Echo Trails

Menu

Wild Wakhan

Wild Wakhan

We are very excited to open our 2021 tour applications. Our team is ready to make your tour adventurous in the renowned Wakhan Corridor.

Despite the fact that travelling could be challenging in Afghanistan, yet the nation’s snow-topped Pamir mountains and their verdant valleys have tempted inquisitive adventurers for a considerable length of time. Join our 2020 unique cultural tour opportunity to explore the enriched cultures of the Wakhis & Shugnis and the thriving Wakhan National Park on this epic excursion.

Discover incredible, wilderness of the Wakhan Corridor, and understand why this part of the world is called the ‘classic silk road’. This 15-day adventure, beginning and ending in lively Wakhan Nature Park, will provide you a comprehensive journey through the wild life, mountains, rivers, passes and pastures of this pure Afghans. Stay with a local family in the summer-quarter highlands and get your hands dirty on a sustainable nomadic terrain. Soak in springs that get their heat from the very in-depth magma. Spot the Famous Marco Polo sheep, ibex, brown beards and many more species. This adventure takes you into the heart of a country whose people are all about a pure traditional nomadic lifestyle.

Objective

Located in the north-eastern corner of Afghanistan and bordered with Tajikistan to the north, Pakistan to the south, and China to the east, the Wakhan Corridor is a stand-alone tourist destination in the countries. The purpose of this tour is to expose tourists to the natural gorgeousness, cultural beauty and simplicity of living in the Wakhan corridor.

It is worth noting that driving in one of the most secure areas of Afghanistan, the Wakhan National Park, is not achieved comfortably and it is not merely a leisure. Arduous days, steep and rocky routes and altitudes approaching 5000+m all collide to create a challenging tour in one of the most isolated yet culturally rewarding places on earth.

Highlights

  • Spot Marco polo sheep, ibexes and couple of other wild species
  • Get on the “roof of the world” which approaches 5000+m
  • Explore the adventures of Wakhan National Park.
  • Enrich your experience with Kyrgyz and Wakhi nomads
  • Know the underrated and untouched by war zone
  • Get to know the Afghan national games, Buzkashi
  • Finally, be one of the few to visit the Wakhan and its adventures.

Why Visit?

Explore Wakhan Corridor

The Wakhan Corridor is a highly remotely accessed area in the north-eastern corner of Afghanistan. Steep, rough-walled mountains are crisscrossed by the river valleys that interweave together the Pamir, Tien Shan, Karakorum and Hindu Kush. The highest valleys of the corridor are home to Kyrgyz and Wakhi nomad herds who still live very primitive lives. Because of its remoteness, the area has remained untouched by modern technology and urbanization which makes trekking equally difficult but highly rewarding experience.  .

Know the Geology

The U-formed mountains that provide plentiful munching grass during summer, however, are secured by snow for as long as six months. In the Wakhan, two such enormous zones of meadow, the Big Pamir (Pamir-e- Kalan or Pamir-e-Buzurg) and the Little Pamir (Pamir Khurd or Pamir-e-Kochak) exist. These valleys are utilized by the semi-nomad Wakhi for the summer, who come back to their villages in winter. The Kyrgyz are the permanent residents of the highest altitudes of the Pamirs.  Although the Little Pamir is bigger in territory, the Big Pamir, is what makes the corridor popular for visitors and trekkers.  

Meet the People of Wakhan

Despite the fact that Afghanistan is one of the most diverse countries in the world, the Wakhan corridor hosts mainly Wakhi and Kyrgyz people. The Wakhan corridor is mainly home to Wakhi and Kyrgyz people. The Wakhi people also known as the Pamiries at the Tajik side of the river are Shia Ismaili Muslim – a subbranch of the Shia Muslims. They speak mainly the Wakhi language, but most of them are able to converse in Persian language. Poverty still remain prominent in the corridor because of its remoteness.

Originally of Turkic decedents, the Kyrgyz people are the second most prominent ethnic group in the corridor. They live on the highest altitudes and grass rich spots of the valley. They fled the Central Asian conflict in the early 1900s and settled in Wakhan where they live nomadic lives with very limited access to the outer world. The corridor remains alien to technological and urban development which contributes significantly to poverty of the Wakhi and Kyrgyz communities alike.

Echo Trails in Afghanistan

Echo trails was established in 2011 by Adab Shah Gouhari to help growth of tourism not only in Wakhan area but also all over Afghanistan. The contribution of the management team and the professional tour guides for the establishment of the company stretches back to years of efforts and dedication. Headquartered in Wakhan/Ishkashim area, Echo trails is a pioneer company which is fully staffed by locals. Their rich local knowledge and experience enables the company to offer the most authentic and rewarding tourism experience to our adventurous tourists.

