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.
DESTINATIONS: Dushanbe – Iskanderkul Lake – Seven Lakes – Panjakent / Samarqand border
Program of the tour
DUSHANBE – ISKANDERKUL
09:00 – We extend a warm welcome to tourists from Dushanbe as they embark on their journey to Iskandarkul Lake.
The itinerary includes a 3-4 hour drive through the Varzob Valley and Hissar Mountains, in alignment with the Varzob River.
We will also visit the Fann Mountains. Iskanderkul, regarded as the centerpiece of the Fan Mountains, is encircled by numerous peaks reaching five thousand meters in elevation, including Bodhona, Chapdara, Maria, Mirali, and Zindon. The highest peak is Chimtarga, which reaches an elevation of 5,487 meters. The Fann Mountains are home to approximately one hundred peaks, with several reaching elevations above 5,000 meters and relative elevations of up to 1,500 meters.
13:00 – Arrival at Iskandarkul Lake and lunch at Iskandarkul Beach
ISKANDERKUL is a lake situated in the northern part of the country, in the Sugd region (ancient Sogdiana). The route offers the opportunity to appreciate the region’s striking natural scenery, with snow-capped mountain peaks reaching towards the deep blue sky. This small, pristine area offers a wealth of intriguing sights, including Lake Iskanderkul. The region boasts magnificent blue lakes, fast mountain rivers, and picturesque forests. Lake Iskanderkul is a mountain reservoir with a rich history and a significant draw for tourists. There are guest houses available for visitors, but many foreign tourists prefer to camp. The lake attracts a diverse range of tourists from Sweden, England, France, and Tajikistan, each with their own unique travel preferences.
At 14:00, we will proceed to Panjchashma, followed by a visit to Busefal Canyon.
BUCEPHALUS CAVE - According to an alternative account, the Macedonian horse, Bucephalus, consumed water from the lake during a brief halt following an extended journey and subsequently fell ill. The commander proceeded to India, leaving his trusted steed behind. However, despite the considerable distance, he sensed his master's demise and leapt into the lake, where he perished. Since that time, on the full moon of each month, Bucephalus emerges from the water to graze. The waters recede, and a snow-white horse emerges from the lake, accompanied by grooms.
Panj-Chashma is a location known as "Five Springs," where a distinctive natural occurrence results in the flow of pristine spring water from five highlands into Lake Iskandarkul. The scene is so captivating that it is difficult to tear one's gaze away.
15:00 – The itinerary for the afternoon includes a hike to Lake Moron and Iskandarkul Waterfall.
KULI MORON or SNAKE LAKE. In close proximity to Iskanderkul is another lake, designated as Snake Lake. Based on historical accounts, this body of water is inhabited by a significant population of snakes. Local residents assert that reptiles will not attack in two instances: when they are in the water and when people drink water. The temperature of the water is higher than that of Iskanderkul, allowing for swimming activities.
FANN NIAGARA WATERFALL. The Niagara Falls waterfall is a prominent tourist attraction. In close proximity to Lake Iskanderkul is an aged juniper (juniper bush) adorned with vibrant ribbons adorning its branches. As a result of the impressive nature of the local waterfall, visitors often leave a memento on the tree as a token of their appreciation, with the intention of returning in the future. The nearby 43-meter waterfall is known as the "Fan Niagara." It is situated on the river that flows out of the lake. Additionally, there is a rock with an inscription dating back to 1870, which was left by the participants of the expedition led by the renowned Russian traveler and scientist A. Fedchenko.
18:00 – Departure to Sarytag village
19:00 – Dinner and accommodation to hotel
Iskanderkul - Seven Lakes
07:00 – Breakfast and leave Iskandarkul, way to Seven Lakes
11:00 – Arriving Panjakent, the same time visit Panjryd vilage
Penjikent is located in the valley of the Zarafshan River east of the city of Samarkand, at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level. The city is rich in its sights, architectural monuments, a beautiful recreation area on the banks of the Zarafshan River
RUDAKI COMPLEX - is located on the territory of the village of Panjrud, about 60 km east of the city of Penjikent and it is one of the most famous sights of Tajikistan. The mausoleum was built for the founder of Persian-Tajik literature - Abuabdullo Rudaki, who lived in the late IX – X centuries, during the reign of the Samanid dynasty (visit the complex at the request of tourists)
13:00 – Lunch
16:00 – Our hike tour will start from the 1st Lake Mijgon.
MIJGON (62 km from Penjikent)
Usually, the first lake that travelers see, the lowest lake — Mijgon — is located at an altitude of 1640 meters above sea level. Its name comes from the Tajik word "eyelashes". Lake Mijgon has a depth of up to 20 meters, an area of 0.05 square kilometers. It is distinguished by bright colors: depending on the lighting and the season, the water can be turquoise, blue, or even purple. This is due to the high content of minerals (sodium and calcium) in the water. In summer, the water is quite warm, and visitors can plunge into this fascinating lake.
SOYA (1,8 km from Mijgon)
Continuing from Lake Mijgon along a steep serpentine, you will cross a natural dam that separates Lake Mijgon from the second lake, Soy (from where a stunning view of Mijgon opens). Soy Lake is named after the Tajik word "shadow" — since this lake is located between high rocks, it is in the shade almost all day. As in Mijgon, the water in Soya Lake changes color depending on the weather and time of day. The lake is located at an altitude of 1701 meters and has an area of 0.1 square kilometers.
HUSHOR (2,8/1,0 km from Soya)
The third lake, Hushor, is 400 meters from Soy, and when you get close to it, you will see a turbulent stream connecting them. Lake Hushor is located at an altitude of 1771 meters and covers an area of 0.23 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by steep cliffs and was once home to venomous snakes, which explains the origin of the lake's name.
NOFIN
Nofin Lake lies 400 meters from Hushor lake. It is highly extended as it is more than 2,5 km long but only about 200 meters wide. Lake Nofin is located at an altitude of 1820 meters and covers an area of 0.48 square kilometers.
In Soviet times, the “Marguzor Lakes” camping site was located next to this lake. However, a mudflow from the mountains destroyed the camp, leaving only traces of its foundation. Although this may indicate some danger, the lake appears quite calmand in good weather, you can see schools of fish swimming calmly in the clear water.
The tour to the Seven Lakes ends here, so we do not have enough time to visit the other three remaining lakes.
17:00 – Departure, drive to the Panjakent/Samarqand border
19:00 – Arrival Samarqand border, seeing off
OUR TOUR FINISHES, WELCOME AGAIN!
