Hajigak
Encyclopedia
The Hajigak Pass is situated at a height of 3700 metres (12,139.1 ft) above sea-level and is one of the two main routes from Kabul
to Bamiyan in central Afghanistan
, leading across the Koh-i Baba range.
The two main routes from Kabul to Bamiyan are from the south via the Hajigak Pass and from the north via the Shibar Pass
. The journey via Shibar Pass is approximately 6 and half hours long covering around 237 km (147.3 mi) long.
The Shibar pass
is more preferred over Hajigak on safety grounds because in the harsh climate of the area the Hajigak remain covered with snow during most of the year.
The Hajigak route leaves Kabul from Kote Sangi, follows the paved road to Ghazni
, gets to Maidan Wardak province, Jalrez, Sarchashman, across the Unai Pass
, Sia Sang, Duz Qol and then the Hajigak Pass. There are numerous villages in this scarcely populated, rugged area. The greenness of the trees and the clearness of the air in the valleys greet tourists who travel to Bamiyan. In the fall and spring large camel caravans add their particular color and excitement to the scene.
The major wildlife is Lammergeier
(Gypaetus barbatus) which are often seen squatting in large groups beside the road. These very large birds are also known as Bearded Vultures for they have very noticeable, rather comical goatees. Having a passion for bone marrow, they have been seen to carry animal bones to a height and carefully drop them onto rocks to crack them so that they can feast upon the marrow with greedy delight.
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
to Bamiyan in central Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, leading across the Koh-i Baba range.
The two main routes from Kabul to Bamiyan are from the south via the Hajigak Pass and from the north via the Shibar Pass
Shibar Pass
Shibar Pass is situated at a height of 3,000 m above sea-level and is one of the two main routes from Kabul to Bamiyan in central Afghanistan. The journey is approximately 6 and half hours long covering around ....
. The journey via Shibar Pass is approximately 6 and half hours long covering around 237 km (147.3 mi) long.
The Shibar pass
Shibar Pass
Shibar Pass is situated at a height of 3,000 m above sea-level and is one of the two main routes from Kabul to Bamiyan in central Afghanistan. The journey is approximately 6 and half hours long covering around ....
is more preferred over Hajigak on safety grounds because in the harsh climate of the area the Hajigak remain covered with snow during most of the year.
The Hajigak route leaves Kabul from Kote Sangi, follows the paved road to Ghazni
Ghazni
For the Province of Ghazni see Ghazni ProvinceGhazni is a city in central-east Afghanistan with a population of about 141,000 people...
, gets to Maidan Wardak province, Jalrez, Sarchashman, across the Unai Pass
Unai Pass
Unai Pass traverses the Sanglakh Range, an offshoot of the Hindukush, west of Kabul. It is the main road connection of Kabul with Hazarajat....
, Sia Sang, Duz Qol and then the Hajigak Pass. There are numerous villages in this scarcely populated, rugged area. The greenness of the trees and the clearness of the air in the valleys greet tourists who travel to Bamiyan. In the fall and spring large camel caravans add their particular color and excitement to the scene.
The major wildlife is Lammergeier
Lammergeier
The Lammergeier, Lammergeyer, or Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus barbatus , is the only member of the genus Gypaetus. Traditionally considered an Old World vulture, it actually forms a minor lineage of Accipitridae together with the Egyptian Vulture , its closest living relative...
(Gypaetus barbatus) which are often seen squatting in large groups beside the road. These very large birds are also known as Bearded Vultures for they have very noticeable, rather comical goatees. Having a passion for bone marrow, they have been seen to carry animal bones to a height and carefully drop them onto rocks to crack them so that they can feast upon the marrow with greedy delight.