TRIP OVERVIEW
Style: Hiking/camping/wildlife watching and photographing
Difficulty: Moderate, requires a general fitness
Location: Rushan, Ravmed; Darshai, Ishkashim; Shurobod
Distance: 1870 km
Length: 13 days
PRICES:
- 1 person: $3523
- 2 people: $2095 per person
- 3 people: $1870 per person
- 4 people: $1841 per person
- 5 people: $1715 per person
- 6 people: $1560 per person
Price includes All meals from breakfast on the first day through dinner on the last day. Round trip transportation from Dushanbe to host destination and back. Accommodation on site and all the equipment for the trip.
WHY IS IT BETTER TO BOOK WITH ANCOT?
- All the tours listed here have been developed exclusively by ANCOT
- Tours listed are built upon many years of experience in wildlife conservation and management
- The pricing policy is established on the priority conservation needs and long-term sustainability of tourism
- If you are looking for a wildlife tour in Tajikistan, book it with professionals, from whom you can learn so much, what you will probably never learn and experience by booking with regular commercial tour operators
- You may find similar wildlife tours with cheaper prices. However, you will not benefit wildlife conservation by using a cheaper way
HIGHLIGHTS:
Wildlife watching – primarily Ibex, visiting remote villages in Pamir, traditional Pamiri hospitality, walking through ancient trails, breathtaking mountain landscapes, bird watching.
DESCRIPTION:
Different species of ibex is found all over the world. Among many places, the rugged mountains of Tajikistan are home to the Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica). Four of our conservancies are well known for the conservation of ibex. The horns are the most striking feature of the ibex. Large and impressive on the male, smaller and more delicate on the female. Usually, ibex is found in large groups in high mountainous areas. To see them in the summer, you need to go high. These mountain goats’ favorite habitat is rocky terrain far above the tree line. During the cold season, they venture down towards the upper edge of the village and can be observed grazing, basking in the sun, and tussling amongst themselves.
Somedays, you may not see any, but other days you will see massive herds. This tour is offered all year round, with December – January being the best time. This is the mating season and you will see fierce battles among dominant males. You will get great photographs and videos to show off different characteristics of ibex. Throughout the year, ibex may also be spotted in our conservancies. Early morning (sunrise) and later afternoon (sunset) is the best time to observe them. Our rangers have gained great experience with conducting ibex surveys over the years. They know how to spot these mountain goats. The places you will visit are mountainous areas where people have developed a peculiar relationship with ibex and other wildlife. You will visit remote villages in the Pamir mountains and learn why local people decorate their shrines with horns. Finally, these places are so breathtaking that you will hardly resist doing some landscape photography.
CONSERVATION:
Association of Nature Conservation Organizations of Tajikistan (ANCOT) supports the conservation of wildlife in areas managed by people from the local communities. These organizations – being it local NGOs or small family businesses – are rooted in the local communities and aim at providing benefits to the whole populations of the areas where they are active. Through the revenues generated from tourism, we motivate these local communities to protect their natural recourses and wildlife. Thus participating in this tour you are contributing to the conservation of endangered wildlife species and their habitats in Tajikistan.
Day 1: Dushanbe
Driving distance: around Dushanbe
Hiking distance: Short walking
The most convenient flights to Dushanbe from the Americas and Europe are via Istanbul and Dubai, both arriving early in the morning. Upon your arrival, we will pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your guesthouse/hotel in Dushanbe for rest after your flight. Our guide and the driver will be there to help. Later you will embark on a city sightseeing tour. You will visit the local market, various parks and museums Dushanbe offers. This day will also allow you to exchange money for your personal expenses if you needed. You will have the opportunity to eat out at the best traditional restaurants in Dushanbe before hitting the road the next day to your big adventure.
Day 2: Dushanbe – Rushan
Elevation range: 900-2000m/2952-6561feet
Driving distance: 240km/149mi
Hiking distance: 8km / 5mi
On the second day, after having breakfast we will hit the road towards southeast part of Tajikistan. We will be travelling roughly 8-9 hours with toilet and coffee break in between. Around noon we will reach Shurobod and will have lunch in one of our Markhor conservancy family. Having joined Panj river which is the natural border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan we will drive along the border to Rushan district. Along the road we will enjoys the views of Tajik and Afghan mountains as well as villages in Afghanistan.
