![Side canyon off the Wakhan Valley, Afghanistan, with the summit of Akher Tsagh, Pakistan in the distance](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152513.1Q7G3fVY.TajikistanSep141327.jpg) Side canyon off the Wakhan Valley, Afghanistan, with the summit of Akher Tsagh, Pakistan in the distance |
![Hindu Kush of the Afghan-Pakistan border with the summit of Akher Tsagh, Pakistan (7017m/23,021 ft) visible to the right](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152512.ADkA3tH9.TajikistanSep141326.jpg) Hindu Kush of the Afghan-Pakistan border with the summit of Akher Tsagh, Pakistan (7017m/23,021 ft) visible to the right |
![The main road on the Tajikistan side of the Wakhan Valley leading though some shady trees east of Shitharv](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152514.6HHCkWS5.TajikistanSep141329.jpg) The main road on the Tajikistan side of the Wakhan Valley leading though some shady trees east of Shitharv |
![Barely 10 miles wide here, the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan separates the former Russian and British Empires](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152515.XXQfRvrB.TajikistanSep141331.jpg) Barely 10 miles wide here, the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan separates the former Russian and British Empires |
![Hindu Kush - Kohe Urgunt (7016m/23,018ft), Afghanistan-Pakistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152516.7npztmIW.TajikistanSep141332.jpg) Hindu Kush - Kohe Urgunt (7016m/23,018ft), Afghanistan-Pakistan |
![The Panj River forming the Tajik (and former USSR)f border with the Wakhan Valley of Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152517.x0tIK5bF.TajikistanSep141334.jpg) The Panj River forming the Tajik (and former USSR)f border with the Wakhan Valley of Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan |
![Wakhan Valley road, Tajikistan, along the Panj River](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152518.Yk0MiV5Q.TajikistanSep141336.jpg) Wakhan Valley road, Tajikistan, along the Panj River |
![Panj River, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan-Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152519.PWfSbpFM.TajikistanSep141337.jpg) Panj River, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan-Afghanistan |
![Paved Wakhan Valley highway at Shitharv, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152520.vwldWXKY.TajikistanSep141340.jpg) Paved Wakhan Valley highway at Shitharv, Tajikistan |
![Flag of the Republic of Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152521.gmF1dAzp.TajikistanSep141344.jpg) Flag of the Republic of Tajikistan |
![Shitharv, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152522.rGPcJoqz.TajikistanSep141345.jpg) Shitharv, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Small rapids in the Panj River, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan-Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152523.FUSes4vs.TajikistanSep141346.jpg) Small rapids in the Panj River, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan-Afghanistan |
![Hindu Kush - Kohe Shakhawr (7084m/23,241 ft), Afghanistan-Pakistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152524.K9yy7FrY.TajikistanSep141348.jpg) Hindu Kush - Kohe Shakhawr (7084m/23,241 ft), Afghanistan-Pakistan |
![Hindu Kush - Kohe Shakhawr (7084m/23,241 ft), Afghanistan-Pakistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152525.tEaJ5na2.TajikistanSep141349.jpg) Hindu Kush - Kohe Shakhawr (7084m/23,241 ft), Afghanistan-Pakistan |
![Hindu Kush, Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152526.FtfLiXOW.TajikistanSep141350.jpg) Hindu Kush, Afghanistan |
![The village of Boibar, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152527.DDOi8wuF.TajikistanSep141351.jpg) The village of Boibar, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Tajikistan side of the Wakhan Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152528.Io47oVgJ.TajikistanSep141353.jpg) Tajikistan side of the Wakhan Valley |
![Looking across a wide sandy section of the Panj River to several Afghan peaks including Kohe Kesni Khan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152529.Ds2SlT0R.TajikistanSep141354.jpg) Looking across a wide sandy section of the Panj River to several Afghan peaks including Kohe Kesni Khan |
![Hindu Kush - Kohe Keshni Khan (6755m/22,162ft), Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152530.s7DjkrR8.TajikistanSep141355.jpg) Hindu Kush - Kohe Keshni Khan (6755m/22,162ft), Afghanistan |
![Peak 7.5km north of Kohe Keshni Khan (ca 18,900 ft), Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152533.2xq28zN1.TajikistanSep141361.jpg) Peak 7.5km north of Kohe Keshni Khan (ca 18,900 ft), Afghanistan |
![Wide section of the Panj River with sandy flats on the Afghanistan side](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152531.Q2SKwxmT.TajikistanSep141356.jpg) Wide section of the Panj River with sandy flats on the Afghanistan side |
![Tajik road through the Wakhan Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152532.b1u1w4W2.TajikistanSep141358.jpg) Tajik road through the Wakhan Valley |
