Alichur - Murghab

We begin our day in the high-altitude village of Alichur, one of the coldest inhabited places in Central Asia, surrounded by the stark beauty of the Pamir plateau. Leaving the village, we follow the road along the Alichur River, skirting the rugged slopes of the Alichur Range, where the landscape is open, dry, and wild. With a bit of luck and sharp eyes, we may spot a Marco Polo sheep—the elusive mountain bighorn known for its massive spiraling horns, a true symbol of the Eastern Pamirs.

Our first stop is the Ak-Balyk Lake, a crystal-clear spring-fed pool sacred to locals, where you might see fish darting in the still waters. From there, we continue toward Bash Gumbez, a small but historically significant site, home to an old caravanserai and a domed tomb that marks a quiet chapter of Silk Road history.

The road then climbs gently toward the Naizatash Pass (4,314 m), offering sweeping views over the rocky plains and distant ridges. Not far beyond the pass, we stop to admire the Shakty petroglyphs, ancient rock carvings etched by early inhabitants of the Pamirs—evidence of a human presence stretching back thousands of years.

Descending into the Karasuu Valley, the scenery softens slightly, with the occasional patch of green where water reaches the surface. The road then joins the Murghab River, which we follow until arriving in the town of Murghab, perched at over 3,600 meters above sea level.

Along the way, we make plenty of photo stops, taking time to appreciate the silence and vastness of this high-altitude world. Upon arrival in Murghab, we settle into a cozy guesthouse, hosted by a local Kyrgyz family. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the quiet streets of the town and its small market.