A guidebook to 24 days walks and short treks, plus 2 link routes, in Tajikistan. The graded routes vary in terms of difficulty, although many involve high altitude and remote terrain calling for self-reliance.

The book includes 5 day walks in the Dushanbe region, ranging from 6 to 17km. Covering the Fann Mountains, the Zerafshan and Hissar ranges and Yagnob Valley, and the western, central and southern Pamir, the treks range from 2 to 9 days. Also included is a 10-day trek in Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor.

• Route description illustrated with 1:100,000 mapping
• GPX files available to download
• Can be used either to plan an independent trek or to select, prepare for and enhance an organised expedition
• Practical advice on transport and visas, trekking support, equipment, cultural awareness, safety and security
• Insight into Tajikistan’s rich culture and history
• Russian/Tajik/Pamiri language notes and useful phrases

Map key

Regional overview map

Northern ranges overview map

Pamirs overview map

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Trekking on the Roof of the World

Preparations and practicalities

When to go

Getting there

Visas, permits and border crossings

Getting around

Trekking support

Accommodation and food

Cultural awareness

Language

Money

Phones and the internet

What to take

Low impact trekking

Maps

Trekking in Tajikistan

Staying healthy

Safety and security

Using this guidebook

About Tajikistan

Geography

History

Plants and wildlife

Tajik National Park

Dushanbe day hikes

Route 1 Leilakul

Route 2 Gusgarf Waterfall

Route 3 Begar Waterfall

Route 4 Shirkent dinosaur tracks

Route 5 Sioma Valley

Fann Mountains

Route 6 Mura Pass

Route 7 Dukdon Pass

Route 8 Fann Lakes circuit

Route 9 Kaznok Pass

Route 10 Sarymat Pass

Route 11 Chimtarga Pass and Bolshoi Allo Lake

Link routes

Route 12A Sarymat River

Route 12B Munora Pass

Zerafshan and Hissar ranges and Yagnob Valley

Route 13 Darg to Ziddi Valley

Route 14 Yagnob Valley and Tabaspin Pass

Western and Central Pamir

Route 15 Gardan-i-Kaftar Pass

Route 16 Jizev Valley

Route 17 Ravmeddara Valley

Route 18 Pamir mountain lakes 1: Bachor to Sarez Lake

Route 19 Pamir mountain lakes 2: Yashilkul and Shtik Lazar Pass

Southern Pamir

Route 20 Turumtaikul Lake

Route 21 Oykul Lake

Route 22 Vrang Pass

Route 23 Darshaidavan Pass

Route 24 Vezdara to Tusion

Route 25 Pik Engels Meadow

Afghanistan

Route 26 Afghan Wakhan Corridor: Little Pamir

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Useful contacts

Appendix C Language notes

Appendix D Further reading

Seasons

Most trekking routes in the northern ranges of Tajikistan are accessible from May to October whereas the best time to trek the Pamirs is from June until mid-October.

Centres

Penjikent is the jumping-off point in northern Tajikistan, while Sarytag, the village close to Iskanderkul, connects several trekking itineraries. Khorog is the best hub from which to venture into the Pamirs. The guide also includes five day hikes near the capital, Dushanbe.

Difficulty

Routes vary from easy to very hard. While most trails are clear, solitude, river crossings, route finding, high altitude and the wild terrain of the Tajik mountains all pose varying degrees of challenge. Some treks include travel on small glaciers that require the use of crampons.

Must See

Local hospitality; untamed wilderness; pristine Alpine lakes including Alaudin Lake, Iskanderkul, Leilakul, Zarojkul and Sarez; Dukdon Pass; Ravmeddara Valley; the remote Pamiri villages of Bardara and Vezdara; Shakhdara Valley, with views of Pik Engels and Pik Karl Marx; Afghan Wakhan Corridor

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