![Scenic spot, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152540.6sbZAOcy.TajikistanSep141373.jpg) Scenic spot, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Interesting erosion, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152534.D0mWeQEt.TajikistanSep141364.jpg) Interesting erosion, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Museum near the Qah-Qaha Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152535.EeukvFWM.TajikistanSep141365.jpg) Museum near the Qah-Qaha Fortress |
![Cute house near Qah-Qaha Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152536.gqIMhheb.TajikistanSep141366.jpg) Cute house near Qah-Qaha Fortress |
![Entrance to the ancient Qah-Qaha Fortress, N36 40 47/E071 45 27](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152537.kNGDZ3qG.TajikistanSep141367.jpg) Entrance to the ancient Qah-Qaha Fortress, N36 40 47/E071 45 27 |
![Historic marker in English, Qah-Qaha Fortress, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152538.Wela4cVW.TajikistanSep141368.jpg) Historic marker in English, Qah-Qaha Fortress, Tajikistan |
![Historic marker in Tajik, Қалъаи Қаҳқаҳа](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152539.Pky8VCUP.TajikistanSep141369.jpg) Historic marker in Tajik, Қалъаи Қаҳқаҳа |
![Lonely Planet spells the fortress name as Khaakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152541.64li9NKe.TajikistanSep141374.jpg) Lonely Planet spells the fortress name as Khaakha |
![Snowy peak overlooking the Qah-Qaha Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152542.uDtlFnkW.TajikistanSep141375.jpg) Snowy peak overlooking the Qah-Qaha Fortress |
![Paving stones in the ancient Qah-Qaha Fortress, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152543.nvjjrrht.TajikistanSep141376.jpg) Paving stones in the ancient Qah-Qaha Fortress, Tajikistan |
![The fortress has been reused again and again with this graffiti covered building looking relatively modern](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152544.2yYuscWP.TajikistanSep141377.jpg) The fortress has been reused again and again with this graffiti covered building looking relatively modern |
![Panj River at the Qah-Qaha Fortress, Wakhan Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152549.dSI12hkp.TajikistanSep141387.jpg) Panj River at the Qah-Qaha Fortress, Wakhan Valley |
![Parts of the ancient fortress down near the river, Qah-Qaha](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152550.W5PhY41B.TajikistanSep141388.jpg) Parts of the ancient fortress down near the river, Qah-Qaha |
![The Qah-Qaha Fortress was first built in the 3rd C. BC by Zoroastrians](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152555.2sFcPDY2.TajikistanSep141399.jpg) The Qah-Qaha Fortress was first built in the 3rd C. BC by Zoroastrians |
![Weather-worn Qah-Qaha Fortress at Namadgut, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152556.c2sZ9Ljv.TajikistanSep141400.jpg) Weather-worn Qah-Qaha Fortress at Namadgut, Tajikistan |
![Melting walls of the ancient Qah-Qaha Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152557.BRWW8z4q.TajikistanSep141402.jpg) Melting walls of the ancient Qah-Qaha Fortress |
![View of the fields in Afghanistan from the Qah-Qaha Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152558.juufS3aw.TajikistanSep141403.jpg) View of the fields in Afghanistan from the Qah-Qaha Fortress |
![Crumbling walls of Qah-Qaha Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152559.KNO4jgdn.TajikistanSep141405.jpg) Crumbling walls of Qah-Qaha Fortress |
![Remains of a round tower, Qah-Qaha Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152560.3ibmofJ8.TajikistanSep141407.jpg) Remains of a round tower, Qah-Qaha Fortress |
![Northern wall, Qah Qaha Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152561.Ijs8FG8B.TajikistanSep141408.jpg) Northern wall, Qah Qaha Fortress |
![One of the more substantial mudbrick ruins, Qah Qaha](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152562.B9OisSWR.TajikistanSep141409.jpg) One of the more substantial mudbrick ruins, Qah Qaha |
![Qah Qaha Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152564.36T9C8eP.TajikistanSep141411.jpg) Qah Qaha Fortress |
![Qah Qaha Fortress, 3rd C. BC, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152563.sfv4qhIc.TajikistanSep141410.jpg) Qah Qaha Fortress, 3rd C. BC, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Qah Qaha Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152565.vIgDYQDB.TajikistanSep141413.jpg) Qah Qaha Fortress |
![Qah Qaha Fortress mud brick walls eroding away](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152567.g263ehuT.TajikistanSep141415.jpg) Qah Qaha Fortress mud brick walls eroding away |
![Steven looking across the river to Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152552.IcNYZjRQ.TajikistanSep141390.jpg) Steven looking across the river to Afghanistan |
![Qazi Deh, Wakhan Valley, Afghanistan, opposite the fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152546.Rh1OaPWZ.TajikistanSep141384.jpg) Qazi Deh, Wakhan Valley, Afghanistan, opposite the fortress |
