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Ishkashim, from Khorog to Murgab, through Wakhan.

Ishkashim, a breathtaking road, along the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan, from Khorog via Wakhan and Langar to Murghab

The next stop is in the region of Ishkashim, which is located in a picturesque place, near the Pamir and Hindu Kush mountains. Nearby, on the other side of the Wakhan River, is Afghanistan. Ishkashim is a place where one can buy souvenirs, things of various production (Tajikistan, Afghanistan, China, etc) and other consumer goods. Local merchants are happy to sell vegetables, fruits, fabrics, carpets, figurines and much more for small money. Tourists will have something to see, as residents of nearby villages, Afghans and Tajiks, wear very extravagant, colorful, dresses. For a very modest fee, you can buy high-quality Pakol also known as "Chitrali cap" and "Gilgiti cap" in Afghanistan and "maksudovki" in the post-soviet area, as well as take a tour around the place under the guidance of locals.

Hotels, home-stays and guesthouses in Ishkashim are well known for their hospitality, and you may not want to miss the experience during a tour of the Wakhan Valley.

Near Ishkashim is a historical site, the Kah Kaha fortress. Now the fortress is not the same as it used to be in the III century BC, but the ruins and related stories are worth to hear and see. One can also take a look at the ancient petroglyphs on large boulders. It is also worth to see the Shokhi Mardon Hazrati Ali mazar with interesting and unusual "funeral accessories" and artifacts. There is even a legend about this place; many mysterious people associate with the mazar of Shohi Mardon Hazrati Ali. In any case, tourists will be interested in taking a tour through the holy places (including Garm Chashma and Yamchun fortress and the hotsprings of Bibi Fotimai Zahro) and see firsthand all of the delights of the ancient world of Wakhan valley (icluding the petroglyphs along wakhan valley). Click here for information on the use of local transportation system to get to Ishkashim from Khorog and from Dushanbe to Khorog.

Langar, Pamir Highway

In the upper part of the Wakhan corridor is the village of Langar, an amazing and picturesque place where colourful rivers, hills, mountains and other amazing sceneries are concentrated. Langar is located right at the confluence of the Pamir and Wakhandarya rivers, which are part of the huge Pyanj River. It is in Langar that the Wakhan corridor ends (the Tajik part), and then the Pamir high-mountain plateau begins. This means that one can enjoy the mild mountain climate and feel the unusual nature of the area. A little later comes the harsh mountain desert, which is full of its bright colors.

Note that the word Langar is very popular throughout Central Asia, because it is used not only by Tajiks, but also by the Uzbeks. This name was coined in Persian times. Although historians believe that before that it was actively used by the Greeks, who so expressed the word "anchor". If someone thinks that this is where the sights of Langar end, then it is in vain, because there is also a gallery of ancient petroglyphs. Embossed and painted images on a stone base are visible on a granite rock that rises directly above the village. But to see such amazing and unusual images, you need to climb the height of 3 kilometers along the mountainside. The inclined rock says with all its appearance that it is from the past millennium, since it depicts more than 6000 drawings (goats, hunters, eagles, bows with arrows, horsemen and other patterns).

Muboraki Vakhani House Museum, Pamir Highway

One more must-see spot is the Muboraki Wakhani House and Museum, which is located in a very accessible and colorful place - Yamg. This is a small settlement with its own traditions and culture. It is worth noting that the museum is dedicated to one of the residents of the village, who lived here for more than half a century. The uniqueness of this man is that without "proper" education and development in science, he could make his way to discovering a lot in science and philosophy. Muboraki Wakhani is also known in poetry and engineering disciplines. Today, one can see and observe interesting art objects and musical instruments at the Muboraki Wakhani House and Museum. Muboraki Wakhani is also known to have invented a calendar connected with feild of astronomy, which have been widely used in the area. It is put into use with the help of a stones scattered throughout the surrounding area. It is later that these stones were found with openings, believed to view the starry sky and pin the time of year.

The Muboraki Wakhani House Museum will acquaint guests with the original works of the talented inventor. All products are preserved in their original form, to enable conveying the inherited atmosphere.

Some of the places to stay along Ishkashim road: