Afghan Wakhan & Zorkul Trekking Expedition
Join us on an epically amazing 24-day journey through northern Afghanistan’s remote Wakhan Corridor to explore the little-visited Little Pamir Mountains and the surreal Zorkul Lake.
Starting from the capital of Dushanbe in neighboring Tajikistan, we will first make our way south toward the Khatlon region before crossing the Shirkhan Bandar border into Afghanistan’s Kunduz Province. We will attain our Afghan visas at the border.
Once into the country we will head to Kunduz City to get permits approved and then head eastward across Kunduz and Takhar provinces to finally reach Badakhshan and onwards to Ishkashim. From Afghan Ishkashim, we’ll continue by jeep down the Wakhan Valley Road to Gaz Khan from which we’ll begin our expedition on foot.
The goals are to reach both the famed Zorkul Lake and the surreal Chaqmaqtin Lake located in the Little Pamir Mountains, inhabited by Kyrgyz and Wakhi semi-nomadic families.
Dates
August 15-September 7, 2024
(Tentatively)
Duration
24 days | 23 nights
Start
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Finish
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Maximum Group Size
10
Cost
$4,700 USD
Deposit
30% due at time of sign up
Included In The Costs
- Accommodations in guesthouse and camping gear on trek, not including sleeping bags (bringing own tents is recommended as gear in the Wakhan isn’t of the best quality)
- Local guide and trip leader
- Visa support documents (letter of invitation)
- Pack animal support
Excluded Costs
- International airfare to & from
- Visas fees for Tajikistan (~$50-70 USD for multi-entry e-visa, visa-free for some nationalities) & Afghanistan ($90-200 USD on average)
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending
- PCR testing (if applicable)
- Gear
- Tips for local staff (discretionary)
About Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor
Squeezed between the Pamir and Karakoram Mountains, Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor is a political creation, formed during the Great Game in 1893 by the Durand agreement between Afghanistan and the United Kingdom to serve as a buffer between Russian Turkestan (present-day Tajikistan) and British India (present-day Northern Pakistan).
Historically, the Afghan Wakhan Corridor was a trade route along the Silk Road, used by merchants and travelers traversing between the Badakhshan region and Yarkand in what is now Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. Over the years the Wakhan became quite diverse with many people of varying cultures crossing and settling in the area as they traveled through this remote land.
The Wakhan Corridor has remained largely cut off from the remainder of Afghanistan due to its rugged, arduous terrain, making it the only reasonably safe destination within Afghanistan’s borders, dodging the wars that have wracked the country since the 1970s.
Afghan Wakhan & Zorkul Trekking Expedition Itinerary
Day 1: The Start of the Journey | Dushanbe to Faizobad
We hit the ground running on day 1, leaving before dawn. We plan to reach the Shirkhan border when it opens at 9 am (a three hour drive from Dushanbe)
Once we’ve entered Afghanistan, we will continue to Kunduz City to get approval stamps on permits and visas to give us permission to continue toward Badakhshan.
Once we have completed formalities in Kunduz, we will continue east with plans to reach Faizobad for the night but if time allows we may continue further on toward Ishkashim.
Driving: 12 hours
Altitude: 2,200m
Overnight: Guesthouse in Faizobad
Day 2: Continue Toward the Wakhan | Faizobad to Ishkashim
Getting yet another early start, we will continue our journey toward the small town of Ishkashim.
Driving: 10 hours
Altitude: 2,600m
Overnight: Guesthouse in Ishkashim
Day 3: Explore Ishkashim | Afghan Ishkashim
Today, the plan is to explore Ishkashim, while our organizers collect our permits for our journey into the Wakhan National Park.
Altitude: 2,600 meters
Overnight: Guesthouse in Ishkashim
Day 4: Journey to the Great Pamir | Ishkashim to Gaz Khan
After breakfast in Ishkashim, we will begin our drive along the Afghan Wakhan Corridor toward the village of Gaz Khan in the Great Pamir near where the Pamir and Wakhan Rivers meet to form the Panj. This route sits along one of the major thoroughfares of the ancient Silk Road with the likes of Marco Polo and Hsuan Tsang passing through this area in the past.
We will eventually break in the village of Khandood to process more paperwork. We plan to arrive in Gaz Khan in the late afternoon or early evening and spend our last night indoors here before beginning the trek.
Driving time: 8-9 hrs
Altitude: 2,900 meters
Overnight: Guesthouse in Gaz Khan
Day 5: The Afghan Wakhan Trek Begins: Gaz Khan to Jangle
After a big breakfast, we’ll load up supplies onto yaks and donkeys and begin our Wakhan Corridor trek toward Zorkul Lake and the Little Pamir. The journey today will take us from the village of Gaz Khan to the shepherd settlement of Jangle.
Trekking: 8-9 hrs
Altitude: 3,250 meters
Overnight: Tent camping in Jangle
Day 6: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Jangle to Shukarga
On the second day of our Wakhan Corridor trek, we will continue further into the Great Pamir, gaining nearly 700 meters in elevation by the time we arrive at the summer pasture in the Valley of Shukarga where we will camp for the night.
