Throwback: The Pamir Highway

Throwback is a series from when I was travelling to the far corners of the world. All of the photographs are made with a compact camera, borrowed gear or later on with a cellphone. I was travelling light and learned that the best camera in the world is the one you’ve got on you.

From the southern part of Kyrgizstan, there is road that takes you to one of the most remote and beautiful places this world has to offer.  The M41, better known as the Pamir Highway, is the second-highest highway in the world and leads you straight through the sacred Pamir Mountains. While driving into no man’s land at 4000 meters and up, you get to peek into China and Pakistan while driving along their abandoned borders. At the final stages of the road you eventually get so close to the Afghan border that it wouldn’t take much to actually cross the stream that seperates the two countries (don’t do it, the occasional guards are said to shoot on sight). The Pamir highway takes you through parts of Tajikistan where the only thing connecting you with the rest of the world is the road you’re driving on. You might as well enjoy the views.