PAMIR HIGHWAY, 14-26 JULY, 2023

PAMIR HIGHWAY

14-26 JULY, 2023

A 13-Day Photographic Journey with Jeremy Woodhouse 

Join us on a photographic journey along one of the highest roads in the world amidst majestic mountains, picturesque landscapes, stunning turquoise glacier-fed lakes and hospitable locals with a rich cultural heritage— the Pamir Highway. This trip will see you crossing the rarely-explored region of the Great Silk Road— once connecting Europe and Asia. 

Tajikistan, a country covered by more than 90% mountains, is likely somewhere you have never heard of before. We have partnered with a like-minded local team to offer you the chance, to not only explore, but photograph one of the remotest areas and least visited areas of our world. The Pamir range of mountains offers beautiful landscapes, authentic rural scenes, and hospitable local communities, They say it is a paradise for lovers of adventure and photographers— also, it is a perfect destination for drone photography 

This itinerary will see you driving at a high altitude of up to 7,000m (23,000ft), and staying in places such as Jizew that are rarely ever visited. We set out on an adventure 4WD jeeps to see a few of the most beautiful alpine lakes at high altitudes, such as Zorkul, Rangkul and Karakul

We will talk with Pamiri communities on the trip, we will stay with local families, observe their daily life, and go out to photograph wild nature and pristine natural beauty. We go to Murghab to see the nomadic Kyrgyz tribe and to observe their daily routine in the summer pastures (jailoo). We will stay in Jizew to photograph authentic rural mountain life and dramatic scenery. 

I invite you to join me and a team of local professionals to look closer into the life of locals, get acquainted with their culture, and to photograph unique moments and landscapes.


Itinerary 

Day 1: July 14—Dushanbe - Kalaikhumb (370km 8-9 hrs)
After your arrival to the Dushanbe airport you will be checked in to your hotel. After a short break we start the tour by driving to the famous Pamir Highway. We begin our journey driving towards the Pamir over the mountain pass at Kalaikumb, the halfway to Khorog. We take the southern road via Kulyab. As we drive along the Afghan border, we will be making frequent stops.

O/N Guesthouse

Day 2: July 15—Khorog (290km, 6-7 hours)
Drive to Khorog, the capital of (GBAO) Gorno-Badakhshan region, along the Panj River which forms the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. In Khorog you can visit the bazaar or the botanical gardens, the second highest in the world.

O/N Hotel 2*

Day 3: July 16—Khorog – Yamg (220km, 6 hours)
Today, we drive towards Yamg village, stopping on the way at the Garchashma hot springs, the fortress and the hot springs at Yamchun.

O/N Guesthouse

Day 4: July 17—Yamg – Bulunkul (170km, 6 hours)
We drive further to Vrang to see the Buda Stupa, and in Zong village we will stop ti visit Abrashim Qala fort. The final stop in the Wakhan valley will be in Langar where we will visit shrines and hike up to see the collection of over 6000 petroglyphs. The second half of the day we will drive to Bulunkul over the 4,344m Khargush pass (14,300ft). These barren landscapes are beautiful. It is like typical western desert and canyons. It is a small Bulunkul village, far from town. Few people live in this village. The local people are very friendly and the lifestyle is simple and harmonious with nature. If there is a place to escape your technologically advanced world, it will certainly be Bulunkul. If time allows, we will explore Yashikul, and Bulunkul lakes, otherwise we will do it tomorrow morning.

O/N Guesthouse

Day 5: July 18—Bulunkul lake – Bash Gumbez - Keng Shiber
In the morning, we will head to visit the Keng Shiber by crossing through the Bash-Gumbez Caravanserai, visiting a geyser and an ancient Chinese tomb on the way. The terrain here is desolate but grand. There are many summer pastures where nomadic Kyrgyz graze their livestock. On the way, we will visit Akbalik holy spring. After, we visit Bashgumbes village, 9 km from the main road, where we will see a very old Chinese tomb. 

O/N yurt/tent.

Day 6: July 19—Keng Shiber – Zorkul - Jarty Gumbez
Today is going to be one of the highlights of our trip. We will visit Zorkul lake. The lake extends east to west for about 25 km. The Afghan-Tajik border runs along the lake from east to west, turning south towards Concord Peak (5,469 m), about 15 km south of the lake. The lake's northern half lies in Tajikistan where it is protected as part of the Zorkul Nature Reserve. The most common species of wild mammals are Turkestan rat, tiger-cat, bear, badger, stoat, fox, grey and red wolves. If we are lucky, we will also see the famous Marco Polo from distance of 500-600 meters— the wild sheep of Pamir.

