Tour description
The Wakhan Valley (also named the Wakhan Corridor) is one of the most beautiful and remote places in Asia and the world. The Wakhan Valley is a mountainous region that belongs to the Pamir and Hindu Kush ranges, most of it being part of southeast Tajikistan and northeast Afghanistan.
For centuries, the Wakhan Valley was an important principate of the famous Kushan, a great empire that extended from southeast Tajikistan to the Ganges Valley itself in India.
For this reason, despite being a very mountainous area, in the valley you find several fortresses located on the top of very high hills, offering the most epic and impressive views ever.
Historically, the region served as a dividing line between west and east Asia, so the valley became an important Silk Road route as well. In the 20th century, it also marked a clear border between the Soviet Union and the British Empire.
With all this historical context, its incredible landscape, and awesome people, the Wakhan Valley is the ultimate adventure and a place you can’t miss in your journey through Tajikistan.
Ishkashim
Officially, Ishkashim is the first village in the Wakhan. Just across the border, the first Afghan village is also called Ishkashim as, many years ago, they were one single town. Ishkashim is the largest village in the valley. There’s not much to do in Ishkashim besides wandering around the village and taking pictures of the rural life. Moreover, if you are lucky, once a week, an Afghan market takes places in neutral territory, on an island in the Panj River, just between the two borders.
Namadgut
Coming from Ishkashim, just two kilometers before the tiny village of Namadgut, built on the top of a hill, you find the Kaakha fortress, the ruins of a fort with impressive views to the Panj river, from where you get an awesome perspective of both Afghanistan and Tajikistan. At the top, they have also installed a military base and, to access the fortress, you’ll have to go through it, walking among hanging clothes and tables where they eat.
Yamchun
Built on the top of a cliff, in this cute village you find Yamchun Fort, a fortress which is said to be 2,000 years old and which was used to protect the principate during the Kushan empire. Yamchun Fortress is the most impressive place in the entire Wakhan Valley as, from here, you get stunning views of the valley and the Afghan Hindu Kush, whose snow-capped peaks pop up from the fortress’s background. In Yamchun, there are also some famous hot springs called Bibi Fatima.
Vrang
The internationally famous Silk Road wasn’t only a set of routes aiming to trade and exchange products between civilizations and empires but, also, many different people from different religions left their religious and cultural footprint as well. That is the reason in Vrang, you can find a Buddhist stupa from the 4th century, whose origin and history, unfortunately, remain pretty unknown. The stupa is built at the highest point in the village, with breathtaking views of the valley.
Zong and Hisor
Zong is another small locality where Abrashim Qala is built, a fortress which once served to defend from the Chinese and Afghan invaders. Moreover, if you are into photography, Zong and Hisor, a village just two kilometers away, are where I found the best opportunities to take pictures of the local, rural life.
Langar
Langar is going to be your first or last destination, depending on whether you come from Khorog or the Pamir Highway. Probably, Langar is the most touristic spot in the Wakhan as, over the years, it has hosted hundreds of bikers and drivers in general, which originated the commercialization of many locals’ mentality. At the top of the village, there are the remains of some of the most important petroglyphs in Tajikistan.
ITINERARY: Hulbuk Fortress - Kulyab city: Museum of the 2700th anniversary of Kulyab, mausoleum and museum of Mir Sayid Alii Hamadoni - Kalai Khumb (Darvaz) - Khorog city - Ishkashim region: Garmchashma sanatorium, Namadgut, Yamchun, Vrang, Zong, Hisor, Langar.
Availability: May - October 
Direction: Dushanbe-Vose-Kulyab-Kal'ai Khumb-Khorug-Ishkashim 
Duration: 7 days / 8 nights
Type of tour: group (5 or more persons)Program of the tour
ARRIVAL DAY. Dushanbe - Hulbuk - Kulyab - Kalai Khumb (Darvaz)
09:00 - Welcome tourists from the international airport of Dushanbe or hotel guests, departure to Kulyab (from Dushanbe - 196 km drive)
On the way to Kulyab we will visit the Hulbuk Fortress (165 km from Dushanbe). From the 9th to the 11th centuries, the Hulbuk Fortress was located in the center of one of the four largest cities in Central Asia, it was the residence of Shah (King) Khatlon. The citadel was guarded by a giant salt hill, which at that time was of great importance as the source of one of the three precious resources (along with gold and horses) traded on the Silk Roads.
The next object is the Kulyab (31 km drive from Hulbuk). In the center of the city of Kulyab, in the park area, there is a memorial complex of Mir Said Ali Hamadoni - a poet, philosopher and thinker of the 14th century. His son Muhammad, relatives, as well as Sheikh Shokhi Tolikoni from the Afghan city of Tolukan, a former inspector of the mausoleum and mosque, are also buried there. The complex includes the local history museum of the 2700th anniversary of Kulyab, the museum of the literary heritage of the writer Mirsaid Ali Hamadoni and the house-museum of the national poet Saydali Valizod. Every year the museum is visited by more than two million visitors, both local and foreign guests.
15:00 - After lunch, we will continue our journey to Kalai Khumb, Darvaz (from Kulyab - 169 km drive).
18:00 - Arrival in Kalai Khumb, Darvaz. Accommodation at the hotel and dinner.
Kalai Khumb - the ancient city of Karon - Khorog
09:00 - After breakfast visit the ancient city Karon (Karon Castle)
The ancient town of Karon is located in the village of Ruzvai, at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level on the mountain Zogik. Karon is a naturally inaccessible and protected area. Its grandeur and size have led scholars to hypothesize that it was once a royal city and a place of nobility, where the king, his relatives, troops, and servants resided. Historical sources mention the existence of the town of Karon city in medieval times. However, this site was not recognized as a historical and cultural heritage site or a tourist attraction until recently. In 2012, Tajik and Russian archaeologists unearthed fragments of a five-story fire temple, water and wind temples, a windmill, and a fragment of a book (presumably a Zoroastrian sacred book of Avesta) at the site.
