- Short description
- Basic Information
- The Program
- Photo galleries
- More information
- How to join us
- Ask for more information
Short description
This winter trip to the Murghab region of Tajikistan is a rare chance to experience the unspoiled beauty of the snowy Pamirs and get a closer look at local life, hospitality, traditions, and customs.
Our journey begins and ends in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. In Osh, we will visit the Jayma Bazaar, the Ravat Abdullakhan Mosque (the city’s oldest mosque), and the sacred Sulaiman Mountain—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will also see the unique socialist-era mosaics for which Osh is famous. We will take part in a plov-cooking master class and visit Uzgen—an important historic town not far from Osh.
We will travel approximately 410 km along the Pamir Road (the Pamir Highway)—from Osh, Kyrgyzstan (963 m) to Murghab, Tajikistan (3,600 m).
The Murghab region is one of the highest in Tajikistan, with most of its territory above 3,600 meters. It borders China, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan. The population is mainly Kyrgyz and Tajik, and the primary livelihood is raising livestock and yaks. During our stay, we will be able to observe large herds of yaks grazing across the wide steppe.
During the tour, we will have the opportunity to:
- Marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the Pamir Mountains, with peaks towering over 7,000 meters;
- Spot rare Pamir wildlife such as Marco Polo sheep, ibis, and more;
- Visit the Snow Leopard Rehabilitation & Nursery Center;
- Discover daily life in the high-mountain villages of Central Asia;
- Join cultural events featuring traditional music and dance;
- Experience the legendary hospitality of Central Asian people and savor authentic national dishes;
…and much more
This program presents the main elements of the trip and is far from exhaustive. Please write to us so that we can offer concrete solutions for your case and circumstances. We can arrange flight tickets from anywhere in the world to the trip's starting point. We also can arrange hotel transfers, take care of particular documents or advise on Covid-related travel requirements. We will help at every stage of the organization. Please get in touch with us!
Basic Information
Travel period: winter;
Dates: 21 February – 1 March 2027; if your group is at least 6 people, we can organize this trip for dates that suit you;
Duration: 7 nights / 9 days;
Group: 7 people with a company tour leader; the group travels in two 4x4 jeeps. There is also the option of a third jeep for 3 additional people. The maximum for this expedition is 3 jeeps.
Price for the program in Tajikistan excluding flight tickets: €1,550 per person (group of 7 people);
The price includes:
- Guides: Company tour leader; local guides / tour guides;
- Transfers: all transfers and transportation in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, including by 4x4 jeeps;
- Accommodation: 3 nights in a nice hotel in Osh (Kaganat Boutique Hotel or similar) in double rooms, and 4 nights in guesthouses in Tajikistan with basic conditions;
- Meals: all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners in Tajikistan + all breakfasts in Osh;
- Other: GBAO Permit; a plov (traditional dish) cooking lesson with a family in Kyrgyzstan.
The price does not include: international flights; entrance tickets to attractions (minimal in number); lunches and dinners in Osh; travel insurance; transportation in Osh on the last day (airport transfer is included); tips; and personal expenses.
(1) Flights with Pegasus Airlines via Istanbul Sabiha Airport
Note: The group will travel from Istanbul Sabiha Airport (Turkey) to Osh, Kyrgyzstan, and back. We can arrange air tickets from your home country to Kyrgyzstan via Istanbul so we can meet at the Istanbul airport, or we can offer alternative itineraries. If you’re flying separately from the group, we can arrange a hotel transfer in Osh. Please contact us to discuss available options.
Departure: Istanbul Sabiha 20:25 - Osh (Kyrgyzstan) 04:20 (+1) Return flight: Osh 05:40 - Istanbul Sabiha 08:15
(2) Visa: Citizens of the EU and USA can stay in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for up to 30 days without a visa.
The Program
Day 1: Flight to Osh, Kyrgyzstan
Today we depart for Osh, Kyrgyzstan (see the schedule).
Day 2: Arrival in Osh, Kyrgyzstan
After arriving in Osh (at 04:15), we will go to the hotel and leave our luggage at the reception. We’ll rest briefly and have breakfast at the hotel or nearby. No overnight stay is planned for this night, since we arrive in the morning. If anyone would like to check into a room, there will be an additional charge.
Today we will visit the sacred Sulaiman Mountain—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A cave on the mountain houses a museum with archaeological, geological, and historical artifacts, as well as information about the local flora and fauna. We will also visit the Dom Babura mosque-mausoleum.
