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Mount Noshaq
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Mount Noshaq, standing at 7,492 meters (24,580 feet), is the highest peak in Afghanistan and the second-highest in the entire Hindu Kush range. Located in the Wakhan Corridor, it straddles the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The mountain was first climbed in 1960 by a Japanese expedition from the Pakistani side. The first Afghan ascent was in 2009. Noshaq is renowned among mountaineers for its challenging climb and the pristine, rugged beauty of its surroundings. The area is characterized by vast glaciers, deep valleys, and a harsh alpine environment. It is home to unique wildlife adapted to the high-altitude climate, including the elusive snow leopard. The peak features sweeping panoramic views of the Pamir mountains and the vastness of Central Asia.
- Location: Afghanistan
- Top sights: Istor-o-Nal · Noshaq
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -17 | -15 | -10 | -5 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 2 | -3 | -9 | -14 |
| Rain mm | 23 | 34 | 39 | 41 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 18 |
📋 Practical info
Getting there
Reaching the base involves a rugged, multi-day trek directly through the remote Wakhan Corridor. The journey usually starts from the village of Qazi Deh, requiring local guides and reliable porters.
Best season
The narrow climbing window is strictly confined to the mid-summer months of July and August. Extreme cold and heavy snow literally make the peak entirely inaccessible during the rest of the year.
Terrain & paths
The lower approaches basically consist of dry, rocky valleys and immense glacial moraines. The higher slopes definitively feature heavily crevassed glaciers, steep ice faces, and treacherous rocky ridges.
What to bring
Comprehensive, high-altitude expedition gear is absolutely critical for any serious attempt. This actively includes sub-zero sleeping bags, specialized ice climbing equipment, and supplemental oxygen capabilities.
Parking
There are completely no modern parking facilities; vehicles are left at the end of the dirt roads in the valley. From the drop-off point, all forward progress must be entirely made on foot or with pack animals.
Safety
This is a highly dangerous environment aggressively demanding elite mountaineering experience. Altitude sickness, massive avalanches, and extreme remoteness are constant, heavily life-threatening risks.
Time needed
A full expedition to successfully summit the mountain universally requires at least three to four weeks. The initial trek directly to the base camp alone clearly takes several days of strenuous hiking.
Geography
Facts
- Elevation: 7,492 meters (24,580 ft)
- Mountain Range: Hindu Kush
- Location: Wakhan Corridor, Badakhshan Province
- First Ascent: 1960 by a Japanese expedition
- Second highest peak in the Hindu Kush
- The first Afghan ascent was in 2009
- Its western face is located in Afghanistan
- The area is known for its significant glaciers
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Mount Noshaq (2)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is climbing Noshaq?
It is a high-altitude expedition requiring advanced mountaineering experience and acclimatization.
When is the best time for a Noshaq expedition?
The summer months from July to August offer the most stable weather conditions on the mountain.
Is there accommodation on the way to the base camp?
No, you must camp autonomously; there are no permanent tourist accommodations at this altitude.
Is a permit required for visiting?
Yes, an official permit from the authorities is mandatory for mountaineering in the Afghanistan region.
What is the weather like on Noshaq?
It has an extreme high-mountain climate with very low temperatures and unpredictable storms.
Mount Noshaq: where is it located?
Mount Noshaq is located in Afghanistan.
Mount Noshaq: what is there to see?
Highlights include Istor-o-Nal, Noshaq.
Mount Noshaq: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Mount Noshaq: why is it worth visiting?
Mount Noshaq, standing at 7,492 meters (24,580 feet), is the highest peak in Afghanistan and the second-highest in the entire Hindu Kush range.
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Nearby cities
Faizabad
Faizabad is the most important city in the northeastern province of Badakhshan, situated on the Kokcha River.
Chitral
An isolated city in the Hindu Kush, known for its majestic fort and proximity to Trich Mir.
Ishkoshim
Ishkoshim is the gateway to the Wakhan Corridor and renowned for the cross-border market on the Panj River.
Khorugh
Khorugh is the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, located high in the Pamir Mountains.
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An isolated hiking paradise in the Pamirs accessible only on foot, featuring crystal-clear lakes.
History & landmarks
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Lake Zorkul
This remote high mountain lake in the Pamir Mountains marks part of the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
Chaqmaqtin Lake
A picturesque high mountain lake in the Wakhan Corridor.
Kokcha River
This river flows through the Badakhshan province in the northeast.
Gunt River
This glacial river flows through deep gorges in the Shugnan Mountains before emptying into the Pyanj at Khorugh.
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An impetuous mountain river that drains the Sarez Lake system and cuts through one of the wildest valleys in the Pamir.
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Wakhan National Park
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Pamir Mountains (Afghan Part)
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Kah-Kaha Fortress
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