Bishkek To Dushanbe (18 Days) Pamir Explorer (Cabd18)
Bishkek To Dushanbe (18 Days) Pamir Explorer (Cabd18)
$1674
Bishkek To Dushanbe (18 Days) Pamir Explorer (Cabd18)
18 Days Starting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and ending in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Visiting: Bishkek, Song-Kul, Tash-Rabat, Osh, Khorog, Dushanbe
Tour operator:
Tour code:
478
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 10
Physical rating:
All Ages / Not applicable
Age range:
18-80
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$1674
$1591 (USD)
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$84
Tour Overview
Take on the great outdoors in this epic journey across the expanse of Kyrgyzstan and up into the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan. Stay in yurts on beautiful Lake Song Kul and visit one of the oldest Bazaar's on the Silk Road in Osh. Venture on the Pamir Highway and follow the border of Afghanistan, before arriving in Dushanbe.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 5 : Bishkek To Tash Rabat
Location: Bishkek, Song-Kul, Tash-Rabat
Accommodation: Camp
We head East to explore the edge of Lake Issyk-Kul, a mountain lake in the northern Tien Shan Mountains, once used by the Soviets to test their submarine torpedoes! Famous for its magnificent scenery and with a surface area of 6,300 sq km, this is considered to be one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. The surrounding countryside is full of fruit trees and the local people transport their wares by traditional donkey and cart. We will find a place to camp under the stars tonight.
Travelling south and leaving behind Lake Issyk-Kul, we make our way to the isolated and breathtaking Lake Song Kol, where we stay in traditional felt Yurts. There will be opportunity to either hike or horse back ride and explore the surrounding area. If we are lucky we may even see a game of Ulak Tartysh - a Kyrgyz version of polo.
We spend a couple of days driving south through the mountains towards the border with China. On the way we cross vast high plains where Kyrgyz nomads, living in their traditional yurts, practice a lifestyle which has changed little over the centuries. We will stop off at Tash Rabat, an ancient Caravanserai on the old Silk Route, before turning inland and crossing the back of the country. Here we will be out in the wilds, camping in the countryside and enjoying the great outdoors.
Day 6 - 7 : Tash Rabat To Osh
Location: Tash-Rabat, Osh
Accommodation: Camp
Today we arrive in Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second biggest and oldest city. Osh is your opportunity to stock up on provisions before our stretch of camping along the Pamir Highway. Make sure you visit the bazaar, which has occupied the same spot for over 2000 years and was historically a major stopping point along the ancient Silk Road.
Day 8 - 11 : Osh To Tajikistan
Location: Osh
Accommodation: Camp
We leave Osh and begin our epic journey on the Pamir Highway. We travel South towards the Tajikistan border, and as we approach, you will start to see the snow capped peaks of the mountains in Pamirsky National Park – it’s a breathtaking scene and an impressive first glimpse of our next country. After a final night under the stars in Kyrgyzstan, we cross the pass to enter the multi-coloured mountains of Tajikistan. We follow the highway through incredible landscapes with colours changing as the sun moves, camping in remote spots and soaking in the vistas – keep those cameras ready!
Day 12 - 15 : Khorog
Location: Khorog
Khorog feels like a breath of fresh air after our long dusty drive. As the first major town you enter in Tajikistan, it’s a fantastic place to people watch and experience. Make time to sample the local coffee or sit and relax in the beautiful park, and you might also want to day trip to Kuh-i-Lal Mine, or sample the hot springs. If the timing’s right, take a trip to the Afghan Cross Border market in Ishkashim!
Day 16 - 17 : Khorog To Dushanbe
Location: Khorog, Dushanbe
The road from Khorog to Dushanbe is windy, narrow, spectacular and surreal; for the first day you will be so close to Afghanistan that you can actually see the villagers going about their daily lives! You will drive alongside the river, winding up and down with it, viewing rural life in both countries as it’s been for hundreds of years. Entering Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, comes with a culture shock: paved wide roads, gleaming statues and flag poles – a far cry from the East of the country.
