Tour description
Tajikistan is an amazing country with the highest peaks, the most powerful glaciers, the fastest, most turbulent rivers, the most beautiful lakes, the most unique vegetation, and the rarest animals you'll ever see! Tajikistan's mountainous terrain is what makes it so special. The country's incredible biodiversity is a result of its diverse climatic zones. In just an hour and a half of flying from the Vakhsh Valley, you can experience the Arctic cold of the Pamir Mountains!
Tajikistan is blessed with a vast mountainous landscape, spanning an impressive 93% of the country and extending west from the majestic Himalayas. The south and far north are home to some of the lowest elevations in the country, with only minor parts reaching below 1,000 meters. The eastern part of the country is home to some of the world's highest peaks, reaching an impressive 7,495 meters! The mountains are still actively building up, giving them a rough and majestic aspect that is truly awe-inspiring!
In the northwestern corner of Tajikistan, along the border with Uzbekistan, lies the magnificent Fann Mountains. These rugged and beautiful peaks form a branch of the Western Pamir-Alay Range and are a remarkable sight! These magnificent mountains form a natural border between the northern part of the country and the beautiful city of Dushanbe in the south, marking the border between the Fergana Valley and the rest of Tajikistan. It is a compact range, with around 100 absolutely stunning peaks, many of which are over 5,000 m, and renowned alpine lakes. These mountains are a true paradise for nature lovers and mountaineers alike! While they remain relatively unknown to tourists, their natural beauty and cultural treasures have remained virtually unchanged to this day.
The best way to access this incredible destination is from Penjikent in the northwest or Dushanbe in the south. Get ready for an unforgettable journey across high, breathtaking passes! You'll find ancient Tajik mountain villages lining these routes, where the locals dress traditionally and follow the ways of their ancestors. You'll find authentic "chaikhanas" perched over roaring mountain streams, serving up "osh" (pilaf) and tea in Central Asian style. Roadside springs are always crowded with locals gathering sparkling glacial water. Herds of sheep and cattle wander the mountainsides and roads, often driven by young boys riding donkeys. The local people are some of the kindest in the world, always ready to welcome the visitor with a warm smile and polite bow; prepare to be invited for tea! If you're in need of a place to stay, Tajik people will be happy to open their home to you. Aside from the few vehicles on the main roads, there is little sign of modern life to be found, which is a wonderful thing!
The road from Dushanbe north across the Fanns is absolutely fantastic! In an amazing feat of engineering, several enormous tunnels, each at least 5 km long, are being carved out of the bases of several ridges. These tunnels will replace the most treacherous and difficult passes, making the journey safer and more enjoyable for all. The passes are an incredible experience! They wind steeply up to 3,600 meters on rough dirt roads. There are even places where you can look down and see the wrecks of dozens of vehicles (mostly from winter driving). The trip between Dushanbe and Penjikent, as well as the route from Dushanbe to Khujand, is an incredible 4-6 hours!
The Fann Mountains are an incredible country, home to turquoise lakes, breathtakingly high peaks, and ancient legends. It's truly a one-of-a-kind destination, with over 30 stunning mountain lakes and a dozen peaks soaring over 5,000 meters concentrated in a relatively small area of 650 km².
The gorgeous Zindon and Archamaydan valleys, the absolutely stunning Big Allo Lake surrounded by towering rocks, the magnificent Kulikalon, Alaudin and Marguzor Lakes, the legendary Iskanderkul Lake, the incredible waterfalls and the truly awe-inspiring Chimtarga, Energia, Chapdara and Big Hansa Peaks attract hordes of trekkers and climbers from all over the globe! The cleanest streams you will ever see playing in the sun, soft carpets of grass under your feet and a bottomless sky without a single cloud – all this in combination with the most incredible colors of the numerous lakes and the majesty of white-collared peaks will undoubtedly be forever imprinted in a traveler’s memory!
The region boasts a unique geographical location within the Pamir-Alai Mountain system, surrounded by the Hissar Range to the south, the Zeravshan Range to the north, the Marguzor Lakes chain to the west, and the Dushanbe-Ayni Highway to the east. And there's more! The Yagnob Wall (Zamin-Karor Massif) near the village of Margib (Margeb, Mageb), east of the area, is also sometimes referred to as the Fann Mountains.
