Arrive in Tajikistan’s capital city and check into your hotel, we recommend the Hotel Lotus. Spend some time acclimatizing to your new surroundings and experiencing Tajik culture. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurants and and the comforts of your hotel before the adventure truly begins.

Today you’ll explore some of the best sites Dushanbe has to offer, including the Gurminj Museum of traditional musical instruments, the Museum of Antiquities - full of ancient Buddhist art from the lost cities of the Kushan Empire, and the Greco-Bactrian school of art. Dine tonight at a local restaurant in town, before heading back to your hotel for a good night’s sleep ahead of tomorrow’s departure to the Pamir Highway.

Hit the road and embark on a journey down the M41 highway. The seven-hour journey winds first through the Kulyab region where guests are welcomed with warm hospitality. Later, the highway leads to Kalaikhumb, home to the Badakhshanis, on the Panj river. Bed down in a cozy local guesthouse after a delicious homemade meal.

Bid goodbye to Kalaikhumb and its friendly inhabitants and strike out on the road for the 160-mile drive to Khorog. The journey runs alongside the Panj river and across it lies Afghanistan. The beautiful and important city of Khorog lies nestled in the mountains at the meeting point of the Panj and Ghunt rivers. In these beautiful surroundings, spend the night in a private guesthouse.

Less than 30 miles from Khorog are the famous mineral hot springs, the site historically mined for Badakhshani rubies. After another four-hour drive, at the mouth of the Wakhan Corridor, lies the pretty town of Ishkashi, home to the cross-border Saturday market between Tajik and Afghan traders. With stunning views of the Pamir peaks all around, Ishkashim is a pleasant spot to spend the night and we recommend the Dekhli Darbor hotel.

Along the way on your six-hour drive today, visit an ancient silk road fortress, the Kah Kaha in Namadgut, where you will also find a fascinating museum about a famous Sufi scholar who created a solar calendar. Stop off to explore a Buddhist stupa and experience the healing powers of the natural hot springs of Bibi Fatima Zahra. Once at Langar, check into a cozy local guesthouse and rest for the night.

After an early breakfast, take advantage of the cool of the morning to climb the rocks above Langar to see the ancient carvings of goats, horse riders and caravans. Back on the road, the highway climbs up to Murgab, where the views of the night skies often include the twinkle of the Milky Way. Here, the guesthouse for the night is eco-friendly and locals sell their handicrafts.

Today you will travel nearly 140 miles through the Pamirs. The Akbaital Pass leads to the beautiful Karakul lake, a turquoise jewel set in mountainous scenery. Round off the adventure with dinner on the shores of Lake Progulka before reaching your guest house at Kizylart.

Drive approximately three hours from Kyzylart to Osh. After you arrive in this colorful town, check out the local market with Uzbek and Kyrgyz shops, and perhaps pick up a few goodies to bring home. Continue on to Jalal-Abad. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant before settling into your guest house.

Spend the entire day exploring around Jalal-Abad. Jalal-Abad is famous for its mineral springs, so visitors should take advantage! There are plenty of excellent “Kurorts” (spas) in town where guests can spend their day relaxing in natural mineral spring baths. Beside one of the main Kurorts is a cafe located more than 3,000 feet above the town. Enjoy the view as well as the nearby craft hall, where visitors can pick up some locally-bottled water and little trinkets.The main street of Jalal-Abad is called Lenin Street, just like many others former Soviet towns. This central area of town features fountains and statues of Vladimir Illych, a historical and cultural museum, and shops where visitors can purchase local goods.

This morning, you will drive from Jalal-Abad to the airport in Osh. Depart Osh and fly to Bishkek. From Bishkek, you can continue with an extension in Kyrgyzstan or depart on your international flight.