While remote, most of the villages are pretty close together and trekking the Bartang Valley is easy. Even if you are not an avid or experienced hiker, it is definitely possible to experience the hospitality and traditions of the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan without working up too much of a sweat. Most of the villages are located along the same easy and flat Bartang Valley road, so the conditions are easy and you will hardly need a map book.
The main day or overnight hike in this part of Tajikistan is the Jizev trek. It is a relatively easy one day hike in the Bartang Valley leading towards a mountain village and a string of freshwater lakes with views of the lush forested Jizev valley. For those who would prefer to take a more leisurely stroll, it is also one of the best overnight hikes in the Bartang Valley. Simply bring a tent or book a homestay – both of which can be organized for you by our experts at Paramount Journey.
Unlike the other treks in the Bartang Valley, the Jizeu trek runs along more of a mountainside shepherd’s trail than a road and while most of the pathway is wide and open, there are certain sections that are steep and narrow – sometimes as narrow as a meter wide over a vertical 40-foot drop into the Jizeu Valley below. As the trail is exposed to the elements, rock falls often add obstacles to the path or even knock away part of the pathway which means you may have to climb up part of the hill before you can meet up with the path again. It is by no means difficult, but it is definitely a challenge for those who have a fear of heights.
Accessed via a suspension bridge over the Bartang River, Jizev village itself is probably the most touristy of all of the villages in the Bartang Valley. That being said, it is still largely undeveloped and there are only several houses. What is unusual about it is that there is no access to this side of the Bartang Valley by car; the only way to get here is on foot. For this reason, Jisev is easily Tajikistan’s best short hike. Continuing further from the village proper, this Bartang Valley trekking route eventually tapers off at Tsakinkul Lake. From here, avid hikers can choose to continue onwards to Toraz-Dogobkul Lake (8 km) and Lake Guiumkul Lake (10 km).
If you would prefer to skip the rockier part of the Jizeu Valley Tajikistan altogether, you can head instead for Bartang village or take a taxi to the bridge and hike from there to Khijez. From here, you will be able to see how exposed the sections are across the river and decide whether you are prepared to face it on the way back.
Other remote villages worth trekking to in the Bartang Valley include Basid Tajikistan and Chadud village. These two little villages are just a few kilometers apart so it is easy to do a short day trek between them in either direction.
After the Basid trek, the next main village in the Bartang Valley is Bardara Tajikistan. Located within a side valley, this beautiful mountain village has an official homestay for trekkers to stay in and fresh home-cooked bread for sale. From the village, the Bardara trek leads to the sixth lake in the Bartang Valley.
Barchidif Tajikistan is another small beautiful village in the Bartang Valley Pamirs. It is the last village on the trekking route to Lake Sarez. The village has just 30 households and is the start and end point of the easiest trek to Lake Sarez. This moderate two day, one night trek stays overnight at Lake Sarez Camp (permit required).
These Bartang Valley treks can easily be combined with any of Paramount Journey’s trekking routes along the Pamir Highway and beyond, such as Panorama Ridge Tajikistan and the Wakhan Valley. Get in touch for more information.
Bartang Valley by Bob
