Markhor and Conservancies of South Tajikistan
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Markhor and conservancies of south Tajikistan TRIP OVERVIEW Style: Hiking/camping/wildlife watching Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Location: Darvoz & Shurobod region Distance: varies Length: 9 days PRICES: 1 person: $1990 per person 2 people: $1343 per person 3 people: $1240 per person 4 people: $1170 per person 5 people: $1090 per person 6 people: $1042 per person Price includes All meals from breakfast on the first day through dinner on the last day. Round trip transportation from Dushanbe to host destination and back. Accommodation on site and all the camping gear for the trip.WHY IS IT BETTER TO BOOK WITH ANCOT? All the tours listed here have been developed exclusively by ANCOT Tours listed are built upon many years of experience in wildlife conservation and management The pricing policy is established on the priority conservation needs and long-term sustainability of tourism If you are looking for a wildlife tour in Tajikistan, book it with professionals, from whom you can learn so much, what you will probably never learn and experience by booking with regular commercial tour operators You may find similar wildlife tours with cheaper prices. However, you will not benefit wildlife conservation by using a cheaper way Close HIGHLIGHTS: Observing different age group Markhor goats, staying in traditional Tajik houses, bird-watching, spectacular landscapes of Hazratishor mountain range, the view of Afghan villages on the border DESCRIPTION: The Markhor is the largest species of goat family and famous for its stunning twisting horns. Markhor is usually found in mountainous parts of Central Asia. Four of our conservancies are designated as Markhor conservancies, specifically in the Shamshiddin Shohin and the Darvoz regions of Tajikistan. Markhor habitat consists of dry mountains with cliffs. They graze in areas with sparse forest and many wooded shrubs. All four conservancies offer Markhor watching and photography tours. The tour lasts 7 days and you will see plenty of Markhor from many different age groups. Our guides have vast experience in observing and studying Markhor. They will make sure you have fun, take lots of pictures, observe different age groups, and experience the culture and hospitality of our homestay families. We offer Markhor tours all year round. In the summer, however, they are more difficult to reach, as they tend to go up to an altitude of above 2500-3500 m (8200-11,482 feet). The remainder of the season, they are easier to spot. In the summertime, you will be required to take a challenging but very rewarding 3-4 day hike to one of the valleys in Darvoz to spot the Markhor. On this tour, you will also be able to see lots of bird species and other mammals like bears, Siberian Ibex, porcupines, and wild boars. CONSERVATION: Association of Nature Conservation Organizations of Tajikistan (ANCOT) supports the conservation of wildlife in areas managed by people from the local communities. These organizations – being it local NGOs or small family businesses – are rooted in the local communities and aim at providing benefits to the whole populations of the areas where they are active. Through the revenues generated from tourism, we motivate these local communities to protect their natural recourses and wildlife. Thus participating in this tour you are contributing to the conservation of endangered wildlife species and their habitats in Tajikistan.Day 1: Dusanbe – Anjirob Elevation range: 900-1920-900m/2952-6299-2950feet Driving distance: 245 km / 152 miThe most convenient flights to Dushanbe from Americas and Europe are via Istanbul and Dubai, both arriving early in the morning. Upon your arrival, we will pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your guest house/hotel in Dushanbe for rest after your flight. After some rest and breakfast our guide and driver will pick you up and you will drive to Darvaz region on a 4-5 hour trip. You drive past the Nurek reservoir and into the steppe landscape between Dangara and Kulob where you stop to explore the 10th century fort. After Kulob you will drive through shurobod pass down to Panj river and settle in one our conservancy family house.Day 2: Saidi Tagnob conservancy Elevation range: 900-1750-840m/2952-5741-2755feet Driving distance: 75km/46mi Hiking distance: 2km / 1.3miToday we will explore the area of Saidi Tagnob conservancy. Saidi Tagnob conservancy founded by two local families of traditional hunters now turned into conservationists in and around the villages of Yol and Anjirob. The conservancy is located in the mountain range of Hazratishoh, which is one of the most scenic places in central Tajikistan. Spectacular red rock formations, canyons, cliffs and the dark green juniper woodlands create an ideal habitat for many species of wildlife including birds. The