Mountain of Tajikistan - November 2020, 2021

Mountain     monarchs    of
Tajikistan – November 2020,
2021

TRIP OVERVIEW
Departure: November 26. 2020
Style: Hiking/camping/wildlife watching
Difficulty: 3-4
Location: Shamsiddin Shohin, Darvoz, Ishkashim, and Alichur
Driving distance: 2000km/1242mi
Length: 15 days
Group size: min. 3 people / max. 6 people

JOINING PRICE:
     $2280 per person

Price includes: All meals from breakfast on the first day
through lunch on the last day. Round trip transportation from
Dushanbe to host destination and back. Accommodation on site
and all the camping gear 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

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HIGHLIGHTS:
Watching ibex, Marco Polo Sheep, brown bears, markhor, bathing
in a hot spring, camping, staying in traditional homestays and
enjoying breathtaking mountain landscapes.

DESCRIPTION:
This tour is consisting of visiting four of our conservancies
to watch wildlife, mainly mountain ungulates and depending on
the season brown bears. Together with the community-based
wildlife organizations, ANCOT has been working for 10 years
protecting the conservancy areas from poachers and livestock
grazing to reduce competition and wildlife disturbance. Within
10 years the conservancies achieved remarkable results in

increasing the number of mountain ungulates in their protected
areas. Today we are supporting these conservancies by
organizing wildlife watching and learning tours. On this trip
you will enjoy trekking, camping, yak safari and a road-trip
which goes along the famous Pamir Highway. You would be able
to see Marco Polo Sheep, Siberian ibex, Markhors, Brown bears,
and observe many species of raptor and singing birds. You will
certainly enjoy hospitality at our conservancy families who
have dedicated their life in wildlife conservation cause.
Also, you will camp under the stars, explore beautiful
canyons, learn about the natural and cultural history, and
experience what’s it like being a conservancy family in remote
corners of Tajikistan. This tour includes airport pickup; drop
off, ground transportation, food, accommodation, local English
speaking guides and rangers who will help you with your treks
and excursions and wildlife watching during 15 days of your
stay. You just come and enjoy the trip rest will be taken care
by us. This trip can be organized individually or for groups
as well. The tour can be easily adjusted according to your
wishes, flight dates and it can be shorter or longer as well.

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

Driving distance: around Dushanbe
Hiking distance: city tourUpon your arrival, we will pick you

up from the airport and we will take you directly to your
guest house/hotel in Dushanbe. Our guide and the driver will
be there to help. They will take you to the local market,
various parks and museums Dushanbe offers. This day will also
allow you to exchange money if you needed. You will have the
opportunity to eat out at the local restaurants in Dushanbe
before hitting the road next day to your big adventure.Day 2:
Dushanbe – Anjirob
Elevation range: 900-2000-900m/2952-6561-2952feet
Driving distance: 240km/149mi
Hiking distance: 8km / 5miOn the second day, after having
breakfast we will hit the road towards southeast part of
Tajikistan. We will be travelling roughly 4-5 hours with
toilet and coffee break in between. Around noon we will reach
Shurabod and will have lunch in one of our Markhur conservancy
family. In the afternoon, we will have a short hike to top of
the hills and as the sun sets behind the mountains we will
observe Markhur moving down the slopes in front of us. In the
evening we will return to our homestay family have dinner and
relax.Day 3: Anjirob – Khorog

Elevation gain: 1200m/3937feet
Driving distance: 370km/230mi
Hiking distance: No hiking

On the third day, we will have breakfast and hit the road
towards town called Khorog along the Pyanj river. We will have
8 hours of solid driving. We will break the whole drive into
three sections, and we will be making stops for bathrooms,
coffee and a lunch. We also stop by for you to have a look at
the small Afghan villages across the river from us. Ideally,
we should be arriving in the late afternoon to Khorog. Khorog
is the administrative town of GBAO / Pamir region. Here, we
will see stay in a traditional hotel, designed with Pamiri
architecture. We will also have a dinner at the hotel. We do
not plan anything for the evening, since we all are tired from
a long drive.

Day 4: Khorog – Darshai

Elevation gain: 625m/2050feet
Driving distance: 160km/100mi
Hiking distance: 8km / 5miOn the fourth day, after having
breakfast, we will drive up to the Botanical Gardens of
Khorog. We will have a tour of the botanical garden, usually
full of flowers, fruits, and breathtaking view of the town of
Khorog and as well as Gunt river, which goes through the heart
of Khorog. After having the tour and taking our pictures, we
will head down to the Ishkashim Valley. We will have 4-5 hours
of driving mostly on a dirt road partly paved and arrive early
in the afternoon. Our destination is the village of Darshai,
and we will stay with a homestay family run by our
conservancy. We will have lunch and coffee there, and after
having a rest we will go on a short hike to discover old
Shrines decorated with Ibex horns, we will also have a look at
the beautiful apricot gardens surrounded with beautiful wheat
fields and a sun thorn forests. We will have a dinner with the
host family and stay for the night here.Day 5: Trekking in
Darshaidara

Elevation gain: 775m/2542feet
Driving distance: 0
Hiking distance: 10-15km/6-9 mi

On the fifth day, we will head out on the trail in
Darshaidara. We will slowly make our way into the valley. This
hike has some steep slopes and exposure but other than that we
will be walking next to a mountain stream mostly. Of course,
our guides are there to help you to cross the steep sessions
of the hike. The idea today would be spotting an ibex in one
of the hills. Our guides will carry spotting scoped and
binoculars for you to enjoy flocks of ibex in nearby hills.
You will also have a good view of Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush
range and some stunning peaks. We will have lunch on site and
in the afternoon we will return the village of Darshai. We
will have a nice dinner and relaxing evening. By this time we

should be ideally acclimatizing to the altitude this altitude
since we are gaining altitude slowly.

