On the last leg of my journey I plan to travel from Tajikistan to Pakistan by land through the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan. It will probably be the most challenging leg of my trip in terms of logistics, planning and physical demands.
So far discussing this route with friends, family and colleagues has drawn a lot of concern primarily for safety and security reasons; Alot of that seems to be based on the general perception of Afghanistan as a dangerous country, stemming from the popular Western media narrative as opposed to any sound evidence of security related incidents in the Wakhan.
The last published account of someone crossing from Afghanistan into Pakistan via Wakhan Corridor (that I have been able to find) was in 2004 by an American couple Mock and O’Neil. Even though it was more than ten years ago, their report has been a very useful resource to aid me in my planning. Fortunately, I have been able to locate the Pakistani guide who accompanied them on their expedition. He has been forthcoming with useful suggestions and recommendations.
In terms of online resources, there is not a lot out there on Wakhan, and certainly nothing beyond one expedition report on trekking across from Wakhan into Pakistan, but there is enough information to be able to plan a trip. Following are the top three useful online resources that I found particularly helpful in planning my trip; if anyone comes across any other useful resource, please do share.
1) Mock and O’Neil
2) Juldu
For those with deep pockets looking to avoid the hassle of planning a bespoke trip to the Wakhan and happy to join a small group rather than going solo – check out Secret Compass . They organize an expedition to Wakhan every year, which looks pretty interesting, but they don’t venture anywhere close to the mountain passes between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A Rough Sketch of The Route I intend to Take
Ishkashem -> Sarhad Boroghil (Wakhan) -> Wakhan Corridor -> Irshad Uween Pass (4979m) -> Baba Ghundi -> Misgar -> Sost -> Gilgit -> Skardu
A Wandering Within 
I started by reading your Dawn articles on Deosai and Minimarg. Then I came to this blog. You write lucidly, simply and yet passionately about the beauty you have seen. I hope you have done your Wakhan trek. I am sure it will be more informative than the one in Levison Wood’s Walking the Himalayas published by Hodder and Stoughton, which book was irritatingly secretive about his route and way points. Carry on travelling and writing. Hope you will write a book soon.
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Romesh thank you for your comment. I’m very glad that you enjoyed the posts. I have yet to read Levisons book. Apparently there is a documentary series too. I hope to write about my trek to the Wakhan soon too, although I couldn’t go via the route I had initially intended.
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Hi! Did you ever manage to do this? We are planning to do the same trip from Dushanbe to Islamabad via the Wakhan and Irshad pass in August 2017, but we are struggling to find anyone willing to support us on the special permit to cross from AFG to PAK… Any tip?
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No I didn’t do it due to some logistical issues on the Afghan side at the time.
However I trekked from Chapursan Valley to Irshad Pass (~4927m) to reconnaissance part of the route.
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Did you ever do this? Would be interested in learning more about the logistics.
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No I didn’t do it due to some logistical issues on the Afghan side at the time.
However I trekked from Chapursan Valley to Irshad Pass (~4927m) to reconnaissance part of the route.
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i enjoying reading your posts and specially love the name”A wandering within” .
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Osman, came across this site and seems we have a few interests in common as I lived in Morocco for several years where I became friend’s with Idries Shah’s son and am planning a (delayed by COVID) trip to the Wakhan next summer with the same dream to cross the Irshad or Dilisang pass. Would be great to swap notes if you have time.
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Absolutely would love to exchange notes!!! I’ve actually been to Irshad Pass
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Great. Send me an e-mail and we can swap notes as planning to go in August.
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