TAJIKISTAN & AFGHANISTAN From Pamir Mountains to the foothills of Hindukush Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan September 25 to October 17, 2021 Tajikistan portion Led by “Spiekermann Travel” Tour Manager Afghanistan portion Led by Professor Jennifer L. Fluri This journey will take you to explore exotic landscapes of snow-covered peaks, high-mountain lakes and rivers, inhabited by mountain commu- nities living in settlements preserving century-old traditions and customs. History of Pamir Highway is over one hundred years, but the history of Pamir itself is over millennia. It was left largely untouched by the ravages of the Soviet occupation and the Taliban’s invasion. Archaeological findings testify presence of Zoroastrians, Buddhists and Muslims in Pamir. The birth date of Pamir Highway can be consid- ered the 14th of March 1981 when lieutenant colonel Bronislav Grombchevskiy read a lecture on “Our interests in Pamir. Military-political outline” at the secret meeting of the General headquarter of the Russian army in Saint Petersburg. The aim of this secret bridgehead was to prepare for any possible invasion of the British Empire to Central Asia. We will cross to Afghanistan via Termez which is one of the ancient cities of Central Asia. It evolved throughout the history on different places around the modern city, reflecting multiple cultural layers depicted in remains of historical sites. For several centuries it served as the main center of Buddhism in Central Asia. Missionaries travelled from Termez through the iron gates to Sogdiana on the northwest along the valley of Oxus to Margiana and to the northeast through the Pamir and Alay mountains. Afghanistan is home to some incredible treasures bound to leave you in awe. This journey will take you from bustling Kabul to the foothills of the Hindu-Kush. Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great as you explore the country’s safest areas in the northern regions. Visit the fabulous city of Herat, which was once a great medieval center for Islamic learning and culture. Marvel at the legendary mountain caves of Bamyan and the spectacular lakes of Band-e-Amir. Join to tour the historical town of Mazar-i-Sharif, famous for its blue-tiled mosque and Balkh, the nearby ancient caravan town. Ihab. Zaki Managing Director, Spiekermann Travel Sat-Mon, Sep 25-27 this part of the highway, which climbs over 14,050-foot Kyzyl-Art USA - Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) Pass into Tajikistan and then cross the Pamir Plateau. The road heads up Ak-Baital Pass at 15,270 feet, and then down to Murghab Depart JFK to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan via Istanbul. Upon arrival at at approximately 12,000 feet. The scenery here is as gorgeous as Bishkek airport and after customs and immigration procedure, it can be seen anywhere in the world. Tajikistan is one of the last meet and transfer to Jannat 5* hotel for check in, free morning undiscovered travel destinations, and driving along this dramatic at leisure and then in the afternoon, start your tour of Bishkek highway will be an amazing experience. Enjoy a picnic lunch on including a visit to Manas Republic Square and National Flag route at Karakul Lake. Created by a meteor about 10 million years Square, Museum of History, Philharmonics Square with Statue ago, Karakul Lake’s Kyrgyz name translates to “Black Lake”. It is one of of Manas, continue to University Boulevard, Victory Square and Central Asia’s highest lakes and has no drainage outlet (therefore it TSUM Mall for a visit then return to the hotel for your overnight. (D) is an endorheic lake). The lake is too high to support life, and is of- ten frozen until late May. Because of this, the area surrounding the Tuesday, Sep 28 lake has a lonely, empty feeling. It has captured the imagination of Bishkek -Sary Tash many travelers throughout history, including Marco Polo. Transfer to Pamir Hotel for check in and overnight. (B,L.D) Transfer to the airport for your flight to Osh. Upon arrival, you’ll Note: Driving time from Sary Tash to Myrgab is about 7 hours meet your local guide and start your tour of Osh, which includes and covering a distance of 155 miles. a walk through the clamor of the 2,000-year-old Jayma Bazaar, the biggest open-air market in Central Asia, and said to be the Thursday, Sep 30 best market in the west of Kashgar. The clamor of the crowds rises above the din of merchants selling colorful Kyrgyz textiles, kalpaks, Murghab - Langar fermented milk, spices, and dried fruits. You’ll Observe the process Today, we’ll drive to Langar and if the weather is