Afghanistan & Tajikistan: Wakhan Pamir Adventure

Afghanistan & Tajikistan: Wakhan Pamir Adventure

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Afghanistan & Tajikistan: Wakhan Pamir Adventure

20 Days Starting and ending in DUSHANBE

Visiting: Dushanbe, Kalaikhum, Eshkashem, Qala Panja, Sarhad, Baza'i Gonbad, Kul-e Chaqmaqtin, Wakhan, Qazi Deh, Khorog, Kulob

Tour operator:

Wild Frontiers

Tour code:

WPA

Recommended For:

Couples, Singles

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 12

Age range:

1-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Private Available:

Request A Private Tour

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

In Afghanistan’s distant north-eastern corner lies the Wakhan corridor. This narrow strip of land once formed the buffer zone between the British and Russian Empires and was of immense strategic importance during the 19th century ‘Great Game’. Today the area is inhabited predominantly by Wakhi herdsmen and is not only remote and peaceful, but is also blessed with some of the finest mountain scenery the world has to offer.From Dushanbe in Tajikistan, we will first travel into the Tajik Pamir before heading to the Afghan border and into the Wakhan Valley. We will make our way slowly up the valley, visiting villages, taking some day walks and enjoying traditional Afghan hospitality. We will stay in basic guesthouses throughout our time in Afghanistan as we discover the delights of this famed region. This is a trip right out there on the edge of civilisation: we will find no mobile reception, internet access or even electricity for the most part.What we will experience here though takes us back to another century when people lived in a very different way…unlike so many you hear about, this trip is a true adventure of a life time.

Highlights

  • Explore the legendary Wakhan Corridor, a key strategic buffer zone that once separated the British and Russian Empires

  • Discover the area on foot with a selection of easy/moderate local day hikes

  • Stay in village homestays and guesthouses of hospitable Tajiks and Wakhi Afghans

  • Enjoy the chance to see Dushanbe’s sights, including the Museum of National Antiquities

  • Learn more about how the endangered snow leopard is protected in Qala e Panj

  • Visit the Women's Co-operative in Kret to learn about the skills required to make traditional clothing

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Tour Starts In Dushanbe (Tajikistan)

Location: Dushanbe

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: No Meals

Due to the arrival time of our suggested group flight in the early hours of day 2, accommodation for this night is included in the tour cost. The Tour Leader will arrange a short introductory meeting for those who arrive earlier.

Day 2 : Dushanbe

Location: Dushanbe

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

After some time to settle in this morning we will take a look around the Tajik capital, admiring some of the impressive architecture and stocking up on some supplies at the local bazaar. At an altitude of 800m and with a mountainous backdrop, this is the perfect place to get ready for the big journey ahead.

Day 3 : Dushanbe – Kalaikhum

Location: Dushanbe, Kalaikhum

Accommodation: Local Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

After breakfast we will head out on the famous Pamir Highway. This road is of vital importance for the country and ultimately it skirts the southern edge of the Tajik Pamir to finish in Osh. Today we follow the road as far as Kalaikhum where we plan to spend the night

Day 4 : Kalaikhum – Bartang Valley

Location: Kalaikhum

Accommodation: Local Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Kalaikhum sits on the Panj River, a major tributary of the famous Amu Darya (Oxus) River. This morning we’ll follow the river upstream passing the Vanch Valley before coming to the meeting point of the Bartang and Panj Rivers. From here we turn off the main road and follow the Bartang River upstream. We’ll pass traditional Pamiri villages and stay in a small private guesthouse.

Day 5 : Bartang Valley – Ishkashim

Location: Eshkashem

Accommodation: Local Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

After a morning walk visiting local villages and some time to relax we’ll make our way to Ishkashim in Tajikistan, which lies opposite the town of Ishkashim in Afghanistan and which will be our base for the next two nights.

