The Wakhan Corridor is a rural and wild area between Afghanistan and China. It is home to both the Wakhi and Kyrgyz, each living on different ends of the corridor. Though historically used ad a trading route between neighboring areas, the route is rugged and not an easy path to travel. Photographer Frédéric Lagrange explored this route in 2012 to document the landscape and the communities living there. All of these images were shot on medium format film.

In an article about his journey, Lagrange wrote, “The air was thin and the walk arduous, taking us through high mountain passes and across frozen streams and rock-strewn trails. Fed by the surrounding glaciers, Lake Chaqmaqtin is located at an altitude of about 4,200 meters, and would have seemed completely isolated were it not for the herder settlements—some Wakhi, some Kyrgyz—dotted around its shoreline. Despite living in such a harsh environment, the people here turned out to be some of the most gracious and hospitable hosts I have ever known. And they live in relative peace—for now.”