Day 3: Rushan – Darshai via Khorog
Elevation range: 900-2000m/2952-6561feet
Driving distance: 240km/149mi
Hiking distance: 8km / 5mi
After a hearty breakfast at our guesthouse in Khorog we will continue driving along the Panj river to Khorog. Khorog is administrative capital of Gorno-Badakhshan province of Tajikistan and the biggest city in the whole Pamir. On arrival in Khorog we will visit the Afghan market which takes place each Saturday in a special compound on the border. After doing some shopping we will drive to Khorog central park where we will have lunch followed by a trip to Khorog Botanical garden, one of the highest in the world. After we explore Khorog we resume our driving further south towards Ishkashim in Wakhan valley of Tajikistan. Historically Wakhan laid on the famous silk road from where caravans passed with their goods and the remnants of the ancient silk road can still be seen in the valley, like Kah-Kaha and Yamchun forts. The indigenous people of this area are called wakhi people whose language is different from the rest of the Pamirs and Ibex plays an important role in their culture. For centuries Ibex was the main source of meat in the area and local people developed a unique respect for the animal. Wakhi people decorate the shrines of holy people with Ibex horns and have preserved many Zoroastrian traditions which you can witness in their houses.
We will drive all the way to Darshai village where one of the 3 conservancies in Wakhan valley is located. We will be met by conservancy staff and sleep in a traditional Pamiri house.
Day 4-6: Hiking and wildlife watching
Elevation range: 900-2000m/2952-6561feet
Driving distance: 240km/149mi
Hiking distance: 8km / 5mi
The next 3 days we shall hike to valley of Darshaidara which leads up to the Peak Mayakovskiy (6096masl) Peak. We will walk on a trail which was used by local people for centuries and enjoy magnificent views of Hindukush mountain range across the border. Depending on the season our hiking distance will differ. In summertime we will hike longer and higher where young grass sprouts which is the main food of Ibex, grow and in colder season our hike will be shorter as the Ibex comes down in search of food. We will be sleeping in hunters campsite and spend evenings watching the Ibex. On the last day we will hike back to Darshai village and drive to the famous Bibi-Fatima hot-spring where we will enjoy bathing in the hot healing water. During your stay in Wakhan valley you will travel centuries back in your imagination and will have a better understanding of the silk road history.
Day 7: Darshai to Khijez
Elevation range: 900-2000m/2952-6561feet
Driving distance: 240km/149mi
Hiking distance: 8km / 5mi
Asiatic Ibex is the most common wildlife of Pamir mountains and are morphologically rather different from those in other countries, and also between the different areas of Tajikistan considerable variation in horns and coloration can be found. There are 6 community based conservancies in the region who protect this iconic animal. We will drive to Bartang valley today and visit the first community-based wildlife conservancy established in Pamir – Parcham. Bartang valley is famous for it’s untouched nature and exceptionally hospitable people who love music and dancing. We will be hosted by Parcham organization staff in the village of Khijez which sits on the bank of Bartang river and enjoy the dinner with local family.
Day 8-9: Hiking and wildlife watching in Ravmed gorge
Elevation range: 900-2000m/2952-6561feet
Driving distance: 240km/149mi
Hiking distance: 8km / 5mi
Again, depending on the season we will have different itinerary in Parcham conservancy. During the colder season, we will be able to observe Ibex while driving along the road on Ravmeddara valley and in summertime we will walk further Ravmed village and set up tents to be able to see Ibex on mountain cliffs in the morning. Our program will include visiting the Ravmed village, one of the most remote villages in the region where people live in a very traditional way. Ravmeddara valley is also an interesting place for birds and we should be able to enjoy observing different species of vultures such as Bearded vulture, Himalayan vulture, eagles such as Saker Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Kestrel. Also Himalayan Snow cock, Doves, Chough, Alpine Chough, Desert Raven can be seen during warm season.
We will conclude our stay in Parcham conservancy with traditional music and dance performance in our homestay in Khijez village.
Day 10: Drive to Shurobod region
Elevation range: 900-2000m/2952-6561feet
Driving distance: 240km/149mi
Hiking distance: 8km / 5mi
We will say goodbye to our host in Khijez and head back towards Dushanbe. On our way back we will visit yet another conservancy area in Shurobod region where we will hike to Markhor habitat area. A large Capra species native to Central Asia, Bukhara Markhor is a majestic animal with peculiar corkscrew-shaped horns that inhabits the mountains of Shurobod and Darvoz region of Tajikistan. Local community organizations have done an enormous job in preservation of Markhor in the last 10 years increasing the population of Markhor from 300 to almost 2000 animals. We will stay overnight in one of the conservancy families house.