Trekking: 8-9 hours
Altitude: 3,900 meters
Overnight: Tent camping in Shukarga Valley
Day 7: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Shukarga to Munjlaq
Today is our first of many strenuous days along this Wakhan Corridor Trek. Continuing along the Shukarga Valley we will make our way to 4400 meter Shukarga Pass. If the wind allows we will have lunch at the top of the pass before descending to Munjlaq where we will set up camp for the night.
Trekking: 8-10 hours
Altitude: 4,400 meters
Overnight: Tent camping in Munjlaq
Day 8: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Munjlaq to Julmasert
On the 4th day of the Wakhan Corridor Trek, we will have a gradual uphill walk to the summer pasture of Julmasert.
Trekking: 8-9 hours
Altitude: 4,450 meters
Overnight: Tent camping in Julmasert
Day 9: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Julmasert to Erghnaq
The trek today in the Great Pamir inches us closer to Zorkul Lake, bringing us from Julmasert to Erghnaq. The hike is fairly straightforward with a few rolling hills to cross on the way.
Trekking: 5-7 hours
Altitude: 4,300 meters
Overnight: Tent camping in Erghnaq
Day 10: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Erghnaq to Moolah
Today’s goal is to arrive at the settlement of Moolah from Erghnaq, located not too far from Lake Zorkul.
Trekking: 7-8 hours
Altitude: 4,500 meters
Overnight: Tent camping in Moolah
Day 11: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Moolah to Zorkul
After an early start, we will plan to arrive at the shores of Zorkul in the early afternoon to give us ample time to explore around the lake. Zorkul straddles the Tajik and Afghan border so we’ll have impressive views back into Tajikistan.
After a sunset dinner on Zorkul’s shores, enjoy epic stargazing before calling it a night.
Trekking: 5-6 hours
Altitude: 4,300m
Overnight: Tent camping at Zorkul
Day 12: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Zorkul to the foot of Showr Pass
After a sunrise breakfast at Zorkul, we’ll pack up camp and make our way toward Showr Pass that we will be crossing the next day. The trek gains gradual elevation today before we reach our camp between the 4,400 and 4,500 meter mark.
Trekking: 7-8 hours
Altitude: 4,500 meters
Overnight: Tent camping at the foot of Showr Pass
Day 13: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Crossing Showr Pass
With an early start, we’ll make our final push to the top of 4,890 meter Showr Pass, gaining approximately 400 meters in elevation on the way up. After lunch at the top, we will make our descent to camp just on the other side of Showr Pass for the night.
Trekking: 8-10 hours
Altitude: 4,890 meters
Overnight: Tent camping on the other side of Showr Pass
Day 14: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Showr Pass to the Foot of Qarabel Pass
Today is a short day bringing us first down and then back up again to camp at the foot of 4,800 meter Qarabel Pass.
Trekking: 4-5 hours
Altitude: 4,200 meters
Overnight: Tent camping at the foot of Qarabel Pass
Day 15: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Qarabel Pass to Nauabad
On this 11th day of the Wakhan Corridor Trek, we’ll make our way up to cross Qarabel Pass, gaining nearly 600 meters in elevation on the way to the top. After taking in the panorama from the top, we’ll continue down to the shepherd camp of Nauabad for the night.
Trekking: 8-9 hours
Altitude: 4,800 meters
Overnight: Tent camping in Nauabad
Day 16: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Nauabad to the Foot of Aqbilis Pass, Crossing Ghurumdee Pass
Today we cross our highest pass of the trek at 4,895 meters. After an early breakfast, we’ll depart Nauabad bound for Ghurumdee Pass to arrive at the top by the early afternoon.
We’ll descend into a valley from here and continue toward our camp at the foot of Aqbilis Pass.
Trekking: 9-11 hours
Altitude: 4,895 meters
Overnight: Tent camping at the foot of Aqbilis Pass
Day 17: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Aqbilis Pass to Kurchin
Today we cross our final pass of the trek, taking us up and over 4,600 meter Aqbilis Pass. We’ll plan to have lunch at the shores of a beautiful alpine lake up in the pass before descending to the Kyrgyz settlement of Kurchin for the night.
Trekking: 9-10 hours
Altitude: 4,600 meters
Overnight: Tent camping in Kurchin
Day 18: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Kurchin to Chaqmaqtin
From Kurchin we will continue to the gem of the Little Pamir of Chaqmaqtin Lake. The trek will take us past the village of Bozai Gumbez and onto the shores of Chaqmaqtin.
Driving: 8-9 hours
Altitude: 4,100 meters
Overnight: Tent camping at Chaqmaqtin
Day 19: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Chaqmaqtin (Rest Day)
Today we will have the chance to explore the Chaqmaqtin area, meet local Kyrgyz families, and learn about their culture in what feels like one of the most secluded places in the world.