Day 6 : In & Around Ishkashim

Location: Eshkashem

Accommodation: Local Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

A full day allows us to explore our surroundings, which contain a multitude of varied sites including forts, hot springs & shrines. Tonight, while sipping on our last beers for some days to come, we can look out over the river towards the country that will be our home for the next 10 days.

Day 7 : To Ishkashim (Afghanistan)

Location: Eshkashem

Accommodation: Local Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Leaving Tajikistan this morning we’ll cross into Afghanistan via a bridge over the Panj River. Even after clearing immigration & customs there will still be some further red tape to deal with, so some patience will be needed! We will at least have the help of our Afghan guide and the feeling of being in an almost forbidden land is very special.

Day 8 : Ishkashim – Pegish

Location: Eshkashem

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

A rough road built by the Soviets takes us into the Wakhan Corridor. With the valley barely 20km wide in places, this road is not for the fainthearted and there may be some river crossings to negotiate. The scenery, however, is truly magnificent and we will undoubtedly meet many of the local Wakhi people. The women are especially noticeable with their bright red scarves and beaded necklaces. The valley has several basic guesthouses, which – along with yurts in the Little Pamir - will serve as our accommodation over the coming nights. The itinerary has been designed to allow for ample time for walks, village visits, photography and meeting the friendly inhabitants of the valley. While we have a planned itinerary, it should be stressed that day to day changes can and almost certainly will occur – this is Afghanistan after all! Maximum flexibility may be called upon. For the most part, daily driving distances are generally not far but can take time to the rough condition of the roads. Our base for tonight is Pegish, home to the Wakhan’s oldest shrine.

Day 9 : Pegish – Qala E Panj

Location: Qala Panja

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Continuing east, we follow the southern bank of the river and are treated to views of both Tajik and Afghan mountains throughout the day. We will pass through the regional centre of Khandud which divides the lower Wakhan from upper Wakhan and has the largest market in the valley after Ishkashim. Despite this, it is still a very quiet town with limited supplies. We will spend tonight in Qala e Panj which was the the home of Pir Shah Ismail, the spiritual leader of Wakhan Ismailis. Here we will find the atmospheric ruins of two forts, overlooking the river from a strategic vantage point. It is also home to the regional office of the Wildlife Conservation Society, and if we are lucky we may be able to find someone to talk to us about their efforts to protect the wildlife of the area, especially the endangered snow leopard. There will also be the chance to go for a walk in the Sarkand Valley.

Day 10 : Qala E Panj - Sarhad E Broghil

Location: Qala Panja, Sarhad

Accommodation: Local Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

As we head further up the valley, we cross the Wakhan River just upstream of where it meets the Pamir River to become the Panj. This confluence of rivers also mirrors the interweaving of Pamiri & Wakhi cultures. As we head along the northern bank of the river, deeper and higher up the Wakhan, we pass several clutches of homes, all of which are inhabited by families who eke a subsistence living off the land. Later today we’ll reach Sarhad e Broghil which will be our base for the next two nights.

Day 11 : In Sarhad E Broghil

Location: Sarhad

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Depending on local conditions, today we will make one of several local hikes available and perhaps picnic on a grassy meadow below one of the area’s many mountain passes. En route we can expect to encounter some local families on their summer pastures. Alternatively, the day is free to explore this tranquil village with its friendly local people. We may also be able to arrange a traditional game of buzkashi, a game often described as rugby on horseback; it involves several men, their horses, a headless goat and almost no rules!

Day 12 : Sarhad E Broghil - Bozai Gumbaz

Location: Sarhad, Baza'i Gonbad

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Today we will drive on the Wakhan’s newest road. Previously the road ended at Sarhad e Broghil and anyone wishing to proceed further east needed to prepare for a major expedition on foot or yak! However, in 2020 a new road opened connecting Sarhad to the Little Pamir. Our journey today will explore a whole new world whilst visiting and overnighting with the famous Afghan-Kyrgyz community, who fled to the region in the early 1900s to escape increasing Russian influence in their homeland of Kyrgyzstan.

