Tajikistan

A landlocked country in Central Asia with landscapes that are from another planet. I spent 11 days driving the Pamir Highway with 3 Europeans I met on a travel forum. Of those 11 days, 4 were along the Wakhan Corridor on the border of Afghanistan. We spent every night with a different host family, completed 4 day hikes and reached 4800m (15750 ft.) in elevation, and experienced all four seasons in one day. The landscape changed often. The land is so remote and wild; we drove for days without seeing other cars. The locals we met throughout Tajikistan are the kindest people; they welcomed us to their country, their homes, and into their hearts. This was my favorite trip I’ve taken. It wasn’t easy or comfortable, but to be able to see earth in the purest and rawest form is something I would not trade for any luxury or amenity.