I could not remember how long it took us to get to Ishkashim from Khorog. But according to google maps, the journey takes about 2 hr and 9 mins. I would advise to add an hour because google map may not take into account of the road conditions there. Or do they?
The town of Ishkashim lies in a fertile valley at an elevation of 3,037 meters and the bridge linking to the border market in Afghanistan was reconstructed in 2006.
On Saturdays, residents from all around the Wakhan Corridor gather between the Afghan and Tajik border post for the weekly market. Visitors coming from Tajikistan will have to leave their passport to the border guards to cross over, browse around the market for a few hours and collect back your passport when you exiting Afghanistan.
Inside the Ishkashim Market, you can haggle for delicious food, Afghan trinkets, pakol hats, and Tajik souvenirs. If you want to pick up a ‘pakol’ (a typical flat Afghan hat), the border bazaar is a prime spot to do so. In addition, foreign products can also be found, including cheap clothing and household items from China.
The merchants there are very friendly and would normally be happy to grant you permission to having their photo taken.
The Ishkashim Market is open every Saturday, unless violence or disease are present in the area. Whenever it’s open, it’s a remarkable display that friendship and commerce can cross both rivers and borders.