Ishkashim
Ishkashim
Ishkashim is the capital of Ishkoshim District in Pamir, in south-east Tajikistan. It is located 110 km (to the south) from Khorog, by the Panj River, at a point where its direction turns sharply north and the beginning of the Wakhan Valley towards the east. The Tajik side of Eskashim is home to about 3000 people consisting mainly of Pamirians while there is a lot larger settlement with the same name (Eskashem) on the Afghan side of the border, on the other side of the Panj river. The Tajik side settlement is far the wealthier and in the evening time you can notice the absence of the lights across the Afgan border. Iskashim is at a height of 2500 m above sea level and lies in the scenic valley surrounded by Pamir and Hindu Kush mountains.
Iskashim is well positioned for a both for overnight for the ones traveling the Wakhan Valley. It is located near cultural and archaeological sights and has great views across Wakhan and the Hindu Kush. These two separate Eskashem settlements of Tajikistan and Afghanistan are connected by a bridge built in 2006, north from the town centers, where they also have Sunday markets.
Ishkashim Afghan Bazar
Iskashim’s main sight is the bazaar, north from the town center, where you can purchase Afghan, vegetables, fruits and Afghan clothing such s the Afghan hat, along with fabrics and scarves. The market works on Sunday, but not every week but mostly works during the summer period. There is also a ruined fortress above the town that one can hike to and get great views at the same time.
Iskashim accommodation
There are few guest houses available in Iskashim. The quality is not great but they are slowly improving and the newest ones are very decent.
Around Ishkashim
Garm Chashma hot spring about 70 km north of Ishkashim and 42 km South from Khorog at the height of 2325 metres above sea level on the western slope of the Shakhdara Range.
Khakha Fortress is located at Namatgut about 15 km southwest of Ishkashim. The fortress was built by Kushans, possibly in the 4th century AD.
Page updated 18.10.2024
