Hiking route

Engels Meadows is a scenic area that can be visited on a full-day hike from the Wakhan Valley. Starting from the Panj River and climbing gradually into the southern Pamirs, the route leads to high mountain pastures below the steep rock walls of Engels Peak. Without technical difficulties but with wide views over the Wakhan Valley and dramatic mountain backdrops, this hike offers a good impression of the landscapes that make the Wakhan Valley such a special place to visit.

The Bel Ayrik hike in the high-altitudes of the eastern Pamir Mountains offers stunning views over the remote landscapes of the Zorkul area. At 4.800 meters, the pass provides a vantage point of Zorkul Lake without requiring a special permit, making it an accessible way to experience this beautiful region. Reaching the trailhead itself is already an adventure, with a long drive through the vast desert plains of the Gurumdy Valley. The hike itself follows a gentle valley ascent, with a steep...

The Nurek Reservoir, located on the Vakhsh River east of Dushanbe, is one of the largest reservoirs in Tajikistan. The immense lake is a striking landmark surrounded by rugged hills and mountain valleys. This article describes a hike to a crest on the south shore of the reservoir, with panoramic views over the lake, the Dashtimaidonsky Nature Refuge and the landscapes further south. Spring is a good time for this hike in particular, as the valley is dotted with bright purple Afghan redbud...

Southern Tajikistan remains largely overlooked by hikers, with most attention drawn to the country’s higher and more famous mountain ranges. Nevertheless, also the Khatlon Province offers a diverse landscape of ridges, valleys and isolated mountain groups that are well suited to rewarding day hikes. One nice option is a hike into the Takakamar mountain ridge in the deep southwest of Tajikistan. Takakamar has a special landscape on its top with rolling grassy hills and views reaching far...

Khatlon Province is one of the least visited regions of Tajikistan, often overshadowed by the country’s higher mountain ranges. The region does not offer extreme elevations, yet it contains a surprising variety of scenic and rewarding day hikes. This series showcases some of the most interesting hikes in southern Tajikistan. The first hike leads to Khoja Maston, a prominent local peak that offers wide views over the Khatlon plains and surrounding hills.

New profiles for our trekking routes are now on the website. The heights of the trekking routes in Tajikistan are one of the most frequently asked questions. Altitudes and elevation differences are the most important factor determining the difficulty of a trek. For that reason it is important to give clear insight into the altitudes that can be expected. Here an example of how to achieve this with Google elevation data, ChartJS and some basic Python scripting.

You can reach the Yaghnob Valley directly from the M34 highway. But why always take the easy road? The challenging alternative is to enter the Yaghnob Valley from the Ziddi Valley in the south. From the Ziddi Valley, there are several passes crossing the mountain ridge to the north. Most frequently used are the one at Leilakul and the somewhat easier Anzob Pass. May 2022 – we packed our bags to visit Yaghnob Valley starting from Ziddi. The traverse did not turn out to be as...

Are you in Dushanbe and want to get active? With this leisurely day hike, you can explore the Tajik mountains at a stone's throw of the busy capital. Starting from the village of Varzob, the trail runs along a river for a few kilometers and ends at a picturesque waterfall. An easygoing hike that is ideal if you have a day to spare in Dushanbe.