Day 18 : Dushanbe
Location: Dushanbe
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your trip ends after breakfast.
What's Included
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Accommodation - approx. 90% camping & 10% simple hostel/homestay
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Yurt Stay at Lake Song Kol
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Tash Rabat Caravanserai
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Pamir Highway
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Meals - approx. 80%
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All Transport on Oasis Expedition Truck
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Camping and Cooking equipment
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Services of Oasis Crew
What's Not Included
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Visas
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Optional Excursions as listed in the Pre-Departure Information
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Flights
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Airport Taxes & Transfers
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Travel Insurance
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Meals - approx. 20%
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Drinks
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Tips
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Local payment from US$650
Local Payment (LP) is in the addition to the Trip Price and is paid to your Tour Leader at the start of your Trip.
It covers some of the trip's day to day expenses such as food and accommodation which your tour leader pays direct to local people.
More Info
Take on the great outdoors in this epic journey across the expanse of Kyrgyzstan and up into the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan. Stay in yurts on beautiful Lake Song Kul and visit one of the oldest Bazaar's on the Silk Road in Osh. Venture on the Pamir Highway and follow the border of Afghanistan, before arriving in Dushanbe.
Mode of Transport
The Oasis expedition truck will be your new home giving you a comfortable & secure base with which to experience your trip. We use a purpose built truck which has been converted especially for this expedition, which passes through all types of terrains from soft sand, mud, rock and potholed roads to tarseal. It is reassuring to know that these vehicles can handle the tough conditions that they are put through. The truck is equipped with all of the equipment we may need en-route, including a professionally compiled expedition Medical Kit, large water & fuel carrying capacities, an extensive range of spare parts as well as the kitchen sink, (well almost!) so all you need is your sleeping bag, a roll mat and your own personal gear!
Seatbelts
All Oasis Overland trucks are fitted with seatbelts. For your own safety and security we recommend that travellers wear these at all times whilst the vehicle is moving. Most of our overland trucks also have a ‘beach area’ which is a chill out zone to be used when the truck is not moving.
Accommodation
Accommodation is split throughout this trip between simple hotels and hostels and camping. The variety of accommodation provided is great and often a totally unique experience, including bush camps with no facilities, yurts and simple village pensions. Some are well managed and some very basic. Oasis uses roomy three-person tents but only for two people. They are specially made for us to meet the tougher conditions of an expedition trip and have mosquito netting sewn into the door and windows. It would also be a good idea to bring your own freestanding mosquito net so as to give you the freedom of sleeping under the stars at night. At bush camps you will be living off the truck, so there will be no showers or en-suite facilities, so digging your own toilet pit with the shovels supplied is essential!
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
Return flights must be booked for at least the day AFTER the trip is due to end, but flexible tickets are best in case of unforeseen delays. You may wish to allow some extra time to explore your departure cities. One way ticket - If you intend to travel on a one way ticket to meet up with one of our trips, without possessing an onward flight ticket - we recommend that you have a copy of your payment confirmation/receipt (that you will be sent at time of your balance payment) available at immigration to assist easy entry. Departure Taxes - Please check with your Travel Agent or Airline if your flight ticket already includes a departure tax payment out of the country. If it does not - please budget for approx US$30 to $70 USD - to be paid in US$ only.
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Where does the trip start?
The trip starts from the Interhouse at approximately 8am on the morning of Day 1 of your trip. The hostel is situated in a quiet place in the centre of Bishkek, just a 10 minutes walk from MosSovet (crossing of central streets Moskovskaya and Sovetskaya). Trip Joining Point: Interhouse - Bishkek Start Time Day 1: 08:00 Address: 91/1 Manas Ave, Bishkek Telephone: +996 705 123 456 Website: www.interhouse.life Email: bishkek@interhouse.life
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Can there be changes in the itinerary?
