TRIP OVERVIEW
Style: Two days with overnight stay in a hunters hut
Difficulty: Level 3
Location: Shamsiddin Shohin region, Tajikistan
Distance: 15-20km / 9-12mi
PRICES:
$130 per person
Price includes: all meals are included from breakfast on the first day through lunch on the last day.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Wildlife watching (species of Markhor), experience authentic ranger lifestyle in the mountains.
GEAR NEEDED:
good hiking shoes, sun cream, sunglasses, sandals, and a hat.
DESCRIPTION:
Experience authentic but simple ranger life in a hunter’s hut of the Kisht Valley. This tour involves hiking up to the ranger’s hut for an overnight stay. The hut has a nice garden, and, depending on the season, you may get to enjoy some fresh fruits. Together, with the rangers, you will cook outside on the fire, watch the sunset, and stargaze from the top of the mountains. On the second day, you will get up early in morning and hike up to one of the hills with a higher viewpoint. Here you will experience endless panoramic views. You may even to spot a magnificent Bukharian Markhor, which only exists in Shurabad and Darvoz regions of Tajikistan.
Day 1
Hiking distance: 7 km / 5 miles
Elevation gain: 800m / 2500 feet
On the first day of the hike you will walk up to the hunter’s hut, which is located on the viewpoint. Hike is relatively easy with only some steep hills. Rangers will lead the hike through red rock formations, canyons, pistachios forests on red hills, and multiple river crossings, until you reach the hunter’s hut. From there, you have options for different hikes to observe species of Markhor. In the evening, you will return to the hut for dinner.
Day 2
Hiking distance: 15 km / 9 miles
Elevation gain: 400m / 1200 feet
On the second day, you will head out early in the morning to watch wildlife as they come up for grazing. After wildlife watching, you will return to the hut to have breakfast. Then, you will start hiking to the next valley. During this hike, you will go through more beautiful pistachio forests and canyons, which are specific to only this region. You will return back to village of Kisht in early afternoon. You will spend the evening with a host family in Kisht, where you can enjoy an authentic dinner prepared by the family you are staying with.
What’s Included
- All meals are included from breakfast, lunch and dinner. Snacks are also provided.
- Professional and knowledgeable guides will lead the hikes.
- Emergency equipment including a first-aid kit and satellite phone.
Meals: What To Expect
Most of our hikes include a variety of meals to nourish our bodies with enough carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We usually have pasta, rice, sausages, cheese, oatmeal, canned lentils and beans, sugar and bread. We also carry fresh vegetables and can easily accommodate vegetarians.
Additionally, we have snacks such as dried fruits, fresh fruits, chocolate bars, and each break will include hot coffee and tea. We can accommodate people with special dietary needs.
What’s Not Included?
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
What Gear To Bring
- Water bottles
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Sunscreen,
- Toiletries
- Warm clothing
- Hiking poles
What Clothes To Bring
We will email you what kind of gear to bring depending on the season. Summers are usually warm in central Tajikistan; however, if you are going up to higher altitudes (above 2500m/8200ft) you will need warmer clothing, including a sweater and windproof jacket.
Where to meet us?
The tours listed under conservancy tours category are designed for travelers who are arranging most of their travels by themselves throughout their journey in Tajikistan, this may be travelers who are already in Tajikistan, expats or visitors who are travelling with their own cars. You can book these conservancy tours as an additional detour while visiting Tajikistan. The meeting point of conservancy tours are the starting point of the respective tour which is usually a village. You will get to the starting point – a respective village by yourself. Let us know if you need help with the transportation.
Directions:
Please refer to a map section of the tour information for directions to the starting point of the tour. If you are travelling with your own car, we can send you a detailed guidance on how to get to the starting point of the tour. Once in the conservancy, local guides and rangers will take care of the rest.
Equipment
Most of our conservancies have camps within their territories which are used for overnight by rangers and tourists. If the trip includes camping, conservancies will provide tents only. If you don’t have sleeping bags and mattresses, you should tell us and book additionally, so we could deliver them to the conservancy before your tour starts. Other equipment, like primus for cooking, and utensils will be provided by the respective conservancy in the tour.
Safety Considerations:
Your safety is our top priority. Only trained guides and experienced rangers will accompany you during your hike. All of our rangers and guides are local from the nearby villages, of the respective conservancy. All guides are trained to offer first aid and always carry necessary first aid kit.