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Day 1
Arrive in Dushanbe
On arrival transfer to hotel. check in. Rest at hotel.
Afternoon city tour to visit famous Museum of National Antiquities, which opened in 2001. Featuring artefacts from Tajikistan's Islamic and pre-Islamic history (Greek/Bactrian, Zoroastrian, Buddhist and Hindu), the museum shows that Tajikistan was an important crossroads in Central Asia. The centrepiece is the 14m reclining Buddha in Nirvana, a 1,400 year-old statue created by the same Kushan civilisation that made the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan.
Visit National Museum recently opened in the center of Dushanbe where you can see history of Tajikistan from the stone age till present days. Unique frescoes and burned wooden statues from Penjikent excavation site are exhibited there. There is a special section devoted to the excavation of Tahti Sangin Temple of Oxsus from Sothern part of Tajikistan.
Later visit monument of Ismoili Somoni and Rudaki park in the center of city
Lunch and Dinner at local restaurant
Overnight: Hotel
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Day 2
Dushanbe
Morning excursion to Hissor town (23 km from Dushanbe) to see ancient fortress of Hissor - one of the most precious historical sites of Tajikistan . Comfortably located near Dushanbe Hissor Fortress combines the traditional elements of power, trade and culture of the ancient Tajik nation. Visit Medrassah Kuhna (16th c) and Museum of Tajik Way of life there, 19c Medrassah nearby and mausoleum of Sufi saint Mahdumi Azam.
Lunch at local restaurant
Later visit picturesque Varzob gorge and enjoy short rest by the mountain river side. Varzob Gorge is a beautiful alpine mountain region within easy driving distance of Dushanbe. The main road north out of Dushanbe follows the route of the rushing Varzob River for about 70 Km, before climbing steeply to Anzob Pass (3,373 m). There are also natural thermal springs at Khoja Obi Garm.
Dinner at local restaurant
Overnight: Hotel
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Day 3
Dushanbe
Kulyab - Kalaikhumb – 350 km
Morning travel via Kulyab en route visit Hulbuk ancient city (9-11c) located in Vose town and nearby local museum contained artifacts from the excavation site. Later sightseeing in Kulyab: visit Mausoleum of Mir Saiyid Ali Hamadoni (14-17 c). Lunch in Kulyab local restaurant
Dinner at hotel or local restaurant in Kalaikhumb
Overnight: Hotel
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Day 4
Kalaikhumb
Khorog – 250 km (2070 m)
Transfer to Khorog in the High Pamirs for 2-nights.
The road is going along Panj River with Afgan villages on the other site. It passes through Vanch region from where all trekking to Fedchenko glacier start, here mountains have very good quality marble, visible from the road.
From Rushan village starts Ismaili portion of this route. Short stop to see Vamar fotress.
Near to Khorog (10 km) visit Parshinev village to see shrine Pir-I Shoh Nosir, museum and holy spring dedicated to Nosiry Khusrav (1004) the founder of Isamili religion in this area.
On arrival to Khorog transfer to hotel
Lunch and dinner at local restaurant
Overnight: Hotel
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Day 5
Khorog
Morning sightseeing in Khorog:
Visit the world’s second highest Botanical Gardens and Khorog Museum
Overnight: Hotel
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Day 6
Khorog
Garam Chasma - Ishkashim – Yamg - 190 km
Morning drive along Paynj River via Ishkashim town to Yamg.
Visit en route famous mineral hot springs Garam Chashma and Shrine to Ali (who believed to open this spring). You can have a nice relaxing bath there.
Across the river see a pass leading to the open valleys of Afghanistan it was the path probably taken by Marco Polo on his journey to Badakshan, he mentions about the famous Ruby mines so called Lali Badahshan (Queen’s Crown does have the famous ruby from these mines!)
Lunch in Ishkashim village en route
On arrival to Yamg transfer to Home stay for overnight.
Dinner and overnight: Home Stay of Aydar Malikmamadov (grand grand son of famous Muboraki Vakhoni) in traditional Pamir House 2750 m
Evening we will try to arrange traditional folk show with dances of local children as a present from our company. subject of availability.
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Day 7
Yamg
Lyangar – 100 km
Morning visits near Yamg village:
First visit museum of local astronomer and poet Sufi Muboraki Vakhoni and his solar calendar with interesting story from his grand grand son Aydar Malikmamadov who is still living in Yamg village.
Namadgut village to see Kushan Empire time Fortress Kah-Kah, nice local Museum subject to open sometimes closed (history, local embroidery, excavation subjects) and typical Islaili shrine Oston-I Shobi Mardon 11 c with unique beautiful wood carvings and petroglyphs.