11:00 - Cntinuation of the journey, heading to Khorog (from Kalai Khumb - 243 km)
13:00 - Lunch on way
20:00 – Arrival in Khorog, hotel accommodation and dinner
Khorog - Ishkashim
08:00 - Breakfast at the hotel
09:00 - Departure to Ishkashim region (from Khorog - 108 km)
11:00 - Arrival at Garmchashma, accommodation in hotels or sanatorium Garmchashma
Garmchashma, which literally means "hot spring," is located at an elevation of 2,529 meters above sea level in the same village. The spring's water contains sulfate, carbonate, chloride, hydrocarbonate, and sodium silicate elements. The average annual temperature of the site is 6.70 °C, but in summer, it reaches 16.0 °C. The spring emerges as a result of the deposition of white limestone. The landscape is characterized by a high hill formation, reaching heights of 7-35 meters, with a length of 1,500 meters and a width of 35-45 meters.The village itself boasts a picturesque natural setting, attracting patients from various regions of Tajikistan and neighboring countries during the spring and summer months for treatment.The site contains small caves with dry white limestone interiors, which are utilized for medicinal purposes. These caves were discovered during excavations for the removal of dry limestone at the foot of the spring hill.
12:00 - Lunch
13:00 - Swim at hort source
15:00 - Short hiking excursions to villages where visitors can experience local culture.
17:00 - End of the day, return to the hotel, dinner
Garmchashma - Ishkashim - Wakhan Valley - Namadgut - Yamchun - Vrang
09:00 – After breakfast departure to Ishkashim
10:00 - Arrival at Ishkashim ans sightseeing Wakhan Valley
Ishkashim is the first and most exciting village in the Wakhan! Across the border, you'll find the first Afghan village, also called Ishkashim. Many years ago, they were one single town, and it's amazing to see how much it has grown! Ishkashim is the largest village in the valley, and there's so much to explore. Wander around the village and take pictures of the rural life—it's truly a sight to behold! And if you're lucky, you might even catch an Afghan market once a week on an island in the Panj River, just between the two borders. It's a unique opportunity to experience the local market and connect with the vibrant Afghan community.
Wakhan Valley - is located between the southwestern part of Tajikistan in the autonomous region of Gorno-Badakhshan and the northeastern part of Afghanistan.
The incredible Namadgut! Just two kilometers from the tiny hilltop village of Namadgut, you'll find the incredible Qahqaha Fortress! This ruined fort offers spectacular views of the Panj River and provides sweeping vistas of both Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
The fortress of Qah-Qahha is located at an elevation of 2,642 meters above sea level. Constructed using local stones and mud, the fortress was built on a large rock. These fortresses controlled the movement of caravans coming from India to Hindu Kush and Wakhan and then going to the eastern Pamirs of China.The fortress is built of stone and clay. The architectural design is intricate, comprising three sections: the citadel and two open areas, based on the analysis of brick shapes and fragments of pottery, researchers have determined that the construction of the fortress continued during the rule of the Kushans.Many researchers also attribute the fortress to the "siyahpush" (black weavers), based on folk legends.
13:00 – Lunch and continue sightseeing
And now for something really special! We're off to Yamchun. In this absolutely gorgeous village built on top of a cliff, you will find the incredible Yamchun Fort, which is 2000 years old and was used to protect the townspeople during the Kushan Empire. The Yamchun fortress is the most impressive place in the entire Wakhan Valley! It offers absolutely stunning views of the valley and the Afghan Hindu Kush, whose snow-capped peaks jut out against the backdrop of the fortress. And there's more! Yamchun also has several famous hot springs called Bibi Fatima.
Vrang is home to the incredible Silk Road, a network of routes that facilitated trade and the exchange of goods between civilizations and empires. But that's not all! Many different people from different religions left their religious and cultural mark along the way. Vrang is home to a Buddhist stupa from the 4th century, which is a truly awe-inspiring sight to behold. While the stupa's origin and history remain shrouded in mystery, its location atop the village's highest point offers unparalleled views of the valley below.
19:00 – Arrival at Vrang village, dinner and accommodation to hotel
Distance - 9 km, climb - 450 m
Wrang-Zong and Hisor-Langar
09:00 – Breakfast at hotel and short hiking mountain gorges of Vrang, getting to know the local population and their culture
13:00 – After lunch continue trip to Murgab via Langar (from Vrang - 270 km)
Zong is another small settlement where Abreshim-Kal'a was built:a fortress that served to protect against Chinese and Afghan invaders.
Langar will be your first or last destination, depending on whether you come from Khorog or the Pamir highway. Langar is the most touristy place in Wakhan, as it has hosted hundreds of bikers and drivers in general over the years. At the village's summit, visitors will find the remnants of some of the most significant petroglyphs in Tajikistan.
17:00 - Return to Vrang, dinner and accommodation to hostel
Distance - 7 km, climb - 700 m
Vrang - Khorog - Qalai Khumb
08:00 - breakfast at the hostel and return trip to direction of Dushanbe
13:00 - Lunch on the way.
19:00 - Overnight in Qalai Khumb (Darvoz) (341 km from the Wakhan valley).
Kalai Khumb - Dushanbe
10:00 - After breakfast at the hotel, departure to Dushanbe;
13:00 - Lunch on the way
17:00 - arrival in Dushanbe, end of the tour, seeing off tourists (362 km drive from Kalai Khumb)
