Seven Lakes Tajikistan Private Excursion From Samarkand
Overview
Here you will find amazing landscapes of lakes, rivers and mountains!
A multiple entry Uzbekistan visa or visa waiver is required to re-enter Uzbekistan with this tour.
Inclusions
- Private transportation
- Lunch
- English speaking guide in Tajikistan
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Khaftkul Valley, Penjikent Tajikistan
Pick up from Samarkand hotel, drive to Boarder with Uzbek driver, meet your Tajik guide/driver at other side of boarder, drive to lowest lake – Nezhigon – is at an elevation of 1, 640 metres. Its name comes from the Tajik word for eyelashes, although the reasoning behind this name is not clear. It is distinguished by its range of vibrant colours: depending on the lighting and season, the water can be turquoise, blue, or even purple.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Khaftkul Valley, Penjikent Tajikistan
Soya Lake is named after the Tajik word for “shadow” – as this lake is situated between high cliffs, it is in shade almost all day. Like Nezhigon, the water in Soya Lake changes colour depending on the weather and time of day.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Khaftkul Valley, Penjikent Tajikistan
The third lake, Gushor, is 400 metres from Soya and as you approach it you’ll see a turbulent stream connecting the two. All these names mean “watchful”. Gushor Lake is surrounded by steep cliffs and was once the home of poisonous snakes, which explains the origin of the lake’s name.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Khaftkul Valley, Penjikent Tajikistan
Nofin, the fourth of the seven lakes, is very elongated – it is more than 2.5 kilometres long but only about 200 metres wide. The lake’s name means “umbilical cord”, due to Nofin being the central one of seven lakes and very long, like an umbilical cord. Locals tell various legends and say that the lake has secrets., lunch break
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Khaftkul Valley, Penjikent Tajikistan
Khurdak - this lake, the name of which means “baby”, is the smallest of the Seven Lakes. The distance from Nofin Lake to Khurdak Lake is 1.5 km, and along the way you can see the village of Padrut.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Khaftkul Valley, Penjikent Tajikistan
This is the largest and, to many people, the most beautiful of the Seven Lakes. The expanse of blue water and the majestic mountains in the background create a magnificent landscape.
Petroglyphs of primitive people have been found on the shore of Marguzor and, in the Middle Ages, semiprecious stones were mined near the lake. Today, at the southern end of the lake is a small village whose houses are scattered on the surrounding slopes. Locals tell legends and fairytales about Lake Marguzor.
Duration: 50 minutes
Stop At: Khaftkul Valley, Penjikent Tajikistan
Hazorchashma - the seventh and highest of the Seven Lakes is located at around 2, 400 metres above sea level. The name Hazorchashma (or Azorchashma) means “thousand springs” – the lake is fed by the waters of two rivers and many streams and springs.
Hazorchashma is the last lake in the gorge of the Shing River. The road ends here and beyond this there are no further settlements and you find only the wildlife of the Fan Mountains.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Jartepa, JXGF+RXG, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Drive to boarder with Tajik guide/driver, pass Tajik boarder
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Samarkand, Samarkand, Samarqand Province
pass Uzbek boarder drive back to your starting point
Duration: 1 hour
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- A multiple entry Uzbekistan visa or visa waiver is required to re-enter Uzbekistan with this tour
- Tajik online visa should be applied for at least 7 days in advance
- Depending on border crossing and road condition visits to all 7 lakes can be curtailed to ensure timely return to starting point, no refunds will be offered for this.
- Mountain not asphalted road
- not recommended for children below 6 years old
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
Der Ausflug zu den 7 Seen im Fangebirge ist ein lohnenswertes Erlebnis. Technisch lief es hervorragend. Wir wurden pünktlich in unserem Hotel in Samarkand abgeholt und nach ca. einer Stunde Autofahrt an der usbekisch-tadschikischen Grenze abgesetzt. Mit den erforderlichen Papieren ist die Überque...
