Tajikistan Itinerary: 1 to 4 Weeks

Updated October 2026, Tajikistan Itinerary: 1 to 4 Weeks was originally written in February 2019

Tajikistan is one of those countries where the number of days you have dramatically changes what you can see. You can easily spend a week exploring the Fann Mountains and northern Tajikistan, two weeks adding a section of the Pamir Highway, or three to four weeks traveling deeper into the Pamirs, Wakhan Valley and Eastern Tajikistan.

I’ve spent months traveling around Tajikistan over multiple trips, and this Tajikistan itinerary is designed to help you decide how long to stay and where to go with the time you have. Below, I break the country into realistic 1-week, 2-week, 3-week and 4-week itineraries, with longer routes allowing more time in the Fann Mountains, Pamir Highway, Wakhan Valley and eastern Pamirs.

Tajikistan is not a place where you want to cram everything onto a map and assume you can simply drive between the dots. Roads can be slow, shared taxis don’t always leave on schedule, and mountain weather can throw a wrench into even the best-laid plans. Build in some flexibility, especially if your itinerary includes the Pamir Highway.

If you’re just in the planning stages, I recommend picking up a copy of Bradt’s Tajikistan guidebook, which I have found to be useful on my early trips to the country.

Note that visa-free entry for many visitors is 30 days and the Tajik eVisa is issued for 30 days and 60 days.

Start here: The Tajikistan Travel Guide

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Choose Your Tajikistan Itinerary

How much time do you need in Tajikistan? That depends heavily on whether you want to focus on the Fann Mountains, explore the Pamir Highway, or travel deeper into the Wakhan Valley and eastern Pamirs.

I’ve put together separate itineraries for four different trip lengths so you can jump straight to the route that fits your trip.

1 Week in Tajikistan

Best for: Northern Tajikistan, the Fann Mountains and a taste of the country’s mountain scenery.

Route: Khujand → Istaravshan → Panjakent → Fann Mountains

Read the full route: 1 Week Tajikistan Itinerary

10 Days in Tajikistan

Best for: Those who want a fast track through some of Tajikistan’s highlights. This itinerary is fast-paced and not for the faint of heart.

Read the full route: 10 Day Tajikistan Itinerary

2 Weeks in Tajikistan

Best for: Combining northern Tajikistan and the beginning of the Pamir Highway, or focusing more heavily on the Pamirs.

Read the full route: 2 Week Tajikistan Itinerary

3 Weeks in Tajikistan

Best for: A more complete trip combining the Fann Mountains, Dushanbe and the Pamir Highway/Wakhan Valley.

Read the full route: 3 Week Tajikistan Itinerary

4 Weeks in Tajikistan

Best for: Travelers who want time for the Fann Mountains, Pamir Highway, Wakhan Valley and eastern Pamirs without turning the entire trip into one very long car ride.

Read the full route: 4 Week Tajikistan Itinerary

How Many Days Do You Need in Tajikistan?

There is no single perfect Tajikistan itinerary. How long you should spend depends on how much time you want in the mountains and how much ground you plan to cover. The Pamir Highway alone can take several days, while the Fann Mountains can easily fill a week if you are doing some of the bigger treks.

As a rough guide, these are the amounts of time I’d allow for the major stops and regions on a longer Tajikistan trip:

Destination	Time to allow
Khujand	1-2 days
Istaravshan	1 day
Panjakent	1 day
Fann Mountains	2-10 days
Dushanbe	2 days
Qala i Khumb	1 day
Jizeu Trek	2 days
Khorog	1-2 days
Wakhan Valley	2-4 days
Zorkul	1 day
Jarty Gumbez	1 day
Alichur	1 day
Murghab	1 day
Karakul	1 day

Tajikistan Itinerary at a Glance

Trip length	Suggested route
7 days	Dushanbe → Hisor → Fann Mountains
10 days	Panjakent → Fann Mountains → Dushanbe → Pamir Highway
14 days	Dushanbe → Fann Mountains → Pamir Highway + Wakhan
21 days	Dushanbe → Istaravshan → Khujand → Panjakent → Fann Mountains → Pamir Highway + Wakhan
28 days	Northern Tajikistan → Fann Mountains → Yagnob Valley → Dushanbe → Pamir Highway + Wakhan

Khujand

Khujand is a natural starting point for an overland Tajikistan itinerary if you’re entering from Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan. Tajikistan’s second-largest city sits in the Fergana Valley and makes a good introduction to the country’s northern region.

