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Hunting in Wakhan

Investigate hunting activity in Tajikistan and get detailed information about Climate, hunting areas, Sample Itinerary, costs, optional benefits and contact information

This is the "corridor" that connects Afghanistan with China, passing through Tajikistan, east of Ishkashim Rayon. The valley presents a magnificent breathtaking view of the Hindu Kush and hosts the hot-spring "Garm Chashma" known as Bibi-Fotima, a distance of 6 km detour up a hill in Yamchun.

Some of the places to stay along Ishkashim road:

Climate:

Despite its relatively small land area, the climate is Pamir varies widely, due to the country’s mountainous topography. The climate in lowland Pamir is moderate in spring (March through May) and fall (September through November). In cities, daytime temperature averages around 15-25°C. Summer can be hot, can exceeding to 30-35°C. Fall is one of the best times to be in Khorog city as the local markets – bazaars are full of melons, watermelons, grapes and other fruits. While winter is rather mild in cities, with some snowfall between December and February, it reaches extreme polar temperatures in the mountains. Precipitation is high, and most times mountains passes are closed till the roads are cleared.

* The cross border market between Tajikistan and Afghanistan is open only Saturday.

Hunting Area

Hunting takes place in Central Pamir Mountains in Gorno-Badakhshan region. A network of high and wide valleys are draped around peaks reaching over 7000m (23, 000ft), the highest of which is the Peak of Somoni at 7495 m (24, 600ft). Worth mentioning are also the highest mountain salty lake Karakul and the biggest glacier Fedchenko (77m ~252ft). If you like it vertical, Tajikistan has the landscape for it. Due to remoteness of the area and the physical strain required for this type of hunting that not everybody can cope with, game population is remarkable. Most are able to sight over 40-60 Marco Polo rams within the first hours of hunting. You’ll be staggered by the number and size of horns that came from sheep killed by wolves, age and/or winter. The sheep rarely descend lower than 3000m (10,000ft). Russian 4X4 jeeps are used to transport you to a base camp generally situated at 13, 000ft above the sea level. The drive is scenic, but arduous due to rugged roads and continuous ascension as you will most likely start feeling the high altitude pressure at 8,000ft already. The region is often described as the ‘polar desert’.

Not only does it pose challenge in terms of high altitude terrain, but also temperature wise that can get extremely cold and windy. Weather at such altitudes is rather unpredictable. Even the most experienced hunters may experience altitude sickness, in which case Diamox is recommended to prevent pulmonary edema or even brain swell. To this reason we also insist that you take one-day adaptation to the climate and altitude at the base camp. Since the climate is dry, keeping oneself well hydrated is a must. Good physical condition is a necessity. In addition, check with your doctor before the trip. Proper clothes and equipment are also key to combating harsh conditions and to making your hunt more enjoyable. Please, see our MarcoPolo & Ibex Hunters’ Equipment Checklist for recommended outerwear, equipment, medication and other personal items.

Season - Fall Season typically runs September 15-December 25, with Winter Season running January 10- February 28. Most of our hunts take place in late October, November and January due to rutting periods and better sheep concentrations. Hunt Area – Most drives to the hunt areas take 18-25 hrs, from Dushanbe by way of 4×4 vehicles. Typically you will be hunting at 10,000-14,000 ft up to 16,500 ft. Hunt Conditions – Good physical condition is mandatory. Base camps are between 10–14,000’ feet and the hunting takes place from camp elevation up to 16,500’. The air is generally very dry; however the biggest challenge (especially on winter hunts) is to stay warm. You will need a good mat and sleeping bag to keep warm and dry, as sometimes you will stay at fly/spike camp for a couple of days. We provide Hilleberg tents and compact stoves for these excursions.

Fall Hunt: September 1st through Christmas.
Winter Hunt: January 10th through February 28th.
Hunt Duration: Approx. 8 ‐ 10 hunting days plus travel and flying time;15 day turn-around, from landing until departing Dushanbe
Price: Can be obtained through email, skype or phone given in contacts.
Deposit: 50% of hunt price; balance due 90 days before hunt
Additional species: wild boar (per request)

*Note: Prices for hunt options and additional costs are subject to change. Costs listed are the current, actual costs or the average cost depending on number of trophies shipped, number of people/group and the US destination for flying and shipping. Not all of the above costs will occur on the hunt. Call or email for specifics. Costs like lodging, meet/greet, tips, VIP transfers can vary greatly and not all are required. This list covers nearly all possible costs, for all trips we provide. Our travel agent will handle and arrange International flights. All prices are in US Dollars.

