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  • Trekking through remote Karakoram, in the Shimshal, Braldu and Shaksgam valley, finding human remains in unexplored caves hinting to the existence of an ancient trading route between Baltistan and China. Summiting unclimbed 6000m peak. Northen Pakistan, on the border with China (Xinjiang). September 2006.
    Pak_Braldu_906_08.jpg
  • Mongolia is a trekker's paradise, with virtually unlimited possibilities of remote treks. Camping is available anywhere as land-ownership is impossible in Mongolia. Mareile in the back of a truck, while hitch hiking.
    Mong_98_Rescan_33.jpg
  • Mongolia is a trekker's paradise, with virtually unlimited possibilities of remote treks. Camping is available anywhere as land-ownership is impossible in Mongolia. It is also easy to rent camels from local nomads and take a ride through the Gobi desert.
    Mong_Portfo_01_24.jpg
  • Matthieu Paley lifting off his tent to clean it. <br />
Mongolia is a trekker's paradise, with virtually unlimited possibilities of remote treks. Camping is available anywhere as land-ownership is impossible in Mongolia.
    Mong_General_01_24.jpg
  • Young Kyrgyz men play with their phone. There is no mobile reception in this remote mountain region, and these are used to look at pictures and listen to music...Qayoom (left) and Kossim..The Kyrgyz settlement of Tchelab, near Chaqmaqtin lake, Haji Bootoo Boi's camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0559_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A marker on the trail, in Pakistan, near the border with China...Trekking through remote Karakoram, in the Shimshal, Braldu and Shaksgam valley, finding human remains in unexplored caves hinting to the existence of an ancient trading route between Baltistan and China. Summiting unclimbed 6000m peak. Northen Pakistan, on the border with China (Xinjiang).
    Pak_Braldu_906_07.jpg
  • Sleeping out under the star, at the border between China and Pakistan. Pakistan..Trekking through remote Karakoram, in the Shimshal, Braldu and Shaksgam valley, finding human remains in unexplored caves hinting to the existence of an ancient trading route between Baltistan and China. Summiting unclimbed 6000m peak. Northen Pakistan, on the border with China (Xinjiang).
    Pak_Braldu_906_04.jpg
  • The way to China...Trekking through remote Karakoram, in the Shimshal, Braldu and Shaksgam valley, finding human remains in unexplored caves hinting to the existence of an ancient trading route between Baltistan and China. Summiting unclimbed 6000m peak. Northen Pakistan, on the border with China (Xinjiang).
    Pak_Braldu_906_21.jpg
  • A shrine...Trekking through remote Karakoram, in the Shimshal, Braldu and Shaksgam valley, finding human remains in unexplored caves hinting to the existence of an ancient trading route between Baltistan and China. Summiting unclimbed 6000m peak. Northen Pakistan, on the border with China (Xinjiang).
    Pak_Braldu_906_14.jpg
  • Trekking through remote Karakoram, in the Shimshal, Braldu and Shaksgam valley, finding human remains in unexplored caves hinting to the existence of an ancient trading route between Baltistan and China. Summiting unclimbed 6000m peak. Northen Pakistan, on the border with China (Xinjiang).
    Pak_Braldu_906_08.jpg
  • Near Shimshal village...Trekking through remote Karakoram, in the Shimshal, Braldu and Shaksgam valley, finding human remains in unexplored caves hinting to the existence of an ancient trading route between Baltistan and China. Summiting unclimbed 6000m peak. Northen Pakistan, on the border with China (Xinjiang).
    Pak_Braldu_906_046.jpg
  • A young shepherd...Trekking through remote Karakoram, in the Shimshal, Braldu and Shaksgam valley, finding human remains in unexplored caves hinting to the existence of an ancient trading route between Baltistan and China. Summiting unclimbed 6000m peak. Northen Pakistan, on the border with China (Xinjiang). September 2006.
    Pak_Braldu_906_12.jpg
  • Near Shimshal pass...Trekking through remote Karakoram, in the Shimshal, Braldu and Shaksgam valley, finding human remains in unexplored caves hinting to the existence of an ancient trading route between Baltistan and China. Summiting unclimbed 6000m peak. Northen Pakistan, on the border with China (Xinjiang).
    Pak_Braldu_906_41.jpg
  • Snow leopard pug marks...Trekking through remote Karakoram, in the Shimshal, Braldu and Shaksgam valley, finding human remains in unexplored caves hinting to the existence of an ancient trading route between Baltistan and China. Summiting unclimbed 6000m peak. Northen Pakistan, on the border with China (Xinjiang).
