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 our memory. If one comes from the direction of Murghab, there is a barrack on the right side at the entrance of the village. It originates from Soviet times but today used by the Tajik army. One should by no means film or take a photo here. It can have very unpleasant consequences if one gets caught here. A guard in front of the complex permanently watches the tourists.
We check into a home-stay, which makes a quite good impression. But during the next hours more and more people reach the quarter. Meanwhile, the yard resembles a parking lot. For 30 people there are then 2 toilets (without water flushing) and a washroom with a wash basin and a heatable kettle available.
Thereupon we decide to travel on the next day to Kyrgyzstan. We calculate that the owner takes at least $ 600 in this one night. For this one could also build a proper toilet and a shower.
Together with Eithne Treanor, we use the remaining time of the day for a tour of the village. One sees only a few people in the open. One reason might be the temperatures at this altitude. There is night frost in the morning although it is August 14th.
We pass a little mosque and further Home-Stays frequented by tourists.
We’re particularly pleased that the curiosity to take a closer look at the strange people drives some children to the door.
The Karakul has a relatively high salinity, and fisheries cannot be undertaken. On the shore of the lake, we find several bones with horns of sheep.
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It is not clear to us whether these are the remains of a celebration, or whether a wild animal has torn the sheep.
A large number of guests can also be an advantage; In the evening, we find interlocutors from NGOs or other aid organizations who can give more information about the country.
Please read on > Interview with a local in Karakul
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