CHOLPON
OMOROVA
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Mountain Love

Tour 3: Mountain Love
Duration: 11 days
In short: Dushanbe − Hissor − Norak − Kalai Khum − Khorog − Langar − Yashil Kul Lake − Bulunkul Lake − Murgab − Khoburubot − Iskandekul Lake − Dushanbe

Day 1: Dushanbe – Hissor – Dushanbe
You will be met and transferred to Dushanbe. Whole day will take city tour where you will be able to visit Rudake Park, National library, White House, National state seal, and House of parliament. In National Park you will take photos of Ministry of Inner Affairs and the biggest National Flag in the world – 165 m high pole, 30 m wide, 60 m long. Next destination is Hisor fortress dated back VII–XVII centuries. This historic site has hardened areas and a citadel. The fortress was the residence of the delegate of Bukhara’s Emir; it was located on a high hill and was well protected by walls 1 m thick and loopholes for guns and cannons. Inside the fortress there was a pool and a garden, and in front of the fortress there was a busy market square with caravanserais and shops. In addition to the entrance gate with two impressive towers, little has been preserved from the fortress. Among other attractions of Hissor are: the recently renovated monuments of “Madrasa I Kuhna” dated back 16th-17th centuries, mosque; the mausoleum of “Mahdumi Azam” of 16th century. Then you will return to Dushanbe. Night is in a hotel.

Day 2: Dushanbe – Norak – Kalai Khum
Today your destination is Kalai Khum village. You will enjoy the beauty of Norak water reservoir that is also well known as Tajik Sea. The highest point of the day is Shuraba pass on elevation of 2 267 m and after drive along Afghanistan border starts. This part will amaze you by its exceptional mountains; here starts Territory of Pamir Mountains. Many years the Pamirs have inspired the world’s greatest explorers such as: Marco Polo, Hsuan Tsang, Mirza Muhammad Haidar. And now you also have a great opportunity to be here. You will drive along natural border – Pyanj River. By visiting the Pamirs, many travellers called this highly mountain system the ocean of white and blue mountains. This night you will spend in a home stay to see the way of local people’s life.

Day 3: Kalai Khum – Khorog
Morning transfer to Khorog. There is a possibility that it is one of the smallest cities on the world’s map. This city is located in the Rocky Mountains from all four sides. The city was built at the fusion of three rivers, where the Shokhdara River and Ghund River flow into Pyanj River.  On the way to Khorog you can meet the Pamir people. Speaking of their appearance, they are slightly different from Tajiks. Among the Pamir people there are a lot of them with blond hair, fair skin and blue eyes. After the Himalayas in Tibet, Pamir Mountains are the highest mountains in the world that have population. Life in the mountains made traditions of local people different from Tajik people. Overnight is in guest house.

Day 4: Khorog – Langar
Langar village is your next destination that located in the heart of Asia. The Pamir is a corner of skyscraper, highly mountains, pristine waters of lakes and rivers, wide valleys and dry deserts. Centuries people have called these mountains the "Roof of the World." Today you will find out why. Pamir is located at altitude of 3,500 to 4,200 meters above sea level. The Pamir is perhaps one of the few areas of Central Asia where ancient ethnic and cultural characteristics of the Pamir people exist. A very large amount of time the communities were isolated from each other by impassable mountain ranges and developed separately in enclaves. They have different dialects and sometimes different languages. There will be enough stops to visit many interesting places along the road. A Buddhist complex of 4-7 centuries stands above the village of Vrang, on a slope of a rock dug out by caves. In Langar we will visit Abreshim Kala (Silk Fortress). Overnight is in home stay.

Day 5: Langar – Yashil Kul Lake – Bulunkul Lake – Murgab
Today you will visit the most beautiful lakes of Pamir’s - Yashil Kul and Bulunkul (Blue lakes). They are situated on the altitude of 3 700 meters above sea level in the Murghab district. The color of water in Bulunkul is an overflow of purple and blue under the sun. There are many fish species in the lake. You also might see yaks, exceptional species of domestic animals, sharing features of cow and sheep, traditionally used as a beast of burden apart from giving milk and meat products. You will drive through Khargush pass on altitude of 4 344 m. Overnight is in a guesthouse.

