Fuel (Gas Canisters) and Stoves
Q: Is it possible to buy gas canisters (fuel) in Dushanbe?
A: Yes, you can buy screw-top gas canisters in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Q: Where can I buy gas canisters in Dushanbe?
A: Several places sell gas canisters:
Green House Hostel in Dushanbe imports screw-top canisters in 225g and 450g sizes.
City Hostel and the sports store opposite Rohat also sell them.
The office of Archa Foundation also sells stock, refills canisters for a lower price, and offers safe disposal/recycling for old or damaged canisters.
Q: What type of canisters are available?
A: Screw-top (threaded) canisters are available, which are compatible with stoves like the MSR Pocket Rocket or equivalents.
Q: How much do gas canisters cost?
A: Gas canisters are not cheap. Expect to pay around $10–$15 for 230g and $18+ for 450g. Refilled gas may be cheaper from local services like Archa Foundation.
Q: Can I use different canister types?
A: The Archa Foundation sells adapters to use the narrow, tall canisters with a screw-in system like an MSR Pocket Rocket.
Food & Resupply
Q: What are the options for food on the trail: freeze-dried vs. local groceries?
A: Hikers choose between three main options:
Bulk buying freeze-dried meals (e.g., from home or local suppliers) and carrying them or having them dropped.
Piecing together meals from local village groceries.
A mixture of both, often due to budget or dietary preferences.
Q: What kinds of food are typically available at the village shops?
A: Stock can vary, but common items include:
Eggs (availability can be hit or miss in remoter villages, especially outside of the summer season).
Oil, nuts, and dried fruits.
Spaghetti, ramen, salamis, and candy.
Sometimes oatmeal.
Note: It's not advisable to rely on one product, as stock can be inconsistent.
Q: Can I buy freeze-dried food in Tajikistan?
A: Yes, a company named Transoxiana Outfitters(co-owned by Grayson Chapman) is producing mountain house-style freeze-dried meals locally, with prices aimed at $6–$8 direct to consumer.
Q: Is it possible to post food/resupply boxes ahead to sections of the trail?
A: Posting from your home country is difficult as Tajikistan has no functioning postal service, and couriers like DHL are expensive and unreliable. However, outfitters may be able to organize local food drops to sections of the trail for a fee (estimated around $50–$100 depending on complexity).
Q: Is it okay to bring freeze-dried food into Central Asian countries?
A: Yes, there is no problem taking freeze-dried food into the country.
Visa, Permits, and Registration
Q: Which visa should I get for the Pamir Trail?
A: EU, American and Australian citizen among other nationalities can enter visa-free for a short stay (30 days). However it is highly recommended to apply for an e-visa because:
An e-visa allows a stay of 60 days without needing to register at the OVIR office (for short-term entry visa on arrival, you must register within 10 days).
You can acquire the required GBAO permit (for the Pamir region) when applying for the e-visa.
Q: Do I need a Letter of Invitation (LOI) or confirmed itinerary/bookings for the e-visa?
A: It is totally random whether they request additional documents like an LOI, travel plans, or hotel bookings. It is not always required. You can try submitting a short document stating you are not using an agency for flexibility.
Q: How long does the eVisa process take?
A: It can be quick, but for some, it has taken up to one month (e.g., waiting two weeks for a request for additional documents, then another 10 days after submitting the LOI). Sending a follow-up email to them can sometimes expedite the final approval.
Q: What are e-visa application tips?
A: File format is critical. The system only accepts .jpg (not .jpeg). A recommended hack is to send your scanned passport file via WhatsApp to a friend, have them download and send it back to you, which can correct the file extension and size for the system.
Q: How do I get the GBAO permit?
A: You can easily apply for the GBAO permit simultaneously when you apply for the e-visa.
Q: How much does the GBAO permit cost?
A: The price for a GBAO permit alone (for those not using the e-visa system) is US$20.
Q: What is the experience like with the e-visa application?
A: Expect delays, requests for additional info and itineraries, and potential rejections (especially for British passports). Some travellers use intermediaries (for about $25) to provide the extra letter of invitation frequently requested by the e-visa system. For a fee (around $75), you can reportedly get the e-visa faster, an “express fee”.
Q: What is the penalty for overstaying the visa's 60-day period?
A: You will be pulled into a secondary check, and the penalty will be unclear and likely expensive. It is strongly advised not to push the limit.
Q: Are there any restricted areas on the Pamir Trail?
A: Yes. For Lake Sarez on section 8 you need a special permit. From 2025 solo hikers cannot obtain a Sarez Lake permit. You must be hiking in a group or with a guide from an agency (Pamir Eco Tourism). To avoid this added red tape, The Pamir Trail will have a diversion for independent trekkers from 2026 via the Shtik Lazar / Bardara Pass.
Communications & Phone Use
Q: Do I need a GPS device?
