Redefining the Family Vacation

What Comes to Mind When You Hear ‘Family Vacation’?

There is a wide variety of thoughts that come to mind when people say “Family Vacation.” Some think of Vacation, the 1983 classic film starring Chevy Chase. I was around the age of nine when it debuted, quickly becoming a cult film that led to many sequels poking fun at what has been a part of almost everyone’s life growing up.

Fast forward to 2024—half a century has passed, and my wife Cloe and our teenage daughter are deciding where to go on our family vacation.

Convincing a Teenager to Go Off the Grid

Noor is 15, the age of adolescence associated with rebellious behavior, a lack of desire to be with parents, and a drive to gain independence. A family vacation in the remote mountains of the world with no internet connection would normally be a hard sell to a teenage girl.

However, lucky for us, Noor needed no convincing when we mentioned a family adventure to the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan.

Why Tajikistan?

A Country With a Complex History

When I was 15, the USSR was just starting to fall apart. By 1991, the USSR was in a state of collapse, and the Tajikistan Soviet Socialist Republic was the last republic to declare its independence. Since gaining independence, Tajikistan has had the same president, spent five years in civil war, and in general, suffers from widespread poverty and instability.

It is not exactly the first place that comes to mind for a “family vacation,” but when Cloe suggested the Pamir Mountains, I was instantly hooked on the idea.

The Perfect Destination for Adventure

We wanted a mountain range with:

• Good weather in August
• Interesting history and culture
• Remote and wild terrain without internet and cell service

Tajikistan, a dry and mountainous country bordered by Afghanistan to the south, China to the east, and Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to the north, fit the bill perfectly. We wanted an adventure, and Tajikistan was sure to deliver!

Into the Pamir Mountains

A Three-Week Expedition Into the Western Pamirs

Arriving the first week of August, we had three weeks to explore the Shughnon region of the Western Pamir Mountains. Accessing the area involved three days of rough driving along the Silk Road, which borders Afghanistan.

The travel was well worth it, as this region is home to hundreds of glaciated peaks under 6,000 meters, with grassy valleys below. Each of the valleys is connected by dozens of turquoise lakes, making it an ideal corner of the range to trek and explore.

Our Goals for the Expedition

We had three key goals for our adventure:

1. Have fun
2. Connect as a family
3. Summit a few peaks along the way

Assembling Our Team for the Journey

Hiring Local Experts

We hired the local tour operator, Pamir Tours, to help with logistics and put together a team to support our trekking and base camp needs. In addition to our family, we brought on four additional team members:

• Firuz – Our local fixer of all things
• Gosha – Our cook and donkey wrangler
• Shogun – Gosha’s assistant
• Nasser – A true Pamir legend of the mountains

Together, with six donkeys carrying everything we needed for several weeks of trekking and climbing, we set off into the range to see what adventure was waiting for us.

Navigating the Unknown

Unlike Nepal, no peak permits are required in Tajikistan, and there is very little to no information available on the mountains. I wasn’t certain what we would find.

I had a rough group of peaks selected that I had pinpointed on Google Earth and through some scattered information left in the cybersphere. However, our climbing objectives had to be decided once we were there, based on what conditions allowed.

Trekking and Climbing in the Pamirs

Adapting to the Mountains

We trekked daily, adjusting our plans as we explored. The remoteness of the Pamir Mountain life was both humbling and awe-inspiring.

Summiting Two 5,000-Meter Peaks

Despite the unpredictable conditions, we successfully summited two 5,000-meter peaks, taking in breathtaking views and embracing the spirit of exploration.

A Family Adventure to Remember

Our time in Tajikistan was everything we hoped for—a challenging yet deeply rewarding adventure. Disconnecting from the modern world allowed us to connect more deeply as a family and appreciate the raw beauty of the mountains.

For us, this was the perfect family vacation—one filled with adventure, discovery, and memories that will last a lifetime.

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