Mountain climbing, hiking, cultural immersion, etc.
Beautiful botanical garden. It's out of town towards Roshtkala. Just say "botanical" in a slurred accent and people will understand. Some of the local marshrutkas turn around in front of it. Just go up the hill. Closed on Sundays, usually. Saturdays are iffy. Lots of free fruit in the fall. Don't try taking any out... gotta buy it.
Rafting would be amazing. Gunt Valley, Roshtkala Valley. Both have marshrutkas running up and down them. The road follows the river, except for maybe 3- or 400-meter patches. Class 4s at least, constantly for 20-30 km. No waterfalls. There are some places with 6-8ft. standing waves. Really serious during June and July. Other times may be too low. You may be able to get rafts in Dushanbe but will have to drive them out. sell/donate it off to a local organization *****MAJOR DISCLAIMER**** NEVER BEEN ATTEMPTED!! The Panj River is a bad idea as it is the border to Afghanistan. Nice water, though.
Khorog Park
amazing stonework emphasizing local traditional resources... *Trekking/Travelguide Jusuf Jusuf speaks very good English and can arrange any kind of trips in Wakhan and Afganistan. He also has an unsigned Homestay at his village âKhaskhorughâ 35km on the way from Khorog to Iskhashim. Mobile: 935451852