The plan

Rather than guided tours with set daily plans, Adventure Wakhan offers expeditions with framework itineraries. The following is an outline plan for this epic trekking expedition – it’s more about the “substance” than the “details.”

Teammates arrive

Arriving in Kabul at 0900 on July 26 2020, you will be met by your local Afghan Tour Guide and have an introductory session. You will spend the first two days in Kabul by visiting the many monuments and museums of Afghanistan as well as the famous gardens of King Babur of the Mughal Empire. In the following day you will fly to Faizabad, where a rough road will take us through stunning valleys into Ishkashim.

The Wakhan Corridor and Ishkashim

Your first day in with the villagers starts in Ishkashim. Our team of the Afghan locals will accompany you from hereafter to the Wakhan National Park and back. Even after having cleared immigration & customs there will be still be some further red tape to clear, so patience will be needed.

A rough road built by the Soviets takes us into the Wakhan Corridor. With the valley barely 20km wide in places this road is not for the fainthearted and there may be some river crossings to negotiate. The scenery however, is truly magnificent and in addition, we will undoubtedly meet many of the local Wakhi people. The women are especially noticeable with their bright red scarves and beaded necklaces.

Our first day drive in the Wakhan Corridor takes us literally to the end of the road. In Goz Khan the two rivers of Wakhan and the Panj meet, and from here, any further progress must be made on foot, horse or yak!

On expedition

The Villages and Trekking night camps:

Ishkashim

Qala e Panja

Sarhad

Chapdara

Wardif

Beneath Ghurumdee

Aqbilis

Khaich Goz

Chaqmaqtin

On day five we will officially begin our trek in the village of Goz Khan where the Wakhan river meets the Pamir River to become the Panj. This confluence of rivers also mirrors the interweaving of Pamiri & Wakhi cultures. Our crew will join you with pack animals. Your luggage will be carried by the animal while you will be trekking with your bag packs.

It is worth noting that the Wakhan corridor in general lacks infrastructure, especially toilet and washing facilities. Long hours of walks will lead us to streams.

We will ensure to have enough food supplies throughout the excursion. You will receive enough calories to keep you going, however, food options are limited since it is bought locally.

The Wakhan National Park is not a luxurious place where you will merely walk. The uneven and unpaved roads make the trip challenging. The narrow and rocky passes make the trekking adventurous but tiring unless you are equipped with appropriate footwear and clothes.

You will have your first wonderful camping experience starting at the height of 4000m. The summer settlement of the Wakhi people is a place to enjoy hospitality of the locals and curiosity of the children. You will be astonished by the beauty and simplicity of life in on the top of the mountains.

More adventure will begin as we move to the Little Pamir. Snow-furnished mountain peaks will welcome you. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to see the beauty of lakes Zarkul and other smaller lake in the Kyrgyz territory. The Kyrgyz live very primitive and nomadic lifestyle. You will be surprised to be exposed to them somewhere during your trek.

Weather conditions throughout the trek could be unexpected. We could experience snowy days probably but temperature drops significantly at night.

After trekking as high as 4895m, we will head back to Sargaz where our trek will officially end.

Returning from the infamous corridor we will drive back to Faizabad and fly to Kabul. Our final day in Kabul provides the chance to get souvenirs and Afghan crafts before departing back home.

Alternate Route:

Your arrival to Dushanbe, Tajikistan will be 0900 on 05 July 2021. You will be received by the expedition guide at the airport and have an introductory session. The first few days in Tajikistan will take us along the famous Oxus river to GBAO and the crossing point to Afghanistan. The road hit is a long road trip (approximately 20 hours) via the astonishing Pamir Highway to Badakhshan. On the fourth day you will cross the border to Ishkashim, Afghanistan. Welcome to Afghanistan! With lots of paper work and bureaucracy the trail of silk road starts to take you through the wonders of the spectacular Wakhan.

   On the return from Wakhan, our final full day in Afghanistan sees us return to the border town of Shughnan and Khorog. There should be time for some final shopping opportunities before our final hours in Afghanistan. 

Goal achieved

Upon completion of the excursion you will certainly have rich memories and experience to share with other. It will be a life changing experience for you. You will not only experience different living conditions, but you will also witness how people live in one of the most impoverished yet naturally astonishing part of Afghanistan. You will have the change to interact with locals and you might end making some friend(s). We will strive to make your experience rewarding and unforgettable.

Closing Session

There will be a closing session where all the team members will share briefly about their experience. This will be an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our teamwork and our individual experience. Also, this session will be useful for us to gather your feedback to improve our future service.