For those coming from Osh, Kyrgyzstan, and Tashkent or Kokand, Uzbekistan this will be your warm welcome most likely (some will opt to spend a night in Isfara or Konibodum).

Give yourself 1-2 days in Khujand to visit Panjshanbe Bazaar, Kamoli Khujandi Park, the Masjid Jami Mosque and Khujand Citadel before continuing toward Istaravshan.

Read more: Khujand Travel Guide

Where To Stay In Khujand

Budget
Qalai Khujand Hostel
| Booking.com | 

Midrange
Golden Apartments
| Booking.com |

Splurge
Khujand Grand Hotel
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Get Out of Khujand

Getting onward: Istaravshan, Panjakent, Dushanbe, Osh and Tashkent can all be reached from Khujand by shared taxi or minibus, depending on your route.

Istaravshan

Istaravshan is one of my favorite stops in northern Tajikistan for travelers interested in Silk Road history. Formerly known as Ura-Tyube, the city has more than 2,500 years of history and a dense collection of old mosques, madrasas, bazaars and historic neighborhoods.

Allow one day in Istaravshan between Khujand and Panjakent. Visit Mug Teppa, Kok Gumbaz, the old city and Istaravshan Bazaar before continuing west.

Read more: Istaravshan Travel Guide

Formally named Ura Tyube, Istaravshan is a miniature Samarkand. With over 2500 years oh history this is where you’ll find the most Silk Road architecture in Tajikistan.

Where to Stay in Istaravshan

Gostinitsa Sadbarg, which I recommended from personal experience.

Get Out of Istaravshan

Istaravshan is easy to find shared taxis and marshrtukas to Khujand, Panjakent, Dushanbe, and other destinations in the Tajik Fergana Valley.

Panjakent

Panjakent is the gateway to the Fann Mountains and one of the most useful stops to include in a northern Tajikistan itinerary. It is also the main Tajik city near the Panjakent-Samarkand border crossing, making it an easy addition to a combined Uzbekistan and Tajikistan trip.

Allow one day in Panjakent to visit Ancient Panjakent, the Rudaki Museum and the bazaar. From here, you can continue into the Fann Mountains, visit the Seven Lakes or travel onward to Dushanbe.

Read more: Panjakent Travel Guide

Where to Sleep in Panjakent

Budget
Salom Hostel
| +992 92 780 7716 | 

Midrange
Umariyon Hotel
| Booking.com |

Umariyon Hotel is upstairs from a minimart and is conveniently located. The staff is welcoming but only speaks Tajik and Russian.

Getting Out of Panjakent

Panjakent is a major transport hub for Tajikistan. You’ll find shared taxis and marshrutkas bound for many nearby villages, Artuch, the Haft Kul, Dushanbe, Istaravshan, Khujand, and beyond.

Going to Uzbekistan too? Check out my two week Uzbekistan & Tajikistan itinerary to plan your trip

Fann Mountains

I don’t think a first Tajikistan trip is complete without spending some time in the Fann Mountains. The region is relatively accessible compared with the Pamirs, yet it has the kind of high-mountain scenery that makes Tajikistan famous.

You can spend anywhere from one day to more than a week in the Fann Mountains, depending on whether you want to visit Iskanderkul, explore the Seven Lakes or take on a multi-day trek.

For a short Tajikistan itinerary, I’d prioritize Iskanderkul or Haft Kul. With more time, use Artuch as a base for trekking around the Kulikalon and Alovaddin lakes.

