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 by far the wealthier of the two 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.
Tours visiting Ishkashim
Ishkashim is the gateway to the Wakhan Valley, and the tours below pass through it. As everywhere in Gorno-Badakhshan, you need a GBAO permit.
9-Day Pamir Highway Tour from Osh to Dushanbe
Car with an English-speaking driver; homestays and meals paid locally (about 30 USD a day)
The Pamir Highway from Osh to Dushanbe group tour
Embark on an unforgettable 10-day journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Pamirs, starting in Osh, the…
Pamir Highway and Wakhan Corridor Tour from Osh to Dushanbe
Car with an English-speaking driver; homestays and meals paid locally (about 30 USD a day)
9-Day Pamir Highway Tour from Dushanbe to Osh
Car with an English-speaking driver; homestays and meals paid locally (about 30 USD a day)
Pamir Highway and Wakhan Corridor Tour from Dushanbe to Osh
Car with an English-speaking driver; homestays and meals paid locally (about 30 USD a day)
Iskashim is well positioned for an overnight stay 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 mountains. 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 Afghan markets erratically.
Ishkashim Afghan Bazar
Iskashim’s main sight used to be the Afghan bazaar, north from the town center, where you could purchase Afghan vegetables, fruits and Afghan clothing such as the Afghan hat, along with fabrics and scarves. The market days used to take place on Saturdays and Sundays but has been open and closed erratically in recent years with the additional control of foreigners being let in or not. Make sure to check the latest information with your local guide before taking the time and effort to travel to the Iskashim Afghan market. 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.
Sights and destinations near Iskashim
Written by Anssi Karppinen, Central Asia Guide · Page updated