Pamir highway – shorter version – Tajikistan – Independent travel in Central Asia

Planning a trip to Uzbekistan, and I’m also considering the Pamir Highway: Samarkand–Dushanbe–and... definitely not all the way to Osh. Something like: peek out, take a look, and quickly head back.

Could anyone share some advice? To really soak in the experience, would it be enough to travel as far as Khorog and then return? I’ve never seen mountains like that—cold, cosmic, otherworldly. Are the impressions and feelings significantly different between the stretch to Khorog and the route beyond?

How many days should I plan for a round trip to Khorog? Is it possible to find transport back to Dushanbe while in Khorog? Also, I’m toying with the idea of a radial trip from Khorog to Yashilkul. Is it a rational detour—worth the time, energy, and money?

Here’s my preliminary itinerary:

Tashkent (1 night in transit)
Samarkand (2–3 days)
Tajikistan (Dushanbe, Iskanderkul, Pamir Highway to Khorog and back to Dushanbe)
Passing through Samarkand again, then directly to Khiva (2 days)
Finally, a leisurely Bukhara (3 days to relax)
Back to Tashkent

19.12.2024 09:37

Once you get past Khorog, the landscape changes significantly. The mountains are different. The road becomes even more elevated. It’s beautiful in its own unique way. Have you considered going all the way to the end of the Pamir Highway?

The Dushanbe–Khorog stretch is quite exhausting—not so much in terms of time, but in terms of the experience. You’ll be driving for hours on end along a cliffside, with the Panj River roaring far below. 😅 Why go back the same way?

Of course, it’s your call, but here’s another option you might want to consider:

Leave Dushanbe early in the morning, and by evening (close to nightfall), you’ll reach Khorog.
Spend the next day resting in Khorog. Stroll around, grab some good food, maybe visit the hot springs if you feel up to it.
The following morning, set out for Murghab. You’ll arrive by evening and spend the night there.
The next morning, continue to Osh. By evening, you’ll be in Osh.
If you need a break after the long drive, spend a day in Osh to recover.
From Osh, take a bus (or a shared taxi) to Andijan in Uzbekistan—it’s a short distance.
From Andijan, you can take a direct train to Khiva (runs twice a week) or one with a transfer in Tashkent.

You can check or buy train tickets online from home on the official website of Uzbekistan Railways. As of last year, they accepted Visa for payment (but not Mastercard).

Why not give it a shot? It might be the adventure you’re looking for! 😊

Pamir highway - shorter version