Our first few days in Tajikistan was proving to be some of the best of our whole trip!
A near complete contrast to Kyrgyzstan, the land instantly became barren, horses ceased to exist, and it felt as if we were the only ones in the country.
From the border at Kyzyl-Art Pass we drove approx. 40km to the northern side of Karakul Lake. Within a couple of kilometres of leaving the immigration post, the road quickly deteriorated and the Troopy started to rattle to the soothing sounds of our long lost friend - corrugations. Corrugations! It’s been a long time since we’ve experienced these bone shaking outback style 'topes' back in the Australian outback!
It was also at this point that we came across two cyclists travelling the other way; up hill, at altitude, on a bad road, and carrying all of their belongings behind them. We stopped to say ‘Hi’ and I donated some biscuits, offered water, and expressed our complete admiration. To do a trip like that would be one of the most rewarding experiences we could possibly think of.
We didn’t have a particular place we planned on camping so as we approached the lake we followed some tracks down towards the shore. Driving for kilometres across the vast open expanse until we arrived at a small knoll and a perfect place to setup out of the wind. Surrounded by snow capped mountains and next to an ice covered lake, the silence was incredible.
The perfect weather from our border crossing lasted until the following morning when a snow storm rolled in. We had enough supplies to get by for a few days so we decided to bunker down and enjoy the experience of camping at 4000m.
When the weather cleared we packed up and drove down to the village on the southern side of the lake called Karakul. Just out of the village is a yurt homestay which the cyclists had told us about, we thought we’d go and check it out and enjoy a warm night in a traditional home. We arrived at around lunch time and agreed to the price of $20/120 Somoni each for lunch, dinner, breakfast and accommodation. An amazing experience which we wouldn’t of even known about if we didn’t stop to talk to the cyclists, so thanks Clare and Antoine! They made an incredible feature length film of their journey along the Pamir and Karakoram highways which really captures the rawness and beauty of overland cycling, you can check it out here - • Pamir to Karakoram - c...
Thanks for watching and we hope you enjoyed this one! Join us in the next one as we delve deeper in to the Pamirs.
Cheers,
J&M
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11 дек 2020
