Expedition to Wakhan of Afghanistan

Trip description

Important Notice: Respectful Conduct in Afghanistan

Dear Visitors,

In light of recent changes in the leadership of Afghanistan and the new regulations imposed by the ruling Taliban party, we kindly request your strict adherence to the ethnic, moral, and religious rights inherent to this country during your stay in Afghanistan.

These rules specifically apply to clothing and behavior:

Attire: It is recommended to wear non-restrictive clothing with long sleeves and trousers, both for women and men. Women should cover their heads. If you wish to photograph local residents, please ask for their permission first. Approaching women, especially those wearing hijab, is strictly prohibited.

Photography: Always seek permission before capturing images of local inhabitants. Respect their privacy and cultural norms.

Conduct: Any misunderstandings with local residents, authorities, or military personnel should be resolved through your guide. Harassing or bothering women is strictly forbidden.

Safety: While the Wahkan Valley is considered the safest territory in Afghanistan, adhering to safety rules is paramount for your well-being and the enjoyment of your trip. Your guide is equipped to handle any conflicts that may arise.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation!  Safe travels, and thank you for choosing to explore Afghanistan with respect for its culture and traditions!

Overview
Travelling in Wakhan, you discover the essence of adventure travel. The ranges of magnificent snowy mountains, wild landscapes inhabited by the charming villages and nomad camps awaiting you at every turn. Traveling along the route with hospitable locals, will bring you a vivid impression of exoticism and cool pictures. You will discover the time stuck in the past, exploring this remote region. Due to the remoteness and untouched nature, Wakhan become one of the world’s famous destinations for adventure travelers in recent years, but only very few companies can offer a trip to this area. Even though Wakhan is inhabited mostly by Ismailies (who practice a moderate form of Islam and very hospitable) and the region is terrorist free, (for now) still, it is not a hot-spot destination for tourists. The top are about one hundred tourists every season.
As most of the route passes through remote areas far from inhabited places and requires the passage of snowy passes above 4600 meters, the participants must be in good physical shape

Wakhan
Wakhan of Afghanistan (famous as Afghan Wakhan or just Wakhan) – a piece of land between the Pamir and Hindu Kush ranges, surrounded by highest snowcapped peaks ending to spectacular landscapes and breathtaking views of green pastures. This remote area inhabited by two ethnic groups – Wakhi people, living in lower valleys, cultivating the small piece of land along the Pamir river and Kyrgyz – nomadic people, living in yurts and moving their yaks and sheep to different valleys depending on season. The majority of population raises livestock for living; they trade animals, skin and meat with Pakistan and China and get food, clothing and good from these neighbor countries. As a “Wakhan Сorridor” it become popular from 1873, after the Great Game – the intense competition between the Russian Empire and Great Britain for influence in the region. The main reason for creating the corridor was that the British wanted to avoid having a direct border between these two Empires.

The Plan
Pamir Trips is one of the pioneer companies, started to organize tours to Wakhan. In this tour, we adhere to the lower branch of the route to Lake Chakmaktin and take the high route in the way back over high passes over 4500 meters. The loop takes around 11 days wilderness trek with camping.
As most of the things and supplies are not available in Afghan Wakhan, most of the food and suppliers we prefer to get from Dushanbe. We use our own camping and cooking equipment in Afghan Wakhan and use only 4x4 vehicles for transportation. The easiest point to access the Afghan Wakhan is from Ishkashim of Tajikistan, crossing the bridge to Sultan Ishkashim of Afghanistan. The car road into Wakhan is quite rough track from Sultan Ishkashim to Khandut (an ancient capital of Wakhan) than ends in Sarhad – e – Brughil. After Sarhad, pack animals would carry the luggage: donkeys, horses and yaks with the help of porters. We only use the service of trusted locals; the people we well know and used to work with before. We always try to keep the planned itineraries, but due to remoteness of the area and weather, conditions the itinerary can changed, as the safety of the group is the first priority of our company.