The Wakhan Valley (also pronounced Vakhan) is a majestic alpine
valley in the Badakhshan region of Afghanistan and Tajikistan
(the "Wakhan Corridor" refers to the part of the valley in
Afghanistan). It is located in the Pamir Mountains in Central
Asia. Its upper reaches consist of two wide, hilly plains
surrounded by alpine peaks, beginning near the Chinese border in
one of the most remote regions of the world. Further down, where
the Pamir and Wakhan rivers join to form the Pyanj River, the
valley narrows, finally becoming a severe canyon with roaring
river rapids at its end in Ishkashem. Its muddy rivers are fed
by water from huge glaciers on some of the highest mountains on
the planet, fantastic views of which are visible throughout the
area. Regions of Tajikistan High peaks on the Pakistani side
include Tirich Mir (7,690 m), and Nushak (7,455 m) to the south;
and Karl Marx (6,723 m) and Engels (6,507 m) in the north.
Access to the valley on the Tajik side is from the Pamir
Highway, either from the northea