Day 11: Hike to Markhor habitat area
Elevation range: 900-2000m/2952-6561feet
Driving distance: 240km/149mi
Hiking distance: 8km / 5mi
After a traditional breakfast in the village we embark on hike along picturesque Kisht valley. The 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 on top of the mountain. From there, you have an opportunity to observe Markhor grazing on the cliffs of eroded mountain hills in the evening and in the morning. The rangers will have a set of binoculars and spotting scopes for you to enjoy the views.
Day 12: Hike back to Kisht village and drive to Dushanbe
Elevation range: 900-2000m/2952-6561feet
Driving distance: 240km/149mi
Hiking distance: 8km / 5mi
We head back to the village early in the morning. Hike back will be much easier and faster as we will be descending all the way to the village. Once we reach the village we take of to Dushanbe. The drive to Dushanbe will be approximately 4 hours and we should reach Dushanbe during the noon. In Dushanbe you will have some time to rest at the hotel and then go for shopping to the souvenir shop or the bazaar. In the evening you will have a farewell dinner with ANCOT staff where you share your experience and possibly discuss your future trip to Tajikistan again.
Day 13: Flight back
Early morning you will be transferred to the airport where our staff will help you with the registration to your flight and leave Tajikistan.
End of tour!
What’s Included
- All meals
- Professional and knowledgeable guides will lead the tour.
- Transportation from and to Dushanbe, including transfers from and to the airport
- Conservancy rangers services
- Camping equipment – tents, utensils, stove, etc.
- Other equipment such as camera traps, watching scopes, etc. if outlined in the itinerary
- All accommodation – Hotels, Guesthouses, and homestays
Meals: What To Expect
During the hikes: 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.
In guesthouses, home-stays, and restaurants (Tajik cuisine):
Tajik cuisine offers a large variety of fruit, meat, and soup dishes. The most popular among them are dishes such as Oshi palov, Kurutob, Shurbo, Laghmon and snacks like Sambusa and Mantu. The national drink is green tea, respectively. Traditional Tajik meal begins with small dishes of dried fruits, jams, and halva, followed by soup and meat, and finished with plov. Tea accompanies every meal and is often served between meals. Besides traditional dishes, most restaurants serve Russian borsh and popular Shashlyks.
Shurbo: boiled meat on the bone with chickpeas, red and green peppers, potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Laghmon: the same with homemade noodles
Oshi Palov: a rice dish made with shredded yellow turnip or carrot and pieces of meat, all fried together in vegetable oil or mutton fat.
Shashlyks: chunks or minced meat on a skewer cooked over an open fire. Vegetarian versions are often available.
What’s Not Included?
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear
- Any other expenses of a personal nature
- Tips (Always optional)
What Gear To Bring
- Personal soap/shampoo
- Personal medicines (especially against diarrhea, altitude sickness, and car sickness), most of the passes on the road are above 3500m
- High protection Sun-screen
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Flashlight
- Strong hiking shoes
- Plastic bottle for water and water purification tablets, if you intend to hike in remote areas
- Camera (Including spare batteries. You won’t believe how many pictures you will be taking and if you don’t have a proper camera you’d wish you had one)
- Trekking poles, if there is trekking involved
- Gifts (People in most of the villages in Tajikistan are among the poorest in the world, however, they will share their last crust with you to offer hospitality. Therefore it will be nice of you to bring gifts like toys and books for the children, winter clothes or cosmetics and chocolates for women and man)
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
Driving
Due to its mountainous nature, geographical remoteness, and deteriorated roads, traveling in most parts of Tajikistan involves a lot of driving, especially to the Pamir region. We use services of experienced drivers, who have been driving at least 5 years on such road conditions. In most cases, we use 4wheel drive SUV like the Nissan Patrol and Toyota Land Cruisers. For bigger groups, we may use 4WD Vans. We’ve found that how you get there significantly influences the tone of your journey, and therefore we always make sure that your ride is comfortable with reliable transportation.
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 the necessary first aid kit.
FAQ
Click on this link to read answers to frequently asked questions