Garmchashma
Natural, Water bodies, Hot Spring
The hot spring named Garmchashma (literally meaning hot spring) is located at the Garmchashma village of Ishkashim district. The spring is located at the elevation of 2529 meter of the sea level and has the following GPS coordinates: lat: 37.121333 N, long: 71.321398 E). Garm Chashma is 48 km far from the center of GBAO, the city of Khorog. It is located inthe eastern part of the Ishkashim district. It is 73 km far from the center of the district. The spring is 7-8 km far from the high road connecting Khorog to Ishkashim. The road has a gentle slope, so all brands of cars can pass here, but it is a difficult road for cyclists. This spring is of natural origin and has hot medicinal water. For the first time the spring was explored by Russian mineralogist in 1928. However, travelers visiting Pamir at various points of history mentioned about this hot spring.
The spring water contains sulphate-carbonate, chloride-hydrocarbonate and sodium-siliceous elements. The content of hydrogen sulfide in water is 170 mg / l. The average water temperature is 59 ° C. The total mineralization reaches 3.0 - 3.3 g / l. The water of this spring useful for the treatment of skin diseases (psoriasis), the cardiovascular system and the musculoskeletal system, neurological and gynecological diseases. The climate in and around the spring is dry and rainy in summer, with little winds. It has a favorable climate, saturation of the air with ions and a clean atmosphere. The average annual temperature of the site is 6.70 ° C in summer 160 ° C and in winter 6.60 ° C. The hottest weather is 35 ° C, the coldest is 32 ° C. The air is fresh, and the nature is beautiful surrounded by trees and meadows. The spring emerges into the surface as result of the deposition of white limestone. A high hill has formed, reaching in places 7-35 meters in height, 1,500 meters in length and 35 -45 in width.
Apart from using sanatorium tourist can hike to (Ruby Mountain). It will also take them three days of mountain hiking from ‘Garmchashma village to Wezdara village, Roshqala district. Similarly, they can hike from this village to Bodomdara, in Roshtqala. Another hiking route will take them to Darshai village of Ishkashim district.
Travelling to the Site
Garmchashma can be easily reached by taxi, or local minibus going from Khorog to Ishkashim. The visitors travelling from Murgab, can reach the sanatorium, take a high road passing through Khargushi junction to reach Ishkashim and Khorog.