Tajikistan

4-Night Kashgar Tour of Xinjiang

Day 1: Arrive in KashgarYour guide will pick up from Kashgar airport and transfer to your hotel.Day 2: Explore Kashgar cityExplore rich culture of the Uighurs in Kashgar. First, visit Livestock market which is the most interesting and traditional part of the Sunday market. Then, continue on to the largest bazaar in Central Asia at the Kashgar Sunday Main Bazaar. Later, spend time by Id Kah mosque, the largest mosque in China, and marvel at the intricate architecture of Kashgar’s historic Apak hoja tomb. You will also spend time in Kashgar old town and have dinner with a local Uighur family.Accommodation: 4-star Qinibagh HotelDay 3: Kashgar to Karakul Lake and stay at a local family yurtToday set out along the Sino-Pakistan Karakorum Highway on Pamir Plateau (the roof of the world) where you will see colorful Oytagh Kunlunshan Mountain range and Bulungkol Valley (White Sand Mountain) before visiting Karakul Lake (11,811f/3600m above sea level). The lake sits at the feet of the notorious, Muztagh Ata (24758f/7546m) and Gongur (25,3235f/7719m) Mountains. "Muztagh Ata" means Father of the Ice Mountain and is one the most beautiful and mysterious mountains in the world. Travelers from around the world visit here to experience the live of its own, which is why you must spend the night in a yurt of a local Kyrgyz family.Accommodation: YurtDay 4: Karakul Lake to Tashkorgan After breakfast, hike around Karakul lake. You can visit local villages and homes of local residents before driving to Tashkorgan after lunch. Cross through Subash Pass, from where, you can see more beautiful views of the valley and majestic peaks of Muztagh Ata and Konger. If you prefer, your driver and guide will make a stop at Tagharma Village surrounded by beautiful grassland and colorful trees for you to visit a local Tajik family before arriving in Tashkorgan in late afternoon to enjoy some personal free time. Tashkorgan, used to be an important hub on the old Silk Road, is an area borders Pakistan and Afghanistan with Kunjerab Pass connecting them.Accommodation: 4-Star Crown Inn HotelDay 5: Tashkorgan to Kashgar/departVisit Stone Fort, Tajik Village, Prairies, Tashkorgan Museum, and then drive back Kashgar. After breakfast, you will have an opportunity to see the ancient stone fort of the town, Tashkurgan, which is still standing after 1,800 years! Then, walk around Tajik neighborhoods and pay a visit to local Tajik families living in this historic town. After lunch, drive back Kashgar and you will be transferred to Kashgar Airport where this 5-day tour concludes.

