Tajikistan: Pindar Valley Loop
Таджикистан: Долина Пиндар
The Pindar Valley Loop trek is a great day trip option from the village of Margib, the main jumping-off point for the Yagnob Valley. The trek combines lush green summer pastures where locals go to graze their livestock with excellent views from the top of a mountain pass.
Total km: 11.45 km
Total days: 1
Elevation gain/loss: 1,072m+/1,072m-
Start point: Margib Village
Endpoint: Margib Village
GPS Files
The Pindar Valley Loop trek is the perfect trekking adventure in Tajikistan for those visiting the village of Margib, the gateway to the Yagnob Valley, and looking for a nice jaunt from the village and back. Following a roadbed that leads out of Margib to the south, the journey turns into the Pindar Valley, following the course of the river.
The trail leads to beautiful green pastures before arriving at an abandoned village. From here the trail leads up into an unnamed mountain path that descends on the far side into a valley that loops right back to Margib.
Pindar Valley Loop Trek
Total km: 11.45 km
Walking time: 4.5 hours
Total time: 6 hours
Elevation gain/loss: 1,072m+/1,072m-
Get an early start from Margib, setting out around sunrise to take in views of the village and the massive Zamin-Karor Wall at daybreak as you trek along an old dirt road that climbs high above. The road does switchback a bit on the way up but eventually flattens as you enter the Pindar Valley. You will likely be passed en route by shepherds taking their flocks in the early morning into the Pindar valley to graze for the day before returning to Margib in the evening.
The walking along the valley is superb, with the Pindar River at your side. It’s possible to wade through the river to walk on either side. After roughly 1.5-2 hours of walking at about 3.8 km from the start point in Margib, you will reach the site of an abandoned village. At this point, you will want to be on the western side of the river to begin your southwest ascent into the pass.
A path follows a river coming down from the pass, zigzagging to the top. Once at the top of the unnamed 3,251 meter pass, you will circle around a building before beginning the descent. Reaching the summit should take about one hour from the base of the pass.
The trail stays a bit high on the descent, staying along a ridgeline until it drops from the parched golden hillside down into the green pastures below. The trail slowly curves to the northeast, eventually bringing you right back to Margib about 1.5-2 hours from the summit.
Alternate options for the Pindar Valley Loop
Instead of turning to go up the pass at the southernmost point of the trek, it’s possible to continue following the Pindar River to the south to eventually end up in the Ziddi Valley. Ziddi Valley is known for its near-endless fields of wildflowers, and the gorgeous Leilakul Lake.
At the same potential turning point to the Ziddi Valley, it’s also possible to follow a path that continues higher up along the valley wall until it veers due east from the Pindar River to cross Tagrich Pass. Across Tagrich Pass it’s possible to trek to the north along the Mushtif River to rejoin the Yagnob Valley at the village of Vaursat, or to continue east where you can tie into several routes that run south of the Yagnob Valley.
Good to know
There are no park entry fees and no special equipment is needed for the Pindar Valley Loop trek. ZTDA can help make arrangements for homestays and guided treks in advance. Paramount Journey knows the Yagnob Valley area quite well and can arrange guided trips of the Pindar Loop and beyond.
How to get to the Pindar Valley Loop
Getting to Margib is a relatively straightforward task, given the remoteness of the Yagnob Valley. From Dushanbe, head to the Cement Zavod Taxi Stand north of the city and find a shared taxi bound for the town of Sarvoda. Plan to pay about 50 TJS per seat. From cities to the north (Panjakent, Istaravshan, Khujand, etc.) you can take any Dushabe-bound shared taxi and let them know you want to be let out at Sarvoda Bazaar.
When you arrive in Sarvoda, expect to be accosted by drivers offering their services. Just say Margib and you will likely be pointed out to a driver who is headed to Zeravshan II or Takfon who will make arrangements with another driver to take you the remainder of the way. Plan to pay 300 TJS to charter a private car to Margib. You can also call a man named Murzor who lives in Anzob to pick you up in Sarvoda at +992 928240153, though he only speaks Tajik and Russian.
You can sometimes find a shared taxi departing Sarvoda Bazaar in the afternoon to Margib, taking some of the sellers home for the day. 75 TJS per seat, but as with all share taxis don’t expect to leave until the car is completely full.
Where to Stay and Eat
There are three well-marked CBT homestays in Margib, the village at the starting point of the trek: Veterok, Zaminkaror, and Saroy guesthouses. Locals in Margib and most drivers know them so they’re easy to find. Rates tend to run about $10 USD per person, per night. Meals will cost $5 each.
It is possible to have your homestay pack up a lunch for you in the morning before you venture out into the Pindar Valley, but do ask them the night before so they can make sure to have your meal prepped early for your departure.
Plan to bring camping equipment if continuing on to Ziddi Valley or the alternate route that ties into Tagrich Pass. There are no formal accommodations in the Ziddi Valley. Across Tagrich Pass you will likely need to camp before reaching any villages with homestays.
I would recommend purchasing provisions if planning to do any multi-day trekking in the Yagnob Valley. You can pick up simple foodstuffs at the bazaar in Sarvoda prior to your departure into the Yagnob Valley, though you’ll find more variety of products in Dushanbe if you’re departing from the capital directly to Margib.
[All photos courtesy of Adventures of Nicole]