    Pak_Braldu_906_19.jpg
  • A flock of geese migrating through the Karakoram, flying above 5000m...Trekking through remote Karakoram, in the Shimshal, Braldu and Shaksgam valley, finding human remains in unexplored caves hinting to the existence of an ancient trading route between Baltistan and China. Summiting unclimbed 6000m peak. Northen Pakistan, on the border with China (Xinjiang).
    Pak_Braldu_906_057.jpg
  • The way to China...Trekking through remote Karakoram, in the Shimshal, Braldu and Shaksgam valley, finding human remains in unexplored caves hinting to the existence of an ancient trading route between Baltistan and China. Summiting unclimbed 6000m peak. Northen Pakistan, on the border with China (Xinjiang).
    Pak_Braldu_906_16.jpg
  • Young girl friends. In and around Bulunkul village.<br />
<br />
Driving on the Pamir Highway (M41) from Khorog through the Pamir mountains.<br />
<br />
Tajikistan, a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and People's Republic of China to the east. Tajikistan also lies adjacent to Pakistan separated by the narrow Wakhan Corridor.<br />
Tajikistan became a republic of the Soviet Union in the 20th century, known as the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic.<br />
It was the first of the Central Asian republic to gain independence in December 1991.
    179I5187.jpg
  • Passu area, in upper Hunza, and the Cathedral peak in the distance. People and places of the Hunza Valley, in the heart of the Karakoram mountain Range, North Pakistan.
    Pakistan_Hunza_1007_40.jpg
  • A Shamanist shrine made of stacked up pieces of pine woods.<br />
The Eg river where the Taimen is found. The Taimen is the world's largest salmon fish, it is also known as Siberian taimen and Siberian salmon, a species of fish in the salmon family.<br />
It is becoming a more well known game fish, particularly for fly fishermen.<br />
Mongolian tells many legends about this fish.
    Mongolia_culture_08_78.jpg
  • A group of horsemen outside of the town of Moron. They gather for a religious ceremony to listen to the Lamas recite Sutras, dialogues of the Buddha, to bless the area and bring a good omen for the year to come.
    Mongolia_culture_08_28.jpg
  • Overview of Er Ali Boi's summer camp. The borders of Tajikistan and China are at the far end of the plateau. The borders are sealed and guarded..Summer camp of Muqur, Er Ali Boi's place...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0730_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Yurt at night..Summer camp of Muqur, Er Ali Boi's place...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0724_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A yak, weighing about 700 Kg is caught before being sheared.  It is impossible to overestimate the importance of livestock to the Kyrgyz. Not only do they provide for most of the Kyrgyz's subsistence needs and serve as the medium of trade that allows the Kyrgyz to procure all the other goods they require, but livestock are also one of the main determinants of social status. In the Afghan Pamir, livestock equals wealth and is more valuable than money..Summer camp of Muqur, Er Ali Boi's place...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0697_MM8120_120...jpg
  • The sheep and goat herd lit by flashlight. Evening at Nemat Ulla and Woolook Bu's yurt..Daily life at the Khan (chief) summer camp of Kara Jylga...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0631_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A young boy plays while the family cloth are drying, laid out on the summer grass...The Kyrgyz settlement of Tchelab, near Chaqmaqtin lake, Haji Bootoo Boi's camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0558_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Aziz's horse sleep...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0624_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Two young Afghan Kyrgyz play in the grass in spring...The Kyrgyz settlement of Tchelab, near Chaqmaqtin lake, Haji Bootoo Boi's camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0557_MM8120_120...jpg
  • The Khan's wife and daughter waiting while the yurt is being built..Moving with the Khan (chief) family from the Qyzyl Qorum camp to the summer camp of Kara Jylga, on the south side of the wide Little Pamir plateau...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0604_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A young boy with a dog..At Burgut Yor (Eagle's Nest) camp (Apendi Boi's camp)...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0477_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Two Wakhi caravan leaders Shur Ali and Roz Ali, guiding animals..With horse and yak caravan, on the way back. Between Ech Keli and Burgut Yor camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0471_MM8120_120...jpg
  • The mighty Pamir mountains, the frozen Chaqmaqtin Lake and a herd of yaks...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0469_MM8120_120...jpg
  • On the Pamir plateau, at 4200m, a horseman is swept off his feet by the constant wind called "Bad-e Wakhan", which blows East most of the year, on the Afghan Pamir plateau..In camp of Ech Keli (er Ali Boi's camp)...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0467_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Arab found a dead migratory bird in the fodder. Arab and Afzal, two young sons of the deceased Khan, are leaving the Qyzyl Qorum camp with Bactrian camels to load up on "Wuch", the winter fodder for the animals. They fetch it at the autumn camp, an hour walk away...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0436_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Playing with a Bactrain camel. Arab and Afzal, two young sons of the deceased Khan, are leaving the Qyzyl Qorum camp with Bactrian camels to load up on "Wuch", the winter fodder for the animals. They fetch it at the autumn camp, an hour walk away...