Our must-dos for a 15-day road trip in Tajikistan: Pamir Road, Wakhan, Bartang, etc.
All our tips for preparing a trip to Tajikistan by 4×4, van, motorcycle or bicycle
Tajikistan, a small mountainous country inCentral Asia, is a veritable paradise for adventurers and mountain lovers. Crossed by the mythical Pamir Road, the country has many hidden gems, such as the magnificent Wakhan Valley, which runs along the Afghan border, or the Bartang Valley, famous for its vertiginous slopes. In this article, we’ll give you our tips for preparing your road trip (4×4, motorcycle or bike), the must-sees, the challenges to overcome, and how to organize a 15-day itinerary that will give you timeless moments!

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Over the years, our passion for adventure has led us to create original travel guides sold in over 70 countries worldwide. Our mission is to spread a travel philosophy based on adventure, freedom, improvisation and exploration. Our guides inspire travellers to explore the world's forgotten paths, encountering wilderness and civilization.
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Discover Tajikistan, a hidden gem in Central Asia
After many years on the trails of Kyrgyzstan – we even published a book about this country 🥰 – it was time for us to discover Tajikistan! This little-known country in the heart ofCentral Asia, situated betweenUzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China andAfghanistan, is a hidden gem that deserves to be explored in depth.
Dominated by the majestic Pamir Mountains, the country is shaped by high plateaus and impressive rocky, fertile valleys. Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, is the ideal starting point for exploring the country’s breathtaking landscapes. But if, like us, you’re starting your trip from Kyrgyzstan, we’ve put together the ideal itinerary for a 14-day loop in the Pamir. It will take you along the ancient silk road to discover the incredible hospitality of the Pamiris and the country’s highest passes. Get ready for an extraordinary adventure on the roof of the world!


Before you travel to Tajikistan
Spoken languages
– Tadjike
– Russian
– English only in major cities and tourist areas
Tip: carry a small paper lexicon with you, as there’s not much of a network.
Visa
No visa required for stays of less than 30 days, over 30 days you’ll need to apply for an e-visa. GBAO permit required to visit the Upper Badakshan Autonomous Region, which includes the Pamir Highway. Remember to order your GBAO permit online in advance.
Airline tickets
700-800€ return (Paris-Douchanbé)
500-600 € round trip via Kyrgyzstan!
Best season: June-September. You can find cheaper tickets from Osh (Kyrgyzstan).
Cost of living
– Local currency: 1€=11.4 somoni (2025)
– Food: €4-7 for a restaurant meal
– Overnight in guesthouse: €5-10/person with breakfast
– Wilderness camping authorized
– SP petrol: €0.6/L
4x4 rental
To rent a 4×4 in Tajikistan, you’ll need between €90 and €150/day, depending on the model (Toyota Landcruiser, Prado, etc.). Here are our recommendations for the best 4×4 rental agencies in Tajikistan. Note that it is also possible to rent a 4×4 in Kyrgyzstan and then cross the border.
Motorcycle rental
How to prepare your trip to Tajikistan?
Is Tajikistan a safe country?
During our trip in the summer of 2024, we felt really safe and didn’t encounter any problems. The population is very welcoming and extremely generous! It should be borne in mind, however, that Tajikistan is one of the poorest countries in the region, so it’s possible to fall victim to small-scale scams or attempts at corruption. The border with Afghanistan remains a sensitive area, due to heavy drug trafficking, but tourists are not affected. There are numerous military checkpoints along the Afghan border, and it is forbidden to camp near them (you will be quickly dislodged by the military).
Do I need a visa to travel to Tajikistan?
Good news! For stays of less than 30 days, nationals of over 60 countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada, don’t need a visa. However, after 10 working days (i.e. 14 days), you must register in person at one of the official offices of the Ministry of the Interior(OVIR).
A visa is required for stays of over 30 days. You can apply online for an e-visa on the official website (highly recommended) or obtain a visa on arrival directly at the airport. Please note that it is not possible to obtain a Tajik visa directly at a land border.
If you plan to explore the Pamir region, a GBAO permit is mandatory. So make sure you have all these documents in order before you leave, or you could run into problems at the border. The GBAO permit can be obtained at the same time as the e-visa, or ordered directly online.
Entering Tajikistan by land from Kyrgyzstan
It can be a good idea to start your road trip in Kyrgyzstan: easy 4×4 or motorcycle rental, cheaper airfares, etc. But there are a few important things you need to know. Diplomatic relations between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are tense, due to a dispute over the delimitation of the two countries’ land borders. All borders between the two countries remained closed for over two years. Since 2023, the borders with Kyrgyzstan have reopened, notably the Kyzyl-Art crossing. We regularly update information on thestate of Tajik borders in this article.
To cross this border, you must request special permission from the Kyrgyz Tourism Department. You can contact them at . Some agencies, such as Destination Osh, can provide this authorization more quickly for $15. You can contact them by whatsapp at this number: +996776770090.
You’ll also need a GBAO permit.



