Khorog - Murghab

We depart in the morning from Khorog, the capital of Gorno-Badakhshan, nestled deep in the green valleys of the Pamirs. Leaving the town, we follow the Gunt River upstream as the road winds through a narrowing valley. The vegetation gradually fades, giving way to dry, rocky slopes as we climb higher into the mountains. Along the way, we pass Jelondy, a village known for its natural hot springs and Soviet-era sanatorium—a good place for a short break or a dip in the thermal waters.

The road begins to climb sharply toward the Koj Tezek Pass (4,271 m), where we re-enter the harsh, wind-swept landscapes of the eastern Pamir plateau. The contrast is striking: from green valleys to barren, high-altitude plains where few things grow and the cold bites even in summer. The views open wide, offering glimpses of snow-covered giants like Patkhor (6,083 m) and Skalisty (5,707 m).

Around midday, we stop by the beautiful Yashilkul Lake, set in a stark yet majestic basin—a peaceful place for a picnic or short rest. Continuing eastward, we make another brief stop at the Ak-Balyk Lake, known for its clear, spring-fed waters and spiritual significance to local people. The final stretch takes us across one of the highest and coldest inhabited plateaus of the former Soviet Union.

By late afternoon, we arrive in Murghab, a windswept town perched above 3,600 meters, and the administrative hub of the Eastern Pamirs. Installation in a local guesthouse for the night and rest after a full day crossing one of Central Asia’s most dramatic mountain landscapes.