The Fann Mountains are blessed with a delightful, temperate climate, where sunny days are the norm all summer long! If you are looking for the perfect time to travel and have some fun in the sun, look no further than the Fann Mountains! The best time to visit is between July and September
Availability: May - September
Direction: Dushanbe-Penjikent
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Type of tour: group (5 or more persons)Program of the tour
ARRIVAL DAY. Dushanbe / Samarkand - Penjikent – Zimtud
Until 10:00 – Get ready for an amazing adventure! We will pick you up from Dushanbe (or Samarkand) airport and take you on a scenic drive to Zimtud.
Departure to Zimtud / Penjikent (from Dushanbe-218 km, (4.5 h. drive), however from the border - Samarkand-85 km, 2 h. drive).
12:00 – Arrival Panjakent, shopping in central bazar, lunch in Panjakent
14:00 – Arrival Zimtud, free time, Night in homestay in Zimtud
We will stay overnight in a homestay in Zimtud for a good rest and have opportunity to discover local life in Fann mountains
Zimtud – Artuch
09:00 – Get ready for an amazing hike to the Artuch Alp camp via Guytan village!
Guytan (Tajik: Ғӯйтан Ghŭytan) is a village in Sughd Region, northern Tajikistan. It is part of the jamoat Voru in the city of Panjakent
13:00 – Time for lunch!
15:00 – Arrival at Artuch Alpine Camp! Time for a well-deserved rest at the Artuch Camp.
The incredible Mounaineering & Tourist Camp “ARTUCH” located in the heart of the Fann Mountains at an altitude of 2200 m! Get ready to explore the breathtaking mountainous region of Central Asia, the Republic of Tajikistan. Not only will you be able to take in the stunning scenery, but you'll also get the chance to embark on an unforgettable journey through some of the world's most renowned tourist and mountaineering spots.
Artuch – Kulikalon Lake (trekking)
Get ready for a fantastic day! Start with a delicious breakfast, then head out to the camp gathering where you'll get to start your ascent to the incredible Kulikalon Lakes.
The lakes are just 55 km southeast of Panjakent, so they are easily accessible! They lie in the stunning Kulikalon cirque, surrounded by the remnants of a magnificent juniper forest. The lakes are fed by meltwater from the magnificent Chimtarga glacier, with water levels peaking in summer, and are drained by the Artuch River. The middle part of the cirque is at an impressive altitude of 2,800 m above sea level, with the adjacent mountains rising to 3,000–3,500 m.
You will spend the night at the stunning Kulikalon lake in tents, with plenty of camping spots available.
Kulikalon – Alauddin Pass – Alauddin Lakes (trekking)
Start your day with a hearty breakfast and then embark on an exhilarating ascent to the Alauddin pass (3730 m). The adventure begins with a climb to gain almost 1000 m of altitude! The terrain is simple, but the ascent is long and the altitude is high, making it an exciting challenge! On the way, we'll get to enjoy the stunning views of Dyushakha Lake! The ascent to the pass is an incredible 5-6 hours, while the descent to the Alauddin lakes is a mere 2 hours! These lakes are absolutely stunning and are considered the most beautiful in the Fan Mountains! The water is so clear and has a gorgeous bright blue hue! We set up our tents right by the lake!
Overnight at Alauddin Lake in tents.
Alauddin Lakes – Muddy lakes (trekking)
In the morning, we are off to the Muddy Lakes (3430 m), located at the foot of Chimtarga Peak! The trail is rocky with a smooth climb, and on the way, we will find another small but very beautiful and cold lake, Piala, where we can swim!
Distance - 6 km, 730 m of climb.
Night in Alp Vertical
Back to Alauddin lakes, Alp Vertical
Alauddin Lakes – Kuli Kalon (trekking)
In the morning, we will gather at the camp, load up our backpacks, and head out on an amazing adventure towards the Kulikalon via Vertical and Laudan passes (3625 m). Get ready for an incredible day!
Night in Kulikalon in tents, camping places.
Kulikalon – Artuch (trekking)
Start your day with a delicious breakfast and then embark on an incredible ascent to the Artuch Alp Camp via the breathtaking Chukuruk Pass and Chukuruk Lake.