Read more: Fann Mountains Travel & Trekking Guide

Must See Fann Mountains

• Haft Kul
• Iskanderkul & Sarytag
• Lake Alovaddin
• Kulikalon
• Bolshoi Allo

Where to Stay in Fann Mountains

These are all homestay and alplager-style camps. Expect to pay $10-20 USD per night including dinner and breakfast.

• Najmaddin Homestay Haft Kul (recommended from personal experience)
• Vertical Alovaddin Camp
• Hazratcho Homestay Yakkakhona (recommended from personal experience)
• Artuch Alplager
• Dilovar Homestay Sarytag (recommended from personal experience)
• Shazud Guesthouse Iskanderkul (recommended from personal experience)
• Turbaza Iskanderkul

Planning to visit Iskanderkul? Check out the Iskanderkul & Sarytag Travel Guide

Yagnob Valley

If you have extra time, the Yagnob Valley makes a great detour from the main Tajikistan itinerary. The valley is home to the Yagnobi people, who speak Yagnobi, a surviving language descended from Sogdian.

This is primarily a trekking and homestay destination rather than a quick sightseeing stop. I’d add 2-3 days here if you have time in Tajikistan.

Read more: Yagnob Valley Trekking & Travel Guide

What to See in the Yagnob Valley

There are several hiking routes that can be taken on in the Yagnob Valley. You will likely spend a night in Margib, the stunningly beautiful village that most being their adventures into the Yagnob Valley from.

Where to Stay Around the Yagnob Valley

There are a few homestays in the Yagnob Valley. There are three in Margib, but in other areas usually only one. It’s not unusual for people to invite you into their homes, though do plan to give some money for their hospitality as this is a very difficult area to carve out a living.

If you plan to trek, I’d strongly advise carrying a tent.

• Margib (we recommend Veretok Homestay, from personal expereince)
• Pskon
• Nomitkon
• Bidev
• Gharmin
• Dehbaland
• Sokan

Getting In/Out of the Yagnob Valley

Margib is reachable by taxi hire in Sarvoda for about 300 TJS, cars can be hired in reverse as well. The journey from Sarvoda takes roughly two hours. There is a shared taxi on most days between Sarvoda and Margib as well, though it may end up leaving you to sleep a night in Sarvoda.

Plan to pay 50 TJS for the shared taxi.

Dushanbe

Dushanbe is the capital and the natural starting or ending point for many Tajikistan itineraries. Allow two days if you can, to explore the city, visit its museums and parks, see some of the remaining Soviet-era mosaics and eat your way through the local food scene.

Dushanbe is also an important transportation hub. From here you can head north toward Istaravshan and Panjakent or east toward the Pamir Highway.

If you’re starting a longer Pamir Highway itinerary here, I’d avoid packing your first day too tightly. Tajikistan’s mountain roads can make even seemingly straightforward journeys take much longer than expected.

Read more: Dushanbe Travel Guide

Must See Dushanbe

• Rudaki Park
• Bayrak (World’s Tallest Flagpole)
• Ismoil Somoni Monument
• Rudaki Monument
• Parchan
• See the remaining Dushanbe Mosaics
• National Museum
• Lake Komsomol & Park Melodezhi
• Green Bazaar
• Kokhi Navruz
• Mevlana Yakub Charki Mosque
• Victory Park
• Ayni Ballet & Theatre

Eat your way across Dushanbe: The Best Restuarants in Dushanbe

Where to Stay in Dushanbe

Budget
Hello Hostel Dushanbe
| Booking.com | Agoda.com |

Greenhouse Hostel
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Midrange
Atlas Hotel
| Booking.com |

Atlas B&B Hotel
| Booking.com | Agoda.com |

Splurge
Hilton Dushanbe Hotel
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Dushanbe Serena Hotel
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Hyatt Regency Dushanbe
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Getting Out of Dushanbe

As Tajikistan’s largest city and capital, you can find shared taxis and marshrutkas headed just about to every corner of the country from Dushanbe. That said, transport can be a little confusing as you will find that certain destinations leave from various taxi stands, bazaars, and stations around the city.