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0434_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Crossing a pass during the 5 day winter journey out of the Pamir plateau, down to the lower valley..Up and over the Shower pass..Between Zang Kuk and  Zard-e Bar shepherd house..Going back down to Sarhad village with a yak caravan led by 2 Wakhi traders: Shur Ali and Roz Ali...Trekking down the Wakhan frozen river, the only way down to leave the high altitude Little Pamir plateau, home of the Afghan Kyrgyz community.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0500_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Above place named Langar..Going back down to Sarhad village with a yak caravan led by 2 Wakhi traders: Shur Ali and Roz Ali...Trekking down the Wakhan frozen river, the only way down to leave the high altitude Little Pamir plateau, home of the Afghan Kyrgyz community.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0493_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Arab and Afzal, two young sons of the deceased Khan, are leaving the Qyzyl Qorum camp with Bactrian camels to load up on "Wuch", the winter fodder for the animals. They fetch it at the autumn camp, an hour walk away...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0433_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Taking a rare break in their day, women gossip at the Khan's camp. The origin of the word Kyrgyz is believed by scholars and Kyrgyz alike to derive from two words - kyrk (forty) kyz (maidens) - a reference to the mythical progenitors of the Kyrgyz people..At the Qyzyl Qorum camp. It is the camp of the now deceased Khan (Abdul Rashid Khan, died in December 2009), and headed by the self proclaimed young Haji Roshan Khan (his son). Opium addicted Haji Roshan was never officially stated Khan and is therefore not accepted as leader by the entire Kyrgyz community.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0431_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Having tea and sitting around the winter home of Sher Ali. At the Andemin camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0384_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Still crying, Ikhbal is dressed with a white Burqa to leave her childhood house forever and move to her husband's camp for the first time, a 2 days horse journey, her longest trip ever..The Kyrgyz settlement of Ech Keli, above Chaqmaqtin lake, Er Ali Boi's camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0363_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Still crying, Ikhbal, 15,  is getting ready to leave her childhood house forever and move to her husband's camp for the first time, a 2 days horse journey, her longest trip ever..The Kyrgyz settlement of Ech Keli, above Chaqmaqtin lake, Er Ali Boi's camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0362_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A boiled goat is being prepared for the guests, during a wedding ceremony..The Kyrgyz settlement of Ech Keli, above Chaqmaqtin lake, Er Ali Boi's camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0338_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Passing a Kyrgyz cemetery on horseback..Going on horse back with yak caravan from Tchelap camp to Ech Keli camp (camp of Er Ali Boi)...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0327_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A young Kyrgyz boy named Ker-u Din is playing while his mum sewing..The Kyrgyz settlement of Tchelab, near Chaqmaqtin lake, Haji Bootoo Boi's camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0312_MM8120_120...jpg
  • House of Abdul Muttalib (worked with Rahman Qul as shepherd), opium addict. Him and his wife have lost 11 kids, who all died before they age of 5. Infant mortality rate is one of the highest one in the world..The Kyrgyz settlement of Tchelab, near Chaqmaqtin lake, Haji Bootoo Boi's camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0291_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A Snow leopard track..Snow leopards are rare in the Pamir Plateau, but more present in the lower valleys...Trekking up the Wakhan frozen river, the only way up to reach the high altitude Little Pamir plateau, home of the Afghan Kyrgyz community.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0252_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Naossan (girl) and Matawé (boy), two young Nauruans, watering the vegetable garden set up by the Republic of China (=Taiwan). Nauruans do not grow any vegetable. The Nauru government is trying to introduce more vegetable in the Nauruan diet, to help fight Diabetes and obesity. Nauru has the world's highest level of type 2 diabetes, with more than 40% of the population affected...Nauru, officially the Republic of Nauru is an island nation in Micronesia in the South Pacific.  Nauru was declared independent in 1968 and it is the world's smallest independent republic, covering just 21 square kilometers..Nauru is a phosphate rock island and its economy depends almost entirely on the phosphate deposits that originate from the droppings of sea birds. Following its exploitation it briefly boasted the highest per-capita income enjoyed by any sovereign state in the world during the late 1960s and early 1970s..In the 1990s, when the phosphate reserves were partly exhausted the government resorted to unusual measures. Nauru briefly became a tax haven and illegal money laundering centre. From 2001 to 2008, it accepted aid from the Australian government in exchange for housing a Nauru detention centre, with refugees from various countries including Afghanistan and Iraq..Most necessities are imported on the island..Nauru has parliamentary system of government. It had 17 changes of administration between 1989 and 2003. In December 2007, former weight lifting medallist Marcus Stephen became the President.