![Qazi Deh, Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152545.nwLYoTkq.TajikistanSep141383.jpg) Qazi Deh, Afghanistan |
![The Qah-Qaha Fortress is situated at the confluence where a small river joins the Panj from Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152547.bHgx5WR3.TajikistanSep141385.jpg) The Qah-Qaha Fortress is situated at the confluence where a small river joins the Panj from Afghanistan |
![Building in the village of Qazi Deh, Wakhan Valley, Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152548.4MhDsMM7.TajikistanSep141386.jpg) Building in the village of Qazi Deh, Wakhan Valley, Afghanistan |
![Grain harvest, Qazi Deh, Wakhan Valley, Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152553.5es4m7sL.TajikistanSep141392.jpg) Grain harvest, Qazi Deh, Wakhan Valley, Afghanistan |
![Afghan farmers working the land, Wakhan Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152554.61x13nU4.TajikistanSep141392a.jpg) Afghan farmers working the land, Wakhan Valley |
![Ishkashim, a large town in the lower Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152568.1lPESUc4.TajikistanSep141419.jpg) Ishkashim, a large town in the lower Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Reminder of the Tajik SSR - V.I. Lenin, Iskhashim](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152569.swsvhkUJ.TajikistanSep141420.jpg) Reminder of the Tajik SSR - V.I. Lenin, Iskhashim |
![Happy Independence Day!](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152570.mnQ7pdFw.TajikistanSep141421.jpg) Happy Independence Day! |
![Another Independence of Tajikistan billboard](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152571.F7g6SBYq.TajikistanSep141423.jpg) Another Independence of Tajikistan billboard |
![Eshkashem, Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152572.i6RxXP2p.TajikistanSep141427.jpg) Eshkashem, Afghanistan |
![Sign for Wakhan National Park, Eshkashem, Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152573.M55vRHK9.TajikistanSep141427a.jpg) Sign for Wakhan National Park, Eshkashem, Afghanistan |
![Bridge crossing the Panj River linking Ishkashim, Tajikistan with Eshkashem, Afghanistan - closed, darn!](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152574.Is8qrFX6.TajikistanSep141428.jpg) Bridge crossing the Panj River linking Ishkashim, Tajikistan with Eshkashem, Afghanistan - closed, darn! |
![A common sight in Central Asia, herders moving their flock along the road](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152575.EZZc40ly.TajikistanSep141430.jpg) A common sight in Central Asia, herders moving their flock along the road |
![Paved road from Ishkashim headed downstream towards Khorog](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152576.JOTqVwpc.TajikistanSep141435.jpg) Paved road from Ishkashim headed downstream towards Khorog |
![Sumjin, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152577.FLyjdD0j.TajikistanSep141438.jpg) Sumjin, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![House with octagonal windows, Sumjin, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152578.c4aHSTci.TajikistanSep141439.jpg) House with octagonal windows, Sumjin, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152579.xdtqdECP.TajikistanSep141441.jpg) Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Pinkish mountains, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152580.4GnzP5sw.TajikistanSep141446.jpg) Pinkish mountains, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Colors of the Tajik flag painted on a rock...flip it over for the Iranian colors](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152581.tPRquR53.TajikistanSep141450.jpg) Colors of the Tajik flag painted on a rock...flip it over for the Iranian colors |
![Rocky Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152582.mmWsdPFQ.TajikistanSep141451.jpg) Rocky Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Decent paved section between Ishkashim and Khorog](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152583.PIyBUpaM.TajikistanSep141453.jpg) Decent paved section between Ishkashim and Khorog |
![Sheep-Jam, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152584.qs4HUFYy.TajikistanSep141455.jpg) Sheep-Jam, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Shepard boy, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152585.QSLvOeJ9.TajikistanSep141456.jpg) Shepard boy, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Shepard boy, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152586.R6DywpIS.TajikistanSep141456a.jpg) Shepard boy, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Shadows indicating that the afternoon is getting late](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152587.iPfxFNn6.TajikistanSep141457.jpg) Shadows indicating that the afternoon is getting late |
![Poplar Trees on the valley floor](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152588.kZ1UBimw.TajikistanSep141460.jpg) Poplar Trees on the valley floor |