Hisor Day Trip from Dushanbe

If you have an extra day in Dushanbe, Hisor is one of the easiest historical day trips. The main attraction is Hisor Fort, along with the nearby mosque and madrasa.

Read more: How to Visit Hisor Fort by Public Transport

Nurek

Nurek is another optional stop near Dushanbe. The reservoir is particularly worthwhile if you’re beginning a Pamir Highway road trip via the southern route, though you can easily visit as a day trip from Dushanbe.

Next stop: The Pamirs! Check out my Ultimate Guide to the Pamir Highway
Plan the perfect trip with my 10 day Pamir Highway itinerary

Kulob

Kulob is a useful stop on the southern route from Dushanbe toward the Pamirs and Tajikistan’s third-largest city. If you have time, the nearby Hulbuk Fortress and Mir Said Ali Hamadani Shrine are the main historical attractions.

If you’re short on time, don’t feel obligated to add an overnight here. It works better as part of a longer southern Tajikistan route.

Looking to get off the beaten path in Khatlon Province?

Khatlon is one of the least visited areas of Tajikistan but does boast some pretty cool sites. Two of the best being Sary Khosar Valley and the 40 spires at Childukhtaron.

Qala i Khumb

Qala i Khumb is one of the most useful overnight stops on the Pamir Highway between Dushanbe and Khorog. The town sits where the Obikhumb and Panj Rivers meet, with Afghanistan visible across the river in places.

I recommend spending the night here rather than attempting to push straight from Dushanbe to Khorog.

Read more: Qala i Khumb Travel Guide

Where to Stay in Qala i Khumb

• Roma Jurayev Guesthouse $20 USD/night, single with shared bathroom (personally recommended). There’s also a great family-run homestay just across the river.
• Karon Palace | Booking.com |

Getting Out of Qala i Khumb

Shared taxis depart from the shared taxi stand about 50 meters east of the Qala i Khumb Mosque on the main highway.

Rushan

Rushan is a village along the Pamir Highway and the jumping-off point for adventures into the Bartang Valley. Some will opt to skip Kalai Khumb and take a shared taxi from Dushanbe to Rushan and then continue onto Jizeu and other destinations in the Bartang Valley the following morning.

Want more adventure in the Bartang? Read my Bartang Valley Guide for more

Where to Stay in Rushan

• Homestay Mubarek
• Rushan Inn Guesthouse

Getting Out of Rushan

Just 100 meters west of the Vamardara River on the main highway is the shared taxi stand for Dushanbe and Kalai Khumb bound shared taxis. About 10 meters east of the river is the taxi stand for cars headed towards Khorog. About 500 meters east across the highway from the Sodirot Bank is the shared taxi stand for cars headed up the Bartang Highway.

Jizeu

Jizeu is probably the best overnight trek in the Pamirs and Tajikistan. From Rushan, the trailhead is about 23 km up the Bartang Highway, about 6 km past the village of Bargu. The concrete blocks of the cable bridge to Jizeu are clearly marked with the village name.

About 2 hours of trekking from the bridge will bring you to the lower village of Jizeu. Jizeu is comprised of about 14 homes divided into an upper and lower village in a scenic valley along clear pools of water. 7 of the homes second as homestays.

You can expect to pay $25 USD per night including meals, though it is possible to camp just outside the village. More treks can be arranged to Ravmed Valley and beyond from Jizeu.

Learn more about Tajikistan’s best overnight trek in the Jizeu Trekking Guide

Where to Stay in Jizeu

• Lola Homestay: $20 USD/night per person including meals (personally recommended)

Getting Out of Jizeu

For return trips to Jizeu, it is easiest to pay the money for a chartered taxi to pick you up at the bridge at a designated time to head to Rushan (200 TJS) or Khorog (250 TJS). There is a minibus that makes the journey down the Bartang leaving Basid at 7 am to Rushan and on to Khorog. Timings can be haphazard and your chances of missing it are relatively high.

