![Leaving the main Wakhan Valley road to drive up to the Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835048.Brz6PsHa.TajikistanSep141164.jpg) Leaving the main Wakhan Valley road to drive up to the Yamchun Fortress |
![Ridge of the Hindu Kush at the end of the valley south of Khandud, Afghanistan, forming the border with Pakistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835049.PCDEbQhV.TajikistanSep141170.jpg) Ridge of the Hindu Kush at the end of the valley south of Khandud, Afghanistan, forming the border with Pakistan |
![Khandud, Afghanistan - Badakhshan Province, Wakhan Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835050.ZpPq0684.TajikistanSep141171.jpg) Khandud, Afghanistan - Badakhshan Province, Wakhan Valley |
![Looking up at the lower part of the vast Yamchung Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835051.HrebRSUX.TajikistanSep141172.jpg) Looking up at the lower part of the vast Yamchung Fortress |
![The lower part of Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835053.VI8BSqrm.TajikistanSep141178.jpg) The lower part of Yamchun Fortress |
![Yamchun Fortress dates from the 3rd Century BC to the 1st C. BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835126.lxFfGw1B.TajikistanSep141317.jpg) Yamchun Fortress dates from the 3rd Century BC to the 1st C. BC |
![Yamchun Fortress, the best preserved ancient castle in the Tajik Wakhan Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835052.H8JCmU6f.TajikistanSep141173.jpg) Yamchun Fortress, the best preserved ancient castle in the Tajik Wakhan Valley |
![Historic marker at Yamchun Fortress. The English one is missing.](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835123.wdGt0Odh.TajikistanSep141314.jpg) Historic marker at Yamchun Fortress. The English one is missing. |
![Yamchun Fortress with the Hindu Kush of the Afghan Wakhan Corridor](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835057.0raxdWTx.TajikistanSep141185.jpg) Yamchun Fortress with the Hindu Kush of the Afghan Wakhan Corridor |
![Калъаи Ямчун](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835056.frVlyfjD.TajikistanSep141184.jpg) Калъаи Ямчун |
![Yamchun Fortress, also known as Zamr-i-Atash-Parast or Kafir-Qala](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835055.qYRb1QWT.TajikistanSep141180.jpg) Yamchun Fortress, also known as Zamr-i-Atash-Parast or Kafir-Qala |
![North tower of Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835054.2xiTWZN7.TajikistanSep141179.jpg) North tower of Yamchun Fortress |
![20,000 foot peak in the Hindu Kush range forming the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835073.NM6ezJIn.TajikistanSep141204.jpg) 20,000 foot peak in the Hindu Kush range forming the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan |
![Yamchun Fortress protected this branch of the Silk Road](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835076.QFdOUAxs.TajikistanSep141209.jpg) Yamchun Fortress protected this branch of the Silk Road |
![Yamchun Fortress with its impressive location over the Panj River](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835077.cDVfNW0n.TajikistanSep141210.jpg) Yamchun Fortress with its impressive location over the Panj River |
![Yamchun Fortress has a total of 36 towers of various shapes](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835078.amg69bPr.TajikistanSep141212.jpg) Yamchun Fortress has a total of 36 towers of various shapes |
![Yamchun Fortress high above the Panj River and Wakhan Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835079.n2r71AL6.TajikistanSep141213.jpg) Yamchun Fortress high above the Panj River and Wakhan Valley |
![Yamchun Fortress with the mountains of Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835080.yhAHinyI.TajikistanSep141215.jpg) Yamchun Fortress with the mountains of Afghanistan |
![Yamchun Fortress with the mountains of Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835081.KKrPxPZU.TajikistanSep141216.jpg) Yamchun Fortress with the mountains of Afghanistan |
![Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835082.tWWBillw.TajikistanSep141239.jpg) Yamchun Fortress |
![Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835083.tDMHKykB.TajikistanSep141240.jpg) Yamchun Fortress |
![It's worth the hike to climb for a view of Yamchun Fortress from above](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835084.eYLnCPjK.TajikistanSep141241.jpg) It's worth the hike to climb for a view of Yamchun Fortress from above |
![Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835085.1Bl1V6Ks.TajikistanSep141242.jpg) Yamchun Fortress |
![Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835086.FicV4eIO.TajikistanSep141243.jpg) Yamchun Fortress |
![The agricultural fields of Khandud, Afghanistan, from the Yamchun Fortress, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835087.g1Y1ATI4.TajikistanSep141244.jpg) The agricultural fields of Khandud, Afghanistan, from the Yamchun Fortress, Tajikistan |