Included cost

Travel and permit arrangements
Firearm Permit
Visa support (Invitation letters)
Meeting and greeting in airport
All hunting licenses and tags
Area fees and taxes
Tajik export CITES and Vet. Cert.
English speaking interpreter
Local guide and assistant per hunter
Cabin or tent accommodations
Lodging and meals in camp
Transportation during the hunt (jeeps, aircharter)
Trophy skinning and preparation

Additional and optional hunt costs

Tajikistan Visa – Get at Dushanbe Airport or send passport to embassy before trip starts (approx. $75)
Excess baggage fee for bringing trophy back to US ($150-200/bag)
2 ‐ 3 nights lodging in Dushanbe and Khorog ($50-100/person/night)
Tips and Gratuities – for Guides, drivers, interpreters, camp staff management should be discussed
Charter flight from Dushanbe to Khorog (weather permitting) (now included in price)
VIP Transfers through Dushanbe Airport ($100 each for entry/exit) (highly recommended)
Non‐hunter/observer, not associated with Wakhan company should be discussed
Emergency, shopping or fun money for trip; Extended or special side trips: per request

The Hunt - we work with a local outfitter who provides local guides, assistants, cooks, vehicles, horses, camps, food, lodging and interpreter (one per camp). They acquire the local licenses/tags/permits and CITES Export, where applicable, for the hunters, and they are politically well connected. The outfitter speaks English and also hires the same 4 local guides (2 per hunter) for all the hunters. We can also arrange to have an English speaking Western Professional Guide (all have been involved with many successful sheep hunts) accompany you in additional to the local guides. This service we are providing is unique for this type of hunt. Most other operations just set up the hunt with the local outfitters and stay in camp, but don’t actually accompany you and almost never help guide an Asian hunt. This is especially helpful if you want help with the trophy judging and shooting process, especially if it is your first time in Asia, as most of the local guides do not speak English. Elevations vary, depending on location. Base/spike camps are between 10,000‐14,000 feet and the hunting takes place from camp elevation upto 16,500’ (early season Tajik Marco Polo hunts are the highest). Most people do not get altitude sickness, but a medication, called Diamox, can be taken to alleviate most symptoms. We also recommend taking Wilderness Athlete’s High Altitude Ad- vantage. Arriving in good physical form/condition will help also. On the first day or two of your hunt, we try and take it easy so that you can rest up and adapt to sleeping and hiking at these higher elevations and conditions. Common effects of this elevation include: shortness of breath, elevated pulse and blood pressure, head- aches and a tired feeling. After a few days, most people adjust to the altitude and see noticeable performance improvements.

Vehicles are used on many of the hunts, but because of the terrain, walking will get hunters to the larger animals. Horses are rarely used, so hunters need to be in excellent hiking condition to hunt the areas with the best rams. In the future, we may add more horseback hunts per hunter request.

Generally, in late season hunts, we come back to the base camp at night. Spiking out is an option only for the more prepared, adventurous and ambitious. Spot and stalk hunting is the preferred method of hunting as it allows us to judge the animals with spotting scopes before making the final stalk. We don’t promote chasing animals. Hunters see many animals on Marco Polo hunts, including Ibex. The average Tajikistan Marco Polo will be in the mid‐50”. The typical Ibex taken on a Marco Polo hunt is 38-45”. On a typical day, hunters will see several hundred animals of both species and sexes. Game densities are high and vary with location. In 2015, our hunters took 8 rams between 56” and 62”.

Sample Itinerary

Tajikistan Marco Polo hunt is a 15-day schedule, from arrival to departure in Dushanbe:

Day 1: Arrive and spend night in hotel/ Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Drive to Khorog (12-13 hrs driving time) in Toyota Land Cruiser
Day 3: Drive from Khorog to base camp (6-8 hrs depending on weather); Toyota Land Cruiser or Russian Jeep; site rifles/ relax
Day 4-12: Hunt or can leave early for Dushanbe
Day 13: Drive to Khorog
Day 14: Drive to Dushanbe
Day 15: Fly Home

*Note: There are only 3 flights per week into Dushanbe, arriving and departing early am (Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays) from Istanbul at this time and the reason we use a 15-day schedule is so that hunters will have plenty of time even if there is bad weather or road delays.

Contacts

Shavkat Lalbekov
Owner & Operator pamirwakhan_hunt@yahoo.com Mobile: +992 935553032

Lutfillo Lutfilloev
Office Manager pamirwakhan_hunt@yahoo.com Mobile: +992 935882350