Trekking

Hiking trails in the Tajik mountains remain very uncharted. Trekking routes typically consist of small shepherd trails leading through remote landscapes. In the most desolate regions, however, even such simple trails may be absent requiring you to navigate scree slopes and cross rivers. A lack of technical skills for hiking on rugged terrains can lead to a sub-optimal trekking experience, so selecting an appropriate route is essential. Given the challenging nature of the Tajik hiking trails...

First-time visitors to Tajikistan often find themselves uncertain about the accommodations during their mountain trek. Given the absence of mass tourism, homestays are the most common form of lodging. Homestays offer more than just a place to rest your head, providing unique insight into Tajik hospitality, traditions and everyday life. But what is an homestay precisely from a practical point of view and what facilities do they provide? Across Tajikistan, there are quite some regional...

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...

Trekking through the high mountains of Tajikistan is a unique and unforgettable adventure. Traversing the breathtaking landscapes is something any trekking adept needs to experience. At the same time, trekking in extreme conditions through touristically under-developed regions comes with particular challenges. Trails are not indicated, public transport to the mountains is lacking and accommodation options are limited. Traveling to the end of the world under such circumstances requires a...

Corona brought a big blow to the tourist industry around the world. The tourism sector of Tajikistan is not left unaffected either. Every single homestay we have visited lately shares one and the same story – the tourists have largely disappeared. Rooms remain empty. The income has dried up. The hiking trails remain nearly completely free of tourists. The abrupt corona pandemic strongly impacted those relying on tourism, as we find out each time we move around in the mountains these...

The Pamirs are among the most impressive destinations for ultra-high trekking expeditions. Most hiking trails in the Pamir Mountains are unfortunately covered by snow most of the year. When summer approaches and temperatures rise, we are – like many – eager to hit the trails as quickly as possible. The early season may still be very snowy and comes with extra challenges on top of the already tough trekking conditions under normal circumstances. We hit the trail in spring to visit the...