Day 13 : Bozai Gumbaz - Chaqmaqtin Lake

Location: Baza'i Gonbad, Kul-e Chaqmaqtin

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

We will continue on the new road to Chaqmaqtin Lake which lies towards the west of the Little Pamir and which was formed in a giant rock basin carved by ice. Here we will visit the old ruins of USSR military camps whilst learning more about the unique Afghan-Kyrgyz culture. There may also be opportunities to go fishing, walking and to view the source of the Wakhan River.

Day 14 : Chaqmaqtin - Wardif

Location: Kul-e Chaqmaqtin

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Today we will head back westwards towards Wardif, leaving the Kyrgyz and returning to the lower reaches of the Wakhan Corridor. Tonight, we plan to stay at the homestay of two widows, whose story is famous in the Wakhan and has become an inspiration for female empowerment projects in the area. After tragically losing their husbands, both brothers, the women took it upon themselves to start raising an income from shepherding in the local community. In recognition of their hard-work and positive approach to their struggles, a local organisation then built them a simple home which could accommodate visitors; and this is where we will spend the night.

Day 15 : Wardif - Goz Khan

Location: Wakhan

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Heading further westwards we will reach Goz Khan, situated on the knuckle of the Pamir and Wakhan rivers and affording our first sight of Tajik territory in almost a week. This quaint village is great for an afternoon stroll and the relatively comfortable guesthouse offers the perfect sanctuary for digesting the sights, smells and memories of the journey so far.

Day 16 : Goz Khan - Qazideh

Location: Qazi Deh

Accommodation: Local Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Our final full day in Afghanistan sees us travel to Qazideh, which sits at the entrance to the valley leading to Afghanistan’s highest peak, Mt Noshaq (7.492m). It was from here in 2009 that Malang Daria and Amruddin Sanjar set off with a team including fellow Afghans Afiat Khan and Gurg Ali to become the first Afghans to summit their country’s highest peak. All four so-called “tigers” of the Wakhan were integral in helping Wild Frontiers set up their Wakhan operations over a decade ago and remain good friends today.

Day 17 : Drive To Khorog (Tajikistan)

Location: Khorog

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Crossing back into Tajikistan we bid farewell to our Afghan guide and drivers and head for our first hotel night in over two weeks! Being the regional capital of the GBAO (Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast), Khorog is a very relaxed and quite cosmopolitan place, home to a university and a wonderful city park. After the stresses and strains (and bumpy roads!) of Afghanistan it should come as a very welcome relief.

Day 18 : Khorog - Kulyab

Location: Khorog, Kulob

Accommodation: Local Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Today we’ll leave the Pamirs behind us as we make our way westwards, aiming to reach Kulyab in time for dinner, this allows us to get the bulk of our drive out of the way today.

Day 19 : Kulyab - Dushanbe

Location: Kulob, Dushanbe

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Our final day’s drive takes us back to the Tajik capital by lunchtime and gives us a chance to spend a relaxed afternoon in the city.

Day 20 : Tour Ends In Dushanbe

Location: Dushanbe

Meals Included: Breakfast

Those on the suggested group flights will transfer to Dushanbe airport in the small hours of the morning for their early return flight.

What's Included

  • MEALS

    19 x Breakfasts, 18 x Lunches, 18 x Dinners

  • TRANSPORT

    On this tour we will predominantly be using 4WD vehicles and your own two feet! 

  • GROUP SIZE

    Maximum: 12

  • CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS

    Contributions to carbon offset & tree planting projects for all bookings

  • EXPERT TEAM

    The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate

  • ACCOMMODATION

    All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary

  • ENTRANCE FEES

    All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary

  • FITNESS RATING

    Moderate

What's Not Included

We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs

Visas

Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com  For this tour, UK passport holders currently require a double entry visa for Tajikistan and a single entry visa for Afghanistan, as well as a GBAO permit for Tajikistan. Important: Please note that UK residents currently need to apply for a double entry Tajikistan visa and GBAO permit in person at the embassy in London. Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.