Yamchun village: Bibi Fatima hot spring, ruins of Yamchun fortress (3-1 c BC).
After having bath in hot spring you can enjoy unforgettable view of the most picturesque part of Pamir valley!
Return to Yamg for lunch
Later proceed to Lyangar
See the famous Wakhan corridor across in Afghanistan later continue to Lyangar
On arrival transfer to a local Family Traditional Pamiri House for overnight.
Later climb up 300-400 m to see the largest gallery of petroglyphs, located in this area.
Dinner and overnight: Home stay in Hisor 2950 m
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Day 8
Layngar
Murghab – 250 km (3630m)
Morning before departure visit local shrine Mazor-I Shoh Kambar-I Oftob (Master of sun)
Start unique drive towards to Murghab through Wahan region.
Today we cross high Khargush (4344m) and Nauzetash (4314m) mountain passes and Alichur village (3863m) – the name means ‘Ali’s curse, en route see holy pool with fish Ak Balik. The scenery here is mountain semi desert. Later you will cross another mountain pass Nayzatosh (3137m)
On arrival to Murgab possible to visit local handicraft shop to take a Pamiri traditional hand made souvenir for good memory.
Overnight: Hotel
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Day 9
Murghab
Kizil Art Pass - Sary Tash – 230 km - Osh (185km)
Morning depart to Sary-Tash via Akbaital Pass (4655m), Uybulok pass (4232m) and Kyzyl Art Pass (4336m) en route see mountain desert sceneries, Karakul Lake (3914m), (Lenin peak 7134 m is visible from here)
After the border formalities at Tajik part we start driving to Kizil Art Top and soon after the Tajik border point we proceed down the pass with high rising Pamir ranges and continue to Osh via Sary-Tash. On arrival transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
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Day 10
Osh
“Dustlik” border– Fergana – 95km
Osh city is the southern capital of Kyrgyzstan, one of the oldest in the central Asia, 3000
years old, as old as Rome. The evidence of this is the four-headed sacred Suleiman
Mountain in the center of the city with stone inscriptions, signs and the ancient
settlement of the Iron Age on the southern slope of it. In the X century, Osh was the
third city in Fergana Valley and an important point on the Great Silk Road, which
led to China, India and Afghanistan. In the XIII century, during the Mongolian
invasion, it was destroyed and later restored.
Morning visit Suleyman Mountain and Osh bazaar, which remains one of the largest bazaars of Central Asia, and offers an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and oriental colors that are rarely seen elsewhere.
Later drive to Kyrgyz-Uzbek border “Dustlik”. After border formalities transfer to Fergana. On arrival check-in to hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
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Day 11
Fergana
Full day excursion in Fergana valley:
Visit Rishton – center of unique ceramic production in Uzbkekistan. It is certainly not by mere chance that Rishtan has become famous for its ceramics. There are deposits of rich red clay, natural minerals and mountainous vegetation, which are needed for the production process.
Visit workshop.
Later visit Margilan to see whole process of hand made silk production at famous Yodgorlik factory. Locating in south-east of Fergana Valley, Margilan is considered to be one of the ancient cities in Uzbekistan and Central Asia, as well as a big centre of international trade. The caravan routes connected Europe with the East Asia via Margilan. The beautiful silk fabric and the pedigreed horses have been the main goods on this route. From time immemorial, population of Margilan was busy with manufacturing beautiful silk fabrics making thus Margilan city well-known all over the world. Skilled craftsmen obtained the fine threads of the silkworm cocoons for manufacturing marvelous silk fabrics that have been in great demand in Euro-Asian countries.
Overnight: Hotel
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Day 12
Fergana
Kokand – Kamchik pass (2.267 m) - Tashkent - 330km
Early morning drive to Tashkent en route visit Dangara village – house of woodcarving master. See unique ancient (more then 200 years old) woodcarving ornaments. You will have opportunity to carve yourself some ready made designs on the walnut pieces of wood.
Visit Kokand. Excursion to the major sights:
Khudayar Khan Palace, Jommi Mosque, Narbutabey and Dasturkhanchi Madrassah, Royal Cemetery and Khaidarov Workshop (museum of Kokand woodcraft).
Proceed driving to Tashkent via picturesque Kamchik pass (2.267 m)
On arrival to Tashkent, transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
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Day 13
Tashkent
Half day sightseeing tour of Tashkent:
Visit the old town to see Barak Khana Seminary, Tila Shaikh mosque and archives known for the exhibit of a rare copy of Koran written the third Caliph Othman. Later proceed to Chorsu bazaar, Kukeldash Madrassah.
Afternoon is at leisure
Overnight: Hotel
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Day 14
Tashkent
Departure flight home
Transfer to the airport. Departure flight home.