I am planning to walk / hitchhike along the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan (Ishkashim). I was wondering how much of a risk being attacked by a snow leopard, or any other form of wildlife, would be? Will I be okay as long as I stay near the highway?
Also, in 2018, is crossing the Afghan border to visit Ishkashim without obtaining an Afghan VISA still allowed?
You need to do a lot more research if you're thinking one of your main concerns should be snow leopards.
But no, wildlife isn't likely to be a major concern of yours. If you're going to have any problem with animals, it will likely come from the domesticated variety. Yaks can be pretty rough. And they're hungry for backpacks.
What has made you think snow leopards are a potentially dangerous animal which you're likely to encounter along the Pamir Highway?
Because there are snow leopards living in the Pamir Mountains? Perhaps you're the one who needs to do more research.
Because there are snow leopards living in the Pamir Mountains? Perhaps you're the one who needs to do more research
If you did your research you would see people spend thousands of dollars and weeks going deep into the mountains trying to see snow leopards and don't manage it! Your odds of even seeing one anywhere near the Pamir highway, let alone getting attacked, is close to zero. In fact I don't think there is a single recorded case of a snow leopard attacking a human anywhere in the world.
Also, in 2018, is crossing the Afghan border to visit Ishkashim without obtaining an Afghan VISA still allowed?
If you did your research it has never been possible to cross into Afghanistan without a visa. You can visit the market but it's not in Afghanistan, it's on an island between Tajikistan and Afghanistan (I think technically Tajik land or maybe no-mans land, but definitely not Afghanistan.
I've been to iskhashim (Tajik), across the border is Sultan Eshkashim (afghan). Two different places in different countries separated by a large river. The market which is what your referring to is in no way "technically in Afghanistan".
There are a lot of knowledgeable people on here happy to help. Unfortunately you decided to shoot yourself in the foot by being rude.
