Driving along the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan, one of the highest and most remote roads on the planet… and then this appears: Karakul Lake at over 3900 meters (12800 ft).
"Kara" means black and "Kul" means lake - so its meaning is Black Lake.
A massive, deep-blue mirror born from an ancient meteor impact, surrounded by snow-capped peaks that feel impossibly close. The water is salty and almost lifeless, yet the colors and reflections are mesmerizing - especially when the mountains double in the stillness.
In winter it freezes completely into a vast white sheet. In summer it catches every cloud and ridge like glass. One of those places that makes you feel very small, in the best possible way.
The lake welcomed us with a full weather rollercoaster: sun, clouds, and strong winds.
And the best (or maybe not 🤪): swarms of mosquitoes at this altitude! That’s something we definitely didn’t expect.
Have you ever been somewhere that felt truly otherworldly?
