Vanj & darvoz

Overview

In central Tajikistan, where the Panj River changes its course, is the Vanj Valley, an attractive space that sprawls out beneath the Pamir Mountains. In the spring time, the river is bloated and angry with melt water, and there are still banks of snow reaching down to the water’s edge. This means, however, that when summer finally arrives in June, the vegetation is lush and green, and the riverside orchards are overflowing with fruits to eat. ...
The Vanj Valley Tajikistan, which overlooks Afghanistan, was a key location in the 19th century Great Game, the spying match between the Russian Empire and British India. More than a century on, the Tajik villages developed with the arrival of electricity and passing trade, but those on the Afghan bank of the river appear to be caught in a time warp. The contrast is a fascinating case study in development.
If you are looking for things to do in the Vanj Valley, you should know that this part of Tajikistan is less about actual modern landmarks and more about the incredible natural scenery. You’ll discover a host of extraordinary high-altitude hikes, glacier treks, rock climbing, jeep rides, and mountaineering adventures on a Vanj Valley hiking holiday.
Forming part of the glorious ‘Roof of the World’, the Pamir Mountains are filled with an impressive collection of sky-scraping glaciers. While the largest glacier on Earth is hands down the Lambert-Fisher Glacier in Antarctica, the 70-plus-kilometer Fedchenko Glacier right here in Tajikistan is the longest outside of Antarctica and the Arctic.
If you’re up for hiking the Vanj Valley’s high-altitude climbs, make sure you acclimatise for a few days first – there are plenty of authentic Tajik villages to choose from in the surrounds of both Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
Another highlight of the Vanj Valley is trekking around the Poi Mazar, Academy of Science Range, and Ismoli Somoni Peak, the highest in Tajikistan. As the Fedchenko Glacier lies within Tajik National Park, part of the West-central Gorno-Badakhshan (or Gbar Tajikistan) region, permits are required if you’re looking to scale the surrounding peaks.
Outdoorsy travelers will be in their element discovering the various trekking routes in the Western Pamir. The Vanj Valley to Yazgulom Valley route specifically attracts trekkers to visit Vanj Valley, winding its way along dusty tracks up the Langar Glacier and past old quartz mines. This route is best enjoyed in the fall or spring when the river is at its lowest flow rate, so we’d recommend taking this into account when planning your hiking holiday in Tajikistan.

GALLERY

vanj & darvoz Tours

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Responsible travel

Responsible travel is at the heart of our mission, and we strive to ensure that all of our tours are designed with sustainability, environmental protection, and community engagement in mind. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact by promoting responsible travel practices, supporting conservation efforts, and minimizing waste. Additionally, we believe in giving back to the communities that we visit by supporting local businesses, using locally-owned guesthouses, promoting cultural awareness, and providing employment opportunities to the local people. We are also dedicated to the growth and development of our industry and invest in our staff through training and capacity building initiatives to ensure that they are equipped to provide the highest level of service to our clients. By choosing to travel with us, you can be confident that your journey will not only be enriching and unforgettable, but also have a positive impact on the people and places you visit.

Reviews

  • star ratingI visited the Fann Mountains with Paramount Journey in early October for a four-day trek (starting and finishing in Dushanbe). It was my first visit to Tajikistan. Paramount Journey were... read more

    Go546085
    16.11.2022

    star ratingIskanderkul Weekend - My wife and I and two friends of ours enjoyed an excellent autumn weekend Iskanderkul, one of the top tourist spots in Tajikistan. It was a very smooth and... read more

    cplattv
    14.10.2022

    star ratingTravel to Tajikistan - We took a 7 day tour to Tajikistan taking in Dushanbe and trekking in the Fann Mountains. The mountain scenery was breathtaking and the tour was very professionally arranged.... read more

    grahamhV636OW
    09.09.2022
  • star ratingFanntastic trip to the FANN mountains - We had a fantastic time on our trip to Tajikistan with Paramount. From the beginning, we worked closely with Alovaddin to plan a custom trip. He offered lots of great... read more

    dedtomato
    09.09.2022

    star ratingCouple Travels through Tajikistan & Uzbekistan - If you would like to travel through Tajikistan & Uzbekistan we can highly recommend Paramount Journey. The proposed itinerary was excellent, we were able to incorporate all our wishes and... read more

    nicolasmV530OS
    15.08.2022

    star ratingIncredible 7 Day Tour from Dushanbe through the Fann Mountains to Khujand - We partook in a 7 - day tour of Tajikistan from Dushanbe to Khujand and back, stopping in several villages in the Fann Mountains. From the very beginning, it was... read more

    ethan1795
    08.12.2021
  • star ratingWe made a 3 weeks 2 persons Jeep Tour individually designed for our requiremenst through the Pamirs and the Zerafshan including exploring cities on the old Silk-Road. ... read more

    242andreasu
    06.10.2021

    star ratingFantastic 7 day Jeep tour in the Zerafshan and Yagnob Valleys and Fan mountains. - Date of tour: September 2019.

    Booking process: Booking the tour was very easy. Alovaddin answered all my questions quickly, suggested an itinerary and adjusted it to... read more

    SteveP832
    23.02.2020

    star ratingAn amazing experience - I did the Fann Montaign trekk with a friend and we enjoyed every step of it: be it the breathtaking landscapes of montaigns, glacier, incredible blues lakes and camps (add... read more

    Sabine P
    24.09.2019
  • star ratingFann Mountains Trek - We had a fantastic, well organised 3 night trek through the Fann Mountains.
    Yun and the team were fantastic! I cannot fault them. They really cared about us, and... read more

    hepatomegaly
    13.09.2019

    star ratingPamir & beyond - I had a wonderful experience visiting Tajikistan with Paramount Journey. Alovaddin and his staff organized a trip tailor-made to my wishes and needs. Truly a journey to remember. Highly recommended.... read more

    g_f3d3
    10.09.2019

    star ratingPristine Trek - Incredible Untouched Beauty - This must be one of the few pristine trek left in the world. It is very rough but the sights were amazing. The water in the lakes are crystal clear,... read more

    Blowfishpore
    05.09.2019
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