    Pacific_Nauru_10_21.jpg
  • A Government supermarket, lots of Spam for sale.....Nauru has the world's highest level of type 2 diabetes, with more than 40% of the population affected. Life expectancy on Nauru in 2006 was 58 years for males and 65 years for females..Nauru is the world's fattest country, with 94% of its population being overweight. One of the main reason is eating habits of Nauruans. .They rarely cook. Traditional food includes fish and coconut. But these days they especially enjoy Spam and Corned Beef and eat a lot of rice. Nauruans do not grow any vegetables...Nauru, officially the Republic of Nauru is an island nation in Micronesia in the South Pacific.  Nauru was declared independent in 1968 and it is the world's smallest independent republic, covering just 21 square kilometers..Nauru is a phosphate rock island and its economy depends almost entirely on the phosphate deposits that originate from the droppings of sea birds. Following its exploitation it briefly boasted the highest per-capita income enjoyed by any sovereign state in the world during the late 1960s and early 1970s..In the 1990s, when the phosphate reserves were partly exhausted the government resorted to unusual measures. Nauru briefly became a tax haven and illegal money laundering centre. From 2001 to 2008, it accepted aid from the Australian government in exchange for housing a Nauru detention centre, with refugees from various countries including Afghanistan and Iraq..Most necessities are imported on the island..Nauru has parliamentary system of government. It had 17 changes of administration between 1989 and 2003. In December 2007, former weight lifting medallist Marcus Stephen became the President.
    Pacific_Nauru_10_19.jpg
  • Going to Shaymak town, on the China Afghan border (end of the Little Pamir), extreme south east of Tajikistan.<br />
Driving on the Pamir Highway (M41) from Khorog through the Pamir mountains.<br />
<br />
Tajikistan, a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and People's Republic of China to the east. Tajikistan also lies adjacent to Pakistan separated by the narrow Wakhan Corridor.<br />
Tajikistan became a republic of the Soviet Union in the 20th century, known as the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic.<br />
It was the first of the Central Asian republic to gain independence in December 1991.
    179I0317.jpg
  • In Bash Gumbaz, a former Russian observatory or maybe a hangar for helicopters...<br />
<br />
Driving on the Pamir Highway (M41) from Khorog through the Pamir mountains.<br />
<br />
Tajikistan, a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and People's Republic of China to the east. Tajikistan also lies adjacent to Pakistan separated by the narrow Wakhan Corridor.<br />
Tajikistan became a republic of the Soviet Union in the 20th century, known as the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic.<br />
It was the first of the Central Asian republic to gain independence in December 1991.
    179I9498.jpg
  • Famous women Pakistani climber.
    Pakistan_Hunza_1007_43.jpg
  • Ikhbal (hiding under the white veil) and sister Irasia arriving at Tash Seri camp (Mustafa Qol's camp) and being welcomed with "Borsot" (fried dough), yoghurt and tea by the local women of Tash Seri.<br />
With Ikhbal, the recently married woman  moving for the first time to her husband's camp. She just exchanged the red veil of the unmarried girl for the white veil signifying that she is now a married woman.<br />
<br />
Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    MM8120_120131_06180.jpg
  • Daily life at the Khan (chief) summer camp of Kara Jylga. Yak milk. <br />
<br />
Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    MM8120_120625_02195.jpg
  • A bactrian camel on a drinking bowl.<br />
Mongolian's nomadic lifestyle and traditions.