When is the best time to visit Tajikistan?
Tajikistan is a very mountainous country: more than half the country is above 3,000m altitude. The mountains of the Pamir-Alaï range, near the border with Kyrgyzstan, are home to two of the three highest peaks in the former Soviet Union: Peak Lenin and Peak Ismail Samani (formerly “Peak of Communism”), at 7134 and 7495m respectively. Tajikistan is also home tothe world’s largest glacier (outside the polar zones): the Fedchenko Glacier.
The best time to visit Tajikistan and drive the Pamir Highway is between June and September. At this time of year, the roads are generally clear and the climate pleasant. Enjoy breathtaking panoramas of the high Pamir mountains and lakes, such as the famous Lake Karakul. Outside these months, weather conditions can make roads impassable, and altitude can become a real challenge. From April to the end of June, rivers are clogged with snow.
Where to sleep?
You’ll have no trouble finding guesthouses along the Pamir highway and in the country’s major cities (Dushanbe, Khorog, Murghab, etc.). There are also a few in the Wakhan valley, and in the lower part of the Bartang valley. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet and chat with the locals. But if you want to get off the beaten track, we recommend you bring all the camping gear you need. You’ll be alone, in the middle of nature, and you’ll have the chance to contemplate a starry sky free of light pollution. An experience you won’t soon forget! Expect to be invited to stay with the locals! Pamiris are very welcoming and will shower you with gifts, juicy apricots or fresh bread.
How do you plan your itinerary?
Download a navigation application onto your smartphone to geolocate yourself and download maps in advance (which can be consulted offline). There are very few networks in the Pamir! We recommend, for example, Maps.me or OSMand. If you’re using a Garmin-type GPS, download the OpenStreetMap maps before you set off. And don’t forget your paper card!
What are the challenges of a Pamir road trip?
Difficult road conditions
The Pamir Highway, while impressive, is not without its challenges. Road conditions can vary from asphalt sections to dirt tracks, often dotted with potholes of varying depths and deformations. It is therefore essential to drive carefully and to have a suitable vehicle, preferably a 4×4, to navigate safely in these mountainous regions. Apart from the M41, an off-road vehicle is essential, especially if you want to travel through the Bartang and Wakhan valleys.
Managing altitude and altitude sickness
Travelling in the Pamir mountains means you’ll be dealing with high altitudes. Acclimatization is key to avoiding altitude sickness. Take time to get used to the altitude, and avoid climbing too quickly: maximum 500 m difference in altitude between each night. Drink plenty of fluids, eat lightly, and listen to your body. If you feel any symptoms, don’t hesitate to descend to a lower altitude to recover.
Essential equipment
For a successful road trip on the Pamir Highway, certain equipment is essential. Bring warm clothing, as nights can be chilly, even in summer. A good sleeping bag, comfortable hiking boots and a first-aid kit are also essential. Don’t forget a map or GPS, as the mobile network is very limited even in big cities.
Please note that the Gorno-Badakshan region requires a special permit, which you can obtain online in just a few clicks here:

