The Pamir Highway is a 2,038-kilometer-long road through the sands of Central Asia into the heart of isolated ranges. The road turns into rough and at times dangerous dirt and gravel when entering the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan (pictured).
Adventurous drive —
The Pamir Highway is a 2,038-kilometer-long road through the sands of Central Asia into the heart of isolated ranges. The road turns into rough and at times dangerous dirt and gravel when entering the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan (pictured).
Alesha Bradford
Highlights of the road include the Panj River, which separates Afghanistan (to the left) and Tajikistan (to the right).
Panj River —
Highlights of the road include the Panj River, which separates Afghanistan (to the left) and Tajikistan (to the right).
Alesha Bradford
Abandoned vehicles litter the Kyrgyz landscapes, remnants of Soviet control exerted over Central Asia for most of the 20th century.
Kyrgyzstan —
Abandoned vehicles litter the Kyrgyz landscapes, remnants of Soviet control exerted over Central Asia for most of the 20th century.
Alesha Bradford
The author shared a game of football with local kids in Sary Moghul, Kyrgyzstan.
Sary Moghul —
The author shared a game of football with local kids in Sary Moghul, Kyrgyzstan.
Alesha Bradford
With no hotels outside of the larger towns of Murghab and Khorog, local homestays or camping are the only accommodation options on the Pamir Highway. The author found these welcoming hosts at Schnapp's Homestay in Bulunkul, in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, Tajikistan.
Bulunkul —
With no hotels outside of the larger towns of Murghab and Khorog, local homestays or camping are the only accommodation options on the Pamir Highway. The author found these welcoming hosts at Schnapp's Homestay in Bulunkul, in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, Tajikistan.
Alesha Bradford
Vast Bulunkul Lake spreads across the Tajik landscape.
Bulunkul Lake —
Vast Bulunkul Lake spreads across the Tajik landscape.
Alesha Bradford
The shell of a car sits on a viewpoint of Khorog, a small town in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan.
Khorog —
The shell of a car sits on a viewpoint of Khorog, a small town in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan.
Alesha Bradford
Breakdowns and flat tires are common on the Pamir Highway, but people will always stop to lend a helping hand.
Pamir Highway —
Breakdowns and flat tires are common on the Pamir Highway, but people will always stop to lend a helping hand.
Alesha Bradford
The Ak-Baital Pass though Tajikistan is the highest point along the Pamir Highway, at 4,655 meters above sea level.
Ak-Baital Pass —
The Ak-Baital Pass though Tajikistan is the highest point along the Pamir Highway, at 4,655 meters above sea level.
Alesha Bradford
A broken down bus has been turned into a shop outside the Tajikistan village of Yamg. It's become a familiar way point on the Pamir Highway.
Yamg —
A broken down bus has been turned into a shop outside the Tajikistan village of Yamg. It's become a familiar way point on the Pamir Highway.
Alesha Bradford
The author encountered this shell of a Soviet tank near Karakul Lake.
Karakul Lake —
The author encountered this shell of a Soviet tank near Karakul Lake.
Alesha Bradford
The interior of a traditional Pamiri house. Symbols and elements of their Ismaili religion dominate the design.
Pamiri House —
The interior of a traditional Pamiri house. Symbols and elements of their Ismaili religion dominate the design.
Alesha Bradford
Once you enter the Wakhan Corridor, the Hindu Kush mountains tower above the Panj River.
Panj River —
Once you enter the Wakhan Corridor, the Hindu Kush mountains tower above the Panj River.
Alesha Bradford
A shepherd moves his herd of sheep through the village of Langar in Tajikistan.
Langar —
A shepherd moves his herd of sheep through the village of Langar in Tajikistan.
Alesha Bradford
A Pamiri man wearing a traditional hat sits outside his market stall in Murghab, Tajikistan.
Murghab —
A Pamiri man wearing a traditional hat sits outside his market stall in Murghab, Tajikistan.
Alesha Bradford
Yaks roam freely around the village of Bulunkul.
Bulunkul —
Yaks roam freely around the village of Bulunkul.
Alesha Bradford
A new section of the Pamir Highway winds up a steep mountain in Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan —
A new section of the Pamir Highway winds up a steep mountain in Kyrgyzstan.
Alesha Bradford
The Wakhan Corridor is home to dozens of ruined fortresses. Some, like this watchtower in Yamchun, are over 2,200 years old.
Yamchun Fort —
The Wakhan Corridor is home to dozens of ruined fortresses. Some, like this watchtower in Yamchun, are over 2,200 years old.
Alesha Bradford
These stylish Karakul Lake boys chased the author down to have their picture taken, a common experience on the Pamir Highway.
Karakul Lake —
These stylish Karakul Lake boys chased the author down to have their picture taken, a common experience on the Pamir Highway.
Alesha Bradford