    Mongolia_culture_08_12.jpg
  • Detail of Mongolian dresses.<br />
More than a hundred people traveled by horse and foot to hear Mongolia's high Lama speak at a ceremony honoring the placement of the first stone for the Dayan Derkh monastery, which is currently being rebuilt in Khövsgöl Province. The original structure was destroyed in 1938 by Soviet purges.
    Mongolia_culture_08_19.jpg
  • Young monks playing while listening to the High Lama speak at a ceremony near Khovsgol Lake.<br />
More than a hundred people traveled by horse and foot to hear Mongolia's high Lama speak at a ceremony honoring the placement of the first stone for the Dayan Derkh monastery, which is currently being rebuilt in Khövsgöl Province. The original structure was destroyed in 1938 by Soviet purges.
    Mongolia_culture_08_18.jpg
  • Scientist doing research studies on the Taimen.<br />
The Eg river where the Taimen is found. The Taimen is the world's largest salmon fish, it is also known as Siberian taimen and Siberian salmon, a species of fish in the salmon family.<br />
It is becoming a more well known game fish, particularly for fly fishermen.<br />
Mongolian tells many legends about this fish.
    Mongolia_culture_08_65.jpg
  • A Mongolian family, (husband, wife and brother in the back), with their shepherd dog stand in front of their yurts close to Karakoram. They wear their traditional  Mongolian robe called a del.
    Mong_98_Rescan_21.jpg
  • A young horse rider waits before the start of the Nadaam (Nadam) festival, a horse race taking place every year in Ulan Bator in summer. Young Mongolians usually learn to ride horses before they can even walk...
    Mong_98_Rescan_16.jpg
  • During a Buzkachi game, a player broke his leg. With the nearest hospital in Faizabad being 2 weeks away, this Kyrgyz man will have no other choice but wait for his injury to heal...Wedding celebration at Kitshiq Aq Jyrga...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0752_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Kyrgyz men fight in a game of Buzkashi, a competition akin to polo?except a headless goat carcass takes the place of the ball. .Buzkachi is almost exclusively played during weddings..Probably one of the great pleasures in the life of a Kyrgyz man, Buzkashi is Afghanistan's national sport. The Kyrgyz call it ulak tartysh, or ?goat grabbing.?.At the wedding celebration at Kitshiq Aq Jyrga...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0748_MM8120_120...jpg
  • The orphan Juma Boi and his horse..Summer camp of Muqur, Er Ali Boi's place...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0731_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Abdul Rahman praying in his yurt. There are no Mosques in the Pamir. Afghan Kyrgyz are Sunni Muslims...Summer camp of Muqur, Er Ali Boi's place...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0726_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Six-year old Susaï is fetching water near camp in a spring claimed as one of the sources of the Oxus, also known as Amu Darya, Central Asia's largest river.  Its waters define most of Afghanistan's borders with other nations to the north..
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0717_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Nemat Ullah and his wife Woolook Bu, a newly married couple, pose in front of their yurt...Daily life at the Khan (chief) summer camp of Kara Jylga...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0684_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Bibi Zohra is 15 years old. On her wedding night, she is kept hidden away from the gaze of the people coming into the celebration yurt. Marrying a man twice her age, she is soon expected to become pregnant. She faces a risky future. The mortality rate among Kyrgyz women during childbirth is unmercifully high, estimated at 30% - almost 500 times greater than in the developed world...Wedding celebration at Kitshiq Aq Jyrga...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0758_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Kyrgyz men fight in a game of Buzkashi, a competition akin to polo?except a headless goat carcass takes the place of the ball. .Buzkachi is almost exclusively played during weddings..Probably one of the great pleasures in the life of a Kyrgyz man, Buzkashi is Afghanistan's national sport. The Kyrgyz call it ulak tartysh, or ?goat grabbing.?.At the wedding celebration
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0746_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Kyrgyz women during a wedding celebration in the Afghan Pamir - camp of Kitshiq Aq Jyrga...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0741_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A hired Wakhi man, coming from the lower valleys, does the arduous job of sheering the sheep owned by Er Ali Boi, a wealthy Kyrgyz man. He is paid 1 sheep/month..Summer camp of Muqur, Er Ali Boi's place...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0705_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A Kyrgyz woman brings a calf back, while the mother yak follows..Summer camp of Muqur, Er Ali Boi's place...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0693_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A Kyrgyz man tethers a yak which will be used to carry load on a caravan.  Daily life at the Khan (chief) summer camp of Kara Jylga...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0669_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Tella Bu youngest daughter of the late Khan and her sisters returning from fetching water at the Aksu river, with the family donkey..Daily life at the Khan (chief) autumn camp (called Teramo Jai - place of Autumn), beside the Aksu river...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0647_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Tella Bu, youngest daughter of the late Khan, and her sisters are fetching water at the Aksu river, nearby their autumn camp. Daily life at the Khan (chief) autumn camp (called Teramo Jai - place of Autumn), beside the Aksu river...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0645_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Ooroon Boi's family arriving to the summer camp during migration..Daily life at the Khan (chief) summer camp of Kara Jylga...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0641_MM8120_120...jpg
  • In the kicthen making "nan", the flat bread. Daily life at the Khan (chief) summer camp of Kara Jylga...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0635_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Woolook Bu is happy to have a new yak for the family herd. This young calf is just 1 day old. ..
