Qala-e hust valley

This trek is really delightful and takes you into one of the hidden valleys
within the Wakhan Corridor. Various wild flowers can be discovered, a
number of petroglyphs, rare trees and a stunning landscape makes this a
fantastic trek.

Qala-hust is a small village located about seven hours from Ishkashim.

During the summer the rivers are high so the trekk will start either in Kipkut (N36d
58m 10.0s E072d 54m 09.9s) or Sargaz which is the next village after Kipkut. In
Kipkut the elevation is 2968m, here you can hire out horses and donkeys which can
carry any equipment you may have if required.

The road naturally takes you across a bridge and on the right hand side a path takes
you all the way to Qala-hust village, about two hours walking.

In Qala-hust (N36d 58m 03.0s E072d 51m 03.0s) the elevation is still only 2964m.
Here if you have hired out pack animals you will be taken to the tourism guest house
where you will disembark. Currently there is an unwritten rule that you change
animals at each village so money is shared between communities. Qala-Hust valley
is also not appropriate for donkeys or horses, so Yaks and porters can be hired.

The path up the valley naturally takes
you through the lovely Qala-Hust
village, you will meet the locals and
many children!

An hour - two hours into the valley
there is a lovely area to stop for lunch.
There is a small group of rare trees,
wild flowers and a glacial river is
close for water collection. (N36d 55m
47.4s, E072d 51m 30.5s) the
elevation 3434m.

For those wishing to hike further, the
path runs out and the scenery turns
into massive bolders as you start the
climb towards the glacier. After
another two hours you reach an area
just below the steep rock incline. For
those camping it is a challenge to find
a sandy spot amongst the rocks, but
it is possible if reqired. The glacial
river is further away for water
collection.

Once you reach the top of the steep
incline, the ground levels out where
there are areas for camping. (N36d
54m 06.3s, E072d 51m 59.7s) and
the elevation 4242m.

The glacier is a further two hours,
where snow capped mountains pop
up all around you.