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Qala Panja is located 4-5 - 5 hours from Ishkashim in the Wakhan Corridor. It is a pleasant area with forts and local walks. |
Qala Panja is worth a look around, it boasts one large fort surrounded by a large wall, and futher towards the river a pile of ruins and a few walls are left standing of another. |
The Wildlife Conservation Society |
Snow Leopard The estimated number of snow leopards in the wild worldwide is between 3,500 and 7000, according to the International Snow Leopard Trust (ISLT). The mountainous Wakhan is sparsely populated by humans but is a vital link for the snow leopard. The Wakhan is a critical area because you're going to get snow leopards going between Tajikistan, Pakistan and China through the Wakhan valley. Estimates show that there are between 40 - 60 snow leopards in the surrounding valleys. Recent camera traps have captured pictures of a few snow leopards and these can be seen at the ranger station. Marco Polo Sheep These are an endangered species and are well known for their long horns and can weigh over 300 pounds!. They inhabit areas of the Pamir mountains and can be seen in the remote Wakhan Corridor, especially the Big Pamir. |
WCS have a ranger station based in Qala Panja, when you reach the check point where you have to show your permits there is a track opposite which splits into two, take the right hand track and it will lead you to the ranger station. The team are experts within their field and it is really worth a visit to gain extra knowledge of the wildlife in the Wakhan Corridor. The team are also working on a protected area in the big Pamir which will help re-establish and increase wildlife like the Marco Polo sheep which are dropping in numbers quite dramaticaly. The team also know the valley systems really well so if required they can also advise on local walks in the area. |
WCS Ranger Station, Wakhan Corridor |
The Wakhan Corridor, NE Afghanistan |