Tajikistan lies at the junction of five of the world's greatest mountain ranges: the Himalaya, Karakorum, Hindu Kush, Tien Shan and Pamir. The Pamirs dominate the eastern half of Tajikistan, covering an area of more than 63,700 sq. Km. The Tajiks refer to this region as 'Bom-i-Dunyo', the Roof of the World.

Three of the highest peaks in the former Soviet Union lie here: Peak Communism (7,495 m), Peak Evgenia Korjenevskaya (7,105 m) and Peak Lenin (7,134 m). There are more than 100 other peaks over 6,000 m, some of them still unclimbed.

The highest mountain in the ex-USSR was Peak Communism, which was renamed to Peak Ismoil Somoni in 1999, after the founder of the 12th century Tajik Samanid dynasty. Peak Communism and Peak Korjenevskaya overlook a large moraine, Moskvina Glade (4200 m), where the base camp for ascending either mountain is located. The moraine is encircled by three glaciers, Walter, Traube and Moskvina.

Though these giants of the Pamirs have been climbed for many years (2003 was the 70th anniverary of the first ascent of Peak Communism and the 50th anniversary of the first ascent on Peak Korjenevskaya), there remain mountains in the Pamirs which have not been climbed by anyone yet. In July 1999 a British expedition climbed two previously-unnamed peaks in the eastern Pamir. There is endless scope for exploratory climbing and many as-yet-unclimbed summits beckon the experienced mountaineer in search of a fresh challenge.

Jutting west from the Pamirs is a huge rocky spur, the Pamir-Alai, which makes up most of west Tajikistan. This is alpine territory with wooded slopes, lakes and rivers gracing the sides of the mountains. The Fann and Hissor ranges are ideal for trekking peaks (up to 5,489 m) or more technical climbing.

For unique mountaineering adventures visit: http://www.greatgametravel.co.uk/climbing/