Fitness

Anyone in a good state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour. However please note that although this trip is not necessarily physically demanding by way of exertion, the remoteness and roughness of the journey can take its toll and should not be undertaken lightly.

Minimum fitness requirements

  • Daily activity: up to 10 hours’ driving per day.
  • Terrain: remote, uneven, snowy, rocky, sometimes exposed terrain at up to 3000m.
  • Climate: Can be sunny in valleys and cold and windy at altitude. Averages are 3000m, 5 to 25C.
  • Swim: not required though there will be river crossings to make.

Included/ Not included

Included

  • Professional expedition leader with full communications kit and medical kit.
  • In-country support.
  • All transport as outlined in the itinerary.
  • Use of horses and pack animals throughout.
  • Tented accommodation throughout.
  • All food (snacks and meals) and soft drinks.

Not included

  • International flights/ travel to and from Dushanbe.
  • Travel insurance (obligatory).
  • Visas where relevant.
  • Tips to local guides (discretionary).
  • Alcohol unless provided by hosts with meals.
  • Personal equipment (full kit list in the Handbook).
  • Beverages and any costs of a personal nature.

frequently asked questions

Will we ride horses?

We may ride horses in a contingency day and throughout the Buzkashi game. 

I’m a vegetarian. Can I join?

Yes, Teammates with dietary requirements are welcome to join.  However, local food supplies are limited and we should be aware of your needs in advance.  

Can I charge all my electricals?

Yes, but not during the whole excursion. Especially, in the upper Wakhan access to power is very limited.  It is recommended that you carry small solar panels if you need to charge your electronics all the time. 

Is it safe?

Is it safe to just solo backpack around Afghanistan as a tourist? Certainly not. The risks are simply too great. Is the situation on the ground in a constant state of flux? Yes, it is and risks must be measured regularly, as the situation on the ground changes quickly? But is it impossible to visit as a tourist? No, that’s not true either. It is possible to visit Afghanistan with well-managed risk mitigation if you plan accordingly. Here’s how. 

Mitigating Risk

In order to mitigate your travel risk in Afghanistan, I’m including the following suggestions. Of course you’re free to take them or leave them, but I highly recommend following these basic safety guidelines.
  • Travel with an experienced local team (guide, fixer, driver) that is trustworthy and well-connected.
  • Do not travel around Afghanistan, even within cities, at night. Kidnapping risk goes up significantly in the dark. It’s best to not go wandering around in the evenings, unless accompanied by trustworthy Afghan fixers or friends.
  • Do not take public transportation.
  • Do not draw unwanted attention to yourself in public places.
  • Dress conservatively. Women should cover up in public— a hijab and long dress at a minimum. It’s best for men to also wear the ‘Shalwar Kimiz’ while in more rural areas.
  • Know where is safe to travel to (regions, roads, transportation methods) and keep in mind this list may change constantly.
  • Do not photograph local women unless you have explicit permission to do so, this is especially problematic when men photograph Afghan women (less of a problem for women to photograph other women, with their permission of course).
  • Always have a backup plan, and then a back up to your back up plan, as the situation in Afghanistan can change at any time.
  • Know that the easiest extraction points from Afghanistan are Kabul (international airport) and Mazar-i Sharif (Uzbek border, and international airport).
Will there be telephone signal?

Not during most of the excursion. However, we will carry a phone with us in case you need to make emergency calls.

Do I need a visa?

Yes, most nationalities need visa. Since this trip will take place through Tajikistan, you will need a visa for both countries. For Tajikistan you also need a GBAO permit (Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast) to enter southern Tajikistan. For the Afghan Visa we will send you letters of invitation upon request. Visas are teammates’ responsibility.

Do we fly into Kabul?

No, this trip will be more convenient through Tajikistan and you will fly to Dushanbe.  

Do I need to cover?

Yes, for the most part. In Tajikistan it is acceptable to expose arms or legs, but the same is not recommended on the Afghan side.  It is recommended that men wear long trousers and long sleeves. Women should cover legs and arms and wear a headscarf while visiting the villages.  When trekking on the mountains you could remove your scarf.  

How can I find out more?

Apply for this expedition team using the button below. Contact us to find more about the joining process, advice on kit, fitness, visas, flights and travel insurance. Adventure Wakhan is then on hand to help with your unanswered questions or to firm up your place on the team. 

Why travel with us?

Eco-cultural tours are critical tool to accelerate the preservation of nature. When you travel with us, your tourism dollars flow to local communities who live with and steward nature – creating jobs and improving livelihoods. Your trip then becomes a powerful incentive for local communities to protect their natural resources, making wildlife worth more alive than dead, and wild lands worth more intact than degraded.
Contact