AFGHANISTAN: WAKHAN CORRIDOR

In one of the most remote corners of Asia, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Hindu Kush and Pamir mountains, a narrow strip of Afghan territory stretches between Tajikistan and Pakistan, reaching the borders of Chinese Turkestan: the legendary Wakhan Corridor, often called the “Finger of Afghanistan” touching the “Roof of the World.” Once a vital route along the ancient Silk Road, crossed and described by Marco Polo himself, the Wakhan Corridor was shaped in the late 19th century as a buffer zone during the geopolitical “Great Game” between the Russian and British Empires. Today, much like centuries ago, it remains a remote and sparsely populated land, home to farmers and nomadic shepherds whose traditions and way of life have endured through time. This journey will take you into one of the world’s most isolated and fascinating regions, following in the footsteps of explorers, adventurers, merchants, and spies through landscapes of extraordinary beauty and timeless charm.

The BHS touch

The journey goes far beyond the Wakhan Corridor itself. Starting in Tajikistan, we will explore its capital, Dushanbe, before crossing overland into Afghanistan. On the return to Kabul, we will venture deep into the Hindu Kush, passing through the legendary Salang Tunnel. Finally, a stop in historic Kandahar, among ancient mausoleums and vibrant bazaars, will complete this immersive journey through northeastern Afghanistan and Kabul, a capital shaped by centuries of history, complexity, and resilience.

Highlights

An encounter with the Wakhi people, who have inhabited these mountains for centuries

The The Little Pamir, Afghanistan’s legendary “Roof of the World”

A night in tents in Kirghiz nomadic shepherds’ villages

The mysterious allure of Kabul

Where we stay

Hotels, guesthouses and traditional tents

How we move around

Car/Minivan, 4×4 vehicles with local drivers

Trans Alps Adventure

WAKHAN CORRIDOR

TYPE OF TRIP

An overland road trip through dirt tracks and rugged roads with a private driver, across a remote and unstable region still untouched by mass tourism. Overnight stays are planned in guesthouses and tents with shared bathrooms, requiring a good level of adaptability. No particularly demanding trekking is included, although long transfers are to be expected. For security reasons, freedom of movement and independent visits may be limited.

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Travel itinerary

Day 1-2: Flight to Tajikistan

DAY 1: Departure from Italy with connecting flights to Dushanbe. Depending on the flight schedule, overnight flight or overnight layover.

DAY 2: Arrival at Dushanbe International Airport, completion of entry formalities, and transfer to the hotel. The afternoon will be dedicated to exploring the capital of Tajikistan, including Independence Square, the beating heart of the city, home to the Parliament Palace and the iconic Independence Monument, as well as the Haji Yakub Mosque. Dinner and overnight stay in Dushanbe.

Day 3: Overland Entry into Afghanistan

Morning and afternoon:Departure in the morning, destination: Afghanistan! Arrival at the border crossing, completion of visa procedures, and entry into the country. The long journey then continues toward Kunduz, where the group will check into the hotel. A briefing will follow regarding the travel itinerary and the behavior to adopt while in the country, together with local representatives.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Kunduz

Day 4: From Kunduz to Badakhsh

Morning: Breakfast and departure from Kunduz, the seventh most populous city in the country and once an important center of the ancient historical region of Bactria, considered the cradle of Zoroastrianism and later a crossroads for the spread of Buddhism and Islam.

Afternoon: Lunch stop and continuation of the journey eastward. Entry into Badakhshan Province, gradually gaining altitude until reaching Fayzabad, a town of fewer than 50,000 inhabitants and capital of this vast province, a reminder of how sparsely populated this region of Afghanistan is. Registration and collection of the permits required to travel in this area of the country at the provincial tourism offices, followed by a visit to the local bazaar.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Fayzabad

Day 5: Ishkashim

Morning: Back on the road, still heading east, through scenic valleys following the course of the Kokcha River. Arrival around lunchtime in the village of Ishkashim, on the banks of the Panj River, which forms the natural border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Afternoon: Visit to the village of Ishkashim, located at 2,600 meters above sea level, and its market; registration at the local tourism office and purchase of supplies for the following days in the Wakhan Corridor.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Ishkashim

Day 6: In the Wakhan Corridor

Morning: This day marks the beginning of the journey into the Wakhan Corridor, following the course of the Amu Darya River and continuing along the border with Tajikistan. The spectacular landscape, dominated by towering mountains surrounding the valley, offers breathtaking scenery that constantly changes as the kilometers pass.

Afternoon: Stop along the route for lunch and continuation of the journey on dirt roads, with several photographic stops at viewpoints and shrines. It will also be possible to observe the typical local fauna, including herds of yaks. Arrival in the late afternoon in the village of Panja, once the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Wakhan, near the hunting residence of Zahir Shah, the last King of Afghanistan.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in the village of Panja

Day 7: Sarhad-e Broghil

Morning: Breakfast and departure from Panja, once again setting off along the rough roads of Badakhshan Province, following the Wakhan Corridor.

