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Stretching all the way into China, and separating Pakistan from Tajikistan, the Wakhan Corridor is the narrow strip located in the east of Afghanistan, considered to be the remotest region in all Central Asia, and one of the most gorgeous too.
This belongs to the province of Badakhshan, created in 1893 to serve as a buffer between the Russian Empire (today’s Tajikistan) and the British Empire (today Pakistan).
Despite the remoteness of this region, this used to be a relevant trading route during Silk Road times, visible in the several ancient forts and caravanserais one can find along the Panj River, once hosting long-term travelers on their way to China.
In this expedition, we will get very deep into the province of Badakhshan, driving for 4 days along the main river, and then hiking and discovering the Little Pamir for the remaining days, all the way to Chaqmatin Lake.
We will be self-sufficient, sleep in homestays, yurts and surrounded by absolutely stunning nature for more than 2 weeks. This isn’t an expedition for everyone but only for the most adventurous.
This expedition will be scheduled once a year only, so this is your only chance to visit it.
August 18th to September 1st, 2026
$3590 US dollars (or equivalent in Euros)
15 days
Led by Joan Torres
Note that we always keep the itinerary flexible, and it may be subject to change, depending on the political situation.
Day 1 – Dushanbe to Shirkhan border, Kunduz and Faizabad
Day 2 – Fayzabad to Ishkashim and Qahzideh
Day 3 – Qahzideh to Qala e Panja
Day 4 – Qala e Panja to Sahrad e Broghil
Day 5 – Sahrad e Broghil to Chaqmaqtin lake
Day 6 – Resting day in Chaqmaqtin lake
Day 7 to 12 – Hiking in the Wakhan Corridor
Day 13 – Drive from Sahrad e Broghil to Putokh and Qalai Panja
Day 14 – Qala Panja to Faizabad
Day 15 – Departure
The meeting point will be a hotel in Dushanbe early in the morning, from where we’ll drive to the Shirkhan border.
We’ll go through all the border formalities and then, we’ll drive to Kunduz to get the actual stamps and visa, followed by another drive to Faizabad.
Overnight in Faizabad.
We’ll spend the morning sorting out our permits for traveling in Badakhshan province.
Then, we’ll drive to Ishjashim and Qahzideh, the second village in the Wakhan.
Overnight in Qahzideh.
First day driving through the Wakhan Valley, along the Panj river and the border with Tajikistan, while admiring the amazing landscapes.
Short stop in Khandood to arrange for more permits.
Overnight in Qala e Panja.
On day 4, we continue driving, getting deeper into the Wakhan Corridor Nature Refuge, where you’ll be surrounded by 6000-meter mountains.
Village hoping, viewpoints and really cool landscapes.
Overnight in Shahrad Broghil.
Relatively short drive to Chaqmaqtin Lake, the starting point of our multi-day hike.
Overnight in Chaqmaqtin Lake.
Full day of rest in Chaqmaqtin lake, home to a large community of Kyrgyz nomads. We’ll spend the day meeting the community, fishing and related activities.
Overnight in Chaqmaqtin lake.
We will spend 6 full days hiking, averaging around 7 hours per day., crossing different mountain passes at 3700m, 4200m and 4600m.
Night will always be spent in either Kyrgyz nomadic settlements or just in the wild.
On day 12, we’ll reach Sahrad e Broghil.
Overnight in Sahrad e Broghil.
We’ll start our journey back to Tajikistan but, to make it different, we’ll spend the night in a different place, the village of Putokh, home to some pretty cool hot springs.
Overnight in Putokh.
Day 14, we’ll do the 9-hour drive from Putokh to Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan province.
Early morning drive to Kunduz and the Shikhran border.
There, we’ll find transportation from the border to the city of Dushanbe.
End of the tour.
14 nights of accommodation (homestay & tents)
Permits and security clearance for driving around Taliban-Afghanistan
Letter of Invitation (LOI) for your visa
Private transportation around the Wakhan Corridor
All meals
For the hike: donkeys or yaks, porters and a cook will also join the team
English-speaking local guide
International tour leader
International flights to Dushanbe
Round-trip transportation from Dushanbe to the Shirkhan border
Visa fees (100-150 USD)
Entrance fee to Wakhan National Park (around 30 USD)
Tips for porters, cook and guides
August 18th to September 1st, 2026
$3590 US dollars (or equivalent in Euros)
15 days
Led by Joan Torres
It’s important to take into account that there aren’t any hotels in the Wakhan Corridor and that except for the 2 nights in Fayzabad, we’ll be staying in local homestays, Kyrgyz yurts and tents.
Facilities in the Wakhan are non-existent.
The trip will start in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
We’ll meet at the reception of the hotel, from where we’ll drive to the border with Shikhran.
Yes. It’s possible to get a multiple-entry visa online.
Please read this section for further details.
With the help of our Letter of Invitation, a visa can be obtained on arrival at the border of Shirkhan.
The price of the visa is 150 USD.
Yes, you can. Private transportation can be easily arranged from Kunduz, it’s a full day drive.
Yes, all participants must be reasonably fit for this trip, since we’ll be hiking for 6 days in a row, going over 4000-meter mountain passes, while camping and being self-sufficient.
Yes, of course, all women are always welcome in our Afghanistan tours.
Furthermore, Wakhi people are surprisingly open compared to Pashtuns and other ethnicities in Afghanistan. They predominantly adhere to Ismaili Shia Islam, which is perhaps the most liberal branch of Islam. You are likely to see many women unveiled and given its isolation, I don’t think this has changed much since the Taliban came back to power.
A detailed packing list will be shared upon booking your spot.
We limit our tours to a maximum of 12 people.
All nationalities, and that includes US citizens too.
To secure your spot on the tour, we require a deposit.
We accept payments in both Euros and US dollars. All details will be shared upon booking your spot.
Information about the risks and dangers of traveling to Afghanistan:
The traveler is expressly informed that the activities included in the travel itinerary are adventurous and/or take place in conflict zones, which entail dangers and imply the risk of physical, and psychological injuries, and/or death for the traveler.
Due to the characteristics of the destination and/or activities, the specific risks and dangers of the trip are, by way of example but not limited to, those listed below:
War; terrorism; political instability; arbitrary detentions, gunfire in the activity area; and/or violent crime.
Regarding the potential dangers of the destination, travelers are advised to consult the travel recommendations for the destination country provided by their country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For example, in the case of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), these recommendations can be accessed on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/afghanistan
FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan, due to risk of terrorism, unpredictable security conditions and lack of consular assistance.
Yes, if you want to join any of our expeditions, you must purchase travel insurance, this is non-negotiable, and it must be with IATI.
Why do we have to book it with IATI?
Against the Compass has been a partner with IATI for a very long time. We know their CEO, the marketing team and we do a lot of collaborations together so in the unlikely case something happened, we’d know what to do.
Moreover, IATI Insurance covers all the countries where the FCDO advises against all travel.
You may also benefit from a 5% discount if purchasing it from the below link.
Get a quote here to claim your discount
Please check our General Conditions.
However, specific conditions might apply depending on the destination. Example: when the trip includes airfare.
Full details will be shared upon booking your spot.