TRAVEL

Travel 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. We run group trips to the Yemeni island of Socotra, and remote regions of northern Pakistan and Tajikistan.
We also offer bespoke trips to these regions tailored to your interests, budget and time.

Want to find out more? Email us at explore@ishkar.com or

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Algeria: Casbah and the Sahara

What? Journey through one of North Africa’s most surprising and least-visited destinations, where ancient history, dramatic landscapes, and living traditions come together in extraordinary ways.

Where? Beginning in Algiers’ UNESCO-listed Casbah, our trip explores the vertiginous bridges of Constantine, the Roman ruins of Djemila, and south into the Tassili n’Ajjer region of the Sahara.

Find out more about our group trips to Algeria below. Email us on explore@ishkar.com for more information and a personal consultation, or to learn about our bespoke trips.

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Pakistan: The Hunza Valley

What? Explore the soaring peaks and fascinating history of Hunza with the expert guidance of in-country experts. Head out on the trail hiking routes or discover archaeological sites. Whatever you have in mind, we can work with you to curate your perfect experience.

Where? Northern Pakistan is home to some of the world’s most jaw-dropping landscapes, with more than fifty mountains over 7,000 metres, and 5 over 8,000. For millennia ancient trade routes have snaked their way through the verdant valleys which lie between these high peaks, carrying goods, ideas and influences between south Asia, Afghanistan and nearby China.

Find out more about our group trips to Pakistan below. Email us on explore@ishkar.com for more information and a personal consultation, or to learn about our bespoke trips.

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Yemen: Socotra

What? Travel to Socotra and curate an experience as diverse as the island itself. Learn about the biodiversity of endemic flora & fauna, hike and boat to Socotra's remotest corners un-reachable by road, or improve your photography under expert guidance with the landscape as your canvas.

Where? The Socotra archipelago is an oasis of calm, isolated in the northwest Indian Ocean off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia. It is a land of high mountains, pristine white beaches, and one of the world’s densest concentrations of plant and animal life found anywhere on the planet. Visitors throughout history have been drawn to the island in search of its natural treasures, not least the otherworldly dragon’s blood tree, revered for its healing powers and used as a paint colour by artists.There are thought to be 825 species of plants on the 3,796km² island, of which 37% are endemic.

Find out more about our group trips to Socotra below. Email us on explore@ishkar.com for more information and a personal consultation, or to learn about our bespoke trips.

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Tajikistan

What? Explore the high altitude landscapes and ancient villages of Tajikistan's Pamir Mountains through the Bartang Valley, and Wakhan Corridor bordering Afghanistan.

Where? Tajikistan is known for its rugged mountains, which make up 93% of the country's land area, as well as its rich culture and history. The Bartang Valley is known for its stunning natural beauty, including dramatic peaks, turquoise rivers, and pristine glaciers. The Wakhan Corridor is a high-altitude region that is home to several ethnic groups, including the Wakhi, who are known for their distinct culture and language. The corridor is also famous for its historic Silk Road trading routes and ancient Buddhist sites.

Find out more about our group trips to Tajikistan below. Email us on explore@ishkar.com for more information and a personal consultation, or to learn about bespoke trips.

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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."