Khorog

Pretty much all travelers on the Pamir Highway will end up in Khorog. It’s a great place to relax for a day or two on your journey. I personally have spent a lot of time in Khorog as I’ve used it as a base between treks into the Pamirs.

Khorog has a well-educated population largely thanks to the development by the Aga Khan Foundation, so don’t be surprised when youngsters stop you on the street or in the park and want to practice their English skills with you.

For those wanting to hire a chartered taxi for the journey between Khorog and Osh, Kyrgyzstan (I recommend it as it’s the best and most versatile way to travel the Pamir Highway, though more expensive). Head to the PECTA office inside Khorog Central Park to get a list of drivers and even look on the message board for other travelers to share the cost of the trip with.

Those wanting to visit Zorkul Lake should go into the PECTA office and pick up a Zorkul permit. If planning to visit anywhere in the Tajik National Park (much of the Bartang Valley, Bachor Mountain Lakes, Fedchenko Glacier) you can grab a permit at PECTA as well.

After cruising along the Panjakent River to Khorog with constant glimpses into Afghanistan many will get the urge to cross the border and visit. The Afghan Wakhan is the only safe place to visit in Afghanistan and can be reached by a border crossing near Ishkashim.

There is an Afghan Consulate here in Khorog that will usually issue visas the same day (I got mine in 30 mins in 2017). Learn in this post how to get an Afghan Visa.

Must See Khorog

• Khorog Central Park
• Khorog Botanical Garden
• Khorog Bazaar
• Regional Museum
• Truck On A Plinth Monument

Plan your Khorog stopover: The Khorog Travel Guide

Where to Stay in Khorog

Budget
Welcome Inn
|+992 93 703 5393 |

Lal Hotel Dorm
| Booking.com |

Midrange
LAL Hotel
| Booking.com |

Splurge
Serena Inn
| Booking.com | Hotels.com | 

Getting Out of Khorog

• Dushanbe, Rushan & Kalai Khumb: Walk to the taxi yard on the west side of the Khorog Bazaar. Rushan/Kalai Khumb/Dushanbe taxis will cost 70/100/400 TJS and take 1-2/3-8/14-20 hours. Most taxis depart in the morning, so get here before 10 am.
• Wakhan Valley: For shared taxis bound for Ishkashim and beyond to Langar walk across the footbridge that crosses the Gunt River just behind the Khorog Bazaar. a short walk along the trail beyond the river will bring you to the Wakhan and Shokhdara taxi stands. Shared taxis typically leave in the morning. A ride to Ishkashim (3 hours) should cost about 45 TJS and to Langar 7 hours) about 120 TJS. Those planning to cross the border to Afghanistan will need to ask to be dropped off 3 km before Ishkashim to walk across the border post.
• Murghab: Shared taxis will leave the taxi yard next to the bazaar. Shared taxis will ring in around 150 TJS for the 8 hour journey.
• Shokhdara Valley: This little-traveled route between the Gunt Valley and Wakhan Valley is an adventurous alternative in the Pamirs. Shared taxis will leave from the Shokhdara taxi stand across the footbridge over the river next to the Wakhan taxi stand.

Garm Chashma

This hot spring en route from Khorog to Ishkashim is worth a stop for those traveling by their own transport. It’s a secluded pool created by mineral deposits.

Most people bathe in the nude and there are gendered hours (Men: 4:30-7:30 & 15:30-16:30. Women: 8-12, 13:30-15:30 & 16:30-17:30). The entrance fee is 10 TJS per person.

Garm Chashma is about 20 minutes off the main highway at Anderob Village. A chartered taxi from Khorog and back will cost 150 TJS.

