meters. The rest of the hike only moves down from here on. On the way down, we get views over some of the highest peaks of the southern Pamirs, including Karl Marx Peak (6726 m) and Engels Peak (6510 m). The wide valley that we reach at the bottom of the descent is sparsely populated. We walk to the village of Javshangoz (3450 m) to spend the night in a homestay.

Day 14 – Shohdara Valley

From Javshangoz, it is a 6 hours drive to Khorog. The road along the Shohdara river leads through many small mountain villages. Near the end of the drive, we make a stop at the botanical garden for a view over Khorog. We spend the night in Khorog.

Day 15 – Khorog to Qal'ai Khumb

From Khorog, we continue by car on the bumpy Pamir Highway in the direction of Dushanbe. We again make our way through the scenic landscapes along the Panj River. Today we drive until Qal'ai Khumb, where we will spend the night in a hostel.

Day 16 – Qal'ai Khumb to Dushanbe

The ride back to Dushanbe on the last day takes about 8 hours. Arrival in Dushanbe is in the evening. In Dushanbe, you are dropped off at your desired location.