primary aim of the conservancy is to preserve wildlife species namely mountain ungulates and their habitat. Due to the dedicated work of conservancy families and implementation of sustainable use initiatives, the number of species is increasing, and their habitat is improving. Together with conservancy rangers we will drive to one of the camps in the mountains called devlokham from where we observe markhor goats. Later the day before the noon we will hike around the camp for bird watching and drive to Yol village where we have traditional lunch in a traditional Tajik house. After the lunch we will drive back to Anjrob where we will say goodbye to the rangers and our host. Soon after we will drive to Kisht village of the same Shamsidini Shohin district where another conservancy operates. We will be met by our host and enjoy the rest of the day in our guesthouse.Day 3: Markhor of M. Bukhori Conservancy Elevation range: 840-2360m/2755-7743feet Hiking distance: 14,5km/9miAnother conservancy run by a family of traditional hunters is located in and around the Hazratishoh mountain range near the village of Kisht. M- Bukhori conservancy established more recently in 2016, and since then rangers of the conservancy have worked tirelessly protecting wildlife in their territory. As a result of successful wildlife management practices, the species of markhor and wild boar are increasing. Habitat improvement is contributing to other species, for example, species of birds and the brown bear. Also, communities here keep orchards (huge amount of pomegranate gardens) and vegetable plots to sustain their livelihoods. Our plan today will be to hike along the Khudkham river through beautiful canyons on to the conservancy camp. Depending on the season and the level of your fitness we will either hike further to the upper camp through a steep trail or stay at the first camp enjoying our time observing the landscape and wildlife. The hike to the second camp is strenuous, however you will be rewarded by fantastic views of eroded mountain hills specific only to this region and observation of large males of markhor is mostly guaranteed. Either way we will be able to observe markhor in the evening and many bird species during the day. Tonight we stay in the camp in tents or in camp house.Day 4: Kisht to Darvaz Elevation range: 2360-1058m/7743-3471feet Hiking distance: 14,5km/9mi Driving distance: 21km/13miWe will start this morning with markhor observation and have breakfast afterwards. After the breakfast we hike back to Kisht village to meet our driver and continue driving to Darvaz region. The drive will be very short and we will get to our camp of M.Sayod conservancy in about 30 minutes where delicious lunch will be waiting for us. M-Sayyod conservancy is the first Markhor conservancy that was established in the region. The territory of the conservancy stretches all the way to the Dashtijum Nature Reserve from the northwestern side and is the biggest in terms of area. Also run by a family of former hunters who carry out wildlife surveys, habitat protection and management in its territory the conservancy has served many tourists who are into wildlife photography, game watching and trekking. As results of conservation work and implementation of sustainable management practices, the number of wildlife is thriving in its territory. Communities here to a great extent engage in mountain agriculture. Many families practice beekeeping and take pride in their practice. In fact, the honey produced here is considered the best in Tajikistan. The highlight in M- Sayyod conservancy includes an abundance of wildlife, birds, waterfalls, towering snowy peaks, incredible flower fields (Amaryllis) and breathtaking views into Afghan villages across the river. Therefore we will spend here more time. After the lunch we will drive few miles east from our camp along the Panj river to place called Shpir waterfall. From early spring to late summer a huge body of water drops from the mountain right to the road here. Above the waterfall on the slopes of the mountain markhor is usually grazing and we will observe them here closer to the evening. We will spend the night in a comfortable Yakhchiimina camp set on the bank of the Panj river.Day 5-7: Hiking in Zighardara valley Elevation range: 1058-2800-1058m/3471-9186-3471feet Hiking distance: 35-40km/22-25mi Driving distance: 21km/13miWe will explore stunning wilderness areas of the Darvoz region on this three-day hike. Throughout the three days you will visit high alpine lakes and walk through undisturbed open meadows. You will see some of the highest peaks (4573 m / 15003 feet) in the region. Due to this region’s abundant wildlife, you will likely have the chance to observe Ibex, brown bear, wild boar and guaranteed observation of Markhor. The first day of the hike starts out next to a mountain stream and continues along the stream to the campsite.