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Wakhan Corridor, Ishkashim Rayon, Tajikistan

Wakhan Corridor is located on the south-eastern part of Tajikistan.

A tour of the Pamir Highway would have to include the Wakhan corridor, on the other side of the border with the Eastern Afghanistan. It is said that at the end of the 19th century, the Russian Empire and Great Britain concluded a special agreement between themselves, according to which some part of the Wakhan corridor went to Afghanistan and some into Tajikistan. A little later, this place became a buffer zone between the major geopolitical players in the region.

Wakhan district is also part of the Great Silk Road, which for centuries connected Europe, India and the Far East. The Italian merchant and traveller, Marco Polo, passed along the Wakhan corridor and was amazed with the magnificence of nature. In particular, he was surprised by the high ridges "through which the local birds did not even fly". In the book “Diversity of the World,” he wrote that the color of fire in the given place changes color due to severe frosts, preventing people from feeling the heat.

This is the "corridor" that connects Afghanistan with China, passes through Tajikistan, east of Ishkashim Rayon. The valley presents a magnificent breathtaking view of the Hindu Kush region and hosts the hot-spring "Garmchashma" known as Bibi-Fotima (Bibifomai Zahro), in a distance of 6 km detour up a hill in Yamchun village. There numerous welcoming home-stays in Yamchin and all along the main road starting from the center of Ishkashim Rayon, passing through villages of Darshay, Namadgat, Vichkut, Ptup, Yamg and ending in Langar before one starts elevation towards Khargushi pass.

The area up on the top of Yamchun is the dream of many photographers as that is from where you can get the view of the beautiful valley. Along the east direction of Ishkashim one will be able to get the view and the simply beautiful gift of nature: fertile fields, cozy villages nestling in the valleys, and the glaciers full of secrets of ages. Many are impressed by the ruins of Yamchun castles that require 6 km detour from the main road and the view starting from Zong towards Langar.

Every civilization inhabiting Wakhan or using it as a passage in the past, left behind a lot representing their culture, tradition and religion up-to-date existing in perfect harmony. Historical facts dictate that the majestic mountains hosted many representing the Greeks, the Buddhists, the Mongols and the Arabs. From here, you may find it tempting to cross to Afghanistan as what you get in Tajikistan on Wakhan Corridor, is only one side of the story. It is advisable that you rent a 4x4 vehicle all to yourself or possess your own car/bike.

Read our article on how to get to Ishkoshim from Khorog or another article on how to get from Dushanbe to Khorog.

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