A: Many hikers rely on their smart phone with an OSM-based mapping app. A GPS device is still a legit way to navigate the Pamir Trail. GPX files can be extracted from the website and the Outdoor Active pages.
Q: Are satellite communicators (like InReach) allowed and do they work?
A: The official stance on their legality is unclear, but InReach is a good option for keeping in touch and plotting routes. We have not heard of any satellite communicators having been confiscated.
Q: What is the best mobile phone provider for the Tajik mountains?
A: The main providers are TCell and Megafon. TCell has allegedly better coverage on sections 1-5 and and Megafon performs better in GBAO (sections 6-9) You can find TCell and Megafon shops in Panjakent, Dushanbe and Khorog.
Q: Is there any mobile phone coverage on the Pamir Trail?
A: You might get some coverage in the villages and towns but generally don’t count on any phone coverage.
Q: What is the issue with using a SIM card for longer than 30 days?
A: Tajikistan has a new phone import system. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days:, you must officially import your phone and pay a tax (import rates are available online). The fee is about 35-40% of the phone's value. You can check your specific fee on imei.tj. Even if imported, local cell companies may only issue a SIM card for 10–30 days to a tourist with an e-visa (even though the e-visa is valid for 60 days). If you don't pay the tax, the phone will be blocked from accessing local networks (including with international SIMs) after 30 days.
Q: How do I manage the 30-day phone block?
A: If you plan to be in the country longer than 30 days and are entering via a land border (e.g., Samarkand-Panjakent), you could try to avoid connecting to local cell services (keep phone on airplane mode) until you reach Dushanbe or another major city to delay the start of the 30-day usage window.
Q: Do e-SIMs work in Tajikistan?
A: No, not reliably. The e-SIM provider Airolo is reported not to work in Tajikistan, likely due to the country's strict phone registration system. They work better in neighbouring countries (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan).
Transport to and from the Pamir Trail
Q: How do I organise transport to the start of section 1 of the Pamir Trail in Shing?
A: Getting from Dushanbe to Shing (the village at the start of the Haft Kul/Seven Lakes Valley) typically involves a two-part journey with a transfer in the city of Panjakent.
Part 1 Dushanbe to Panjakent: shared taxi from the taxi stand on the outskirts of Dushanbe. Cost around 120 – 200 Somoni ($11–$18 USD), duration 3.5 – 4 hours. Cars leave when they are full. Aim to arrive early for the best seat.
Part 2 Panjakent to Shing (Haft Kul). Once you arrive in Panjakent, you will need to find onward transport to Shing, which is the village at the mouth of the valley leading to the Seven Lakes/Haft Kul. Transport usually departs from near the Panjakent Bazaar (Bozor).
Shared Marshrutkas / mini buses leave from the Panjakent Bazaar. Cost around 15 Somoni (approx. $1.40 USD), duration1+ hour. | A very local option. Past reports indicate they may leave around 12 PM for Shing, but check this.
Shared Taxi/Jeeps also leave from near the Panjakent Bazaar. Price negotiable, duration 1+ hour. You will share a seat in a car or 4x4. They may only drive to the first village (Shing), or sometimes further into the lakes valley for a higher price. It leaves when full.
Private Taxi, from the Panjakent Bazaar. Price negotiable and also takes 1+ hour. You can hire a full car/jeep, which gives you flexibility, but will be much more expensive (e.g., 600 Somoni for a car to the 6th lake).
Q: What is the recommended way to travel from Dushanbe to GBAO (Vanj, Khorog or Rushon)?
A: The most common and relatively affordable method is by shared 4WD taxi (known as 'public transportation' in this context). Cost: A seat is typically quoted around $40 per person (or 350-450 Somoni). Departure: Shared taxis usually depart from the Badakhshan avtovokzal (car park/bus station) in Dushanbe. You should aim to be there very early, as early as 4:30 AM to 6:00 AM, to get a good seat in a decent vehicle. Arriving at 7 AM or later significantly reduces your chances for a good seat/car or any car at all.
Q: Can I fly from Dushanbe to Khorog?
A: Flights were previously operational but have been highly inconsistent or cancelled in recent years. While they may be scheduled, weather often causes cancellations and the route is not reliable.
Q: How do I get to Nisur in the Bartang (for Section 8)
A: Stay the night in Rushon, then start walking up the Bartang road while hitchhiking. You may need multiple hitches. Shared transport vehicles heading up the Bartang can be found later in the day, but may be full. It is possible to organise private transport, but:
Booking in advance through tour companies is very expensive.
Arranging spontaneously from guesthouses in Rushon is not always reliable.
Expect to pay in the ballpark of $150–$200 for a private car to places like Bardara (prices fluctuate).
If you join our WhatsApp group you may be able to join forces with fellow PT trekkers and share transport cost.