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0622_MM8120_120...jpg
  • The son of Abdul Walli is fixing the center piece on the yurt, during the yearly migration to teh summer camp..Daily life at the Khan (chief) summer camp of Kara Jylga...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0620_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Setting up the yurt of the Khan, the tribal leader, during yearly summer migration. Afghan Kyrgyz are semi-nomadic people...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0606_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Nomads by necessity, the Kyrgyz move seasonally across Afghanistan's Pamir, a high altitude plateau stuck between China, Tajikistan and Pakistan, where the world's highest mountain ranges converge..Today, the Khan's family is leaving for their summer camp. Everything they own needs to be tied to the back of yaks, including a dozen teapots, a cast-iron stove, a car battery, two solar panels, a yurt, and 43 blankets...Moving with the Khan (chief) family from the Qyzyl Qorum camp to the summer camp of Kara Jylga, on the south side of the wide Little Pamir plateau...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0591_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Writer Mike Finkel jumps over a river. The Kyrgyz settlement of Tchelab, near Chaqmaqtin lake, Haji Bootoo Boi's camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains (average 4200 meters) , where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0568_MM8120_120...jpg
  • The interior of a yurt with a man drinking tea..Blankets filled with yak and sheep wool pile up against the inside wall of the yurt to insulate it from the constant winds. The floor carpet - bartered against 2 sheep - was acquired by Toorsoon in the lower valleys of Pakistan, a 10 days round trip leading over a 5000m pass. The wooden poles - over hundred years old - are handed over, generation after generation...
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0542_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Wild onion picked up and eaten raw. Trekking up and along the Wakhan river, the only way to reach the high altitude Little Pamir plateau, home of the Afghan Kyrgyz community.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0529_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A yak caravan making its way up a dangerous pass. Trekking up and along the Wakhan river, the only way to reach the high altitude Little Pamir plateau, home of the Afghan Kyrgyz community.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0521_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A yak caravan making its way up a dangerous pass. Trekking up and along the Wakhan river, the only way to reach the high altitude Little Pamir plateau, home of the Afghan Kyrgyz community.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0519_MM8120_120...jpg
  • With horse and yak caravan, fighting the wind. Between Ech Keli and Burgut Yor camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0468_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A lone Bactrian camel in a snow storm and extreme winds. ..Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0461_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Our expedition team starting the way back down in a snow storm and extreme winds. Malang and Mir Ali with our donkey between Qyzyl Qorum and Ech Keli (Er Ali Boi's camp)...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0459_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Haji Roshan Khan smoking opium in his mud house, under of his daughter. A poster of Afghanistan's President Karzai hangs on the wall...At the Qyzyl Qorum camp. It is the camp of the now deceased Khan (Abdul Rashid Khan, died in December 2009), and headed by the self proclaimed young Haji Roshan Khan (his son). Opium addicted Haji Roshan was never officially stated Khan and is therefore not accepted as leader by the entire Kyrgyz community. Near the Afghan-China border...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0424_MM8120_120...jpg
  • After a two-day horse journey, Ikhbal will soon arrive at her husband's camp, near the China border, escorted by the groom's best man. The majority of women have never been more than a few miles from where they were born. This is Ikhbal's biggest journey..With Ikhbal, the recently married woman  moving for the first time to her husband's camp. On horse back, riding between Andemin camp (Abdul Haq camp) and Tash Seri camp (Mustafa Qol's camp)...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0387_MM8120_120...jpg
