Ishkashim, Pamir Highway

Ishkashim is a small settlement located in the beginning of the Wakhan corridor, where the Pamir Highway branches out to the south. It is home to 2900 people, most of whom consider themselves Pamirians. The settlement at a height of 2500 m above sea level lies in the picturesque valley surrounded by Pamir and Gindukush mountains right on the border with Afghanistan. The river Panj divides it from the village with the same name on the Afghan side. These two settlements are connected by a bridge where they sometimes have Sunday markets.

Some linguists assume that the name “Ishkashim” comes from a gradual transformation of the toponym “Shikashim” which in its turn, stems from the word combination “Saka” and “sim” that meant in Indo-Arian languages “Land of Saks”. This is grounded by the fact that Saka tribes did indeed live in the Wakhan corridor.
Ishkashim is usually an overnight stopover for travelers along the Pamir Highway. It is located in 110 km (to the south) from Khorog. There are no sights in the village except a bazaar where you can buy miscellaneous stuff, vegetables, fruits and Afghan clothing, fabrics and scarves. The market works on Sunday, but not every week. There is an ancient fortress Kakh-Kakha along the road 15km to the east of Ishkhashim. In addition, if you feel fit enough, you can hike to the Mayakovsky peak and enjoy the view of the Wakhan valley and the Ishkashim village from the top.

Ishkashim is usually an overnight stopover for travelers along the Pamir Highway. It is located in 110 km (to the south) from Khorog. There are no sights in the village except a bazaar where you can buy miscellaneous stuff, vegetables, fruits and Afghan clothing, fabrics and scarves. The market works on Sunday, but not every week. There is an ancient fortress Kakh-Kakha along the road 15km to the east of Ishkhashim. In addition, if you feel fit enough, you can hike to the Mayakovsky peak and enjoy the view of the Wakhan valley and the Ishkashim village from the top.