Deep in the heart of the Tajik Pamir Mountains, under the jagged peaks of the Shakhdara range lie dozens of glacial lakes, emanating the most vivid emerald hues. Setting out from Bachor, a remote village of around 50 households at an elevation of 3300m, our goal was to reach the 'gem of the Pamir' - Zaroshkul Lake, the largest in this range, lying at 4500m. Difficult trekking conditions resulted in a planned 2-day ascent becoming a 3-day slog - but gave as an extra night's camping on the shores of Tsaxinkul, a smaller, but in some ways even more dramatic lake at 4300m, just a few kilometres away from its bigger brother. Sharp, steep peaks rise more than a kilometre right in front of our faces, and the you can feel the glacier's katabatic winds cooling the tents. Perpetually clear, vividly blue skies, the strong high-altitude sun, and a breezeless morning gave us some incredible reflections and the will to continue onwards.
Jagged peaks of the Shakhdara Range rise above Tsaxinkul Lake, a glacial lake at 4300m deep in the Tajik National Park of the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan.
Crystal clear reflections in Lake Tsaxinkul at sunrise, Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

Morning reflections at Tsaxinkul Lake

Sunset falling on the Shakhdara Range above Zaroshkul,  a glacial lake at 4500m deep in the Tajik National Park of the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan.

Sunset at Zaroshkul Lake

Jagged peaks of the Shakhdara Range rise above Tsaxinkul Lake, a glacial lake at 4300m deep in the Tajik National Park of the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan.

Shakhdara Peaks Sunset

Tsaxinkul Lake

Glaciers above Zaroshkul Lake, Tajik National Park, Pamir, Tajikistan

Glaciers above Zaroshkul Lake

Sunset on the Glaciers above Zaroshkul Lake, Tajik National Park, Pamir, Tajikistan

Glaciers of Shakhdara Range

Jagged peaks and glaciers above Tsaxinkul, a glacial lake at 4300m in the Tajik National Park, Pamir, Tajikistan

Tsaxinkul Lake

Jagged Peaks above Tsaxinkul Lake, Pamir Mountains, Shakhdara, Tajik National Park, Tajikistan

Jagged peaks above Tsaxinkul Lake

A stream flows into Tsaxinkul Lake, Tajik National Park, Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

Shakhdara Peaks Sunset

Tsaxinkul Lake

Glaciers above Zaroshkul Lake, Tajik National Park, Pamir, Tajikistan

Glaciers of Shakhdara Peaks

Glaciers above Zaroshkul Lake, Tajik National Park, Pamir, Tajikistan

Glaciers flowing into Zaroshkul Lake

Zaroshkul Sunrise, Tajik National Park, Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

Sunrise at Zaroshkul Lake

Glaciers above Zaroshkul Lake, Tajik National Park, Pamir, Tajikistan

Zaroshkul Glaciers

Glaciers of the Shakhdara Range above Zaroshkul Lake, Guharrez, Pamir Mountains, Tajik National Park, Tajikistan

Emerald waters of Zaroshkul Lake

Glaciers above Zaroshkul Lake, Tajik National Park, Pamir, Tajikistan

Glaciers of Shakhdara Peaks

Sunset on the Glaciers above Zaroshkul Lake, Tajik National Park, Pamir, Tajikistan

Glaciers of Shakhdara Peaks

Sunrise at Zaroshkul / Guharrez Lake, Tajik National Park, Shakhdara Range, Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

Sunrise over Zaroshkul Lake

Sunrise on the jagged peaks of the Shakhdara Mountains, Tajik National Park, Pamir, Tajikistan

Glaciers of Shakhdara Peaks

Sunrise on the jagged peaks of the Shakhdara Mountains, Tajik National Park, Pamir, Tajikistan

Early sunrise hits the Shakhara range, above Zaroshkul Lake

Jagged Peaks above Tsaxinkul Lake, Shakhdara Mountains, Pamir, Tajik National Park, Tajikistan

Jagged peaks rise a kilometre above Tsaxinkul Lake

Jagged Peaks above Tsaxinkul Lake, Shakhdara Mountains, Pamir, Tajik National Park, Tajikistan

The glacial stream from Zaroshkul flows to Tsaxinkul Lake.

Jagged Peaks above Tsaxinkul Lake, Shakhdara Mountains, Pamir, Tajik National Park, Tajikistan

Tsaxinkul Lake

You may also like

Back to Top