Afternoon: Short stop for lunch along the route and continuation of the journey with photographic stops and visits to local villages inhabited by the Wakhi people, a Persian ethnic group of Tajik origin. The Wakhi, also known in Afghanistan as Pamiri, are Ismailis, followers of a progressive branch of Shia Islam and disciples of the Aga Khan. They practice mountain agriculture, cultivating wheat, barley, potatoes, beans, and peas in the valleys, while raising yaks, sheep, and goats on high-altitude pastures above 4,000 meters during the summer, where they sleep in nomadic tents made from yak skins. Arrival in the late afternoon at the small village of Sarhad-e Broghil, located at 3,900 meters above sea level, where the valley gradually narrows and the mountains seem to close in around it.

Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Sarhad-e Broghil

DAY 8: Nomadic Shepherds and Kyrgyz Villages

Morning: Departure in the morning as the journey ventures deeper into the remote Wakhan Corridor, heading toward the Little Pamir, known by Afghans as the “Roof of the World.” Lunch stop along the way.

Afternoon: Along the route, visit to the domed mausoleum of Bazai Gonbad and to a viewpoint overlooking the Wakhjir Pass, which at 4,923 meters connects Afghanistan with China. Arrival in the late afternoon in the Little Pamir, near a predominantly Kyrgyz village, where it will be possible to observe the ancestral nomadic lifestyle of the local population. There are no hotels or guesthouses here, so tents will be set up for the night.

Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in tents near a predominantly Kyrgyz village.

Day 9: Little Pamir

Morning: Day dedicated to exploring the lush valley of the Little Pamir, used by Kyrgyz nomadic shepherds as grazing land for their herds during the summer season. It will feel like stepping into a timeless world.

Afternoon: With snow-capped peaks rising over 5,000 meters in the background, visit to the glacial lake of Chaqmaqtin, formed thousands of years ago by melting ice at an altitude of 4,024 meters. Short trek in the surrounding area for wildlife spotting, including Marco Polo sheep, deer, yaks, and, with a bit of luck, snow leopards.

Evening: dinner and return to Sarhad-e-Broghel

Day 10: Towards Panj

Morning and afternoon: Continuation of the journey toward Panja, with several stops along the way and the possibility of completing activities that could not be carried out during the previous days. Along the route, visit to a Wakhi ethnic village to gain a deeper understanding of the lives of these people, who inhabit one of the most isolated regions of Central Asia, and perhaps even be invited into their homes for tea. Arrival in the village of Panja, final destination of the day.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Panja

Day 11: Last day in the Wakhan Corridor

Morning and afternoon: Wake up and departure from the Wakhan Corridor, leaving behind its remote landscapes to take the road toward a, albeit limited, form of urbanization. The final destination of the day will be Fayzabad. If time allows, stop at the Warduj and Byqara waterfalls, as well as the surrounding area. Continue the journey and arrive in Fayzabad in the late afternoon.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Fayzabad

Day 12-13: Towards Kabul, the Salang Tunnel

DAY 12: Today we drive from Faizabad to Kunduz along the Amu River, passing through beautiful villages and small towns. Overnight stay in Kunduz.

DAY 13: Morning departure until reaching the infamous Salang Tunnel: built by the Soviets in the 1960s, abandoned and partially destroyed during Taliban rule in the 1990s, and later rebuilt in 2002, the Salang Tunnel is the backbone of the country’s communications and, at the same time, a “trap,” known for tragic events ranging from deadly avalanches to Mujahideen ambushes against Soviet forces. Arrival in Kabul at the hotel in the evening, or possibly even at night.

Day 14: Kandahar

Morning and afternoon: Morning flight from Kabul to Kandahar, the second largest city in Afghanistan, to immerse yourself in its historically rich atmosphere. Visit some of the main local sites, including the Kandahar Museum, home to rare works of art, and the Tomb of Ahmad Shah Durrani, founder of modern Afghanistan. Next, visit the Sarposa Bazaar and the Mosque of the Cloak of the Prophet Muhammad, one of the holiest places in the country. Inside is preserved what is believed to be a cloak worn by the Prophet during his famous night journey. The cloak has not been publicly displayed since 1996.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Kandahar

Day 15: Return to Kabul

DAY 15: return to Kabul by plane and after lunch visit to the anti-personnel mine museum, the Sakhi shrine, and the Shah-e-Do Sham Shira mosque, whose name means “The King of the Two Swords”

Overnight stay in Kabul

Day 16: Return to Italy

DAY 16: Walking tour along Chicken Street, which recalls the era when the city was an important stop on the famous “hippie trail” of the 1960s. Opportunity to shop in one of the many stores along the street, rediscovering, after so much isolation, the chaotic and fascinating vibrancy of Kabul. Lunch in one of the restaurants near Chicken Street, followed by transfer to the airport.

It is time to say goodbye to Afghanistan and to our fantastic local team. Departure flight from the country in the afternoon and… see you on the next adventure!

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AFGHANISTAN: WAKHAN CORRIDOR