Osh to Dushanbe on Pamir Highway in 7 days

ITINERARY: Osh city – Sarymogol – Lenin Peak Base Camp – Karakul lake – Murgab – Alichur – Wakhan valley – Ishkashim – Khorog city – Darvoz (Kalaikhum) district – Dushanbe cityDAY 1. OSH – SARYMOGOL VILLAGE – TULPARKOL LAKE AT LENIN PEAK BASE CAMP, 5 – 6 HRBreakfast. Drive to Sarymogol village, 4hr. Arrival at Tulparkol lake (3500 m) next to Lenin Peak Base Camp, 1hr. Enjoy the beauty of snowcapped mountains. Walk around this turquoise alpine lake Tulparkol. Overnight & dinner in a yurt.DAY 2. TULPARKOL LAKE – BORDER CROSSINGS – KARAKUL LAKE – 5 – 6 HRBreakfast. Take a day hike to the Traveler’s pass at 4130 meters, 3 hrs. Back to your yurts, 2 hrs. Lunch in a yurt. Drive to the checkpoint, 2hr. Cross the borders and travel to Karakul lake in Tajikistan, 2 hrs. Be accommodated in a guesthouse.DAY 3. KARAKUL LAKE - MURGAB VILLAGE – OBSERVATORY HILL – ALICHUR VILLAGE, 6-7 HRBreakfast. Drive to Murgab via the highest pass Akbaital (4655 m) 3hr. Lunch in Murgab. Head on to Alichur village, 3 hrs. On the way, visit Observatory Hill. Back to the main road and drive to Alichur. Overnight in a guesthouse.DAY 4. BULUNGKUL LAKE – KARGUSH PASS – WAKHAN VALLEY - LANGAR VILLAGE, 5-6 HRBreakfast. Visit alpine Bulunkul & Yashylkul lakes with nice hot springs. After head up to the Kargush pass (4 344m) and do 3-4 hrs trek to Panorama Ridge at 4800 meters. After drive through Wakhan corridor with a chance to see nomadic Afghan Kyrgyz caravans. Overnight and dinner in a homestay.DAY 5. LANGAR VILLAGE – YAMCHUN FORTRESS - ISHKASHIM VILLAGE – KHOROG CITY, 5-6 HRBreakfast. Visit 12th century Yamchun Fortress. See an amazing view of Wakhan valley. Further up the hillside are located the hot springs of Bibi Fatima. Back to the main road. Another fortress Khaaka comes up along the way at Namadgut village when you get closer to Ishkashim village. It is worth a 10 minutes stop. Continue to driving to Khorog city. Afternoon, visit the interesting Regional Museum and Central Park of Khorog city. Evening hike in a Botanical Garden that has various plants and trees to explore. Dinner at a cafe. Night in a hotel.DAY 6. KHOROG TO DARVOZ (KALAIKHUM), 5–6 HRBreakfast. Travel to Darvoz district. Road continues along the Afghan border up to Kalaikhum village. Arrival in Kalaikhum village. Overnight in guesthouse.DAY 7. KALAIKHUM TO DUSHANBE, 5–6 HRBreakfast. Travel to Dushanbe along the Panj river. Lunch in a Chaikana (local cafes). Visit 11th century Hulbuk Palace on the way and enjoy the views of world’s highest hydro power station Nurek in a distance. Arrival in Dushanbe. Drop off in your hotel.

