From Karakul to the Kyzyl-Art-Pass, which forms the border to Kyrgyzstan, it is about 60 km. After 10 days our time in Tajikistan comes to an end, but we continue our trip to explore Kyrgyzstan. We leave the village at the Karakul, pass the cemetery and make a short stop to enjoy the panorama. Once […]
Tajikistan
Interview with a local in Karakul
During our journey, we have often asked ourselves how the people live here and what concerns them. In Karakul, our tour guide Sherali organized an interview with a local in his house. It is a typical house with living room, kitchen and a room to receive guests. There is also a loggia which is open […]
Karakul – the lake in the crater of a meteor
The Karakul is a mountain lake, formed in a 5 million-year-old impact crater of a meteor. The lake is 4020 m above sea level and does not have any drain. The meteorite crater has a diameter of over 50 km. Framed by the snow-covered mountaintops the sight of the turquoise green lake engraves itself into […]
Crossing the AK-Baital Pass
The distance between Murghab and Karakul is only 130 km, but the route runs over the 4655 m high AK-Baital Pass. The route profile leads from 3612 m to 4655 m and then falls again to 4020 m. It is the highest pass of the Pamir Mountains. In the hotel in Murghab, we get to […]
Award Ceremony at Murghab Horse Festival
The Murghab Horse Festival ends with the award ceremony. All spectators and guests gather in a semicircle around the stage. Some have come on horseback. Please watch the 4K UHD video After short speeches, the winners are called to receive their prices. As far as we can see, they get a certificate and in addition […]
Horse Wrestling at Murghab Horse Festival
The third discipline at the Murghab Horse Festival is horse wrestling. Two riders compete against each other and try to pull the opposing rider from the horse. This discipline requires a lot of skill because you have to control the horse, attack the opposing rider. And at the same time, you should not fall off […]
Bride’s Race at Murghab Horse Festival
The second competition at the horse games in Murghab is the bride’s race, Kyz-kuumai. Here a woman rides against a man. If the man wins, he may marry the bride, or gets a kiss (one says). It is doubtful whether one follows these rules in this way. Nowadays it is probably more about who wins. […]
Horse Racing at Murghab Horse Festival
In the meantime, the Horse Festival has become known far beyond the borders of Tajikistan. It consists of three disciplines: the classic horse race the bride’s race the horse wrestling In this article and video, we show the first part, the classic horse race. After the riders have completed their preparations, they gather at the […]
Preparation at Murghab Horse Festival
The annual At Chabysh Festival, also known as Murghab Horse Festival, is organized by the French Embassy, the Christensen Fund, and the Kyrgyz Ate Foundation. One celebrates Kyrgyz horsemanship and traditions with horse races and games. Kyrgyz Ate is a Kyrgyz NGO, founded in 2004 by Jacqueline Ripart in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan). She developed an extensive […]