However, when you arrive, what you’ll find is just another set of mud-brick houses with no electricity, a bazaar where shops are inside shipping containers and, in general, a lot of misery. After Khorog, people also continue to Dushanbe. Reminders of the Pamirs’ significant position on one of the Silk Road’s southern branches can be seen throughout the region. We had plenty of time, that’s why. Once every 15 days maybe, a truck comes here from Khorog, supplying us with staples – Zainab, a Bulunkul resident. However, if you want to go to the mountains, I suggest you get supplies at the supermarkets in Osh and Khorog. Honestly, most of the time, I paid for my rides, as the price from Murghab to Alichur, for example, was just a few dollars, so I preferred paying to wait. Early in the morning drive to Osh Airport. The Pamiris are mostly Ismaili and thus belong to the Shia branch of Islam, while most Tajiks are Sunni Muslims. Bishkek - Too-Ashu Pass - Toktogul Lake, up to 250 km. 1 contribution 3 helpful votes. The weather is much more pleasant. It is worth to stop for a few hours. Today we will discover city of Osh built about 3000 years ago. Arkit - Sary-Chelek reserve - Arslanbob, up to 220 km. We will learn how to cook local food (Samsa). In this way internet connection is very bad only 2G. However, both Rushan and Qalai Qumb are relatively big towns where you can find homestays. Lunch in national cafe. Price from 1750 USD. Located in the middle of the Alay Valley, with stunning views of the Pamir range, Sary Tash is not a typical,  unattractive border town but totally the contrary, as it is positioned in such a privileged location, that it has become an awesome base to organize treks and other trips. We were five people and paid $15 per person for a 5-hour safari, starting at 5am in the morning. Arrival to Arslanbob village located under Babash-Ata mountain range. Your email address will not be published. The Pamir Highway is the Mecca for cyclists. The road is open all year long but, from the end of September till the beginning of June, the cold takes over the Pamir plateau. Saturday Afghan market – Khorog is located right on the border with Afghanistan, so every Saturday, Afghans are allowed to cross to attend a market where they can sell their typical products, as well as buying Tajik stuff, like vodka and fabrics. Read about our approach to external linking. The views from Khaaka fortress – Left side is Afghanistan and right Tajikistan, Afghan people in the Afghan market of Khorog. It’s the second highest paved road in the world (after Pakistan’s Karakoram Highway), with the highest point at Tajkistan’s Ak Baïtal Pass at 4,655m. Kyrgyzstan is Elysium for travelers who wish to discover new horizons and come into contact with the nature. We didn’t stay between these two places but I remember that, in many villages where we stopped, locals always asked us if we wanted a place to stay, so you won’t have any problem if you really want to sleep here. Known in Persian as the “Bam-i-Dunya” (Roof of the World), Central Asia’s Pamir Mountains – located mainly in Gorno-Badakhshan, an autonomous region in eastern Tajikistan that borders China, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan – are one of the highest ranges on the planet. The armies of Alexander the Great defeated the Persian armies and took hold of the region, and he married the local Pamiri girl. However, the Pamiri people are resilient and many prefer to stay. Pamir villagers often depend on livestock for a living (Credit: Pascal Mannaerts). Dinner and night in guest house. Hitchhiking for free is also possible but you will need an extra dose of patience, as your best bet will be trucks or generous locals, which are rare. Remember that you will be at a very high altitude and the health care in the area is quite rudimentary. The longest river in Kyrgyzstan flows here - Naryn river. Here the Tulpar-Kul Lake is located. It is also the border to Afghanistan for those interested in doing the Afghan Wakhan corridor. Furthermore, there is no ”taxi station” for Tajikistan, which means that you’ll need a local contact. If you are traveling with family you will find interesting ideas for your vacation here. Explore Tajikistan through amazing sceneries of the capital, mountains, lakes and mosques. Yes, they are as big as a cow. We never had to wait for more than 2 hours. Continue to drive to Suusamyr Valley. We invite you to unforgettable trip to south of Kyrgyzstan. The staff speaks English. Here, a young man tries to gather his herd of yaks to bring them back to the village of Bulunkul for the night. We will cross few beautiful mountain passes on The Great Silk Road and visit by the way Sary-Chelek Reserve, Walnut and fruit forests of Arslanbob and city of Osh. We did it because, before going to the Wakhan Valley, we went to Khorog to rest for a few days and then went back. The pass links both Madiyan and Pshart valleys and climbing it is quite a challenge but anyone reasonably fit, with little experience, can do it. Budget Guest House – Hello Dushanbe – If you want a less backpacker-friendly place, Hello Dushanbe may be slightly more expensive but the facilities are great. Picnic near the Gulcha. Bulunkul’s single shop is in a house (Credit: Pascal Mannaerts). However, from the beginning, they tell you that, if you follow their itinerary and don’t do any side trip, the price would be around $850 for the 7-day tour, from Osh to Khorog, including the Wakhan Valley, gas and driver’s meals and accommodation.