Pamir Mountains to Murghab, Tajikistan

At Tajikistan-Kyrgzystan Border

Two Tajik border guards carry plastic jerry cans full of water in wooden basket-packs. Meanwhile, a sign welcomes us to GBAO - Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast - in Tajikistan. We felt very welcome, indeed! Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Apprehensive Kyrgyz Girl - Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

A shot of an ethnic Kyrgyz girl at a remote roadside cafe in Tajikistan near the Kyrgyz border, close to Karakol Lake. .Although this is region is technically Tajikistan, it is still heavily populated by ethnic Kyrgyz. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Kyrgyz Family at Tajik Border

Grandmother, mother and son wait for their car to be repaired at a remote cafe outpost near the Tajik border. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Marco Polo Sheep Statue - Tajikistan to Kyrgzystan

The statue of the Marco Polo sheep marks the entrance into Tajikistan from Kyrgyzstan. The official border crossing and passport control is a few kilometers away...in an even more remote corner of the universe. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

View of China from Pamir Highway, Tajikistan

The barbed wire fence on the left marks the border between Tajikistan and China. It was unmanned, but menacingly stretched for miles and miles. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Kyzyl Art Pass, Tajik Border Controls - Tajikistan

To describe the Tajik border control at the Kyzyl-Art Pass (4282 meters) as desolate would be an understatement. This photo gives you a feel of what it would be like. Young soldiers emerge from these cylinders in order to collect water by breaking ice in the nearby stream. They supplement their diets of tea with bags of potatoes given as "gifts" by drivers making their way over the border. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Rusted Container in Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

Our welcome into Tajikistan after crossing the Kyrgyz-Tajik border. This area of the Pamir Mountains is the epitome of high desert desolation. Snow-capped peaks frame this lonely landscape making it eerily beautiful and peaceful. Taken en route to Murghab, Tajikistan. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Kyrgyz Mother and Son Waiting Impatiently - Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

A woman and her son wait for the tires on the car to be pumped up (once again), so that their car may take them a few miles before the process starts all over again. ..In Tajikistan near the border with Kyrgyzstan, en route to Murghab, Tajikistan. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Outhouse Setting - Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

A lunch break just after the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan brings us to a cafe outfitted with a lonely but beautifully set outhouse. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Kyrgyz Man with Kalpak - Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

An older Kyrgyz man in his kalpak (traditional Kyrgyz hat) waits for his ride at a remote cafe in Tajikistan. This area of Tajikistan is inhabited my mainly ethnic Kyrgyz. One of Stalin's lasting legacies is that the borders in this region mean that ethnic groups are divided between two countries - the country of their passport and the country where most of their people live. It still creates political and economic difficulties today in Central Asian countries. Taken en route to Murghab, Tajikistan. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Road Trip Rest Stop - Murghab, Tajikistan

Everyone prepares for a departure to Murghab, Tajikistan after a quick lunch break at Markansu, near the Tajik-Kyrgyz border. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

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.

Clouds in the Pamir Mountains - Karakol Lake, Tajikistan

The region of the Pamir Mountains is known as the roof of the world. Just looking at this photo, you can understand why...Taken at Karakol Lake, Tajikistan. Read more 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.

Kyrgyz Boys After School Fun - Murghab, Tajikistan

School boys ham it up on their way home from school in Murghab, Tajikistan. We thought they looked quite snazzy in their suits. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Door and Window - Murghab, Tajikistan

One door, one window, and countless stories to be told. Taken in Murghab, Tajikistan. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Crossing the Pass in Soviet Car - Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

The packed Volga guns its engine to make it up the Ak-Baital (White Horse) Pass (4,655 meters) in Tajikistan on the way from the Kyrgyz border to Murghab. ..The sky and clouds take on a different look from the "Roof of the World" Pamir Mountains. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Murghab Market Street - Murghab, Tajikistan

Rows of used train cars other recycled metal containers compose Murghab's market area. The metal market seems oddly suited to its high desert environment. Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Women Waiting by Broken Down Car - Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

As the tires go flat once again, the women squat and wait patiently on the side of the road. ..Taken en route from the Kyrgyz border to Murghab, Tajikistan. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Close Kyrgyz Friends - Murghab, Tajikistan

These men kindly put their long discussion on hold so that we could take a photo of them. They seemed like long and dear friends. Murghab, Tajikistan. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Kyrgyz Man in a Kalpak - Murghab, Tajikistan

This smooth character in his tall kalpak (traditional Kyrgyz felt hat) and sunglasses eyed the table at a billiards hall in Murghab. Tajikistan. Kyrgyz in Tajikistan? Odd borders (which are rife throughout the former Soviet Union) in and around Murghab and Tajik-Kyrgyz border areas are heavily populated by ethnic Kyrgyz. 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.

Bored Kyrgyz Children - Murghab, Tajikistan

Kyrgyz Children at Murghab, Tajikistan. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Friendly Smile at Murghab Market - Tajikistan

While we couldn't understand everything this woman said, she had a light and happy spirit to her...Taken at the market in Murghab, Tajikistan. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.

Murghab Market Street - Murghab, Tajikistan

A man walks home after completing his morning social call at the the market in Murghab, Tajikistan. Read more about our adventures in the Pamirs.