Everything you need to know about the Jizeu Valley hike along the Pamir Highway!
The Jizeu Valley hike is one of the easiest and most beautiful hikes in the Pamirs. We did four hikes on our Pamir Highway trip in Tajikistan and this one was by far my favourite!
Being at a lower altitude, I found the Jizeu Valley hike a lot easier than others along the Pamir Highway. Its difficulty is not the only reason I enjoyed this hike the most. The scenery is incredible. There is never a dull view as you weave up the valley through the mountains.
However, the real highlight for me was cultural. Getting to meet villagers who call this remote part of the world home, sleep in a traditional Pamiri house and walk around the gardens of fruit trees and crops felt like such an honour. To be welcomed so warmly by people who have very little in the material sense was a really nice reminder of how beautiful humans can be.
There are no roads to the villages in the Jizeu Valley. Being there you really sense how remote it is. Waking up for the sun rise and watching the reflections over the lake was so serene. You will feel a million miles away from the rest of the world.
Where is Jizeu Valley hike?
The Jizeu Valley is located in the Bartang Valley in central Tajikistan. Most travellers will access this part of Tajikistan on a Pamir Highway trip.
The original Pamir Highway runs further north than the now more popular route which includes a few days in the Wakhan Valley. To access the Jizeu Valley trek, you will need to take the Wakhan Valley route to the nearby towns of Khorog or Rushan. The trek begins and ends at Jizeu Bridge in the Bartang Valley.
The Jizeu Valley hike is located in the GBAO area so you will need to have a GBAO permit to enter.
Information about the hike
It is a 15km return hike from the Jizeu Bridge to the first village. If you opt to continue to the second village it is an extra 4.5km each way. The hike begins at an altitude of 2083m, with an elevation gain of 780m.
It is possible to complete the Jizeu Valley trek in one day. I would recommend completing the hike over 2 days and spending a night in a homestay in one of the villages. The villagers are extremely friendly and welcoming and you get an insight into the daily lives of those that live in this beautiful, remote area.
What to expect from the Jizeu Village hike
Day one
Hike to first village
The Jizeeu Valley hike begins at Jizeu Bridge in the Bartang Valley. If you are doing a Pamir Highway tour, your driver will drop you at this bridge and return the next day to collect you.
Jizeu Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the Bartang River. If you’re scared of heights like me, no need to worry. The bridge hangs low close to the water and isn’t scary.
When you cross the bridge, you then hike for about 30 minutes around the edge of the mountain with the river below. The trail is narrow but there is a decent slant down to the river so, again, not too scary if heights aren’t your thing.
The path then turns in towards the valley with some epic mountain scenery. This part is high and rocky so you need to take care. Our driver told us that a hiker went missing here early in 2024 trekking season. It is assumed that she fell into the river and was never found. This actually made me a bit nervous but after doing the hike, I honestly think you don’t need to worry. If you are hiking with other people, you will be fine.
Further along, you will reach a turquoise lake where the water is calmer. The path then starts to gradually incline until you reach the first village. The hike to the first village takes about 2.5 hours.
The first village
When we entered the first village an older woman came and waved us over to have a cup of tea. The village is very small. It looks like only 4 or 5 families live there. We stayed in this village at Lola Guesthouse.
In the villages they grow barley, potatoes, carrots and other root vegetables. There are fruit trees growing apricots, apples, cherries, walnuts and mulberries. Being on a crystal clear lake, it really is a little piece of paradise.
Hike to second village and beyond
Just past the village is the first lake. The lake is super beautiful, especially in the morning with the reflection.
The path to the next village is about 2km and mostly very flat. After the second village, the path starts to incline again until you reach the second lake. If you are camping there is a popular site just before you reach the second lake. We returned back to the first village to our lovely homestay.
Day two
Wake up early on the second day of the Jizeu Valley hike to see the sunrise over the lake and mountains. We were up at 5:00AM and got to watch the light create incredible reflections of the mountains on the mirror-like water of the lake. This was one of the best moments of our Pamir Highway trip.
After breakfast, start the hike back down the valley. The hike back from village is much easier as it mostly downhill. It took us 2 hours and 10 minutes with a short break.
Accommodation on the Jizeu Valley hike
There are a number of homestays along the Jizeu Valley hike so it is easy to find a place to stay.
As you walk into the first village there is Homestay Gursha. Gursha speaks English and is super friendly. We arrived later in the afternoon and Homestay Gursha was already full so we continued on to Guesthouse Lola around the corner.
No one at Guesthouse Lola spoke any English but were all so friendly and welcoming. We were offered tea, biscuits, nuts and fresh fruit on arrival. Later in the evening we were served a delicious vegetable and noodle soup for dinner, which was refilled until we couldn’t possibly eat another bite.
The accommodation for hikers is in a big traditional style Pamiri house which is very cosy and clean. There are bed rolls on the floor with big warm, heavy blankets. The beds were very comfortable and we all slept like babies after the hike. The room is close to the river and we could hear the flow of the water through the night.
The cost of Lola Guesthouse was equivalent to $15USD for a bed, dinner and breakfast.
Alternatively, you can also bring camping equipment and camp at the end of the hike. There is a popular camping spot just past the second village.
What to pack
You don’t need to bring too much with you on the Jizeu Valley hike. If you plan on staying in a homestay, you will be provided with bedding. The price of the homestay also includes lunch and breakfast.
Consider packing the following for the Jizeu Valley hike:
- Sun protection – the sun can be very harsh and there is not a lot of shade in the first part of the hike
- First aid kit
- Plenty of water – you can refill your water in the villages, but bring enough for the first day
- Change of clothes
- Warm jacket or fleece – the temperatures can drop quite low overnight
- Toiletries
- Camera or photography equipment
The best time of year to do the hike
The Jizeu Valley hike is in a remote part of Tajikistan, a part of the world where weather can change dramatically.
The best time to do the Jizeu Valley hike is in the summer and autumn, from mid-June to September. Most Pamir Highway tours only run around this time of year as well.
We did the hike in August and it was perfect. It was hot during the peak of the day, but with appropriate sun protection and plenty of water we didn’t have any issues. Apparently September is a nice month to do the hike because you see the trees starting to change their colours.
Things to know
There is no phone signal along the Jizeu Valley hike. If you are on a Pamir Highway trip your driver will set a time to meet back at the Jizeu bridge the following day. I was told that Gursha at the first village has a satellite phone in case of emergencies.
The villages don’t have consistent electricity, but at Guesthouse Lola we had electricity for a few hours in the evening. There is a power board in the bedroom so you can charge your phone.
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Looking for more inspiration for travelling in Central Asia?
How to plan a Pamir Highway tour
The complete Uzbekistan travel itinerary
Hiking to Engel’s Peak Meadows in Tajikistan
Crossing the border from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan
