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This tour is a variation on the Sogdian Route, but approaching from Romit Gorge in the southeast instead of from the Zerafshan Valley in the north. We are operating this tour in conjunction with a Danish adventure travel company. It is designed to run back-to-back with the Lake Sarez trek, so you can do both treks together if you wish.
| 30 June-14 July 2006 | Romit Gorge and Yaghnob Gorge Start: Dushanbe
Finish: Dushanbe | GBP £1,095 ground only (excluding flights) from GBP £POA including flights from London |
- Trek in the beautiful and remote territory of Romit and Yaghnob.
- Meet the descendents of the Sogdians and hear the language that Alexander the Great heard when he conquered this region 23 centuries ago.
In the remote valleys and uplands of the Western Pamir, it is still possible to hear the Sogdian tongue being spoken. This was the language of Persian kings - Cyrus, Darius and Xerxes - and of Roxanne, the wife of Alexander the Great.
The western Pamiri tribes have preserved their culture and traditions, including elements of the Sogdian religion, Zoroastrianism. It is easy to see where this fire-worshipping religion originated - by closely observing the mountain tops in the Yaghnob area, it is possible to see smoke, and at night, flames. These are underground coal fires which have been burning for thousands of years. (In the 1st century AD, the Roman scholar Plinius the Elder wrote, "The tops of mountains burn in Baktria at nights").
This trek combines walking in some of the most beautiful and unusual mountains of Central Asia, with an exploration of this vanished people and their once-mighty civilisation.
This tour includes 10 days trekking on foot. Walking is mostly on good paths, but some of the passes are steep. Hill walking experience is not essential, but you should be in reasonably good physical condition. Summer temperatures are usually moderate (18-25oC).
Day 1. Fri 30 Jun 2006 - arrive in Dushanbe. Transfer to guest house. Sleep! Afternoon orientation in Dushanbe and meet trek crew.
Day 2. Sat 1 Jul - Drive to Romit Gorge. Load pack animals, begin trekking in the afternoon along the Sardai Miona river. This is a populated river valley, with villages along the way. Camp.
Days 3-12 - 10 day trek from Romit to Yaghnob, along the following route:
- Sardai Miona River Valley
- Arkhu River Valley
- Up to Arkhu Pass (3,772 m)
- Down from the pass to Kumar River and Tagob village
- From Tagob, north over Maidan Pass to the village of Kiryonte.
- Rest day in Kiryonte: the people live in picturesque houses resembling swallows' nests. These people are the descendants of the Sogdians, who fled Penjikent during the Arab invasions of the 7th and 8th centuries. The Yaghnobis have preserved the Sogdian language and culture for centuries in this remote mountain region. The villagers will introduce the group to their culture and traditions.
- trek west along Yaghnob Gorge, finishing at the village of Margib (6 Km from the main road)
The first part of the trek (Sardai Miona) and last part (Tagob and Yaghnob) are through populated river valleys, so we will see some villages along the way. The middle part (Arkhu Valley) is not permanently populated, but we will see some shepherds living in their summer camps.
Day 13. Wed 12 Jul - Drive from Margib village to the main road, then over Anzob Pass (3,373 m) and through Varzob Gorge back to Dushanbe.
Day 14. Thu 13 Jul - morning trip to Hissor Fort. Afternoon in Dushanbe to visit museums or bazaars.
Day 15. Fri 14 Jul - Depart (or join Sarez Lake trek).
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