Because Oasis Overland do not operate normal 'package holidays' the itineraries given cannot be guaranteed to run exactly as outlined. However, it is rare that we have to make major changes and in the event that we do this will be discussed with you either before or during the trip. It is important to bear in mind that should it not be possible to enter a certain country due to safety concerns, visa problems or political turmoil etc, and it becomes necessary to fly over a country in order to continue a trip, that all costs for flights will be borne by you and not Oasis. Should it not be possible for an Oasis trip to begin from a scheduled starting city due to border closures, civil unrest etc, Oasis will make all reasonable efforts to begin the trip from an alternative location. However, all additional costs that you may incur in travelling to the alternative location will be paid by you or your insurance company and not Oasis.
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What is the maximum group size?
Maximum 10 people.
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Do I need pre-trip accommodation?
You can pre-book accommodation and airport transfers through us. We will require your flight number, arrival time, and arrival date so please ensure this information is forwarded to us as soon as you have booked your flight. Please book this service as soon as you have booked your flight and no later than 6 weeks prior to departure, after which a late booking fee may apply. If you have booked through a travel agent, please contact them to request pre-trip accommodation and airport transfers. Double, twin, and triple rooms will be provided subject to availability, where requested. However when not available we may need to book other rooming arrangements, and will fit these as closely as possible to your request. Those travelling solo will be put in shared rooms to reduce the costs to them, which may be dorm rooms or twin/triple shares with other Oasis Overland travellers. Single rooms may be available in some cities for solo travellers, and we will arrange this for you on request, subject to availability. If you are arriving early in the morning and you would like to check in immediately, you may have to reserve your room for the previous night to ensure direct check in, otherwise you may have to wait until normal check in times (usually 1pm to 2pm). Accommodation costs for any additional nights are payable direct to Interhouse City Centre Hostel on arrival, in Kyrgyzstani Soms or US dollars.
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What to expect at meal times?
When 'on the road' with the expedition vehicle or camping, we usually cook using gas or over open fires in a rota system and you can expect to cook in a group of two or three people approximately once every ten days depending on the number of people on trip and whereabouts you are. Your cook group will have to decide on what to cook, utilise stocks from the truck stores and locally obtain ingredients from markets, shops etc and rustle up a meal. But don't worry if you're not a Gordon Ramsay as the rest of the group and the Tour Leader usually lend a helping hand. Here is an idea of what to expect at meal times: Breakfasts - Usually simple - we help ourselves to cereal, toast, hot drinks and on occasion we will splurge with a cooked breakfast. Lunch - Cold and usually quick. The cook group will put out bread, tinned supplies and maybe make a salad. Dinner - Cooks come into their own in the evening and will always attempt to cook up some delights. When the truck is parked up for a few days in a town or city most people usually like the option to eat out at local restaurants - so we often don't cook all meals when at these locations. Meals whilst staying in Hotels/Hostels/Pensions are not included in the local payment price.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport Transfer Costs: Approximately $30 USD Transfer costs are per person and are payable to the transfer representative on arrival. On arrival into Bishkek airport you will be met by a local representative who will take you to the group joining Hotel. The driver will have your name on a sign with Novi Nomad. If you have not arranged an airport transfer there is a taxi rank outside of the airport, expect to pay approximately $30 USD. We recommend to change some currency into Kyrgyzstani Som in the airport at an ATM's, rates in town for changing cash are better than at the airport. The return airport transfer can be arranged through your hotel / hostel and is not included, it is at your own expense. We regret these services cannot be arranged via the Oasis office before departure.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes, if you are travelling solo. On our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions, we will pair you up with a tent buddy of the same sex when we camp and the same goes for twin & shared rooms in hostels, so there is no need to go it alone! If you specifically would like to request your own single room whilst on the trip, this may be requested subject to availability and additional fee.
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How many people do you take on your Trips?
On most of our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions our vehicles can carry a maximum of 24 travellers, the average however is around 16-20 on any one trip. Our Small Group Adventures have a maximum of 18 people per Tour Leader, although again the average is around 10-14 people.
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Dates & Availability
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Wednesday - Saturday
Jul 10, 2024 - Jul 27, 2024Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Oasis Overland requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of oasis overland charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 33% of booking price.
At 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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