Key Aspects to Consider

Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety will be pretty limited. Clients require a double entry Tajikistan visa for this tour. In order to obtain this you currently need to visit the Tajik embassy in London in person to lodge your application and for fingerprinting. Please note that Afghanistan is not a regular tourist destination and the infrastructure for tourists is limited. As such there are no official guides available and the local guides provided are more akin to a "fixer", and will orchestrate the logistics rather than providing in depth information about the country and visits.  So please do not expect the same standard of service compared to neighbouring countries.  Anyone in a good state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour. However please note that although this trip is not necessarily physically demanding by way of exertion, the remoteness and roughness of the journey can take its toll and should not be undertaken lightly. Flexibility For logistical reasons it might be necessary to change the itinerary at very short notice, and clients must be flexible enough to deal with this and acknowledge that this is an inherent part of travel to Afghanistan. Photography On this tour you will be visiting a number of villages where the local people are very sensitive about photography. We ask you to respect the wishes of the local people and please listen to your Tour Leader who will let you know when you can and cannot take photographs. Other tour groups have caused issues in the past when taking photos of people without their permission so please be aware of this.  

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.

  • What currencies are required for this tour?

    SIMPLE

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 2002

  • Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?

    In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.

Reviews from Travellers on this Tour

Bridget Oeppen  

Bridget Oeppen

A really wonderful and thought-provoking journey

Genie Gabel-Dunk  

Genie Gabel-Dunk

The Wakhan Pamir Adventure has been the most challenging and culturally rich travel experience I have had to date...

Berit Askheim  

Berit Askheim

The Wakhan Pamir tour definitely counts to my top 5 trips... How lucky I am to have had this unique experience!

Diana M  

Diana M

From luxurious hot springs in Tajikistan to a challenging hike towards the Pakistani border in Sarhad e Broghil to an impromptu wedding invitation in Sultan Ishkashim, each day in the Pamirs offered an exciting new adventure!

Want a private tour?

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  • Travel more exclusively

    Your tour guide can focus all their attention on your group

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Wild Frontiers allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wild frontiers charges.

    Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

  • Wild Frontiers' COVID Promise

    You will have the right to transfer without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Covid Viable (see below).*
    We will not ask you to pay your final balance if your trip is not yet Covid Viable.
    If your trip is not Covid Viable, by 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will cancel your holiday and you can either transfer your funds to another departure or have a refund.**


    We will only consider a trip Covid Viable*** if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:

    There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
    Destinations on the tour must not be on the UK’s Red List. ****
    No destinations visited on the tour have in place any significant COVID-19 restrictions for travellers.
    Tourist visas (if required) are available.
    There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
    Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner.*****




    ** If you were originally booked to travel before 30 April 2020 and transferred to a later date, or if you have a tailor-made booking, there may be some irrecoverable costs which we cannot refund. Please speak to us and we will be able to advise you if this is the case for your booking.
    ***Since our HQ is in London, Covid Viable status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. However we are fully aware that many of our clients live in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. As such, when we deem a trip to now be Covid Viable, everyone booked will have a chance to review their own personal situation before deciding whether or not to remain booked on the trip. Anyone wishing to, will have the option to transfer without fees to another trip at this time. For tailor made bookings, we may also able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is Viable. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
    **** This relates to bookings from UK clients only. We may operate trips to destinations which the British FCDO advise against travel for Covid reasons. If this is the case, anyone wishing to will have the option to cancel with a refund or transfer to another trip. In some cases we may choose to offer a tour to a Red destination but these will be at both clients’ and Wild Frontiers’ discretion and will be subject to alternative conditions to be discussed on an ad hoc basis.
    *****If a destination, that we have deemed to be Covid Viable, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Covid Promise to transfer without any fees.

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