Dushanbe to Osh on Pamir Highway

ItineraryDay 1: DUSHANBE TO DARVOZ (KALAIKHUM) 5–6 HRSStop At: Dushanbe International AirportDrive towards Kulob on A385 road. Enjoy the views of one of the world’s highest hydropower station Nurek in a distance. Visit 11th-century Hulbuk Palace before Kulob village. Head on to the Shurobod pass. After the pass, deep rocky valleys and gorgeous mountains open up. Drive along Panj River with amazing mountain views and through numerous local villages. Arrival in Kalaikhum village. Dinner and overnight in a homestay.Duration: 1 hourNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 2: DARVOZ (KALAIKHUM) TO KHOROG CITY, 5-6 HRSStop At: Darvoz GuesthouseBreakfast. Travel to Khorog city. The road continues along the Afghan border with picturesque scenery and widens up in the Vanj valley with gorgeous mountain views along the river. Arrival in Khorog city. Accommodation in a hotel. Afternoon, do evening hike in a Botanical Garden that has various plants and trees to explore.Duration: 13 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 3: KHOROG CITY - ISHKASHIM VILLAGE - YAMCHUN FORTRESS & HOT SPRINGS - LANGAR VILLAGE, 5-6 HRStop At: Khorog B&BBreakfast. Visit fortress Khaaka on the way at Namadgut village right after leaving Ishkashim village. It is worth a 10 minutes stop. Take another detour on the way at Yamchun to admire the 12th century Yamchun Fortress rising from a platform of natural rock. Walk up to the edge of the fort and you will have an amazing view of Wakhan valley. Further up the hillside are located the hot springs of Bibi Fatima with its crystal waters rich in minerals. Walk back to your car and drive to Langar village.Duration: 14 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 4: LANGAR VILLAGE - PANORAMA RIDGE TREK ( 3-4 HRS) AT KARGUSH PASS – BULUNKUL & YASHILKUL LAKES – ALICHUR VILLAGE, 7-8 HRStop At: ヤムチュン砦Breakfast. Travel to Kargush pass, 2hrs. Road follows the river Pamir all the way to Kargush checkpoint with the chance to admire the Big Pamir of Afghanistan with nomadic Afghan Kyrgyz caravans. Arrival at the Kargush pass and start the 3-4 hrs trek to Panorama Ridge at 4800 meters. While walking up, two small lakes behind you at roadside open up to cheer you. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of Great Pamir on Afghan border on the top of pass. Walk back to your car. Take another side trip to see alpine lakes Bulunkul Yashilkul. Drive to Alichur village, 1 hr.Duration: 1 hourNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 5: ALICHUR VILLAGE - OBSERVATORY HILL - MURGAB VILLAGE - KARAKUL LAKE , 6-7 HRStop At: Homestay AigerimBreakfast. We take a detour to Observatory Hill. You will see a nice view of Muztagh Ata peak of China on top of the hill if no clouds in the sky. Down the hill, there is a Soviet truck full of skulls of Marco Polo sheep inside. Once upon a time, it was a hunting camp. Back to the main road and go to Murgab village. Lunch in a local guesthouse or café. Travel goes on to Karakul lake with the highest pass Akbaital (4655 m) you will ever do in Tajikistan, 3hr. Take photos of glaciers on the pass. Arrival in Karakul lake. Overnight and dinner in a guesthouse.Duration: 14 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 6: KARAKUL LAKE - SARYMOGOL VILLAGE – LENIN PEAK BASE CAMP, 4–5 HRSStop At: Lenin Peak, OshBreakfast. Drive to the checkpoint, 1hr. Cross the borders and head up to the Lenin Peak Base Camp via Sarymogol village, 3 hrs. Arrival in the yurt camp at the base camp and lunch in a yurt. Explore the snowcapped Lenin Peak in Pamir mountain range by taking a day hike from your yurt camp to the Traveler’s pass at 4130 meters, 3 hrs. Enjoy the beauty of glaciers while walking up to the pass. Rest at the top of the Traveler’s pass to gaze at glaciers tumbling off the massive peak. Back to your yurts, 2 hrs. Overnight and dinner in a yurt.Duration: 15 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 7: LENIN PEAK BASE CAMP– SARYMOGOL VILLAGE - OSH CITY, 4–5 HRSPass By: Hostel CBT OshBreakfast. Drive to Osh city along the numerous Kyrgyz villages and shepherd’s yurts scattered in mountains slopes, 5 hrs. Arrival and be accommodated in your hotel. End of the trip.No meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.

Private Day trip to Karakul Lake from Karshgar with Horse Riding Option

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Kashgar City CentreYour English speaking guide and private car will pick you up at 8:00am in your hotel's lobby.Then heading directly to the Karakul lake which is about 200km away from Kashgar. It will take about four hours. Duration: 5 minutesPass By: Karakoram Highway, Xinjiang UygurYou will heading to the Karakul Lake via China-Pakistan Karakorum Highway.The Karakoram Highway, also known as the Friendship Highway in China, was built by the governments of Pakistan and China. It was started in 1959 and was completed and opened to the public in 1979.It is one of the highest paved roads in the world, passing through the Karakorammountain range, at an elevation of 4,714 metres (15,466 ft).Due to its high elevation and the difficult conditions in which it was constructed, it is often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World. On the way you will pass through some small villages, the stunning scenery along the way almost completely unspoiled,sit back and enjoy the sceneries along the way. Stop At: Karakul Lake, Kashgar, Xinjiang UygurAt an altitude of 3,600 m, Karakul Lake is the highest lake of the Pamir plateau, near the junction of the Pamir, Tian Shan and Kunlunmountain ranges. Surrounded by mountains which remain snow-covered throughout the year, the three highest peaks visible from the lake are the Muztagh Ata (7,546 m), Kongur Tagh (7,649 m) and Kongur Tiube (7,530 m). The lake is popular among travellers for its beautiful scenery and the clarity of its reflection in the water, whose color ranges from a dark green to azure and light blue. Here you will have enough free time to enjoy the scenery in the area,and you also have the option to ride the horse to enjoy the area.You will enjoy the stunning scenery and no other tourists! It is definitely an experience of a lifetime! While the lake and mountainside is very beautiful and picturesque, it was more the experience of meeting the local Kirghiz people who constantly moving from pasture to pasture.Your lunch will be hold in their yurt where you can enjoy all the charms of a nomadic lifestyle.Your full-day tour will end with drop-off at your Kashgar hotel.Duration: 3 hours

