Tajikistan Pamir road trip: Khujand to Ak-Baital Pass

The route is 1004.8 km long across Tajikistan from Khujand through Dushanbe and Kulob to the Pamir Highway, including high-mountain sections through Khorog, Ishkashim, the Wakhan Corridor and ending at the Ak-Baital Pass at an altitude of 4655 m with access to Lake Karakul.

Distance
1004.8 km
Duration
8 days
Mode
route
Start
Khujand
End
Lake Karakul
Stops
12
Video author
Prusakov Live
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Khujand — Khujand is the second largest city in Tajikistan and the capital of the Sughd Region. Situated in the north of the country on the banks of the Syr Darya River, at the entrance to…
  2. Dushanbe — Dushanbe is the capital and largest city of Tajikistan, the country's main political, cultural, and economic center. The city's name means "Monday" in Tajik (historically, a large…
  3. Kulob — Kulob is one of the oldest cities in Tajikistan, located in the Khatlon Region, and is over 2,700 years old. The city is located in the Yakhsu River valley at the foot of the…
  4. Kalai-Khumb — Kalai-Khumb is a village in Tajikistan, serving as the center of the Darvaz District in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region. It lies on the Panj River near the border with…
  5. Khorugh — Khorog is a beautiful mountain town in Tajikistan.
  6. Ishkashim — Ishkashim is a village in Tajikistan and the center of the Ishkashim District in Gorno-Badakhshan. It lies on the Panj River directly near the border with Afghanistan. Opposite…
  7. Ishkoshim District, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region
  8. Wakhan Corridor — The Wakhan Corridor is a narrow strip of land in eastern Afghanistan, in the Wakhan District of Badakhshan Province. It is a rugged, high-altitude region approximately 295…
  9. Khargush — Khargush is a high mountain pass at an altitude of 4,344 meters and a small border post/village in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan, connecting the wild Wakhan Valley with the…
  10. Murghab — Murghab is the highest urban-type settlement in Tajikistan and the former USSR, located in the Pamir Mountains at an altitude of over 3,600 meters. The word "Murghab" can also…
  11. Ak-Baital Pass — The Ak-Baital Pass is the highest point of the legendary Pamir Highway and the highest automobile pass in the Pamirs. Its elevation is 4,655 meters above sea level. The pass is…
  12. Lake Karakul — Lake Karakul is an endorheic salt lake in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan, at an altitude of approximately 3,914 meters. It is of glacial-tectonic origin, surrounded by desert…

Useful for your trip

Transport
There is no car rental service in Tajikistan. You need to look for a car through local residents or drivers with a car. Cost: $100 per day with a driver or search through local contacts.
Tip
To travel to Gorno-Badakhshan (Pamir region), a special permit is required from the OVIR in Dushanbe. The region is adjacent to the border with Afghanistan and the permit is checked at checkpoints.
Where to stay
Registration is required if you plan to stay in Tajikistan for longer than 10 days. It can be issued through the hotel or independently through the passport office with the help of a local resident.
Save money
To exchange money: the best way is to bring a MIR card, withdraw somoni from the ATM with a minimum commission. You can also exchange rubles at a bank or at a local money changer (more profitable than at a bank).
Transport
Distance Khujand-Dushanbe: ~300 km. Taxi price: 600-900 somoni per person. The road passes through the passes in the Fan Mountains.
Food
Pilaf is cooked according to a schedule at certain hours (for example, 11:00-15:00 and 18:00-20:00). If pilaf stands in a closed container for a long time, it spoils. Consider the cooking times when visiting the Panjshanbe market.
Food
The Panjshanbe market in Khujand sells fresh pilaf, watermelons and melons. The market is open daily, the name Panjshanbe translates as "Thursday" (historically, trading was carried out on Thursdays).
Transport
From Dushanbe to Khorog: ~400 km, approximately 17 hours drive. Taxi drivers offer a ride for 2700 somoni with gasoline for 4 people through the local car market.
Tip
On the border with Afghanistan, the Ak-Baytal Pass is located at an altitude of 4655 meters. This is one of the highest points of the Pamir Highway (more than 1300 km).
Food
Traditional dishes: pilaf (the national dish of Central Asia), kurutob, bukhlama (lamb baked in the oven), salty yogurt. Food traditions vary from region to region.
Where to stay
From Dushanbe to Hissar ~30 km. The city is known for its ancient history (4th centuries BC), two madrasahs and a fortress with the main gate. Travel time by car is minimal.
Timing
The national sport of Buzkashi is held mainly in spring and autumn, when the heat subsides. Announcements are made in advance, prizes include cars and apartments.

Video on this route

Tajikistan. Pamir. Journey to the roof of the world

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