![The valley narrows as it turns north towards Khorog](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152589.VTG2sWWJ.TajikistanSep141461.jpg) The valley narrows as it turns north towards Khorog |
![The river turns north as it approaches a large village on the Afghanistan side](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152590.08V4kwCn.TajikistanSep141465.jpg) The river turns north as it approaches a large village on the Afghanistan side |
![Losing the light](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152591.2hMpdAml.TajikistanSep141466.jpg) Losing the light |
![Primitive house in a village on the Afghanistan side of the Panj River with a large pile of hay on the roof](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152592.rVTQ1qZ2.TajikistanSep141467.jpg) Primitive house in a village on the Afghanistan side of the Panj River with a large pile of hay on the roof |
![September harvest in bundles, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152593.NBzC1DZb.TajikistanSep141469.jpg) September harvest in bundles, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan |
![The narrow valley of the Panj River south of Khorog separating Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan from Tajikistan's GBAO](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152594.7uOT9iew.TajikistanSep141470.jpg) The narrow valley of the Panj River south of Khorog separating Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan from Tajikistan's GBAO |
![Villagers working in the fields as the harvest waits in bundles](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152595.O0M1Yv4i.TajikistanSep141471.jpg) Villagers working in the fields as the harvest waits in bundles |
![Village with poplar trees, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152596.17RL5SFx.TajikistanSep141472.jpg) Village with poplar trees, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan |
![Panj River in shadow](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152597.nB7iVSgb.TajikistanSep141473.jpg) Panj River in shadow |
![Late afternoon on the drive to Khorog](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152598.Ufpr2KVc.TajikistanSep141475.jpg) Late afternoon on the drive to Khorog |
![Blue sky and red stone above](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152599.cW9chHkL.TajikistanSep141477.jpg) Blue sky and red stone above |
![Donkey waits by the harvest across the river in Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152600.3hY20oOW.TajikistanSep141479.jpg) Donkey waits by the harvest across the river in Afghanistan |
![Village along the Panj River, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152601.xVRbQCfj.TajikistanSep141480.jpg) Village along the Panj River, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan |
![Mountains on the Tajikistan side of the Panj River](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152602.P5l3ytq7.TajikistanSep141482.jpg) Mountains on the Tajikistan side of the Panj River |
![Mountains on the Tajikistan side of the Panj River](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152603.ei53Igt3.TajikistanSep141484.jpg) Mountains on the Tajikistan side of the Panj River |
![Youth - Future of the Nation, Independence - Valuable Riches](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152604.ilcuDExq.TajikistanSep141485.jpg) Youth - Future of the Nation, Independence - Valuable Riches |
![The late afternoon sun only reaches the mountain tops](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152605.MqGnC1cF.TajikistanSep141488.jpg) The late afternoon sun only reaches the mountain tops |
![Panj Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152606.yC8q1ZXf.TajikistanSep141489.jpg) Panj Valley, Tajikistan |
![A decent looking road leads south from this small Afghan village situated in a bend in the Panj River](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152607.McHnasIU.TajikistanSep141491.jpg) A decent looking road leads south from this small Afghan village situated in a bend in the Panj River |
![Afghan village on the west bank of the Panj River, Badakhshan Province](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152608.O5I8ZUsy.TajikistanSep141492.jpg) Afghan village on the west bank of the Panj River, Badakhshan Province |
![House with a large haystack, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152609.3sf94b75.TajikistanSep141495.jpg) House with a large haystack, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan |
![Silhouettes of poplar trees with the late afternoon sun on the surrounding peaks](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152610.8l3H8YhQ.TajikistanSep141497.jpg) Silhouettes of poplar trees with the late afternoon sun on the surrounding peaks |
![Back to bumpy dirt in this narrow section along the Panj River south of Khorog](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152611.rHNU27d8.TajikistanSep141500.jpg) Back to bumpy dirt in this narrow section along the Panj River south of Khorog |
![Welcome to Shugnan District](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/163152612.ur1JI5vn.TajikistanSep141502.jpg) Welcome to Shugnan District |