ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Accommodation in Khorogh, Ghund, Ishkashim, Bartang and Shohdara are available.
Guest house and apartments are mainly based and offered in Khorogh (there are some possibilities for guest houses apart from Khorogh at hot springs in Ishkashim & Ghund valley with single, double & four bed rooms food is also offered). The patriarchal house is often the place where visitors stay during the trip to valleys. These houses are often the place where festivities and musical performances take place. Several generations of the same family used to live in these rectangular houses build from the Zoroastrian and Ismaili cosmology and traditional plan. This construction rests on five pillars, each symbolically bearing the name of the five Ameshaspentas - white holy angels (Arian civilization) or the name of the holy family of the Moslem prophet.
- Transfers from Khorogh to all sites and valley
- Cultural services: display of making Pamiri handicrafts, (music instruments, carpets etc.) and offer for purchasing music CDs, handicraft, bathing in hot sacred springs in Ghund/Ishkashim valley
- Our 'Spenta records' studio offers music and video recording services
- Sight and lake seeing in Bartang (the biggest one, Sarez) and in Rivak the small ones (zirgozkul, vuzhejkhafkul, heginefkul)
- Visa support to Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast
Altitude
As we will be visiting places of fairly high altitude, there is a very small risk that some people may experience temperate altitude sickness. It is impossible to predict whether or not you will be affected as it has no bearing on weight, age, physical strength etc. It should not be a major problem so as you will be gradually adapted in Dushanbe than in Khorogh administrative center of GBAO after all you will get to the higher altitude. Contact lenses are not recommended at altitude so bring a pair of glasses as a substitute.
Please remember that the sun is stronger at high altitudes also, the cool breeze in the back of the jeep can often give the wrong impression as to how hot it really is. Therefore, please bring some lip-balm, high-factor sun cream and a sun hat.
Health and toiletries
You will need to bring all your own medication and toiletries with you. Once again, the following is not a comprehensive list, just a reminder of recommended things you may not have thought of.
Prices
Prices are between US$ 100 to $200 per person, per day including car rent, guides, food and accommodation. Prices vary according to the valley of the travel, the complexity and the number of participants. Payment should be made cash with local or US$ bill. (Credit cards are not accepted) The national currency is called Somoni (1 US$ = 3, 44 somoni, 1 EUR = 5, 20 somoni) (April. 2008).
Best Period for travel
From end-April to mid-October