Day 6: Murgab – Khorog
We will drive back to Khorog through Pamir Highway well known as M41 Pamir Tract. This is the second highest mountainous road after Tibet’s highway. You will dive on the altitude more than 4 000 meters above sea level. Also there will be Koitezak pass with elevation of 4 271 m. The almost inaccessible landscape and Rocky Mountains of this corner of the world have given a shelter to an exceptional diversity of wildlife. Among the most common types of wild mammals, here you can find , tiger-cat, grizzly bear, badger, stoat, fox, grey and red wolves. The Pamir provides a large and prosperous flock of sheep Marco Polo, the largest sheep in the world, with a year-round stay and a large population of endangered snow leopard. Night is in guest house.

Day 7: Khorog – Kalai Khum 
Driving to Kalai Khum on the same road as you had before. This whole area is made of high rocky mountains over 6 000 meters and only 1 road was possible to be built. Tourists have great opportunity to enjoy not only beautiful and unique nature but also to learn more about ethnography, history and everyday life of mountain dwellers and with this imagine how the history of humanity evolved as in the story of creation. You can also meet and communicate with local people on the village where you will have stops. They can be found on the both sides of the river in narrow mountain valleys. On the other side of the river you will see Afgan stony villages and gardens. Night is in a hotel.

Day 8: Kalai Khum – Khoburubot – Dushanbe
On your road to Dushanbe city you will drive through high Khoburubot Pass (3 252) known as Western Pamir Tract. On this road you will have opportunity to see the most breathtaking river valley and amazing gorges in the terrain. You will not stop take photos of the mountain and rivers. On the road you will see small villages and meet local people. Tajiks are hardworking, hospitable, and kind-hearted people. They are having great respect for their traditions and folklore. Such tour is really good for those who love of exotics, curious about the ethnic and cultural differences and fascinated by the beauty of wild nature. Night is in a hotel.

Day 9: Dushanbe – Iskanderkul Lake
Today you are going to see alpine lake that situated in the famous Fann Mountains – Iskanderkul Lake (2 255 m. a. s. l.).  This amazing area is one of the best places of Central Asia.  You can get in here through Anzob pass that has altitude of 3 372 m and wonderful panorama views. When you arrive to the Lake you will wander along it beach. This is great place for resting. To see waterfall you need to walk 40 minutes. Tajikistan takes the second place among the CIS countries for volume of water resources: it has the highest water reserves of all Central Asian countries with more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. Night is in a guesthouse.

Day 10: Iskanderkul – Dushanbe
You will drive back to Dushanbe through Anzob pass and tunnel of Isticlol. Due to the mountain passes you will have opportunity to take a lot of photos. Moreover you will hike at the Fann Mountains. Previously these mountains were well known as "Kuhistan" - Mountainous Country from Farsi. On the territory of Fann Mountains can be seen more than 30 virgin variegated lakes of different size and forms. Nowadays Fann Mountains are very popular place for vacation. Many tourists like to come and do trekking and climbing activities. This place has rich flora and fauna which is unique and diverse. You will have a chance to enjoy great views around and have a wonderful time. After it is transfer to Dushanbe. Night is in a hotel.

Day 11: Airport
In the morning is transfer to airport.  

Transport:
02-04 pax – Hyundai Starex
06-08 pax – 2 cars: Hyundai Starex
10 pax – 3 cars: Hyundai Starex
 

Price per person:
02 pax – 1 945 $
04 pax – 1 185 $
06 pax – 1 245 $
08 pax – 1 035 $
10 pax – 1 100 $
Single – 175 $

Early check-in – 35 $
Single early check-in – 55 $ 

Half board – 155 $
Full board – 305 $

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
    Dushanbe – “Meridian” Hotel 3*
    Kalai Khum – “Kharon Palace” Hotel 4*
    Khorog – “Lal” Guesthouse
    Langar – Homestay
    Murgab – “Pamir” Homestay
    Iskanderkul – Homestay
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour

Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance

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