![Glacier tumbling down from the high ridge of the Hindu Kush which forms the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835088.jNjOD1mC.TajikistanSep141245.jpg) Glacier tumbling down from the high ridge of the Hindu Kush which forms the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan |
![Mountains of the Wakhan Corridor, Afghanistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835089.p3nLY1X6.TajikistanSep141246.jpg) Mountains of the Wakhan Corridor, Afghanistan |
![Yamchun Fortress, Wakhan Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835090.nHN5r2kg.TajikistanSep141251.jpg) Yamchun Fortress, Wakhan Valley |
![The view from Yamchun back to Bibi Fatima](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835091.ZqS8MkNG.TajikistanSep141253.jpg) The view from Yamchun back to Bibi Fatima |
![Yamchun Fortress, Wakhan Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835092.aENIwHeg.TajikistanSep141254.jpg) Yamchun Fortress, Wakhan Valley |
![Hiking down from the road to enter Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835093.gvz1H6Z8.TajikistanSep141258.jpg) Hiking down from the road to enter Yamchun Fortress |
![The narrow north side of Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835094.4n1VPT97.TajikistanSep141259.jpg) The narrow north side of Yamchun Fortress |
![Yamchun Fortress with the snowcapped Hindu Kush](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835095.aM6sIlTd.TajikistanSep141260.jpg) Yamchun Fortress with the snowcapped Hindu Kush |
![Hiking up to Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835096.L5Vsw8Dy.TajikistanSep141262.jpg) Hiking up to Yamchun Fortress |
![Not part of the fortress, a naturally eroded tower](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835097.6fdd8mQd.TajikistanSep141263.jpg) Not part of the fortress, a naturally eroded tower |
![Natural formations beneath Yamchun](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835098.JsRb3iCR.TajikistanSep141264.jpg) Natural formations beneath Yamchun |
![A narrow stream must be crossed to reach Yamchun](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835099.3eK8G1lu.TajikistanSep141265.jpg) A narrow stream must be crossed to reach Yamchun |
![A big split boulder near Yamchun with the Panj River](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835100.XtiFT0n3.TajikistanSep141266.jpg) A big split boulder near Yamchun with the Panj River |
![Looking up at Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835101.TqPooRFg.TajikistanSep141267.jpg) Looking up at Yamchun Fortress |
![Stone tower of Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835102.uBLHcAmV.TajikistanSep141268.jpg) Stone tower of Yamchun Fortress |
![The northern apex of the triangular shaped Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835103.GAlaTdvQ.TajikistanSep141272.jpg) The northern apex of the triangular shaped Yamchun Fortress |
![The large north tower, Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835104.beWR4PNZ.TajikistanSep141274.jpg) The large north tower, Yamchun Fortress |
![Crumbling tower, Yamchun Forturess](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835105.vXUCqJ9B.TajikistanSep141275.jpg) Crumbling tower, Yamchun Forturess |
![Yamchun Fortress, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835106.RURICoF1.TajikistanSep141281.jpg) Yamchun Fortress, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![Yamchun Fortress, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835107.56XaCQac.TajikistanSep141286.jpg) Yamchun Fortress, Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan |
![A break in the wall gives access to the interior of Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835108.KsDPnlRQ.TajikistanSep141287.jpg) A break in the wall gives access to the interior of Yamchun Fortress |
![View of the Panj River 1200 feet below Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835109.feLe1ys3.TajikistanSep141288.jpg) View of the Panj River 1200 feet below Yamchun Fortress |
![Looking east up the Wakhan Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835110.NqLiPd3e.TajikistanSep141289.jpg) Looking east up the Wakhan Valley |
![Eastern wall of Yamchun from the main courtyard](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835111.ZXrbEey8.TajikistanSep141291.jpg) Eastern wall of Yamchun from the main courtyard |
![Yamchun Fortress dates from the 3rd-1st C. BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835112.oD40IzCh.TajikistanSep141292.jpg) Yamchun Fortress dates from the 3rd-1st C. BC |
![Buildings on the south side of Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835113.wN3aof0f.TajikistanSep141293.jpg) Buildings on the south side of Yamchun Fortress |
![Interior of Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835114.p2PYJWgG.TajikistanSep141294.jpg) Interior of Yamchun Fortress |