Chukurak Lake, situated in the western part of the Hissar Ridge at an impressive 2440 meters above sea level, is a remarkable sight. The total area of Lake Chukurak spans 35 square kilometers and is comprised of a system of one expansive and two smaller lakes, nestled in a mountain pit and interconnected by a network of aboveground sewage.
Night at Artuch camp.
Artuch – Penjikent – Seven Lakes
09:00 – Departure (drive) to Penjikent
11:00 – Penjikent Sightseeing, Ancient Sarazm, Rudaki Museum, town Bazar
12:00 – Lunch in Panjakent
13:00 – Trip to Seven Lakes (as we have a limit time we will transfer to available point, Lake Khurdak)
15:00 – Arrival to the 5th Lake, Khurdak
KHURDAK (9,2/3,6 km from Nofin)
Lake Khurdak is the smallest of the seven lakes, but don't let that fool you! Its name even translates as "baby," which is pretty adorable. It may be small, but it packs a punch with its 0.025 sq. km. area and 1870-meter altitude. And if you're up for a short 1.5 km trek from Lake Nofin, you'll get to see the charming village of Padrut along the way. But wait, there's more! Khurdak was once home to a small hydroelectric power station that provided electricity to the village and surrounding houses. How cool is that?.
15:30 – Let's get started on our amazing hike to Lake Marguzar! It's 3.6 km long and it's going to be an incredible journey.
MARGUZAR (12,8/3,6 km from Khurdak)
The largest and most beautiful lake in the Seven Lakes system awaits you! Ready for an adventure? Drive more than 2 km along the winding road and climb to a height of 2140 meters to reach the breathtaking Marguzar Lake! This incredible lake covers an area of 1.16 square kilometers, with a length of 2.7 kilometers and a maximum depth of 45 meters! A vast, sparkling expanse of blue water and soaring, magnificent mountains in the background create an absolutely magnificent landscape! Amazingly, the shores of Marguzor are home to some incredible petroglyphs created by our ancestors! In the Middle Ages, the lake's shores were home to a thriving semi-precious stone mining industry! Today, at the southern tip of the lake, you'll find a charming little village, with houses scattered on the surrounding slopes. The locals are full of fascinating legends and fairy tales featuring Lake Marguzor! The road through the lake is an adventure in itself! It goes along the eastern shore, in places almost at water level. In case of spills, the lake floods the road, so you'll need a truck or a reliable jeep to make the journey. And there's more! In the southern part of Marguzor, a trail begins leading to the Tavasang pass (3307 meters), from which you can go along one of the mountain routes along the Fan Mountains.
17:30 – We're almost there! We'll be reaching the 6th Lake Marguzar, where we'll have a well-deserved rest. We'll be staying overnight at Marguzar Lake in a tent..
Marguzar-Hazorchanshma-Hushor
09:00 – Let's keep going! We are trekking to Lake Hazorchashma, which is 5.8 km away.
12:00 – We are almost there! We will be reaching Hazorchashma Lake and we will have lunch and rest time at the beach of Lake.
HAZORCHASHMA (17,6/5,8 km from Marguzar)
The magnificent final mountain lake in the Seven Lakes complex is Hazorchashma. It soars to an impressive 2,400 meters above sea level. It is as vast as a Marguzor, and while it may not be the largest, it more than makes up for it with its breathtaking beauty. The area of the water mirror is 0.92 sq.km, and the maximum length is 2 km. The name Hazorchashma means "a thousand springs," and it truly lives up to its name, fed by the waters of two rivers and many streams.
This is the last, but certainly not least, lake in the magnificent Shing River gorge. Once you have experienced this, you will understand why there are no settlements here. The road ends, but the adventure begins! You will be immersed in the wild, untamed beauty of the Fan Mountains. This means you get to enjoy the lake from a whole new perspective! To see it from the south side, you will have to embark on an exciting mountain trek, bypassing the rocky shores of the lake. However, it will be worth it! You will be treated to a breathtaking view of Hazorchashma, and even the waters of Marguzor in the distance!
14:00 – Return to the 6th lake and from there with transport drive to 4th lake
18:00 – Arriving 4th lake, night in homestay
Seven Lakes – Dushanbe (or Samarqand)
09:00 – Departure to Dushanbe (or Samarqand)
14:00 - Arrival at Dushanbe (12:00 Samarqand)
WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF OUR FANTASTIC TOUR!