Private Day Trip to Shiptons Arch from Karshgar including Picnic Lunch

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Kashgar City CentreYour English speaking guide and private car will pick you up at 9:00am in your hotel's lobby.Then heading directly to the Shiptons Arch which is located in the mountains northwest of the Kashgar city. It will take about three hours. Sit back, relax and enjoy the villages and sceneries along the way.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Shipton's Arch, Kashgar, Xinjiang UygurShipton's Arch is the earth's tallest natural arch, standing at an impressive 1,500 feet (460 meters).Though long familiar to locals, The Shipton's Arch was famously visited in 1947 by English mountaineer Eric Shipton during his tenure as the British consul in Kashgar – and made known to the West in his book Mountains of Tartary. The arch once figured in the Guinness Book of Records for its exceptional height, but the editors of the book could not verify the location of the arch exactly, so the listing was dropped.It was considered nearly four times the height of the next tallest arch.Successive expeditions attempted to find it without success until a team from National Geographic rediscovered the arch in 2000.The arch, later called Shipton's Arch in honor of the first Westerner to witness this colossus, comes with an intriguing history so bizarre until you realize the true barreness and harshness of this environment.Once arrive at the Shipton's Arch,your guide will accompany you to start hiking up to the Arch.The hike through the alluvial basins slicing the canyons, it twisted and turned. After each turn, you thought you will see the Arch,however you will see another bend.The mountains are discombobulated here; You then realize why it took Eric Shipton months and months of exploration in these canyons to find the arch.After 1-2 hours hike, you will be there. Site down enjoy this nature wonder! You will have your picnic lunch here.Relax during your comfortable journey back to your Kashgar hotel, where the tour concludes.Duration: 5 hours

Private Round-Trip transfer to Shiptons Arch from Karshgar

Your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Kashgar city center and will drive you to the Shiptons Arch.The ride to Shiptons Arch will take about 1.5 hours. Feel free to tell your driver to stop along the way if you want to stop for photos. Once arrive at the Shipton's Arch,your driver will assistance you to purchase your tickets.Then you will start your own time to hike to this Xinjiang's hidden gem.We suggest to bring enough water and snacks,comforable walking shoes and sun hat.The hike through the alluvial basins slicing the canyons, it twisted and turned. After each turn, you thought you will see the Arch,however you will see another bend.The mountains are discombobulated here; You then realize why it took Eric Shipton months and months of exploration in these canyons to find the arch.After 1-2 hours hike, you will be there. Site down enjoy this nature wonder! You can bring your picnic lunch here to sit ,relax and fill your empty stomach! Shipton's Arch is the earth's tallest natural arch, standing at an impressive 1,500 feet (460 meters).Though long familiar to locals, The Shipton's Arch was famously visited in 1947 by English mountaineer Eric Shipton during his tenure as the British consul in Kashgar – and made known to the West in his book Mountains of Tartary. The arch once figured in the Guinness Book of Records for its exceptional height, but the editors of the book could not verify the location of the arch exactly, so the listing was dropped.It was considered nearly four times the height of the next tallest arch.Successive expeditions attempted to find it without success until a team from National Geographic rediscovered the arch in 2000.The arch, later called Shipton's Arch in honor of the first Westerner to witness this colossus, comes with an intriguing history so bizarre until you realize the true barreness and harshness of this environment.Relax during your comfortable journey back to your Kashgar hotel, where the tour concludes.