Hike to Mount Olam Jakhon, between Varzob and Romit, Tajikistan

I first saw this mountain while hiking the Odjuk Ring route. At the same time, I also first heard the name "Olam Jakhon" from a local guy I met along the way. At that moment, I didn't believe him. If you translate the name into Russian, the closest meaning of the phrase "Olam Jakhon" would probably be Universe (World of worlds). So I doubted it, thinking maybe the guy decided to "slightly" embellish or just didn't know the name.

Hike to Mount Chorbed, Varzob Gorge, Tajikistan

Mount Chorbed, 2022 meters high, is clearly visible from the city of Dushanbe. It is the first high mountain on the right side of the road when looking from Dushanbe towards Varzob. Mount Chorbed itself is located between the Kharangon Gorge and the 21 km Gorge, meaning between the Kharangon and Darifanfarok rivers, respectively. The mountain is not very high, and you can ascend it via several routes. We decided to climb Mount Chorbed through the village of Fanfarok. To do this, we got out of a marshrutka in the village of Shaftimichgon, near the gas station, right where the trail leading to the village of Fanfarok begins.

Hiking to Mount Fang along the ridge between the Odzhuk and Begar gorges, Varzob, Tajikistan

I first wanted to hike this route when we were returning from another trip. I got curious back then whether it was even possible – to walk the entire ridge and descend straight to the village of Varzob. We didn't have time on that hike, so we just descended to the fourth bridge in Odzhuk. But the curiosity remained, and last Saturday I decided to check out this route. It is, of course, doable, but I want to make an important note.

Peak Ismoili Somoni (Communism Peak), Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

The highest point of Tajikistan is Peak Ismoili Somoni, rising 7,495 meters above sea level. It is the highest peak in Central Asia and throughout the entire territory of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). Among the world's highest peaks, it ranks fiftieth.

For climbers from the CIS and around the world, Peak Ismoili Somoni is a landmark summit. Many consider it their duty to climb it. More than thirty routes lead to the summit. Some of them are recognized as the most challenging in the world. Their distinctive features are unique technical parameters: a colossal altitude difference of about 2,500 meters and a steepness exceeding fifty percent.