Day 6-7-8-9: Alichur valley

Elevation gain range: 1155-1775m/3789-5823feet
Driving distance: 250km/155mi

Hiking distance: varies multiple daysOn our 6 th day, after
having breakfast, we will drive toward the town called Alichur
through Khargush pass. It is going to be a daylong pretty much
all day long. We will break the day into multiple sections,
for coffee breaks, toilet breaks, and a lunch. Towards the
evening we will reach the town of Alichur and town is located
in the foothills of Alichur range with the elevation of
4000m/13123feet. It is a high plateau and in the evening
temperature usually drops down and can be quite chilly compare
other places we have been so far. We will settle down for the
next four days with our conservancy homestay in Alichur.

Next three days will include three activities, Yak Safari,
watching Marco Polo sheep and the ibex. Yak Safari is a
daylong tour, where you will have a trip and get to ride yaks
in the mountains. Yaks are slow animals but they can go high,
and they are quite hardy animals. Ideally, you will be
visiting one of the shepherd families up in the mountains and
get to see what’s it like being a shepherd in a remote high
plateau. You will be served fresh yogurt and other milk
products and will have lunch with the Shepherd family.

Next two days you will have the option of hiking to nearby
mountains an observe Marco Polo Sheep and an ibex. Both of
these two days would be, daylong activities and at the end of
each day, you would return to homestay. Or we could organize
you with an option of camping in the mountains. We would leave
this up to you. Both ways are fun, however, in the past, some
tourist preferred to stay with the homestay family, and some
other have camped. In case you choose camping, we would have
all the equipment for you.Day 10: Alichur – Khorog

Elevation loss: 1900m/6233feet
Driving distance: 220km/136mi
Hiking distance: 0

On the tenth day, we will have breakfast in Alichur and then
start driving back to Khorog. On the way, we will stop by in a
hot spring to have a bath. We will be driving roughly 7 hours
through the Gunt valley, and it is spectacular mountain
scenery quite different from the drive to Alichur via
Ishlashim. In Khorog again we will stay at the Hotel with
traditional Pamiri architecture for the night.

Day 11-12-13-14: Darvaz

Elevation range: -900 – +1200m/-2952 – +3937feet
Driving distance: 400km/248mi

Hiking distance: varies multiple daysOn the 11th day, we will
have breakfast in Khorog and travel to Darvoz region. We will
be mostly traveling along the Panj River again. It will be a
7-hour drive, and we will take our time. During the drive, we
will stop by for lunch and coffee tea along the Pamir highway
with beautiful scenery of Afghan villages. Later in the
afternoon we will arrive in Darvoz and settle down in one of
Markhor conservancies hunting camp.

Here we will have activities for couple of days. You will

start the 12th day from the hunting camp and drive up to the
trailhead. You will be mostly hiking next to the riverbed.
From the trailhead to the hunter’s viewpoint you will gain
850masl of elevation. The trail is a short but super step. You
will be physically exhausted but don’t worry our rangers are
there to help you on this path. In the afternoon, you will
enjoy wildlife watching, and walk around the mountains and
visit a walnut forest. There will be an excellent opportunity
to observe brown bears. Towards the evening you will set up
the camp and cook on the fire and enjoy your delicious dinner.
Many tourists do stay up late to watch the stars and crisp

view of the Milky Way.

Next day, you will get up early morning to watch the wildlife
as the sunrises. Our guides will have set of binoculars and
spotting scopes for you to enjoy wildlife watching, mostly,
ibex, markhor, and brown bears. Afterwards, you will head back
down on the same trail. Our drivers will meet you at the
trailhead and will bring you back to the camp for lunch.

On the 14th day you will start driving to Dushanbe after having
a breakfast. Ideally, we should be back in Dushanbe early in
the afternoon. You will have time to relax before the dinner.
We will have a final meal in Dushanbe, which will be the end
of the two weeklong tours.Day 15

Flying back home.

What’s Included

      All meals – from day 1 to day 15.
      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.
      Camera Traps
      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 expense 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.

Group Size
We are confident that although it might be less profitable, it
is important for the kind of tours we offer that the group
size is small, a maximum of 6 people.

FAQ
Click on this link to read answers to frequently asked
questions

     November 2020

     Number of travelers needed for departure –
     3

     Registered participants –

     November 2021

     Number of travelers needed for departure –
     3

     Registered participants – 1