![Looking north along the western wall of Yamchun Fortress towards Bibi Fatima](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835115.QlKPGMCE.TajikistanSep141296.jpg) Looking north along the western wall of Yamchun Fortress towards Bibi Fatima |
![Looking east along the southern wall, Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835116.IGBANLBA.TajikistanSep141299.jpg) Looking east along the southern wall, Yamchun Fortress |
![Yamchun Fortress from the southwest corner](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835117.BDjd0cNK.TajikistanSep141302.jpg) Yamchun Fortress from the southwest corner |
![The more substation buildings of the castle are along the southern edge](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835118.zWZkCux5.TajikistanSep141303.jpg) The more substation buildings of the castle are along the southern edge |
![The cliff below Bibi Fatima, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835119.dawy9H1R.TajikistanSep141310.jpg) The cliff below Bibi Fatima, Tajikistan |
![Inside Yamchun Fortress, Tajikistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835120.z20HB2rt.TajikistanSep141311.jpg) Inside Yamchun Fortress, Tajikistan |
![Climbing back up to the main road, Yamchun Fortress](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835121.wBkp41EA.TajikistanSep141312.jpg) Climbing back up to the main road, Yamchun Fortress |
![Yamchun Fortress from the road connecting the Wakhan Valley with Bibi Fatima](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835122.Yt4WnoiM.TajikistanSep141313.jpg) Yamchun Fortress from the road connecting the Wakhan Valley with Bibi Fatima |
![Khandud, Afghanistan - Badakhshan Province, Wakhan District](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835124.wfKf7Tlp.TajikistanSep141315.jpg) Khandud, Afghanistan - Badakhshan Province, Wakhan District |
![The glacial valley leading south from Khandud towards the glacial ridge that forms the border with Pakistan](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835125.3qwg8tWu.TajikistanSep141316.jpg) The glacial valley leading south from Khandud towards the glacial ridge that forms the border with Pakistan |
![Just a few km beyond Yamchun Fortress is the small hot spring resort of Bibi Fatima](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835058.iY0Hsu39.TajikistanSep141187.jpg) Just a few km beyond Yamchun Fortress is the small hot spring resort of Bibi Fatima |
![Veterans Camp at Bibi Fatima](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835059.jlAMvLFD.TajikistanSep141188.jpg) Veterans Camp at Bibi Fatima |
![Ishkasim District Veterans Camp at Bibi Fatima](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835060.JyN7dpzj.TajikistanSep141189.jpg) Ishkasim District Veterans Camp at Bibi Fatima |
![Bibi Fatima](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835061.4lKjU8F3.TajikistanSep141190.jpg) Bibi Fatima |
![The gorge at Bibi Fatima is the site of a natural hot spring](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835062.QkDuK8rB.TajikistanSep141191.jpg) The gorge at Bibi Fatima is the site of a natural hot spring |
![Bibi Fatima](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835063.BjtXjxWb.TajikistanSep141193.jpg) Bibi Fatima |
![Guesthouse at Bibi Fatima](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835064.MwCHn5i3.TajikistanSep141194.jpg) Guesthouse at Bibi Fatima |
![Small restaurant at the Bibi Fatima guesthouse](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835074.Gy9po5cy.TajikistanSep141205.jpg) Small restaurant at the Bibi Fatima guesthouse |
![Bibi Fatima guesthouse](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835075.Gv80y9sa.TajikistanSep141206.jpg) Bibi Fatima guesthouse |
![Bibi Fatima Hot Spring](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835065.L3O29kb8.TajikistanSep141195.jpg) Bibi Fatima Hot Spring |
![Bibi Fatima was restored by Norway and the Aga Khan Foundation](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835066.tWh6Zj6C.TajikistanSep141196.jpg) Bibi Fatima was restored by Norway and the Aga Khan Foundation |
![The stream below the hot spring, Bibi Fatima](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835067.VbJFBzV4.TajikistanSep141197.jpg) The stream below the hot spring, Bibi Fatima |
![Hot Springs at Bibi Fatima, Wakhan Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835068.HHHa1moy.TajikistanSep141199.jpg) Hot Springs at Bibi Fatima, Wakhan Valley |
![Bibi Fatima Hot Springs](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835069.SrbfnD1Y.TajikistanSep141200.jpg) Bibi Fatima Hot Springs |
![Bibi Fatima Hot Springs](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835070.qNiyHETk.TajikistanSep141201.jpg) Bibi Fatima Hot Springs |
![Bibi Fatima Hot Springs](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835071.lnB1uJCo.TajikistanSep141202.jpg) Bibi Fatima Hot Springs |
![Men's and Women's Hours, Bibi Fatima](https://a4.pbase.com/o9/93/329493/1/162835072.eb2IIMTQ.TajikistanSep141203.jpg) Men's and Women's Hours, Bibi Fatima |