Photos

Silkroad travels: Pamir

After the Neizatash pass and a night at Mamazair, a herders settlement, we approached Murghab (seen on the horizon). The river Murghab is flowing in our direction. It drains water from the Little Pamir of Afghanistan and flows in a western direction through all of Badakhshan, changing its name to Bartang. It ends some 500 km later in the Panj river.

I cite from Marco Polo's "Travels": "The plain, whose name is Pamir, extends fully twelve days' journey. In all these twelve days there is no habitation or shelter, but travellers must take their provisions with them."

As you can see, some things have changed. Murghab (3610 m alt.) is the biggest of the permanent villages on the Pamir plateau today. During Soviet times it was primarily of military importance due to the proximity of the Chinese border. Its vocation changes now into supporting a modern Silkroad branch.