Trekking: Rest day
Altitude: 4,050m
Overnight: Tent camping at Chaqmaqtin
Day 20: Wakhan Corridor Trek | Drive Chaqmaqtin to Qala e Panja
After breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to the Little Pamir and depart Chaqmaqtin Lake where our vehicles will be waiting for us. From Chaqmaqtin we’ll make our way to Qala e Panja, the once capital of the Mirdom of Wakhan, which dates back to the Sassanid era.
Driving: 7-8 hours
Altitude: 2,800 meters
Overnight: Guesthouse in Qala e Panja
Day 21: Back on the Wakhan Corridor Road | Qala e Panja to Ishkashim
We will take today to make the road journey along the Afghan Wakhan back to Ishkashim from Qala e Panja, making scenic stops in villages along the way.
Driving time: 6 hrs
Altitude: 2,800 meters
Overnight: Guesthouse in Ishkashim
Day 22: Rest Day | Extra Day in the Event of Delays
Given the remote nature of this trip, we always budget on an extra day in the event of delays in order to have plenty of time to get across the border and to Dushanbe so that guests don’t miss any flights out.
Altitude: 2,600 meters
Overnight: Guesthouse in Ishkashim
Day 23: Say Goodbye to the Wakhan | Ishkashim to Kunduz
In the morning we’ll say goodbye to our local guide in Afghanistan and make the journey back to Kunduz City.
Driving: 16 hours
Altitude: 2,600 meters
Overnight: Guesthouse in Kunduz
Day 24: The Final Day | Kunduz to Dushanbe
Today begins early with a short drive of a little over an hour to reach the Shirkhan border crossing. Once across we’ll contnue the 3 hour drive to Dushanbe where our trip ends
Driving: 4-5 hours
Altitude: 2,200m
Other Important Information
Traveling in the Wakhan Corridor comes with a few unique hurdles.
Sleeping Arrangements & Showering
We will plan to sleep two to a tent while camping on the Wakhan trek. In guesthouses, you can expect the group to be put into large rooms with several beds, some of which may be on the floor. We will have the chance to shower on all nights in Tajikistan, and in Afghan Ishkashim. Otherwise, we will be wild camping (plan to get dirty- it’s quite dusty in these parts).
Meals
3 meals per day are included on the trip (except on arrival and departure days). Meals are very simple in the Wakhan. You can expect a typical meal to consist of chai, non (bread), and either rice or noodles with meat. If you have any allergies or special dietary requirements please let us know in advance so we can try our best to accommodate you.
Electricity, Internet & Communications
Once we begin the trek we will not have access to regular electricity. I highly recommend purchasing a solar charger and external batteries to bring with you to keep your electronics charged out here.
Given the remote nature of this trip, don’t expect to be online much at all. Mobile phone coverage is extremely limited and not the most reliable in the Afghan Wakhan. If you want to keep in contact with those back home, I highly recommend bringing an Inreach Explorer+ with you.
Dress Code
While the Wakhan Corridor is not as conservative as the remainder of Afghanistan it is still a pretty conservative society. Being fully covered for both men and women is important (long sleeves, full-length trousers/trekking pants). While not 100% required at all times it is best for women to wear a head covering in areas where we will encounter people (think villages and settlements). Much of this trip takes place at high altitudes and given the time of year (August) temperatures can be quite cool, so covering and layering will be more comfortable anyway.
In Tajikistan, there are no special dressing requirements.
Medications & First Aid
Bring any medication you need or may possibly need from home. I also highly recommend carrying a simple first aid kit with you for any minor injuries.
Altitude
This trip will largely take place at high altitudes. The elevations on the trek between Gaz Khan up to Zorkul, over to Chaqmaqtin and back will range from 3,300 meters | 10,825 feet at the lowest and 4,900 meters | 16,080 feet at the highest. We will take precautions to prevent altitude sickness, but it can and will happen. Read up more on altitude sickness here.
Weather
Given the high altitude nature of this trip, you can expect temperatures to be quite cold year-round, even in August when this Wakhan trek will take place. I’ve personally seen it snow in the Wakhan in September on my visit in the past, but even in July, this is not unheard of. Temperatures down to -15°C can be possible at night and as high as 25°C at lower altitudes in the daytime.
Physical Level
Trekking in the Wakhan is challenging. You can expect long days of trekking, up to 25 kilometers | 15 miles (8-10 hours) at the longest and as mentioned previously, we will trek over a number of mountain passes, the highest being at nearly 4,900 meters. We will cross rivers and creeks numerous times. We will have pack animal support for the trek to carry food and tents, but you should still expect to carry a pack with roughly 10-15 kg of weight each day.
Extra Days
Wanting to add additional days in Tajikistan? No problem! We can arrange tours in Dushanbe and beyond, so get in touch and we can help set things up.
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Sign Up
This trip is limited to a maximum of 14 travelers so spots may fill quickly. Fill out the form below if you’re considering joining the expedition.