Dushanbe/Samarqand - Seven Lakes

Dushanbe - Tour Commencement: Tourist reception:

• From Dushanbe at 08:00
• From Penjikent/Samarqand at 11:00
• Heading towards Penjikent
• Lunch en route or in Penjikent

Fann Mountains - We will drive for approximately 3-4 hours through the Varzob Valley and Hisar mountains, following the Varzob River.

FANN MOUNTAINS. Iskanderkul, considered the heart of the Fan Mountains, is surrounded by several peaks reaching five thousand meters – Bodhona, Chapdara, Maria, Mirali, and Zindon. The highest is Chimtarga (5,487 meters). The Fanns boast about a hundred peaks, with several rising to altitudes of more than 5,000 meters and relative elevations of up to 1,500 meters.

Proto-urban site of Sarazm - Upon arriving in Penjikent, we will visit Sarazm, an ancient city that is 5,500 years old.
SARAZM - This is the first World Heritage Monument in Tajikistan. It is the oldest settlement (IV—II millennium BC) located 15 km west of the district center of Penjikent, on the left bank of the Zeravshan River. The well-preserved palace and religious buildings, public and residential structures hold great historical and cultural value. Excavations have uncovered metal and stone artifacts, as well as numerous pieces of jewelry made from precious stones and processed seashells. The settlement is part of the Bactrian-Margian Archaeological Complex.

Penjikent - In Panjakent, we will visit the Central Avenue, the city bazaar, and the Rudaki museum.
Penjikent
Penjikent is an administrative center in the Sughd region of the Republic of Tajikistan. It is situated in the Zarafshan River valley, east of Samarkand, at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level. The city is rich in sights, architectural monuments, and offers a beautiful recreation area on the banks of the Zarafshan River.
MUSEUM OF RUDAKI - Located in the village of Panjrud, about 60 km east of Penjikent, this museum is one of Tajikistan’s most famous landmarks. The mausoleum was built for Abuabdullo Rudaki, the founder of Persian-Tajik literature, who lived in the late IX – X centuries during the Samanid dynasty. Rudaki was not only a great poet and writer but also a talented singer and musician.

Seven Lakes - On this day, we will have the opportunity to visit the third lake of the Seven Lakes.
MIZHGON
Usually, the first lake travelers see, the lowest lake — Mizhgon — is situated at an altitude of 1640 meters above sea level. Its name comes from the Tajik word for “eyelashes”.
SOY
Soy Lake is named after the Tajik word for “shadow” — as it is located between high rocks, it remains in the shade almost all day.
KHUSHOR
The third lake, Khushor, is 400 meters from Soy, and as you approach it, you will see a turbulent stream connecting them.
19:00 - Accommodation in a hostel and dinner

Seven Lakes - Dushanbe / Samarqand

Seven Lakes - 07:00 - Breakfast at the hostel
08:00 - Hike to Nofin Lake
The distance between Lake Khushor and Lake Nofin is only 400 meters, but the serpentine route stretches a whole kilometer. Nofin, the fourth of the seven lakes, is very elongated: its length is more than 2.5 km, and its width is only about 200 meters.
12:00 - Lunch on the shore of Nofin
13:00 - Hike to Lake Khurdak
This is the smallest of the seven lakes. Its name translates to “baby”. Its area is only 0.025 sq.km., and it is located at an altitude of 1870 meters. The distance from Lake Nofin is 1.5 km, and along the way, you can see the village of Padrut.
15:00 - Hike to Lake Marguzor, possibly using a car to save time
The largest and most beautiful lake in the Seven Lakes system. To reach it, you need to drive more than 2 km along the serpentine and climb to a height of 2140 meters.
16:00 - Return journey

Dushanbe - End of the tour, return trip to Dushanbe or Samarqand

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• All fees and/or taxes

• Trikke use
• Alcohol and other private services

The network of seven terraced lakes, collectively known as ‘Haft Kul’ or ‘Seven Lakes’, is nestled within the Fan Mountains in northwestern Tajikistan, close to Penjikent city. These alpine lakes captivate onlookers with their vivid and ever-shifting hues. Each body of water is distinctively named; beginning with Mizhgon at the base, followed in succession by Soy, Khushor, Nofin, Khurdak, Marguzor (the most expansive), and Hazorchashma (the loftiest).

A sequence of seven lakes lies embedded in the Fan Mountains, within the Shing River’s ravine. Age-old rock art, found beside one of the lakes, testifies to their historical presence. The bottom lake, Mizhgon, is perched at 1,640 meters above sea level, while the uppermost lake, Hazorchashma, rises to 2,400 meters. The vertical span separating the lowest from the highest lake amounts to 760 meters, with the chain stretching over a length exceeding 14 kilometers.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.