Central Asia Landscape

Yaks Near Kara Kul Lake - Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

Yaks graze near Kara Kul Lake (3941 meters) in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan. The region near the Kyrgyz border is at high elevation, so yaks are the animal of choice. These stout animals can withstand cold temperatures and high elevations. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Snow, Blue Skies, Agricultural Field - Langar, Tajikistan

Snow, Blue Skies, Agricultural Field - Langar, Tajikistan Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Autumn Poplars and Mountains - Pamir, Tajikistan

Everyone told us we should have visited the Pamir Region of Tajikistan in the summer. But how can you beat views like this? ..Although a bit cold in the evenings, we were glad we visited in early October so that we could enjoy the Wakhan Valley in its multicolored, layered beauty. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Stream, Trees, Mountains - Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

Having spent a couple of days in the car driving along the Wakhan Valley, we wanted to spend some time outdoors enjoying the weather and scenery. A search for the perfect picnic spot yielded these views near the hot springs town of Garm Chashma in Tajikistan. Perfect. Read about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Road Trip through Pamir Highway, Tajikistan

Once all the tires (plus the spare) were equipped with some more hand-pumped air, this packed-to-the-brim Volga would take off. ..That is, until all the tires would go flat again after a few more kilometers...Taken in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan en route to Murghab. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Yamchun Fort - Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

The ruins of the 12th-century Yamchun Fort against a beautiful backdrop of the Pamir Mountains. Another kilometer up the road, you'll find the delightful Bibi Fatima hot springs. The first dose of hot water we'd had in days. Taken in Tajikistan's Wakhan Valley. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Funky Soviet Cafe in Murghab - Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

This recycled metal tanke-cum-cafe typifies life in Murghab, Tajikistan. This is a barren town in the high desert of the Pamir mountains. The altitude and dry climate mean that nothing grows here, not even potatoes. And, the only animals able to withstand the altitude are yaks and donkeys.Life is difficult, people are poor and the market is filled with reused Soviet containers like this one. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Bactrian Camel - Murghab, Tajikistan

Hugues tries to entice the wooly bactrian, but the camel is unfazed and wants nothing to do with his offering of dry sticks. Taken at Sasyk Lake in Tajikistan, en route from Murghab to Langar. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Horses in Mountains - Osh to Sary Tash, Kyrgyzstan

These horses chose a beautiful setting in the Alay Valley to get their fill of water and grass. En route from Osh to Sary Tash in southern Kyrgyzstan. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Planning Travels on Jeep - Sary Tash, Kyrgyzstan

We examine a map with our driver, Saeet, in order to determine our route to Tajikistan the next day. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Line of Horses and Peak Lenin - Sary Tash, Kyrgyzstan

Horses queue up in the fields near Pik Lenin between Sary Tash and Sary Moghul, Kyrgyzstan. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Kyrgyz Man Drinks Tea Outside Yurt - Song Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan

A Kyrgyz man drinks his tea in the early morning outside his yurt at Song Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan. Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities and our Ramadan feast at Song Kul Lake.

Riding Horses to Song Kul Lake - Kyrgyzstan

The first day of our horse trek from Kyzart village towards Song Kul Lake was absolutely amazing - blue skies, white clouds, yellow fields of grass and wheat, mountains and hills on all sides. Audrey had not been on a horse in 20 years, while it was Dan's first time on one. And he took all the photos!! All things considering, we managed quite well. Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities and our Ramadan feast at Song Kul Lake.

Nuzzling Horses - Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan

A couple of horses nuzzle on the southern side of Lake Issyk-Kul. Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities and our perfect day at Lake Issyk-Kul.

Breakfast Inside a Yurt - Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan

A feast of a breakfast laid out for us at the yurt in Manzhyly (near Bakonbaeva) on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities and our perfect day at Lake Issyk-Kul.

Old Kyrgyz Man with Kalpak, Smoking - Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Sunday animal market (Mal Bazaar) in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan. Read more about our visit to Karakol and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.

Snow-Covered Peaks - Altyn, Arashan Kyrgyzstan

One of the impressive peaks freshly covered in snow near Altyn Arashan, Kyrgyzstan. Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Diving Cow, Trekking at Altyn Arashan, Kyrgyzstan

Altyn Arashan and the Divining Cow...helps us choose our next destination. Read more about Kyrgyzstan's sights and cities. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Big Almaty Lake in Tian Shan Mountains - Almaty, Kazakhstan

No, the water is not photo-shopped...this is what Big Almaty Lake actually looks like. Read more about our adventures in the Tian Shan Mountains.

Mir-i-Arab Medressa - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Kalon Mosque, Mir-i-Arab Medressa (left) and Kalon Mosque form an impressive square in Bukhara. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Islam Khoja Minaret - Khiva, Uzbekistan

Standing at 45 meters, Islam Khoja Minaret is difficult to fit into the viewfinder of a camera from its base. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Ark and Sky in Sepia - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Bukhara, Uzbekistan To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.

Deserted Bus at Tian Shan Observatory - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Our welcome to Tian Shan Observatory above Big Almaty Lake. The eerie silence and abandoned feel of the place made us wonder whether we had arrived at the Kazakh version of Bates Motel. This Soviet-era observatory partially survives financially on stranded hikers like us using their facilities for accommodation. For a few extra tenge (about $4), an astronomer will pull out the big telescope and show you the stars. Recommended for a side trip from Almaty. Read more about our adventures in the Tian Shan Mountains.

Karakol Mosque - Kyrgyzstan

Doesn't really look like a mosque, but it is. This one was built for Karakol's Dungan community in 1910. No nails were used in its construction, which makes it even more impressive. Read more about our visit to Karakol and the rest of Kyrgyzstan.

Celebration at the Registan - Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Practicing for Samarkand's 2950 birthday at the end of August 2007. To read more about Uzbekistan's Silk Road and tourism in Uzbekistan.