Tajikistan Pamir Mountains Tour

In 2014, I spent two months traveling overland from Kyrgyzstan to Iran, and covered almost every country in Central Asia except for Tajikistan and Afghanistan.  I was absolutely smitten by Central Asia, and swore to return. 

So I’m extremely excited to introduce my new Tajikistan Pamir Mountain tour which will bring us deep into the remote regions of Tajikistan and eastern Afghanistan. This 12-day trip is run in conjunction with a Tajik tour operator that is a pioneer in the country’s tourism industry.

The region of Tajikistan that we’re visiting (officially known as GBAO or Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast) is mountainous, remote and difficult to access. We’ll be traversing steep river ravines, driving along rugged terrain and staying with many Pamir locals. The famous Pamir Highway, the second highest international highway, cuts across this sparsely populated area. Mostly unpaved, potholed, often flooded and one-car wide, it’s an experience not to be missed.

A major highlight of the trip is the Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of territory in northeastern Afghanistan*, wedged between the Pamir Mountains and the Karakoram range. The entire corridor is dotted with picturesque villages, nestled in fertile plots of intensively cultivated land and half-buried under fruit orchards. Apart from the beauty of the journey, there are several sites of interest along the way, including castle ruins, ancient shrines decorated with ibex horns and sets of petroglyphs.

*Note that the one-night stay in Afghanistan is optional. You can choose to stay in Tajikistan and explore the town of Khorog. Prices remain the same.

What Do We See on this Pamir Mountains Tour?

On this 12-day trip, we’ll be exploring the best of Tajikistan and the Pamir Mountains: learning about history in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe, driving along the Tajik-Afghan border, crossing over to the town of Sultoni Ishkashim in Afghanistan, dipping in hot springs and seeing several lakes of the Pamirs. The trip will take us into traditional Afghan and Tajik villages, into locals’ homes, and deep into the rugged Pamir Mountains.

This is a full board tour — with all meals, transport and activities included in the price. The accommodation consists of a variety of three-star hotels, simple guesthouses and local home stays. Note that we will actually be staying in the real homes of local Tajik people. These are not designed for tourism, so they can be quite basic, with 3 to 4 persons in a room. You’ll be sleeping on mattresses instead of beds. 

Is the Region Safe?

The Wakhan is incredibly cut off from the rest of Afghanistan. Most parts of the region have no roads and are inaccessible. Because of its remote location, it has remained generally safe and peaceful. The Taliban does not have a presence in the Wakhan region (at the moment). The main road leading into the Wakhan Corridor is currently controlled by the Afghan Military, who keeps the Taliban out. That said, we will be closely monitoring the security situation at the Tajik-Afghan border and making sure things are stable before we cross over to Afghanistan.

Map from Wildlife Conservation Society

Why Join this Tajikistan Tour?

Firstly, the Pamir Mountains are so remote and inaccessible that independent travel there is difficult. Public transportation is limited to local shared taxis and you may have to hitchhike in certain areas. On this trip, we’ll be traveling on vans (up to five persons in each van) and we’ll have a guide to share stories and tell us more about the area and history.

Secondly, this tour will bring us deep into locals’ home and allow us to truly understand the Tajik and Afghan culture. We’ll have a Tajik guide who has years of experience leading tours in the area and who can speak the local language. He’ll also help us obtain all the permits and visas needed to get to the areas we’re visiting. (You’ll only need to get the Tajik visa yourself in advance.) Once we get into Afghanistan, we’ll have an Afghan guide who speaks the local language can help us translate.

The Wakhan Corridor trip is often described as the most epic journey in Central Asia. Not many travelers venture to this part of the world, but those who do always leave wide-eyed and impressed. If you’re looking for the kind of adventure that lasts a lifetime in your memory, then this is it.

BOOK YOUR SPOT WITH A $400 DEPOSIT!

What WildJunket Tours Are About:

WildJunket Tours cover territories where few people go to, and explore corners that are not just off the tourist radar, but also culturally rich and historically intriguing.

My trips are all culturally immersive and experiential, allowing us to experience local culture from ground level. We’ll go local, eat at local eateries and stay at locally owned guesthouses and hotels. We always have an experienced, local guide to answer any question you may have about the destination.

These trips are fun, exciting adventures that don’t feel like tours. We will travel in small groups (anything from 3 to 9) and the arrangement is informal. We have a rough itinerary but it’s not fixed. There’s plenty of freedom for travelers and it’s all about exploring and learning on these trips. Think of us as a bunch of independent travelers having an adventure together.

Most importantly, we will explore under the surface of a destination and get a feel for it beyond the headlines.

Why Travel with Me

I have over 14 years of experience traveling to some of the wildest and craziest parts of the world. For those who don’t know me, I’m an adventure travel blogger and professional travel writer, with a special knack for off-the-beaten-path travel and unusual destinations. Read more about me.

I’ve been to 120 countries on all 7 continents, and have gone on some crazy adventures including expedition cruising to Antarctica,traversing the Silk Road overland, bungee jumping in New Zealand, traveling undercover in North Korea, and gorilla tracking in Central Africa.

Another bonus for traveling with me is that I’ll be sharing all I know about building a career in travel. If you’re interested in learning about travel blogging or writing, feel free to fire away and ask me for advice in person! I can even teach you a thing or two about finding work in the new digital industry or publishing. I’m always happy to share my experience and personal tips with you along the way.

Demand is huge and spaces are limited so sign up now! Early bird prices are only until 7 March 2018.