Vibrant culture Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

Price: 3,280$

Duration:16

Complexity:

Route

Description

Embark on an unforgettable 16-day journey through Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan exploring breathtaking landscapes, ancient cities, and vibrant cultures. Travel from the bustling capital of Bishkek to the serene alpine lakes, lush walnut forests of Arslanbob, and the stunning Wakhan Corridor. The corridor is famous for its dramatic mountain scenery. High mountains, deep gorges, fast-flowing rivers, and charming villages create a unique atmosphere.

Highlights:

✅ Scenic drives through the Tian Shan and Pamir Mountains
✅ Explore Arslanbob, the world’s largest walnut forest
✅ Cross Kyzyl Art Pass (4,280m) into Tajikistan’s Pamir Highway
✅ Experience traditional Wakhan culture in remote mountain villages
✅ Discover Iskanderkul Lake, one of Tajikistan’s most beautiful alpine lakes

Tour program

Open All Day

day 1

Bishkek

Upon arrival to Bishkek driver will meet you at the airport and transfer to city. Visit main Ala Too square, historical museum, Oak park and Victory square. Overnight in hotel.

day 2

Bishkek – Chichkan 260 km

After breakfast drive to Chychkan gorge via picturesque Too Ashuu pass. The road passes through the southern part of Kyrgyzstan. During your transfer be prepared for amazing views of the impressive mountains and gorges. Today you will see amazing panorama views form Too Ashuu pass that is more than 3 000 meter high. This road is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Kyrgyzstan. 

Meals: B. 
Overnight: guest house.
day 3

Chichkan – Toktogul 120 km

After breakfast and check out transfer to Toktogul water reservoir. Time in leisure. It is the largest water reservoir in Kyrgyz Republic and Central Asia, its area is 284 square kilometers, and the average depth is 215 meters.

Meals: B.
Overnight: guest house.

day 4

Toktogul – Arslanbob 250 km

After breakfast drive to Arslanbob walnut forest covering 11,000 hectares and sometimes called the “Royal Woods of Kyrgyzstan”. It is known that nuts from this area were exported along the Great Silk Road in the Middle Ages. Here we can enjoy the wonderful nature and make nice photos. You will be able to communicate with locals.

Meals: B, D.
Overnight: home stay

 

 

day 5

Arslanbob – Osh 210 km

After breakfast drive to Osh – southern capital of Kyrgyzstan. On the way visit ancient Uzgen town. Uzgen is one of the oldest cities in Kyrgyzstan, as it was founded in the first or second century BCE as a trading post on the Silk Road.

Upon arrival to Osh visit local bazaar.

Meals: B.
Overnight: hotel

day 6

Osh – Sary Mogol 220 km

After breakfast visit Sulaiman mountain and museum. Osh has also been historically significant in many different eras, from being home to a large bazaar to being the birthplace of Kurmanjan Datka. After excursion drive to Sary Mogol.

Meals: B, D.
Overnight: home stay

day 7

Day 7 Sary Mogol – Kyzyl Art – Kara Kul – Murgab

After breakfast transfer to Kyzyl Art border. Change guide and driver. Drive to village Karakul. Excursion near the Karakul lake.
Karakul or Qaraqul ("Black Lake"), also formerly known as Lake Victoria, is a 52 km (32 mi) diameter lake in the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan. It lies within the Tajik National Park. The lake lies at an altitude of 3,900 m (12,800 ft) above mean sea level. 
Drive via Ak-baytal pass (4650m highest pass in Central Asia) to Murgab, the center of Murgab district (3260m highest district in Tajikistan). Sightseeing the city. 

Meals: B, L, D.  
Overnight: guest house
day 8

Murgab – Yamg village (Vakhan corridor) (280km)

Drive to  village Yamg via pass Khargushi  (4220m) above the sea  in the road you can see beautiful nature and mountains.
In the way excursion to fortified settlement of Ratm and caravansary the way of Silk Road.
Short trekking to Prehistoric rock drawings have been found in more than fifty places in Tajikistan, many of which are in the Pamir mountain area. Some date from as far back as 1,000 B.C.
Sightseeing the beautiful Vahan corridor:
Kelis and Buddhist monastery - Kelis are located on a perpendicular slope of the first, right terrace of the river Panj in Vrang. 

Meals: B, L, D.  
Overnight: guest house
day 9

Yamg – Khorog 200km

Breakfast. Drive to Khorog.
In the way: The fortress of Kakh-Kakh and sanctuary of sanctuary of Shohi Mardon - It is situated on the bank of the river Panj, on the isolated rocky height, stretched out along the river 1km east from the settlement of lower Namadgut.
In the way sightseeing Hot spring Garmchashma. It is situated on the right shore of the river Garmchashma and upper part of the valley settlement of Garmchashma district. Drive to Khorog city, the main city of GBAO.

Meals: B, L, D.  
Overnight: hotel
day 10

Khorog – Kalai Khum 240km

Breakfast.
Drive to Kalai Khum. You will drive with road near the Panj river other side if river Tajik and another side Afgan side. The Tajik road is asphalted, Afgan side is footpath.
Drive to Kalai Hum. This region is much more strongly Muslim and this can be seen in the conservative dress and beards. Over a mountain pass to Kalaikhum and the scenery and people change again. Here the people are Pamirs, not Tajiks, a number of separate tribal groups with their own languages. Overnight in guesthouse.

Meals: B, L, D.  
Overnight: guest house
day 11

Kalai khum-Dushanbe (380km )

Breakfast. Drive  to Dushanbe
In the way excursion on fortress Hulbuk - The ancient fortress and site of ancient settlement of Hulbuk is in Vose district  of Hatlon region in settlement Kurbonshaid. The huge territory in IX century between Vahshem and Pjandzhem was occupied with area of Huttal. During the most ancient period of the history of Huttal was a part of Bactria. 