Ishkashim

Ishkashim is the largest village in the Wakhan Valley. While there isn’t much to see it’s a good stop for the night of you’ve taken your time meandering from Khorog.

Must See Ishkashim

• Ishkashim Bazaar
• Ibrohim Ismoilov Museum
• Cross-Border Bazaar (has not been open in quite a while)
• Ishkashim Caravanserai
• Ostoni Zanjiri Kaba Shrine (2km southeast in nearby Ryn)

Where to Stay in Ishkashim

• Hanis Guesthouse $12 USD/night including dinner & breakfast (personally recommended)

Getting Out of Ishkashim

Ishkashim is the Wakhan transport hub. You can find shared taxis to Khorog, Langar, and any of the villages in between.

See The Afghan Wakhan Corridor In Photos

The Wakhan Valley

The main part of the Wakhan is between Ishkashim and Langar. Most travelers opt to travel between Khorog and Langar in one to two days, though for those really wanting to take in the area or do some trekking may need much longer.

Between Ishkashim and Langar, the main stops are:

• Namadgut and Khakhaa Fortress
• Yamchun Fortress & Bibi Fatima Hot Springs
• Vrang & Buddhist Stupa
• Zong & Vishimqala
• Hissor & Zangibar Fortress

To read more on traveling the Wakhan, check out the Tajik Wakhan Valley Travel Guide

Langar

Langar is something of an oasis in a wide-open valley. The village sits where the Pamir and Panj Rivers meet in the Wakhan and is largely considered the end of the Wakhan as the road twists and turns up towards Ratm here to eventually head up Khargush Pass.

Langar is also your jumping-off point for the Pik Engles Meadow trek, a nice overnight hike with astounding views of the iconic mountain.

Take a hike: The 10 best treks in Tajikistan

Must See Langar

• Jamoatkhona (Prayer house)
• 6,000 Petroglyphs
• Pik Engles Meadow Trek (2 Days)

Where to Sleep in Langar

• Nigina Homestay $15 USD/night

Getting Out of Langar

Getting out of Langar by public transport can be tricky as there is only a shared taxi heading to Khorog a couple of times a week, days and times can be sporadic so ask around. For those headed toward Khargush Pass things are even more difficult as you’ll be looking to hitch and can likely be stranded for several days.

The Wakhan Valley is best visited on chartered transport. A Khorog-Ishkashim-Langar-Jelandy-Khorog hire will likely come in at about $400 USD for the 4 day trip which can be split amongst 6 travelers.

If you do not plan to visit Zorkul on your way back to the main Pamir Highway, you’ll cross the Khargush Pass to arrive as Bulunkul and Yashilkul.

Zorkul

Make sure you’ve grabbed a Zorkul permit from us in advance, the PECTA Office in Khorog or from the Tajik National Park Office in Murghab. At the beginning of Khargush Pass, there is a checkpoint. You’ll need to show your permit here to head off the main road for Zorkul.

Zorkul is a large lake on the border with Afghanistan whose surrounding areas are part of the Zorkul Nature Reserve.

Those up to a real challenge can hike to Zorkul from Alichur.

Sleeping at Zorkul

Bring a tent as camping is likely your only option for sleeping at Zorkul unless the odd Kyrgyz yurt is sported out here and will likely invite you in.

Getting Out of Zorkul

No public transport goes to Zorkul so you’ll need your own transport to get out here.

Jarty Gumbez

Jarty Gumbez is a Marco Polo sheep hunting camp and hot spring. Non-hunters can stay the night here outside of the November-April hunting season for about $30 USD/night including meals. Many who make the journey over from Khargush Pass and Zorkul will opt to stay the night here.

Those not interested in seeing Bulunkul, Yashilkul, and Alichur can make the trip to the end-of-the-world settlement of Shaimak en route to Murghab in the extreme southeast, a strategic point during the Great Game for its views into China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Alichur

The predominantly Kyrgyz village of Alichur doesn’t get many tourists, so for those that do spend a night here so expect curious local kids and teens to tour you around town. Aside from a small mosque, there isn’t much in way of sites.

