Bartang Valley
Bartang Valley
The Bartang valley is one of the wildest, beautiful and most remote ways of crossing the Pamirs with bad roads, possible landslides, water crossings and amazing hospitality from the locals. Bartang valley is best known as a biking road through Pamir as it is by far the shortest route between Lake Karakul and Rushan at the border of Tajikistan and Afghanistan, in Western Pamir, and mostly visited by cyclists but it can be also well explored with a 4WD car and it should be mentioned that Bartang is one of the most beautiful destinations in all Pamir.
You will also notice the Bartangi dialect spoken in the Bartang Valley villages. This language is similar to Shughni but different from the Tajik spoken in the west. Each village in the valley can even have its accent compared to the next. Bartangi people are some of the friendliest you’ll meet in the Pamir, so don’t surprised to receive a lesson in basic Bartangi upon making a new friend with a cup of tea, dried apricots and nan bread. Bartang Valley is included in some of our Tajikistan Tours.
Bartang Valley Sights
Bartang Valley Petroglyphs and Geoglyphs
One of the most fascinating aspects of Bartang Valley is its rich collection of petroglyphs. These intricate rock carvings provide a glimpse into the lives of the people from the past that inhabited this part of Pamir. Marvel at the detailed depictions of animals, warriors, solar calendars and daily life scenes, and let your imagination run wild as you try to decipher their meanings. It’s a truly immersive experience that will transport you back in time.
Bartang Valley villages
Bartang Valley is dotted with amazingly beautiful villages with Savnob as the most beautiful which used to be called Tash Kurgan, according to its stone made tower fortress.
Jizeu village
Jizeu village is one of the easiest day treks in Pamir. It is fully below 3000 meters so it is also suitable for the ones who have just arrived to the higher altitudes. Even with its short about 15 km out and back distance, it’s recommended to spend a night in Jizeu village to relax and enjoy the rural life and beautiful panoramas, but if you’re in a time crunch a day trip out and back is entirely plausible. Jizeu village is divided into two sections, Upper Jizeu and Lower Jizeu, each section scattered around gorgeous turquoise lakes fed by the Jizeudarya river. Nearly half of the homes in Jizeu operate as homestays.
Istiklol base camp
One can visit the Istiklol base camp from Yapshorv village. Istiklol used to be called the Indepence peak and it is the seventh highest peak in Pamir mountains.
Sarez lake & Usoi dam
Sarez lake is one of the most popular trekking destinations in Pamir. The lake was formed by the dislodging of the mountain side to the Murghab river and therefore forming the Sarez lake. It is expected that the dam will fall naturally one day causing a flood disaster.
Grum Grijmailo glacier
Grum Grijmailo glacier can be reached from the village of Pasor. You should expect to trek for 3-4 days to reach the glacier.
Khafarzdara valley
Another great trekking destination from Pasor is the Khafrazdara valley and the amazingly beautiful mountain lake there.
Kök Jar & Rushan
Kök Jar pass is the route that allows to enter or exit the Bartang Valley in the northeast. At the pass there is a small forest and a site of a meteor crash. The views when entering the Bartang Valley through this pass are both terrifying and almost unbelievably beautiful.
Bartang Valley Tours
Destinations and sights near Bartang Valley
Page updated 7.4.2024