clear enough, we’ll of bread baking, a process so revered that in 2016 it was added to head up to the Shorbulak Observatory, where you can see the the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. You’ll watch the Muztag Ata and Kongur Peaks, which are parts of the Khun Lun baker prepare the dough, makes the fire in the clay tandoor oven, Range. Following the Alichur Plateau we’ll pass a number of oth- and slaps the rounds onto the sides of the oven. Have lunch at a er interesting salt lakes, before crossing the Khargush Pass, which local chaikhana (tea house), then later this afternoon, you’ll drive to brings us spectacular views of Afghanistan, with the ice-capped Sary Tash along a serpentine road that passes through Taldyk Pass summit of the Wakhan Range ahead of us, and the Pamir River (11,680ft). Stopping for the evening in Sary Tash, situated at an ele- marking the border just a few miles away. There will be plenty of vation of around 10,000 feet, ensures that you don’t miss any of the chances to stop for some spectacular photos. Once our passports fantastic scenery between here and Murghab. Transfer to Mirbek have been checked through the Kargush army base, we’ll contin- Guesthouse or similar for check in and overnight. (B,L,D) ue along the Pamir River, hopefully spotting one of the rare herds of Bactrian camels that still exist there. With very little vegetation Note: Driving time from Osh and Sary Tash is about 3 hours and in the area, the surrounding views of the mountains are even more covering a distance of 115 miles. spectacular. Then we’ll reach Langar, the last village of the Tajik Wakhan Corridor before the border of Afghanistan. Langar boasts Wednesday, Sep 29 a castle and some interesting petroglyphs, and is home to the Sary Tash - Murgab (Tajikistan) ‘Wakhi’ people, most of which are farmers or shepherds. Transfer to homestay for check in and overnight. (B,L,D) Today, we’ll drive to Kyzyl Art border, after finishing border for- Note: Driving time from Murghab to Langar is about 8-9 hours malities, you’ll meet your Tajik guide & driver and you’ll start your and covering a distance of 155 miles. Pamir Highway adventure. You’ll be riding in 4WDs to navigate Friday, Oct 01 Monday, Oct 04 Langar - Ishkashim Kalai Khumb - Dushanbe After Breakfast, we’ll drive along the Panj River taking in the Today, we’ll continue on to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan with cultural change between the Kyrgyz and Pamiri people of the an elevation of approximately 2,300 feet). Named for the Persian Pamirs. We’ll have some stops along the way to look at the old word for Monday, Dushanbe was at one point a small market vil- castles that once guarded this branch of the Silk Road, including lage where traders would gather each Monday to sell their goods. Yamchun Fort. These are all built quite high up to dominate the During the Soviet era the city grew to be the most important cen- surrounding valley. This part of the Pamirs is also dotted with a va- ter of production in Tajikistan, and the Shohmansur covered mar- riety of religious sites from Sufi shrines, Buddhist stupas and Zo- ket reflects its historical ties to the local trade. As Tajikistan’s capital, roastrian fire Temples. We’ll drive to Yamg village and transfer to the city’s tree-lined streets are home to many national museums Mini hotel or Guest House for check in, free time to take a short (where we will visit a couple of them) and monuments, but watch- walk, visit the local shrine or simply relax and overnight. (B,L,D) ing the colorfully dressed locals stroll by is a highlight of the country. Note: Driving time from Langar to Ishkashim is about 2-3 hours and covers a distance of 69 miles. Transfer to Serena or Hilton Hotel for check in and overnight. (B,L,D) Note: Driving time from Kalai Khumb to Dushanbe is about Saturday, Oct 02 8-10 hours and covers a distance of 223 miles. Ishkasim - Khorog Tuesday, Oct 05 Begin your day with a morning drive to Khorog and cross the Dushanbe border to visit the Bazaar (Market) on the Afghan side. This Mar- ket is held every Saturday in the neutral territory between Tajik- Have breakfast, and then you’ll start your guided city tour with a visit to istan and Afghanistan. Then, we’ll continue our way to Khorog. the National Museum of Antiquities in Tajikistan (closed on Mondays) The town of Khorog is the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Au- that includes the exhibits of history, natural history and art (Buddha in tonomous Region in Tajikistan and is an administrative center of Nirvana is one of the valuable exhibits of the museum).