The Land-based Columbus of Russia

If you ask an ordinary person what the traveler Nikolai Przhevalsky is known for, many will reply that he discovered the horse. However, in addition to this graceful animal, Przhevalsky described the wild camel, the Tibetan bear, the black hare, and several previously unknown bird species. In his lifetime, he traveled over 30,000 kilometers, which is just slightly less than the length of the equator, and spent almost 11 years on expeditions. Essentially, he was the 'land-based Columbus of Russia.' Remarkably, during his scientific journeys, no one died except for him. And although Nikolai Mikhailovich did not consider himself a traveler, but rather a military scout, the idea of exploring distant Asian lands arose during his service in Ussuriysk. However, there were no funds for the expedition.

Fate smiled upon Przhevalsky: one day he won a large sum of money in cards and spent it all on the expedition. Only 14 brave souls set out, who nearly perished in their first encounter with Chinese bandits. Przhevalsky recalled: 'Like a cloud, a horde rushed at us, wild and bloodthirsty. And on the other side, in front of their bivouac, stood our small group, silently, with rifles aimed, for whom there was now no other outcome but death or victory.' The Cossacks held their ground. This was just the beginning. Ahead of them lay a long journey through snow-covered mountains, scorching deserts, and smooth lakes.

Upon reaching Issyk-Kul, the Cossacks heard from the locals a legend about an underwater city full of treasures. Przhevalsky even conducted a trawling of the lake's bottom but found nothing.

At the border with China, Przhevalsky received a gift from a local merchant: the skull of an unknown horse. He sent this 'exhibit' for research in St. Petersburg. It was the skull of the very horse that would later bear his name.

On the way to Karakol, Przhevalsky bathed in a river and drank river water, contrary to his own prescriptions, and soon died of typhoid fever.