  • A Yak is slipping on the frozen Wakhan river. Between Zang Kuk and  Zard-e Bar shepherd house..Going back down to Sarhad village with a yak caravan led by 2 Wakhi traders: Shur Ali and Roz Ali...Trekking down the Wakhan frozen river, the only way down to leave the high altitude Little Pamir plateau, home of the Afghan Kyrgyz community.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0497_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Two Wakhi traders are going down to the lower valleys with a yak caravan. .Going back down to Sarhad village with a yak caravan led by 2 Wakhi traders: Shur Ali and Roz Ali...Trekking down the Wakhan frozen river, the only way down to leave the high altitude Little Pamir plateau, home of the Afghan Kyrgyz community.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0491_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Ikhbal smoking cigarette brought by traders..Inside Ikhbal's house - Ikhbal is the last wife of the deceased Khan. His two previous wives died in labor...At the Qyzyl Qorum camp. It is the camp of the now deceased Khan (Abdul Rashid Khan, died in December 2009), and headed by the self proclaimed young Haji Roshan Khan (his son). Opium addicted Haji Roshan was never officially stated Khan and is therefore not accepted as leader by the entire Kyrgyz community. Near the Afghan-China border...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0429_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Ikhbal, wife of deceased Abdul Rashid Khan, smoking a cigarette..Inside Mustafa Qol's house..At the camp of Tash Seri (Mustafa Qol's camp)...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0409_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Hiding under her brand new white veil, the newly wed Ikhbal (left) arrives with her bride's maid (irasia) near her husband's camp in Tash Sere. The women bow to express humility as they are being greeted by the other women of the camp..With Ikhbal, the recently married woman  moving for the first time to her husband's camp..She just exchanged the red veil of the unmarried girl for the white veil signifying that she is now a married woman...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0390_MM8120_120...jpg
  • With Ikhbal, 15, a recently married Kyrgyz woman  moving for the first time to her husband's camp..Arriving in Andemin. Going on horse back from Ech Keli to Andemin camp. .She just exchanged the red veil of the unmarried girl for the white veil signifying that she is now a married woman...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0367_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Visiting guests for a wedding are sitting to eat fried dough, candies and drink salty milk tea..The veil celebration: before moving to her new husband's camp, Ikhbal, a recently married Kyrgyz girl, will exchange the red veil of the unmarried girl for the white veil signifying that she is now a married woman..The Kyrgyz settlement of Ech Keli, above Chaqmaqtin lake, Er Ali Boi's camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0337_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Ikhbal (15, on left) has been crying off and on for two days. Recently married, she is both sad to leave her family nest and anxious about her future at her husband's camp. .The veil celebration: before moving to her new husband's camp, Ikhbal, a recently married Kyrgyz girl, will exchange the red veil of the unmarried girl for the white veil signifying that she is now a married woman..
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0335_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Khaltcha and Abdul Muttalib smoke opium several times a day - like approximately 20% of the Kyrgyz. ?We started smoking when we lost our first child? says Abdul, ?Every year, one of our children would die? - often from diseases easily treatable elsewhere. Only one, a son, survived to age five. Then he, too, passed away. ?We lost 11 children, we are unlucky?. In the Pamir, it is not unusual for parents to lose six or seven children. Most Kyrgyz are extremely unsentimental about death and dying and accept it as an unavoidable part of life. In 2007, Alex Duncan, a British doctor, collected data in the Afghan Pamir and established that child-under-five mortality there was 520 deaths per 1,000 live births (52% mortality), the world's highest rate. Main reasons to this are the intense isolation, the high altitude environment and no access to doctors or health clinics...
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0317_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Kher-u Din sliding on the frozen ice sheet of one of the claimed source of the Oxus. The Kyrgyz settlement of Tchelab, near Chaqmaqtin lake, Haji Bootoo Boi's camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0286_MM8120_120...jpg
  • Yak attacked and killed by wolves..Abdul Qayoom , brother of Haji Bootoo Boi, going to gather the family yaks. He uses a slingshot to round up the animals..The Kyrgyz settlement of Tchelab, near Chaqmaqtin lake, Haji Bootoo Boi's camp...Trekking through the high altitude plateau of the Little Pamir mountains, where the Afghan Kyrgyz community live all year, on the borders of China, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
    97_Afghanistan_Pamir_0283_MM8120_120...jpg
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