We will take a walk around the city. Anyone interested can see the preserved socialist-era mosaics for which the city is famous. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: From Osh (Kyrgyzstan, 963 m) to the village of Karakul (Tajikistan, 3,900 m) – along the Pamir Highway
The first part of today’s journey is in Kyrgyzstan. Shortly before the border with Tajikistan, we may be able to see Lenin Peak (7,134 m), weather permitting. In the afternoon, we will arrive in the village of Karakul, located by Lake Karakul—the largest lake in the Pamirs. We will explore the village. Overnight in a guesthouse.
Day 4: From the village of Karakul (Tajikistan, 3,600 m) to Murghab (3,600 m) – along the Pamir Highway
Before noon, we will explore the village, visit the lake, and take a walk in the surrounding area. In the afternoon, we will depart for Murghab. The journey will take about four hours through some of the most dramatic landscapes of the winter Pamirs. The road climbs to the Ak-Baital Pass at an altitude of 4,655 m, offering прекрасные views of the Pamir Mountains. Overnight in a guesthouse.
Day 5: Murghab
Today we’ll visit the unique container market, take a walk through town, and have lunch at a local restaurant. We’ll also visit the Snow Leopard Rehabilitation & Breeding Center in Murghab, opened in 2023, which cares for injured or orphaned animals with the goal of returning them to the wild. Overnight in a guesthouse.
Day 6: Wildlife-watching expedition
Today we’ll head into the mountains to observe rare wildlife—ibex and Marco Polo sheep, named after the famous explorer. We’ll visit a hunting camp, relax in a hot mineral spring, and experience a remote part of the region that few travelers reach at this time of year. In the evening, we return to Murghab for an overnight stay in the guesthouse.
Day 7: Return to Osh
Today we return to Osh, driving back along the Pamir Highway. Overnight at our hotel in Osh.
Day 8: Osh — livestock market, Uzgen
If it’s Sunday, we’ll visit Osh’s livestock market—one of the largest in Central Asia. It’s an unforgettable experience.
After that, we will travel to Uzgen (about an hour and a half from Osh) — a historic town on the far eastern edge of the Fergana Valley. Uzgen is one of Central Asia’s oldest towns, with a history of more than 2,000 years. It emerged in the 2nd–1st century BC as a trading center on the route between the Fergana Valley and Kashgar. In the Middle Ages, it became an important hub on this trade route.
Day 9: Departure from Kyrgyzstan
Early in the morning, we will transfer from the hotel to the airport for the flight to Istanbul.
Photo galleries
Murghab on the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan: Winter on the Plateau
Karakul: Where the Pamir Highway Becomes a Compass
Pamir Highway: Osh to Karakol (3,914 m) in Winter
Pamir Highway - from Karakul (3914 m) to Murghab (3600 m)
More information
The Pamir Highway
The M41—commonly known as the Pamir Highway—is a 1,200 km road that crosses the Pamir Mountains through Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. It is the only continuous route through this rugged terrain and serves as the main supply line to Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region.
Given the limited number of passable paths through the high Pamirs, this route has been used for thousands of years and was once part of the ancient Silk Road trading network.
While M41 was its Soviet designation, today only Uzbekistan officially maintains this number, as confirmed by a government decree. Both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have removed Soviet highway numbering in favor of their own national systems.
About the Eastern Pamirs and Murghab
The Murghab region encompasses the mountains and highlands of the Eastern Pamirs—a plateau roughly the size of Switzerland, with a sparse population living at elevations of 3,500–7,500 meters. Once a battleground of the Russian-British “Great Game,” the area remains politically sensitive, bordering five countries: Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Founded as a Russian military outpost in the 1800s and later developed during Soviet times, Murghab is predominantly Russian-speaking—unlike most rural areas of Tajikistan. Although the population is largely Muslim, Russian influence has made alcohol consumption relatively common.
Located centrally on the high Pamir plateau, Murghab offers routes to Osh (Kyrgyzstan) and to China’s Karakoram Highway via the Kulma Pass. On clear days, visitors can see China’s Muztagh Ata peak (7,546m). The town features a distinctive bazaar with shops housed in cargo containers, a mosque, and operates on Kyrgyzstan time—one hour ahead of Dushanbe and Khorog.
The endangered Marco Polo sheep
First described by the explorer Marco Polo, these sheep have the longest horns of any sheep species. The longest recorded horn measured 1.9 meters and weighed 27 kg, though horns average about 140 cm in length. Unfortunately, trophy hunters may pay up to USD$40,000 to hunt them, valuing the horns as wall decorations. It’s disheartening that endangered species are treated this way. The sheep are easier to spot in winter, when they descend from higher elevations to feed. However, they are extremely shy, which makes close observation difficult.
How to join us
Please email us for more information about this trip or to sign up. We’ll respond promptly and keep you updated on all organizational details. If you’re a group of 5–8 people, we can discuss dates that work for you. You can also join the list for future trips—just send us your names. That’s it!
Ask for more information
