On the Top of the World

Day 1-2: Meeting in Dushanbe and transfer to the starting place of the horse riding tour

We meet in the early morning in front of the hotel or at the airport in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. After breakfast and a few formalities, we set off in 4×4 vehicles toward the high mountains. Day one takes us along the scenic „Northern Road” through Tavildara and over the Khaburabad Pass (3,255 m) to the town of Kalaikhumb, nestled on the banks of the Panj River, which marks the border with Afghanistan. We overnight in a local guesthouse.

The next day, we officially enter the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region. The mountain road winds dramatically along the Panj River valley between the towering peaks of the Pamirs. Our destination is Khorog, the region’s administrative capital, perched at the confluence of the Gunt and Panj rivers and surrounded by spectacular mountains. After arrival and a short rest, we explore the town: the Ethnographic Museum, the high-altitude Botanical Garden, and the unique campus of the University of Central Asia – a joint effort of the Tajik and Kyrgyz governments, supported by Aga Khan IV, a British philanthropist and patron of mountain communities. Overnight at a hotel.

Day 3: Breathtaking Views on the Pamir Highway

After breakfast, we leave Khorog and head east along the stunning Pamir Highway, which traces the Gunt River valley. We’ll stop at multiple viewpoints to take in the dramatic scenery of the „Top of the World”. In the late afternoon, we reach the remote village of Bachor – the starting point of our horseback expedition – where our local guides and horses await. After a briefing covering the route and safety details, we overnight in a guesthouse.

Day 4-10: Unforgettable horseback rally in the Pamir mountains

We pack up our gear, mount our horses and off we go! Ahead of us is a seven-day horseback rally through the High Pamir mountains, during which we will cover about 200 km. The route leads through varied high mountain terrain – gravel roads, rocky mountain paths at times narrow and exposed. We cross pastures in river valleys and around high – altitude mountain lakes. Although for the most part the terrain is stable and dry we often encounter places with loose rocks or waterlogged areas that require more caution to traverse. We do not avoid steep ascents and descents, crossing mountain streams, traversing rocky slopes and climbing high passes, the highest of which reaches 4,700 meters above sea level. We traverse terrain above 2,500 meters above sea level, with most of the rally around 3,500 meters above sea level, surrounded by treeless, rocky high mountains covered with glaciers, among numerous high mountain lakes.

We ride sturdy and sure-footed Tajik horses, perfectly suited for the rugged mountain trails. Each participant is matched with a horse that fits their riding ability, physical build, and personal comfort. We spend 5 to 7 hours in the saddle each day, taking extended breaks at scenic spots along the way to rest and enjoy lunch. We use local trekking saddles, which are relatively comfortable and designed for long-distance rides. We are accompanied by experienced local guides, residents of the Pamir Mountains, who know the terrain well. They look after the horses and handle all saddling and unsaddling, though riders are always welcome to lend a hand. We travel light, with only essentials like water, snacks, rain gear, and cameras packed into our saddle bags. The rest of our luggage is carried between camps by pack animals – horses, mules, or donkeys.

This expedition is designed for confident riders with off-road experience, capable of independently riding at walk, trot, and canter. We travel in a formation or loosely spaced, using various gaits depending on the terrain. Because the route crosses high-altitude mountains and rugged landscapes, we mostly ride at a walk, with some sections requiring us to dismount and lead the horses on foot. We ensure participants’ safety with trained first-aid personnel and a well-equipped expedition medical kit. The guides are also carrying radio equipment and a satellite communicator.

Each night we camp in comfortable two-person tents with dual entrances and vestibules, always set near alpine lakes or streams. A local cook prepares our meals, offering an authentic taste of Tajik cuisine – mainly hearty, meat-based dishes. For washing, we rely on mountain streams, natural hot springs, or warm water heated over a stove. On the final day, we reach the Gunt River dam that forms Lake Yashilkul, where we part ways with our horses and guides. From there, we take 4×4 vehicles to the nearby village of Bulunkul (25 km) for our final overnight stay in a guesthouse.

Days 11-12: Time Travel Along the Wakhan Corridor

After our first night indoors in a week, we hop into 4x4s and begin the scenic return to Khorog. Rather than retracing our steps along the Pamir Highway, we cross the Khargush Pass and descend into the dramatic Wakhan Corridor, with sweeping views of the Hindu Kush. This slender strip of Afghan territory, shaped by the 19th-century “Great Game” between Britain and Tsarist Russia, is separated from Tajikistan by the narrow Pamir River – just 5 meters wide in places – before it merges with the Wakhan River to form the Panj. We spend the night in a cozy guesthouse.

The next day, we continue toward Khorog along the Wakhan Corridor, exploring remnants of the Silk Road. We explore the crumbling 4th-century BCE Yamchun Fortress, once guarding Pamir trade routes, stop at the Buddhist stupa in Vrang and admire the petroglyphs in Langar. We relax at the sacred Bibi Fatima Zahra hot springs and visit the museum of Sufi Mubarak Kadam Wakhani – a renowned local scholar, poet, theologian, and explorer. We stop for lunch in the town of Ishkashim, near which a cross-border market takes place on an island in the Panj River, where traders from Tajikistan meet those coming from Afghanistan. We reach Khorog in the evening. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Days 13-14: Return and City Tour of Dushanbe

We head to the local airport for a flight back to Dushanbe. If the flight is cancelled, we’ll return overland by 4×4 vehicles. Once in the capital, we set out to explore the city and its highlights. Overnight stay in a hotel.