Our 15-day itinerary in Tajikistan by 4×4 and motorcycle
We arrived in Tajikistan from Kyrgyzstan, then completed a 14-day loop via Lake Karakul, the Bartang Valley, the Wakhan Valley, Lake Jashil Kul, the Zorkul Reserve and the Pamir Highway.
The map below shows the itinerary of our 2-week road-trip. This itinerary allows you to discover the different facets of the Pamir, from rocky valleys such as the Bartang valley to the high plateaus of Zorkul. It also offers the chance to discover the way of life of the inhabitants of the remote Pamir valleys, and to visit the remains of the Silk Road and the many archaeological sites in the region. Please note that a GBAO permit is required to follow this itinerary. Here are the 7 stages of our itinerary:
- Lenin Peak (Kyrgyzstan)
- Lake Karakul
- Bartang Valley
- Wakhan Valley
- Yashil Kul
- Zorkul Reserve
- Route du Pamir
Please note that crossing the Bartang valley is reserved for travellers with off-road driving experience and a suitable vehicle (4×4 mandatory, mountain bike, trail-type motorcycle). If you travel before July, access to the valley may be impossible. In addition, fording is more difficult in early summer (when the snow melts).
To prepare your part of the trip to Kyrgyzstan, we recommend you take a look at our Explore Kyrgyzstan guide to the country’s most beautiful itineraries.
Our must-sees in Tajikistan
Lake Karakul
Perched at an altitude of 4,000m, Lake Karakul sparkles in a thousand shades of blue and green. At almost 50 km in diameter, it is the country’s largest lake. It’s so immense, you can’t make out its contours, but you can see the snow-capped peaks that surround it and rise to over 6,500m. The lake’s wild, deserted shores provide refuge for migratory birds. Only a few isolated farms and the small village of Karakul betray a human presence. 5km after the village, a small track allows you to explore the southern shore of the lake and contemplate breathtaking views of the lake from small rocky promontories. Watch out for the sand! You’ll find food and accommodation in the village of Karakul, along the M41.


Bartang Valley
Both hostile and majestic, the Bartang Valley rightly earns its reputation asone of the most difficult valleys in the country to access. But it’s also undoubtedly one of the most beautiful! Cut off from the world for much of the year when the Bartang River is in flood, this valley is a must-see in Tajikistan for adventure-seeking travellers! The upper part of the valley between Karakul and Ghudara is the most difficult: cliff-side tracks, fords, landslides, etc. This part can be crossed from July to September with an off-road vehicle and serious off-road experience. This part of the valley can only be crossed between July and September with an off-road vehicle and serious driving experience. More accessible, the lower part of the valley is worth a detour on its own if you’re coming from Vomar (or Rushan). Here, every plot of land is cultivated, and the intense green of the villages contrasts with the arid, rocky mountain slopes. The locals will give you a warm welcome and help you forget the scares of the slopes! For those with a little more time, there are numerous hiking trails, including the trek to Lake Sarez.
The Wakhan Valley
The Wakhan valley, which follows the course of the Panj through the Pamir mountains, is a historic passageway for Silk Road traders and explorers like Marco Polo. Running along the Afghan border, this magnificent valley is a superb alternative to the M41. The road runs through a green, fertile valley, with the Hindu Kush peaks as a backdrop. The road then climbs to the arid, wild Kargush highlands, where the checkpoint for the Zorkul reserve is located. Numerous relics of the past line the route, offering breathtaking views over the valley, including the Langar petroglyphs, the Vrang stupa and the Yamchun fortress. We also recommend a stop at the Bibi Fatima hot springs. Local atmosphere guaranteed! And don’t miss the Afghan market in Khorog on Saturday mornings. You’ll find many small guesthouses in the valley, the perfect opportunity to spend the night and learn more about the Wakhis’ way of life.


Lakes Yashil Kul and Bulunkul
Before continuing our roadtrip along the Afghan border to the Zorkul reserve, we decided to make a short detour to Alichur to stock up on petrol and food. We took the opportunity to explore the shores of lakes Yashil Kul and Bulunkul, and were surprised to discover that geysers and hot springs were nearby! At the entrance to the village of Alichur (before the bridge), a track leads to Lake Yashil Kul. This sandy, sometimes muddy track takes you through lunar landscapes and breathtaking panoramas. We were amazed by the monochrome of blue and white formed by bodies of water, salt crusts and mountain ranges. Along the way, you’ll find geysers. They’re not gigantic, but the setting is very photogenic. You’ll also find hot springs. They are looked after by a family and housed in a small concrete shed. The trail continues towards the immense Yashil Kul lake and its little brother Bulunkul lake.
Zorkul Reserve
If you love wide open spaces and off-the-beaten-track itineraries, you’ll love the Zorkul reserve. Situated at the confluence of Tajikistan, Afghanistan and China, this remote and wild region offers sumptuous landscapes and breathtaking views of the Pamir peaks. Here you’ll only come across a few shepherds and their herds of yaks and camels. There are also mausoleums left by Silk Road pilgrims, hot springs and rock paintings dating back over 8,000 years. An all-terrain vehicle is essential, as there are many fords and the track can quickly become muddy and slippery in bad weather. It should also be noted thata permit is required to visit the reserve, which you can easily obtain from the PECTA office in Khorog or Murghab. You will be automatically checked at the Kargush checkpoint.
