The Hindu Kush

The Hindu Kush, the mighty range whose name has long marked the mountains between Central and South Asia, forms the towering spine of Afghanistan, stretching for hundreds of kilometres and rising to peaks over 7,000 metres as it reaches towards the Pamirs and the narrow Wakhan Corridor. Its snow-capped summits, deep gorges and high remote valleys make up some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Asia, long a great crossroads of trade and travel. Scattered through its folds live hardy communities of herders and farmers. It is a landscape of formidable grandeur and elemental beauty.

What you actually see

• The snow-capped peaks - the soaring summits rising over 7,000 metres.
• The Wakhan Corridor - the remote high valley towards the Pamirs.
• The deep valleys - the dramatic gorges and mountain passes.
• The mountain communities - the remote herding and farming villages.

When to go

Summer, roughly June to September, is the only mild season for these high mountains, when the passes are clear of snow and the valleys are green; the rest of the year is dominated by deep cold and heavy snow at altitude. The long summer days give the finest views of the peaks.

Honest expectations

The Hindu Kush is exceptionally high and remote, its valleys reached only by long, rough journeys, so travel through it is demanding and best suited to the well-prepared; weather can change fast at altitude. As the magnificent roof of Afghanistan and some of Asia's most dramatic high scenery, a wall of snow-capped peaks and deep valleys, though, it is a landscape of formidable grandeur.

Nearby

The Wakhan Corridor and the valleys of Badakhshan lie within the range.