Optional Pamir Highway Extension

ROUGH COSTINGS:

Pamir Highway Costings

The price of the car for 7 days Dushanbe to Osh tour is 1900 USD. For two cars it is 3800 USD.
*Included:* English-speaking driver, transport, side trips, driver’s meals and accommodation, fuel, border fees for transport
*Not included:* Your meals and accommodation, entrance fees to the site, GBAO permit and visa

Kindly consider the following as additional expenses:

Your accommodation with breakfast and dinner cost around 25 to 35 USD per person/night.
Entrance fees to sites – 30 USD per person for the entire trip
Lunch, water, snacks – 50-70 USD per person. (For lunch, you’ll stop at local cafés along the route. In areas without cafés, you’ll stock up on snacks in larger cities like Osh or Khorog.)
GBAO permits – 35 USD per person.

Samarkand to Tashket via Sven Lakes/Fann Mountains Costings
Take taxi to border the USD100 transfer to guesthouse and another $100 from guesthouse to Khujand. Then taxi to border and on to Tashkent

OR US$600 all the way (I believe)

Bishkek to Almaty via Kyrgastan Costings

Bishkek to Almaty trip from 29th May to 06th June, the price will be around 710 USD per person.
Included:
•⁠ ⁠Mini Bus with AC + driver
•⁠ ⁠English Speaking guide
•⁠ ⁠All the meals and accommodations of driver and guide
•⁠ ⁠All the entrance tickets to sightseeing
•⁠ ⁠Eagle hunting show
•⁠ ⁠Folklore show
•⁠ ⁠Horse riding in Song Kul 3-4 hours

Not included:
•⁠ ⁠All of your meals and accommodations during the trip
•⁠ ⁠Airport pick up/drop off
•⁠ ⁠Bottled water, snacks

Alternative:

I will be keeping my eyes open for any specials 🙂

Day 1 – Depart Australia:

Day 2/3/4/5 –  Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

Altitude: 1575ft/480m

More info on Tashkent
https://central-asia.guide/uzbekistan/destinations-uz/tashkent/

Free walking tour:
https://www.guruwalk.com/tashkent

Tashkent Video:

Tashkent Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 5/6/7: Khiva (Uzbekistan)

Fly fron Tashkent to Khiva

Altitude: 148ft/45m

More info on Khiva:
https://central-asia.guide/uzbekistan/destinations-uz/khiva/

Free walking Tour:
https://www.guruwalk.com/khiva

Khiva Video:

Khiva Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 7: – Khiva (Uzbekistan) – Bukhara (Uzbekistan)

The train in the direction of Khiva – Bukhara will depart on odd days of the month at 11.10am and arrive in Khiva at 18.14pm on the same day

The best way to travel between Khiva and Bukhara depends on your preferences for cost, time, and comfort. Here are the main options:

This is the most affordable option, with tickets starting from around $14-1612. The journey takes approximately 6 hours and 56 minutes3. Trains depart daily, with the main service leaving Khiva at 16:05 and arriving in Bukhara at 00:156.

A private taxi is the fastest option, taking about 6 hours and 30 minutes12. It’s more expensive than the train, costing around $35-40, but offers flexibility and the chance to stop at points of interest like the Kizilkum Desert and Amudarya4.

Flying is the quickest but most expensive option. You can fly from Urgench (near Khiva) to Bukhara, with the flight taking about 1 hour3. However, when factoring in travel to and from airports, this option can take 2-3 hours total5.

This option involves taking a shared taxi or minibus from Khiva to Urgench, then catching a train or another shared vehicle to Bukhara7. It’s a more complex route but can be a good middle ground between cost and flexibility.

The best choice depends on your schedule, budget, and travel style. The train is ideal for budget travelers, while a private taxi offers the most convenience and sightseeing opportunities.

Citations:

  1. https://www.bookaway.com/routes/uzbekistan/khiva-to-bukhara
  2. https://12go.asia/en/travel/khiva/bukhara
  3. https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Khiva/Bukhara
  4. https://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowTopic-g424965-i19980-k10111580-o40-Getting_between_Khiva_and_Bukhara-Khiva_Xorazm_Province.html
  5. https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Khiva/Bukhara-Region
  6. https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g293967-i9281-k13751802-Khiva_to_Bukhara-Uzbekistan.html
  7. https://www.reddit.com/r/Uzbekistan/comments/1cje3qs/the_best_transportation_from_khiva_to_bukhara/
  8. https://travelonthedollar.com/uzbekistan/day-3-khiva-to-bukhara/
  9. https://12go.asia/en/travel/bukhara/khiva

Day 7/8/9/10 – Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Altitude: 751ft/229m

More info on Bukhara
https://central-asia.guide/uzbekistan/destinations-uz/bukhara/

Free walking Tour
https://www.guruwalk.com/bukhara

Bukhara Video:

Bukhara Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 10/11/12/13 Bukhara to Samarkand, Uzbekistan by train (2.5 hours)

Altitude: 2375ft/724m

More info on Samarkand – Uzbekistan
https://central-asia.guide/uzbekistan/destinations-uz/samarkand/

Walking Tour Samarkand
https://www.freetour.com/samarkand

Samarkand Video:

Samarkand Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 12 – Samarkand – Shakhrizabs (Optional Day Trip)

(Uzbekistan)Shakhrisabz city (motherland of Great Amir Timur).

More info on Shahrisabz
https://central-asia.guide/uzbekistan/destinations-uz/shahrisabz/

City tour: Ruins of Ak-Saray Palace (XIV-XV), Dor-ut Saodat Complex: Khazratiy Imam Mosque (XIV), Jahongir Mausoleum (XIV), Dor-ut Tillavat Complex: Gumbazi-Seiidan, Kok Gumbaz Mosque (XV).