On your way to Murghab don’t miss Ak Balyk Spring just to the right of the highway about 12 km east of Alichur.

Plan your visit in the Murghab Plateau & East Tajikistan: The Eastern Pamir Travel Guide

Where to Stay in Alichur

• Rahima Doronshoeva Homestay (personally recommended)

Murghab

Welcome to the wild-wild east. Murghab isn’t the most picturesque town but it’s set in a beautiful valley. There isn’t much in way to do or see in Murghab, so most will opt to rest their head here for the night before continuing on the Pamir Highway.

Must See Murghab

• Murghab Bazaar
• Jama Mosque
• At Chabysh Festival (late July)

Plan your stop in Murghab: The Murghab Travel Guide

Great Side Trips from Murghab

• Rangkul: Near to the Chinese border and surrounded by stark high desert scenery sits a lake with nearby sand dunes. You can visit as a day trip from Murghab or spend a night out here in one of the homestays near the lake. It’s possible to organize camel trekking from here.
• Pshart & Madiyan Valleys: You’ll need to arrange your own transport for this one. Pshart Valley is just north of Murghab with colorfully swirled mountains. Madiyan, just south of Murghab has more stark mountainscapes and a hot spring to boot. You can do an overnight trek over Gumbezkul Pass connecting the two mountain valleys.

Where to Stay in Murghab

Tulfabek Homestay
70 TJS night, dorm bed with dinner/breakfast
| +992935389159 |

Erali Guesthouse
200 TJS/night, dorm bed with dinner/breakfast
| +992563751421618 |

Pamir Hotel
200 TJS/night, dorm bed
| +992355421762 |

Getting Out of Murghab

Shared taxis will depart from the bazaar. Many times shared taxi drivers bound for Osh will visit homestays around town in the evening looking for travelers planning to continue on and will pick you up in the morning. It’s possible to take these taxis to reach Karakul and Sary Tash too.

From the bazaar, you’ll also find shared taxis bound for Khorog on most mornings. Less frequently, there are shared cars going to Rangkul, Shaimak, Jarty Gumbez and other villages in the Eastern Pamir.

To reach Qolma Pass (the border with China), you’ll need to arrange transport in advance or go to the terminal just outside town to find a Kamaz truck to hitch onto.

Everything you need to know to Cross Qolma Pass between Tajikistan & China

Karakul

The drive to Karakul from Murghab will take you up and over 4,655 meter Ak Baital ‘White Horse’ Pass. Keep your eyes peeled for Marco Polo sheep teetering on mountain faces and don’t be surprised if it’s snowing here even in the dead of summer.

You’ll descend down the pass and on to Karakul, a massive lake created by a meteor strike millions of years ago. The terrain around Karakul is quite barren and dusted with salt as the lake is saline. A village of the same name sits on the eastern shore of the lake with a few homestays on offer.

I recommend spending a night here between Osh and Murghab to break up the long driving day, though some will opt to only stop for lunch and continue for the border.

What to do around Karakul? Check out my Karakul Guide

Where to Stay in Karakul

• Tildakhan Homestay $15 USD/night, including meals (personally recommended)

Getting Out of Karakul

Shared taxis away from Karakul can be a bit tricky and may leave you in Karakul a day or longer than you planned. Your best bet is to have your homestay call drivers that may be passing through or plan to hire your own driver.

Kyzyl Art Pass

Colorful Kyzyl Art Pass is the border post between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. From the border, it’s a relatively short drive to continue onto Sary Tash, where some will opt to stay and explore more of the Alay Valley, while others will continue on to Osh in the Kyrgyz Fergana Valley.

Read more about crossing Kyzyl Art Pass
Continuing the adventure into Kyrgyzstan? Read: The Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide

Have Any Questions About This Tajikistan Itinerary?

Ask in the comments section below.

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