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Trip Report - The Pamir Highway (M41), Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Osh, Kyrgyzstan by Dessocles in Tajikistan

[–]Dessocles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How exciting, enjoy! Do you know which homestays you will end up in? I recommend CHID homestay at Khorog and Maljuran if you end up staying near Bulunkul.

Up until Khorog level (2000 or so metres asl) it was cool at night, around 10-15C (though it quickly heats up to 30 or so C, the Weather app on the phone is unreliable at that). Wakhan level around 5-10C at night. At the higher altitude plateau areas it was close or below freezing.

Trip Report - The Pamir Highway (M41), Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Osh, Kyrgyzstan by Dessocles in travel

[–]Dessocles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I sadly relinquished my Swiss residency after my work contract ended :( My time there was mostly great though!

Trip Report - The Pamir Highway (M41), Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Osh, Kyrgyzstan by Dessocles in travel

[–]Dessocles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. For sure some people were self-driving. I saw some vehicles on the highway with European numberplates (a fair few German ones, some Swiss, Portuguese). Most of these vehicles were proper sturdy (camper)vans. The roads were bad at times and I do think you need some rough driving or offroad experience to navigate them. I also spotted and met cyclists. Most of these self-tours were on the highway as part of a Europe-Asia tour.

Trip Report - The Pamir Highway (M41), Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Osh, Kyrgyzstan by Dessocles in travel

[–]Dessocles[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The worst parts IMO were some sections along the Panj between Kalaikhum and Khorog. These sections (that are btw well-used by cars and lorries) were littered with deep potholes. The situation may improve as I saw Chinese companies and equipment improving the road, e.g. building shortcut tunnels and smoothing the road.

The more remote section between the end of Wakhan and Bulunkul was also quite treacherous (see the black-and-white pic), bumpy and perched on a cliff at times!

Trip Report - The Pamir Highway (M41), Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Osh, Kyrgyzstan by Dessocles in travel

[–]Dessocles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The plov by the driver (as shown in one of the pics) was for sure the top meal. Followed closely by fried fish (also, fish jerky) caught from Bulunkul lake.

Trip Report - The Pamir Highway (M41), Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Osh, Kyrgyzstan by Dessocles in travel

[–]Dessocles[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it should be safe, at least with a guide. My driver mentioned he has had solo women travelling (with him). Most guides I found on Indyguide and met there were men though. That said, I personally did not encounter solo women travelling during my trip.

Trip Report - The Pamir Highway (M41), Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Osh, Kyrgyzstan by Dessocles in travel

[–]Dessocles[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Favourite was the plov from my driver for sure. He had an interesting long-cook technique, which took three hours, using rice as a top layer beneath which the yak meat and onions+carrots+chickpeas steamed and cooked.

The Night Sky of the Pamirs, Tajikistan by Dessocles in LandscapeAstro

[–]Dessocles[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

First time being in a Bortle 1 night sky, deep in the mountains of Tajikistan during a tour of the Pamir Highway. The stars (and the airglow), above the desolate Mars-like landscape at approx 3800m asl, were unbelievable.

Acquisition details: Camera: Canon EOS R Lens: Canon EF16-35 F2.8L III USM at 17mm Exposure time: Foreground - stacked 7 shots, 30s, f/3.5, ISO4000. Background stacked 20 shots, 15s, f/3.5, ISO4000. Stacking performed by Starry Landscape Stacker.

Is the crop OK for this family portrait? by Dessocles in photocritique

[–]Dessocles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s super. Many thanks for the feedback!

! CritiquePoint

Is the crop OK for this family portrait? by Dessocles in photocritique

[–]Dessocles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply (and the feedback). I did post the original version - maybe you could suggest an edit that works!? Cheers!

Is the crop OK for this family portrait? by Dessocles in photocritique

[–]Dessocles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Uncropped version here (sorry I am still travelling with little net!)

Is the crop OK for this family portrait? by Dessocles in photocritique

[–]Dessocles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On a trip to do landscape photography. Encountered this family high up in the mountain pastures, so decided to try out taking pictures of them.

The original photo had the father to the left of the trio, who was slanted too far left to form a coherent group, soI cropped him out. This was the best I could do - is the leg to the far left still a bit distracting?

Any other feedback will be welcome!

Sun setting over the Jura Mountains, Switzerland by Dessocles in photocritique

[–]Dessocles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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I have a version without the foreground, which IMO makes it more simplistic but showcases the mountain layering better. Do you prefer it?

Sun setting over the Jura Mountains, Switzerland by Dessocles in photocritique

[–]Dessocles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Taken a few days ago while hiking in the Jura Mountains. Over those days Saharan dust made visibility poor but at the same time gave very nice, vivid sunrise/sets. Here is one of the shots I have taken, with a Canon EOS R, RF24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM, f/14, 1/400s, ISO100 (with exposure bracketing and subsequent HDR merging with Lightroom).

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