Welcome to the Alichur Valley Tajikistan, a desolate region located high up in the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia – so high up, in fact, that it is recommended only for the fittest hikers and mountain climbers. Reached via three high-altitude alpine passes, this hugely elevated valley is a challenging destination for the hardiest of travelers.
At first glance, the Alichur Valley is not the most welcoming of places. With the lowest elevation at a still-high altitude of 2,987 meters above sea level – the majority of it being much higher – the Alichur Valley spans over 60 kilometers and is characterized by freezing gusty winds, frequent hailstorms, and thin air that makes breathing difficult. Water is scarce and altitude sickness is common which can make hiking here a challenge.
Not many people can endure these harsh conditions – especially not voluntarily – but the ones that do live in unusual-looking whitewashed yurt camps dotted here and there across the hillside. They are home to a nomadic community made up of mostly Kyrgyz and Tajik folks. These people of the Murghab district are incredibly welcoming, renting out spaces in their own yurt camps for adventurous hikers to stay in.
For those that do venture to this untouched and rather inhospitable part of the globe, the Alichur Valley does have its rewards. It acts as a gateway to some of Tajikistan’s most beautiful lakes, namely Bulun-Kul and Yasil-Kul, and some authentic mountain villages.
The most notable of these is Bulunkul, a little village in the High Pamirs of Tajikistan. Believed to be one of the coldest inhabited places in the former Soviet Union (the waters of Bulunkul Lake have a record minimum temperature of -63 degrees Celsius), it is not the most hospitable place on Earth. However, its close proximity to the lakes of Bulunkul (the smaller lake) and Yashilkul (the larger lake) is a major drawcard. Bulunkul Lake is close by while Lake Yashilkul (Green Lake) is just an hour’s walk away where you will find ancient tombs as well as a hot spring made out of a natural clay pool on its eastern shoreline.
One of the best trekking routes in the Alichure Valley runs along the northern banks of the Yashilkul Lake and continues onwards to Bachor and the Ghunt Valley. It passes some fascinating landmarks, including prehistoric stone circles, ancient burial sites, and the remains of 11th-century mining settlements. It is best visited outside of the spring and early summer months as the high water levels can make crossing the river tricky. If you are looking for more of a challenge, you can head north and link up with one of the more difficult trekking routes that pass Chapdar Lake and Lake Sarez (a natural lake that was formed by a landslide).
While the landscape around Bulunkul village and the lakes may appear largely barren to the eye, it is surrounded by wetlands and gorgeous highland valleys covered in hardy alpine flowers for part of the year. The valley also provides a home for several species of wildlife and birds, including thick-furred marmots and yaks as well as Saker falcons, Himalayan vultures and Eastern Imperial eagles, so keep your eyes peeled!
The road that runs from Khorog to Osh road travels through the Alichure Valley and there is a plethora of side valleys worth exploring nearby; the Bazar-Dara Valley in the shadows of Peak Alichur being one of them (5,803 m). Most of the Alichure Valley treks provide a challenge but if you have the right mindset, equipment, and fitness level, visiting this relatively untouched part of the globe is something truly special. Booking a trek with an experienced Paramount Journey guide is the best way to visit the valley if it is your first time. Check out our website for tours and itineraries.