At the end of the day we will have a chance to take a hot spring bath

O/N Hunting camp in Jarty Gumbez.

Day 7: July 20—Jarty Gumbez – Murghab
The trip will continue to the Estern Pamir which is frequently compared to the surface of the Moon by travelers. We will stop at the rock paintings of Shakhty Shakhty Cave which date back to 8000-5000 BC.

O/N Hotel in Murghab

Day 8: July 21—Karakul via Rangkul.
After the breakfast we drive towards Karakul lake. On the way we will visit Rangkul lake and enjoy the view of Muztag-Ata peak – the highest peak in the Pamir Mountains. After lunch we drive to Karakul through Ak Baital mountain pass.

O/N Karakul homestay.

Day 9: July 22—Karakul – Sawnob (170 km, 6 hours)
Today we will have a journey through one of the least-explored areas and least-used high mountain roads in the Pamirs. The road connects east Pamir with Bartang valley over the 4,000m Kok Jar pass (13,200ft). We will drive along the Tanimas river to Upper Bartang. The river comes from the Tanimas glacier and flows into the Bartang river.

O/N Sawbnob village.

Day 10: July 23—Sawnob - Jizev (165km, 6 hours)
After breakfast we drive throughout Bartang valley— one of the wildest valleys in Pamirs where we can see the most authentic Pamir village and way of life. In the morning we drive to Rowshorv village (3300 m) situated on the button of Lab Nazar peak (5990 m). This afternoon, we reach the bridge near Jizev where we start trekking to Jizev village. This Oasis of the Pamirs will surprise you with the gorgeous nature and landscape, as well as with its hospitality.

O/N Homestay

Day 11: July 24—Kalai Khumb
Early in the morning we trek down to the Hijez where our driver meet us. We drive back through Rushan and Davoz along Panj river.

O/N Guesthouse in Kalai Khumb.

Day 12: July 25—Dushanbe
Today, we drive back to Dushanbe and have a city tour in the evening. Check-in at your hotel.

O/N Atlas Hotel 4*

Day 13: July 26—Departure
Our driver will take you to the Dushanbe airport for your flight back home.

Day 10   Margheb

Margheb

Nomads Of Pamir

Pamir Woman Milking a Yak


Arrival & Departure 

Arrival & Meeting Place
Arrive Dushanbe from Dubai or Istanbul. The flight usually arrives at around 2AM so we recommend arriving a day early.

Departure
Depart Dushanbe for Dubai or Istanbul on the 4AM flight


Visa Requirements

Tajikistan eVisa Requirements

Visa-free entry: Beginning January 1, 2022, U.S. citizens are eligible for visa-free entry into Tajikistan for stays lasting no more than 30 days (non-extendable), regardless of the purpose of travel. Registration within 10 days of arrival at the nearest Department of Visas and Registration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (OVIR) is required.

If you have any questions, please refer to the US State Dept webpage.


    Average Weather in July

    Tajikistan
    Average high temperature in August: 15°C. Warmest months (with the highest average high temperature) are July and August (15°C). The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (-14°C).

    Average low temperature in August: 2°C. Months with the highest average low temperature are July and August (2°C). The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (-24°C).

    6 SPOTS OPEN

    Tour cost: $7,800
    DeposiT: $1,000
    Single: $250

    IN SOME INTANCES A SINGLE MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE

    Max Group Size: 4-6


    Tour Includes

    •  Transportation in comfortable 4X4 vehicles
    •  English speaking drivers and guides and tour manager from start to finish 
    •  Accommodation incl early check-in
    •  Full board 
    •  All park permits and taxes
    •  Entry fees to all attractions
    •  GBAO and Zorkul permits

    Not Included 

    •  International/local Flights
    •  Alcoholic beverage
    •  Travel Insurance
    •  Tips to drivers & guides

    Paying by check

    If you would like to pay your deposit and/or balance with a check, please make the check payable to: Pixelchrome, Inc and mail it to:

    Nicole Woodhouse
    Pixelchrome, Inc, 
    605 Rouen Drive, 
    McKinney TX 75072

    Paying by Wire Transfer

    If you would like to pay by Wire Transfer please contact nicole@pixelchrome.com for bank account details.