Day Trip to Madiyan Hot Springs, Eastern Pamir, Tajikistan (2026 Update)
Tucked into the stark, jagged Madiyan Valley west of Murghab, these remote hot springs offer a perfect off-grid escape on the Pamir Highway. Expect rugged canyon scenery, a rickety bridge crossing, and soothing Soviet-style indoor pools—pair it with a trek over Gumbezkul Pass from colorful Pshart Valley for an epic full-day adventure.
As of early 2026, Madiyan Hot Springs remain accessible and open (updated Feb 2025 sources confirm no major changes). The facility is basic but functional—a caretaker from Ak Tal village maintains it daily. Entry is free; a small tip (20-50 TJS) for tea/non/yogurt is appreciated.
How to Get There from Murghab
- Distance — ~30km to Ak Tal village, then ~15-20km further south along Eli Suu River.
- Transport — Rare shared taxis to Ak Tal from Murghab Bazaar. Best: Hire a 4WD driver in Murghab (~$60-80 USD round-trip to springs; $110+ if combining with Gumbezkul pickup).
- Route — From Ak Tal, follow Eli Suu south. Drivers usually take the “high route” (jeep track up to plateau for views), then a short descent to the springs.
Cross a makeshift metal bridge over the Eli Suu (sturdier than rumors suggest!). The concrete building has private pool rooms—bring soap for pre-soak shower.
Overnight Option
Ask the caretaker to stay in a resting room—common for locals seeking therapeutic multi-day soaks.
Combine with Gumbezkul Pass Trek
Start in Pshart Valley (north of Murghab), hike over 4,731m pass (~2 days or long single day), descend into Madiyan, and end with a soak. Arrange drop-off/pick-up via Murghab operators (~$110 car + optional guide $50).
Local outfits like Pamir Guides, Bekirbek, or Eastern Pamir Eco Tours handle logistics reliably.
This raw, high-altitude side trip (~4,000m) captures Eastern Pamir’s wild essence—perfect reward after bumpy roads. Questions on drivers or combining trips? Fire away!