Meals: B, D.  
Overnight: hotel
day 12

Dushanbe

After breakfast sightseeing the Dushanbe.

Dushanbe is the capital and largest city of Tajikistan. Dushanbe means “Monday” in Tajik (Persian language), and the name reflects the fact that the city grew on the site of a village that originally was a popular Monday marketplace. Situated at the confluence of two rivers, Varzob and Kofarnihon.

  • Museum of Antiquities – Home to the famous Buddha in Nirvana statue.
  • Navruz Palace – Originally planned as a teahouse, this stunning palace features 12 unique halls with intricate wood carvings, mosaics, and painted ceilings.
  • Hissar Fortress – The 18th-century fortress, located 30 km from the city, includes ancient madrassahs and a 16th-century mausoleum.
  • City Walk – Visit Somoni Monument, Rudaki Park, the National Library, President’s Palace, and Flag Park.

Meals: B, D.
Overnight: hotel

day 13

Dushanbe – Iskandarkul lake – Ghazza village 250km

Drive to famous lakes of Fan mountains – Iskandakul.  A fast flouring Iskandar-darya river flows from the lake, forming a marvelous and gorgeous waterfall, so called the “Fan Niagara” that falls from the height 38 meters. Walking near the lake.  
After lunch, drive to Gazza village, in the Fan mountains, which is 60kms away by road. Enjoy walking through the village, meeting local people and finding out how Tajik people live in the mountain areas.  
Today you’ll drive to the village of Bory, which is located in 1900m above sea level in the mountains, with a population of about 1000 people living in 120 houses. Enjoy dinner and overnight in a local guest house.  This is a typical Tajik house built in traditional style in a remote village. You will experience life with a local family, sleeping in a traditional room. 

Meals: B, L, D.  
Overnight: home stay
day 14

Ghazza village – Artuch village 25km

Breakfast. Drive to Artuch village.

Trekking  to Kuli Kalon lakes, 8km. Lake kulikalon (big lake) is situated at an altitude of 2,800m, and  is the second largest lake (after Iskandarkul) in this area. The lake actually consists of two lakes: bolshoi (large) kulikalon and maly (smaller) kulikalon, which are connected by a channel.  Kulikalon means ‘big lake’ in tajik. Back to Artuch village.

Meals: B, D.
Overnight: guest house

day 15

Artuch village – Seven lakes – Panjakent 140km

Continue your journey to Marguzol lakes – a trip of around 4 hours in total from Samarkand (including border crossing).  The Marguzol lakes are a collection of seven beautiful lakes. We will drive to each of the lakes.  The names (in order) are: Lake Mizhgon (which means eyelash) –  this multi-coloured lake is considered one of the most beautiful of the seven lakes.

After lunch drive to Panjakent.

Meals: B, L, D.
Overnight: hotel

day 16

Panjakent – border Jarteppa – Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

The city of Penjikent ("five villages") is located in Khujand area of Tajikistan in the picturesque Zeravshan river valley. Quite possibly the five villages started the history of this remarkable city which originated in the 5th-8th centuries AD. It was even named the "Central Asian Pompeii".
Explore this ancient city with your local guide, including visits to:
❖  Museum of Rudaki 
❖  Ancient Penjikent

Drive to border. Crossing the border. Meet with uzbek team.  
Meals: B  

Tour conditions

What's included

  • Accommodation on twin/dbl base – 16 nights
  • Transportation according to program
  • English speaking driver
  • Entrance tickets and ecological fees
  • Meals – as per program (half board)

What's excluded

  • Air tickets and visa fee (visa support)
  • Personal expenses
  • Tour guide in Kyrgyzstan
  • Single supplement and early check in
  • Meals – as per program (half board)
  • Travel insurance

Route

Border Crossing Information

Since this tour involves crossing the land border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, here’s what you need to know:
✔ Passports & Visas – Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. Depending on your nationality, a visa for Tajikistan (and a GBAO permit if visiting the Pamirs) may be required.
✔ Border Procedures – Land crossings can take from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on traffic and security checks. Stay patient and follow the instructions of your guide and border officials.
✔ Customs Regulations – Be aware of restrictions on certain goods, including medicines, drones, and large amounts of cash. It’s best to check updated regulations before travel.

What to Pack for the Tour?      

As you will be traveling through remote areas, high-altitude passes, and varying climates, proper packing is essential.

✔ Personal Documents – Passport, visa printouts, travel insurance.
✔ Clothing – Layered clothing, a warm jacket (for high altitudes), comfortable hiking shoes, a hat & gloves (for cold regions), and a rainproof jacket.
✔ Sun Protection – Sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, and a hat.
✔ Health & Medication – Personal medications, altitude sickness pills (if needed), first-aid kit, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes.
✔ Cash – Credit cards are not widely accepted in remote areas, so bring enough cash (USD or local currency) for personal expenses.
✔ Snacks & Water Bottle – While meals are provided, having extra snacks, nuts, and a reusable water bottle is recommended.
✔ Electronics – Power bank, universal adapter, flashlight (headlamp), and extra camera memory cards.

Additional Travel Tips

✅ Altitude Awareness – Some areas, especially in Tajikistan, exceed 4,000m (13,000ft), so take it easy to acclimatize.
✅ Road Conditions – Expect bumpy and unpaved roads in mountain regions, so be prepared for a true adventure!
✅ Cultural Respect – Both countries have conservative traditions; dress modestly in villages and respect local customs.
✅ Limited Connectivity – Mobile signal and Wi-Fi may be weak or unavailable in remote areas.

 

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Tour Dates:

Seasonality:
Summer

Group:

2 pax

Complexity:

3 out of 5

SS25-87

Price from: 3,280$

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