Plan a winter trip to The Pamir Highway. Explore neighborhoods, restaurants, places to stay and practical local advice from AVARA's full editorial guide.
The Pamir Highway — TL;DR
The world's second-highest international highway, where Khorog's Pamir Lodge meets Murghab's gritty edge-of-the-world homestays.
The Pamir Highway overview
June to September offers the only reliably passable window for the Pamir Highway, as mountain passes close with snow the rest of the year.
Khorog is the main gateway town at the start of the highway, with Murghab a remote high-altitude stop further along, and Ishkashim a smaller waypoint relying entirely on homestays.
Tajikistani Somoni (SM)
Tajik and Pamiri languages; Russian is widely understood.
TJT (UTC+5)
The Pamir Highway's accommodation scene continues to run on a mix of a few backpacker-favourite lodges and an informal network of homestays, with Khorog's Pamir Lodge (often full in high season) and Murghab's gritty, high-altitude Hotel Pamir anchoring a route where basic $10-15 homestays in smaller towns like Ishkashim require no advance booking.
Where to eat, drink & do in The Pamir Highway
The Pamir Highway neighborhoods
Khorog town Home to the Pamir Lodge, the most popular hostel among backpackers, and the Lal Hotel, one of the best accommodation options.
Murghab Home to Hotel Pamir, the most popular option amongst travellers, with a gritty feel given its high altitude and limited infrastructure.
Ishkashim A smaller town where basic homestays are your best option, usually $10-15 per night.
Practical info for The Pamir Highway
Getting around in The Pamir Highway? Khorog is the main gateway town at the start of the highway, with Murghab a remote high-altitude stop further along, and Ishkashim a smaller waypoint relying entirely on homestays.
When to go in The Pamir Highway? June to September offers the only reliably passable window for the Pamir Highway, as mountain passes close with snow the rest of the year.
What's changing now in The Pamir Highway? The Pamir Highway's accommodation scene continues to run on a mix of a few backpacker-favourite lodges and an informal network of homestays, with Khorog's Pamir Lodge (often full in high season) and Murghab's gritty, high-altitude Hotel Pam
Seek out Lal Hotel, Khorog in The Pamir Highway? One of the best accommodation options in Khorog, a quieter alternative when the popular Pamir Lodge is full.
Base yourself in Khorog town in The Pamir Highway? Home to the Pamir Lodge, the most popular hostel among backpackers, and the Lal Hotel, one of the best accommodation options. Known for main gateway town to the highway.