The hidden Yaghnob Valley is not only incredibly beautiful – it is also known for being home to one of the most isolated communities living in Tajikistan. For most of the year, the Yaghnob Valley is completely inaccessible by car, making the area highly disconnected from the rest of the world. This trek traverses the entire inhabited part of the Yaghnob Valley and thereby provides a great perspective on how people live deep in the remote Tajik mountains. The starting point is in the village of Margheb, where the Yaghnob Valley starts narrow and then gradually widens. After about 20 km, the first Yaghnobi settlements come into view. In the days that follow we pass through numerous Yaghnobi villages. We continue hiking all the way to the furthest village still inhabited called Kiryonte and even beyond to the abandoned village of Navobod. The most difficult hiking is saved for last, when we cross the Rufigar Pass to exit the Yaghnob Valley again. The trails on the Yaghnob Valley Trek are mostly flat and non-technical, making this trip accessible to hikers from beginner to advanced levels.
The day-to-day itinerary gives a detailed overview of the hiking and highlights planned for each stage of the trek. The itinerary has been carefully tested and tried. Although it rarely happens, unforeseen circumstances can force us to make (minor) adaptations to the schedule, even during the trek. For example, weather and road conditions may change rapidly while trekking and make certain parts of the route less passable. Flexibility is indispensable when traveling and hiking through the rugged lands of Tajikistan.
In the morning, we drive to the village of Margheb in the Yaghnob Valley. The drive takes about 3.5 hours. The main road ends at Margheb. Deeper parts of the Yaghnob Valley are inaccessible by car most of the year. From Margheb we start the trek that will take us through the Yaghnob Valley for the next days. The first part of the hike goes through a narrow and uninhabited valley until we reach the village of Khisortob after a few hours hiking. In Khisortob, we spend the night in a homestay.
From Khisortob, we continue our hike along the banks of the Yaghnob River. The first part of today’s hike goes through picturesque landscapes. In the afternoon, the first Yaghnobi villages appear. We head to the village of Bedef, where we spend the night in a homestay.
On the third day, we continue hiking from Bedef further upstream along the Yaghnob River. We eventually hike through a narrow gorge in the afternoon before the valley widens up more again. Throughout the day, we cross the river multiple times and pass through numerous Yaghnobi villages. Several villages are now abandoned because some of the original inhabitants have moved away from the area over time. The finish today is in Kiryonte, the furthest village in the Yaghnob Valley that is still inhabited at present. In Kiryonte, we sleep in a homestay again.
We leave Kiryonte in the morning and keep making our way upstream through the Yaghnob Valley. The abandoned Yaghnobi village of Navobod is the last sign of civilization we encounter in the valley. After Navobod, we head to the foot of the Rufigar Pass. The actual ascent of the pass is on the program for tomorrow, as we spend this night in tents on the bank of the river.
The physically toughest part of the trek awaits the fifth day. We hike up to the Rufigar Pass to exit the Yaghnob Valley. The total height difference of the climb is just over 500 meters. At almost 3400 meters, we reach the highest point of the trek. From there, the trail only goes down towards the village of Rufigar. In Rufigar, we stay in a homestay to spend the last night before our return to Dushanbe on the next day.
From the village of Rufigar, we take the car to go back to Dushanbe. The drive takes about 4 hours. In Dushanbe, you are dropped off at the location of your wishes.
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Traveling off the beaten tracks in unspoiled mountains. Back to nature without excess luxury.
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All necessary camping equipment can be provided. Trekking accessible for everyone.
Treks are adaptable to your personal needs regarding food, pick-up/drop-offs, and your fitness level.
