trekking
Cross Border Mountain Trekking
Follow mountain trails across changing terrain.
Flexible lengthDifficulty on requestAny group size
From €1,434View journey
trekking
Pamir Walks: Bartang Valley Cultural Tour
A 14-day cultural journey with easy village walks: Hissar Fortress, the Panj along the Afghan border, and the Bartang villages of Bardara, Roshorv, Savnob, Pasor, Barchidiv, Ravmed and Jizew.
Days14
DistanceOn request
Max altitude3,000 m (Roshorv)
DifficultyEasy to moderate
SeasonMay – October
Group size1–15 travellers
Price€1,326
Overview
Get to know the history, archaeology and living culture of the Pamirs. The tour follows the Oxus along the Tajik-Afghan border, then spends a week walking and driving between the remote villages of the Bartang Valley: Bardara with its three sacred trees said to be planted by Nosir Khusraw, Roshorv under the Lapnazar Glacier, Savnob with its old castle, solar calendar and refuge caves, Pasor and the mausoleum of Khojai Alamdor, Barchidiv at the gateway to Lake Sarez, Ravmed and the car-free lake village of Jizew. Walks of 3–6 hours a day, with vehicles always on hand for anyone who prefers to ride.
Photographs
Day-by-day itinerary
Timings can shift with road, weather and border conditions; your guide adjusts the plan on the way.
Airport meeting and transfer to the hotel. Excursion to the Hissar Fortress, the Kohna Madrasah museum and the nearby seminary, then Rudaki Central Park, Independence Park and Mehrgon Bazaar. Dinner at a local restaurant and an evening walk. Overnight: Hotel in Dushanbe
Onto the Pamir Highway, which soon runs along the roaring Panj and the Afghan border, past mountain walls and over steep slopes. Overnight: Guesthouse in Kalai Khumb
One of the most beautiful drives in Central Asia, winding along the Pamir Highway through mountain landscapes. Overnight: Homestay in Rushan
Up the Bartang River, famous for its hiking, hospitable villages and musicians, to Bardara, one of the oldest settlements of the valley. See its three sacred trees, 500 m apart, said to be planted by the missionary Nosir Khusraw, and the village shrine. Overnight: Homestay in Bardara
Hike to Old (Upper) Bardara past the ice that never melts under large boulders, used by villagers as a natural fridge. A picnic by the Bardara River after 2.5 hours, then back down to the village. Overnight: Homestay in Bardara
Along the Bartang to Roshorv (3,000 m), one of the largest villages of the valley, facing Lapnazar (5,990 m) and Bartang (5,480 m) peaks. After lunch, a hike to the viewpoint over the Lapnazar Glacier and the whole village. Overnight: Homestay in Roshorv
About 5 hours on a scenic dirt road to Savnob, with vehicles alongside for anyone who prefers to ride. Savnob is known for its old castle, solar calendar, refuge caves, holy spring and petroglyphs, and a small lake mild enough for a swim. Overnight: Homestay in Savnob
Walk and drive along the Bartang past the confluence of the Tanimas and Murgab rivers to Pasor, home of the revered mausoleum of Khojai Alamdor. The outline of the ancient landslide that once dammed a lake here is still visible. Overnight: Homestay in Pasor
Back down to Rukhch, then on foot to Barchidiv, the first village below the legendary Lake Sarez (18 km away, special permit required) and a base for trekking, mountaineering and wildlife watching. Overnight: Homestay in Barchidiv
Drive down the Bartang Valley to Khijez, then a detour hike up to the village of Ravmed. Overnight: Homestay in Ravmed
A spectacular 3-hour hike to the remote, car-free village of Jizew with its clear lakes, short walks to the higher lakes and lunch, then back to the road and on to Khorog with photo stops. Overnight: Hotel in Khorog
Explore Khorog, the centre of the Pamirs at the meeting of the Panj and Ghund rivers: the Ethnographic Museum and the Botanical Garden. After lunch, along the Pamir Highway to Kalai Khumb. Overnight: Guesthouse in Kalai Khumb
Along the Panj, then through deep rocky valleys over the Shurobod Pass to Kulob, with lunch at a chaikhana, and on to Dushanbe. Overnight: Hotel in Dushanbe
Transfer to the airport and flight home.
Route map
Included
- 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with driver
- All accommodation and all meals with soft drinks and water
- Local English-speaking guide
- GBAO permit, registration and hotel transfers
Not included
- International flights
- National Park permit
- Museum and site entrance fees
- Alcohol and personal expenses
Safety and support
Before departure the team goes through the route, altitude, road and weather conditions and emergency contacts with you. Ask for these details in writing with your quote.
Frequently asked questions
From USD 1,480 per person (9 travellers + tour leader); USD 1,480–1,970 depending on group size, USD 1,725 for two. The final quote depends on your dates and group size.
Suitable for most active travellers: easy to moderate walks of 3–6 hours, with a vehicle always nearby.
Hotels in Dushanbe and Khorog, family homestays in the Bartang villages.
Related journeys
trekking
Fan Mountains & Seven Lakes Tour
A journey shaped by the Fan Mountains and their lakes.
Flexible lengthDifficulty on requestAny group size
From €1,075View journey
trekking
Pamir Mountain Lakes Trek: Ghund to Sarez
Walk toward the stillness of mountain lakes.
15 daysMedium to high1–15 travellers
From €1,747View journey