Zorkul Lake on Pamir
The north side of Zorkul is full of Tajik shepherds in the summer; from the aylaq at Bash-Gumbaz you can trek north (2 days) to the Bash-Gumbaz in Alichur valley (see Alichur Valley above).
Zorkul itself is 20 km long - the road runs along its northern shore and you can continue to Djarty-Gumbaz, Chech-Tebe and Murghab (see Murghab/Aksu Valley above).
In 1842, Lieutenant Wood of the British India Navy explored the Pyanj and Pamir rivers as far as the latter's source in Zorkul (the true source is actually the glaciers at the head of the Kara-Jilgasu River in the mountains to the south of Zorkul.
To visit Zorkul you must get prior permission from the Russian Border Forces in Khorog. From Ishkashim, you can drive up the northern side of the Wakhan Corridor to the final village, Lyangar (105 km), then continue up the Pamir River a further 46 km to the Russian Border Forces check-post at Khargushe. Once through here, it is a further 40 km to the Tajik aylaq of Bash-Gumbez, and a further 4 km to the western shore of Zorkul (H-4130).
If you cannot pass through the Khargushe checkpost you must turn north and drive 32 km over the Khargushe Pass (H-4344) to the Khorog - Osh road just south of Bulumkul.
Source of information:
Books of: "Mountain Fanye". Authors A.S. Mukhin, V.F. Gusev: «Nature of Tajikistan » publishing house " Idea ", 1982: Pavel Luknitsky.” Travel across Pamir”, «Molodaya guards », 1955: "Pamir", publishing house " Planet " 1987, under edition of membercorrespondent AN the USSR M.S. Asimova. Sites : www.fany.ru , www.fany.ru, www.aru-kem.ru , www.skitalets.ru: ww.asraresokhan.com |
