Venture beyond the headlines &

Travel with us

Drawing on our years of experience working in regions perceived to be off-limits to foreign tourists, we provide small groups of curious and critically-minded travellers with access to extraordinary, yet rarely visited, parts of the world.

Our groups are accompanied by leading masters in fields ranging from photojournalism to conservation. We travel with masters to engage more deeply with the places we visit, and to leave the trip with new skills and perspectives as well as memories.

Browse our upcoming trips here:

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Pakistan
  • Bespoke - Group

Travel beneath Northern Pakistan’s soaring peaks, and delve into the fascinating history of the Hunza Valley, home to some of the world’s most jaw-dropping landscapes, with more than fifty mountains over 7,000 meters, and 5 over 8,000. We organise several trips to Hunza to suit whatever you are looking for.

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SOCOTRA - YEMEN
  • Bespoke - Group

A rare opportunity to journey around Socotra – the sparsely populated Yemeni island of mountains, isolated coastal landscapes and one of the densest concentrations of unique plant and animal species found anywhere on the planet. We organise several trips to Socotra to suit whatever you are looking for.

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D.R.CONGO
  • Bespoke

Travel through the thick jungles and volcanic landscapes of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, exploring a side to the region that is rarely seen by tourists.

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TAJIKISTAN
  • Bespoke

Explore the roof of the world across Tajikistan's Pamir Mountains, travelling through the Bartang Valley and Wakhan Corridor. Create your own private journey for travel at any time of year.

TESTIMONIALS

SCOTT BLANKSTEEN, SOCOTRA X SIMON NORFOLK, TRAVELLER 2021

"Ishkar and the local on-the-ground team did an amazing job making a remote island accessible. The staff was great, friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable; the arrangements were logical and practical, and the experiences and guests were fun and unique."

NEHA DATTA, HUNZA X MATTHIEU PALEY, TRAVELLER 2021

"This was one of my most memorable trips. Thank you Ishkar for really taking us beyond the headlines. I feel in love with Pakistan – the people we met were so receptive to us and each place you selected was perfect. Thank you for being super considerate about how we engaged with the people and the environment. And I made some great friends."

GLEN WILDE, DRC X MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER BROWN, ISHKAR TRAVELLER 2022

"Eye opening and incredibly rich experience. We really ticked all the exploration boxes I can think of - culturally, geographically, photographically. Amazingly well organised and orchestrated given the ever evolving constraints. I learned a lot, I got a lot of photos I'm very happy with, and I made a bunch of new friends. Very highly recommended."

ANNETTE WIDTZ, AFGHANISTAN X ANDREW QUILTY, TRAVELLER 2019

"Can't tell friends enough about our journey with ISHKAR in Afghanistan. I particularly enjoyed the small group vibe, the variety of activities and the warmth and hospitality of the leaders. If you are thinking about it, don't. Just go."

EVA HO, SOCOTRA X SIMON NORFOLK, TRAVELLER 2021

"Ishkar did a terrific job in providing a truly authentic, safe, and compelling experience in Socotra, a place that is not easy to visit. All the guides were welcoming, helpful, motivated and engaging. They put a lot of effort into creating a unique and memorable itinerary that focused on chasing the best light for photography and showcasing the best Socotra has to offer. We were able to see beautiful landscapes, learn about the diverse and endemic flora, as well as meet wonderful local people and see how they live. It was great to spend time with a group that was so passionate about photography while appreciating and respecting local cultural values, norms and beliefs. I would highly recommend anyone to do this trip!! Definitely, one that I will not forget for many years to come. Thank you Ishkar and the entire crew for making it possible!"

SHAHIN DIN, HUNZA x MATTHIEU PALEY, TRAVELLER 2021

"I'd been investigating travelling to the Hunza Valley for a while when I chanced upon this trip with Ishkar. The fact that they interview you for the spot and that the chance to hang out with a renowned photographer was especially appealing and they did not disappoint. The Hunza Valley is breathtakingly beautiful and so are its people. The balance of the rugged mountains against the warmth of the people and their hospitality make this a unique trip and the efforts that Ishkar put into get this whole trip organised were apparent as it ran so smoothly and was a incredible experience from start to finish."

MOLLY BACK, HUNZA X MATTHIEU PALEY, TRAVELLER 2021

"Seeing ISHKAR’s philosophy and values up close and in person made me love this company. Electra was a living example of ethical travel. Every experience was genuine and I was comfortable knowing we weren’t exploiting any of the people we interacted with, we weren’t gawking at culture, we were able to actively experience it."

ANDI ISKANDAR, IRAQI KURDISTAN X GEORGE BUTLER, TRAVELLER 2021

The trip wasn't just about my view of the place, but all the experiences that I went through together with the group. It was an eye-opening and enriching journey.

KATE BLOOMER, SOCOTRA: FLORA & FAUNA, TRAVELLER 2021

"ISHKAR's trip to Socotra was a truly once in a lifetime experience which we will treasure forever. We loved every minute of it, and wouldn't have changed a thing. Thank you for bringing this place to life for us and for making it so special."
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