Dushanbe- Darvaz

Qalaikhumb - Guests will be greeted at their hotel to commence the Pamir tour. The journey heads east towards the Pamirs and Kalaikhumb, passing through stunning landscapes and intriguing villages along the way. After Kulob, the route enters a more remote section of the Pamir highway. Travelers will cross their first mountain pass at 2200 meters, offering the first glimpse into Afghanistan. Below, the Panj River flows, marking the border with Afghanistan, which will be followed for the remainder of the day. It’s a unique experience to be in such proximity to Afghanistan. Across the river, the Afghan road is visible, where villagers can be seen traveling on motorbikes or walking with their donkeys.

Qalaikhumb-Dushanbe

Hulbuk Museum - The return journey to Dushanbe begins early in the morning, retracing the same route. En route, there is a visit to the Hulbuk Fortress. Khulbuk was part of the ancient city of Hishtep and served as the center of the Huttal region during the 9th-12th centuries under the Gaznevid state. The settlement spans approximately 70 hectares, though much is now covered by modern structures. The citadel, palace, and remnants of some ancient buildings have been preserved. Today, the ancient complex is a historical museum-reserve known as “Halbuk,” covering 16 hectares. In 2006, Halbuk was reopened to visitors following extensive reconstruction. The citadel is rectangular, measuring 50 × 150 meters, and consists of two sections. The southern section (50x50 meters) is encircled by 15-meter walls, while the northern section is larger but has lower walls at 10 meters.

Nurek Dam - The next stop is the Nurek reservoir, with a pause near Small Bazar to enjoy a viewpoint of the reservoir before reaching Dushanbe. The Nurek Dam and hydroelectric station is a massive earth-fill dam situated in a deep gorge at 38.3715 N, 69.3492 E, on the Vakhsh River in Tajikistan. It is located about 75 km east of Dushanbe. Standing at 300 meters (984 feet), it was the tallest dam in the world as of 2008. (The Rogun Dam, currently under construction further up the river, is anticipated to surpass it at 335 meters (1,099 feet) upon completion.) Presently, the dam accounts for 75% of the country’s total electricity production (3.0 of 4.0 Gigawatts) and supplies over 90% of its power needs. Construction of the dam began in 1961 and was completed in 1980.

• Private transportation
• Accommodation in Kalai-Khumb (Guesthouse)

• Food (lunch & Dinner)

Embark on a two-day picturesque journey along the Pamir Highway, nestled close to the Afghanistan border. Revel in the stunning vistas of the awe-inspiring mountains that define this breathtaking landscape. The Pamir Highway is a famous high mountain road running along the border with Afghanistan. The road runs through deep gorges, high passes, huge glaciers, and deserts, among small villages in which Pamir peoples live. National Geographic included the Pamir Highway in the top five places that must be visited in Central Asia.

Our journey begins in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, from where we head east to Kalai-Khumb to meet the Panj River - the ancient Oxus. You can visit the villages in Tajikistan and wave to villagers in Afghanistan. This journey is about following in the tracks of ancient traders and explorers rather than those of modern-day tourists, with isolated communities that still see very few foreign visitors, and traditions that haven’t changed.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.