Drive back to Samarkand.

What’s the Uzbek Food Secret?

Uzbekistan Travel Tips:

Day 13/14/15/16 Panjakent, Tajikistan (or stay in Marguzar) – Fann Mountains

1. Take taxi from Samarkand to border  (arrange locally)
2. Cost from border to accommodation (approx US$100)
3. Cost from accommodation –  Khujand (approx US$100)
4. Get taxi to border  (arrange locally)
Otherwise US$600 all up

Altidude:
Penjikent – 3267ft/996m
Artuch – 7132ft/2173m
Marguzar 1437ft//438m

More info:
https://central-asia.guide/tajikistan/destinations-tj/penjikent/

Trekking in the Fann Mountains from Panjakent:
https://www.guruwalk.com/walks/38951-trekking-in-the-fann-mountains

Artuch, Tajikistan

Fann Mountains Video:

(start viewing at 10.15Minutes)

Food – Tajikistan

Panjakent Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Artuch Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Marguzar Accommodation Suggestions:
TBA

Day 16/17 Khujand, Tajikistan (scenic road)

Altitude: 1000ft/300m

More info on Fann Mountains
https://central-asia.guide/tajikistan/destinations-tj/fann-mountains/

More info on Khujand:
https://central-asia.guide/tajikistan/destinations-tj/khujand/

Khujand Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 17 Khujand, Tajikistan – Tashkent, Uzbekistan – Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (fly)

Day 17/18/19 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Altitude: 2600ft/800m

More info on Bishkek:
https://central-asia.guide/kyrgyzstan/destinations-kg/bishkek/

Free walking Tours:
https://strawberrytours.com/bishkek
https://www.freetour.com/bishkek

Bishkek: Ex-Soviet City to Modern Metropolis in Kyrgyzstan!

Bishkek Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Kyrgyzstan Map

Day 19/20/21 – Son Kul lake (Kyrgyzstan)

Altitude:
Son Kul Lake – 9895ft/3016m
Naryn – 6627ft/2020m

More info:
https://central-asia.guide/kyrgyzstan/destinations-kg/naryn/son-kul/

Son Kul Lake Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Naryn Kyrgyzstan

Maybe instead of high altitude Son Kul Lake – Naryn  (Kyrgyzstan)

More info on Naryn
https://central-asia.guide/kyrgyzstan/destinations-kg/naryn/

Naryn (Son Kul Lake alternative in case of altitude issue) Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 21/22 – Song Kul to Issyk Kul Lake – Issyk Kul Lake and Jety Oguz Gorge, Kyrgyzstan

Altitude: 5272ft/1607m

More info on Issyk Kul Lake :
https://central-asia.guide/kyrgyzstan/destinations-kg/issyk-kul/

More info on Jety Oguz Gorge
https://central-asia.guide/kyrgyzstan/destinations-kg/issyk-kul/jeti-oguz/

 

Issyk Kul Lake and Jety Oguz Gorge Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 22/23 – Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Altitude: 5544ft/1690m

More info:
https://central-asia.guide/kyrgyzstan/destinations-kg/issyk-kul/karakol/

15 Food In Kyrgyzstan I Absolutely Loved

Stayed In A Yurt | Kyrgyzstan

Karakol Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 23/24/25 – Charyn Canyon & Saty Village, Kazakhstan

Altitude: 5964ft/1818 m

Charyn Canyon & Saty Village Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Almaty Video:

Almaty Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 27/28/29 Dushande, Tajikistan

Watch until minute 10.15

Dushanbe Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Optional Pamir Highway Extension

Full details – https://visitalay.com/tour/dushanbe-osh-pamir-highway/

Destination: Pamir Highway, Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan

Itinerary: Dushanbe – Darvoz (Kalaikhum) – Khorog – Ishkashim – Langar – Bulunkul and Yashilkul lakes – Alichur – Murgab – Karakul lake – Sarymogol – Lenin Peak Base Camp – Osh city

Tour type: auto + hike

Duration: 7 days, 6 nights

Best Season: April – October

Min / Max Elevation: 2400m – 4700m

Overnight stays: guesthouses, yurt camps

Tajikistan – what you need to know:

Pamir Highway Video Part 1

Pamir Highway Video Part 2

Tajik Qurutub and Plov | My Food Tour of Tajikistan

Good Food Tips

Day 29 – Dushanbe, Tajikistan – Khalaikhum, Tajikistan

Altitude: 4209ft/1282m

Khalaikhum Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 30 – Khalaikhum, Tajikistan – Khorog, Tajikistan

Altitude: 6965ft/2123m

Khorog Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 31 – Langar, Tajikistan

Altitude: 6709ft/2044m

Langar Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Day 32 – Langar, Tajikistan – Alichur Via Bulunkul, Tajikistan

Altitude: 9799ft/2987m

Alichur Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Day 33 – Alichur, Tajikistan – Karakul Lake, Tajikistan (via Murgab)

Altitude: 12795ft/3900m

Karakul Lake Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Day34 – Karakul Lake, Tajikistan – Tulparkul Lake, Kyrgyzstan

Altitude: 12795ft/3900m

Tulparkul Lake, Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 35 – Tulparkul Lake, Kyrgyzstan – Hike to Lenin Peak glaciers – Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Altitude: 11482ft/3500m

Day 35/36/37 – Hike to Lenin Peak glaciers – Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Altitude: 3300ft/1000m

Osh Accommodation Suggestions:
Click here

Other Options

Day 36 – Osh, Kyrgyzstan Tashkent, Uzbekistan – Sydney

Boo Hoo – Trip over 😥