Der Ausflug zu den 7 Seen im Fangebirge ist ein lohnenswertes Erlebnis. Technisch lief es hervorragend. Wir wurden pünktlich in unserem Hotel in Samarkand abgeholt und nach ca. einer Stunde Autofahrt an der usbekisch-tadschikischen Grenze abgesetzt. Mit den erforderlichen Papieren ist die Überquerung der Grenze problemlos. Auf der tadschikischen Seite warteten Kraftfahrer und Reiseführer auf uns. Nach einem kurzem Stopp in einem Hotel in Penjikent fuhren wir weiter bis in das Tal des Flusses Sching. Auf staubiger Strecke ging es hinauf zu den 7 Seen. Die Landschaft ist atemberaubend schön. Steile Berge und ein reißender Fluss begleiteten uns. Mittlerweile hatte uns unser freundlicher gut englisch sprechender Reiseführer schon sehr viel über die Geschichte Tadschikistans erzählt. Nun konnten wir uns auf die Schönheit der Natur und Szenen des Landlebens im Gebirge konzentrieren. Mittags gab es ein kleines Essen auf dem Hof eines Bergbauern. Das war anständig und entspannend. Weiter ging es die Seen entlang. An jedem See fanden wir ein oder zwei Stellen, an denen sich ein Aussteigen als Fotostopp oder nur zum Bewundern der Naturschönheiten lohnte. Unser Fahrer fuhr die unbefestigte Straße nach dem 6. See noch weiter, sodass die kleine Bergwanderung relativ kurz und nicht so anstrengend war. Wir erreichten den 7. See auf 2400 Meter Höhe. Nach einem kleinen eiskalten Fußbad im See ging es zurück zum Auto und bergab bis wir wieder Penjikent erreichten. Entsprechend unseres Wunsches besuchten wir die Ruinenstätte des alten Penjikent, von der wir eine wunderschöne Aussicht auf den Fluss Serafshan und die Turkestan-Gebirgskette hatten. Dann wurden wir wieder an der Grenze abgesetzt, überquerten diese und wurden schon von unserem usbekischen Fahrer erwartet, der uns wieder zum Hotel zurückbrachte. Zusammenfassend stellen wir fest, dass dieser Ausflug ein wunderbares Erlebnis war, das wir auch der perfekten Organisation, den zuverlässigen Fahrern und dem kundigen sowie freundlich aufgeschlossenen Reiseführer verdanken.This tour company is an absolute scam. They completely lie about the time and itinerary to make you think it’s achievable … but it’s not. For example. They say it will take 45 mins from the boarder to the 1st lake, it doesn’t. It takes 2.5 hours. Which means it’s logistically impossible to accomp...
This tour company is an absolute scam. They completely lie about the time and itinerary to make you think it’s achievable … but it’s not. For example. They say it will take 45 mins from the boarder to the 1st lake, it doesn’t. It takes 2.5 hours. Which means it’s logistically impossible to accomplish this itinerary in a day. The tour company knows that. They are based in UZ and the Taj guides were wonderful and clear that the times allocated are only if you take a helicopter. Additionally, the road to the lakes is nothing more than a goat path. For miles. So gear up for 3.5 hours (ONE WAY) on this bumpy road. We’ve traveled to dozens of countries and this tour was by far my greatest error. Additionally, I asked for a 50% refund since we could only accomplish 25% of the promised itinerary and they refused. Spare yourself the regret.The tour began with a pick up at my hotel and transport to the Tajikistan where I was met on the other side by my guide and driver. The trip to the mountains included several stops to a variety of sites and while it was a longish drive up to the lakes, I had a great conversation with the guide, ...
The tour began with a pick up at my hotel and transport to the Tajikistan where I was met on the other side by my guide and driver. The trip to the mountains included several stops to a variety of sites and while it was a longish drive up to the lakes, I had a great conversation with the guide, whose English was very good, and he told me a lot about the area, Uzbeks, Tajiks and Kyrgyzs, along with the different languages. It was very interesting to learn about the area from someone who grew up in the area. The driver was very good, the roads were a little rough but not terrible. The lakes were incredible, even though it was a little overcast when I was there. I have never seen bluer blues or greener greens. It is a remote area and there isn't a lot to do other than just take it all in but if you like the outdoors, beautiful landscapes and a glimpse of a very old and remote culture (many of the people in these mountain areas fled the Arab invasion a thousand years ago), this might be for you. Silk Roads Tours did a superb job of organizing this tour and I did other another tour with them as well which was equally well run. They helped me arrange a variety of things like airport transfers and train tickets, just a really efficient and nice group of people. This tour was just about perfect in length, and we got to to see most of the highlights of this area of Tajikistan. Everyone involved from the Uzbek side to the the Tajikistan tour was on time, friendly and made the tour even better with good conversation and a really good vibe. Thanks to everyone!Paysagés rurales et des lacs. Une des rares expériences authentiques encore possible. Wow! Route cahoteuse, mais ça vaut le coup!
Paysagés rurales et des lacs. Une des rares expériences authentiques encore possible. Wow! Route cahoteuse, mais ça vaut le coup!This tour was fantastic. Good communication with the tour company, punctual drivers, and a truly wonderful guide. The Seven Lakes are very remote but are absolutely stunning. Lunch was great, and the stops in Panjikent were also interesting. Tajikistan is an intriguing and beautiful place -- I hi...
This tour was fantastic. Good communication with the tour company, punctual drivers, and a truly wonderful guide. The Seven Lakes are very remote but are absolutely stunning. Lunch was great, and the stops in Panjikent were also interesting. Tajikistan is an intriguing and beautiful place -- I highly recommend this tour.Great adventure crossing border another country beautiful lake everything in one day. Easy to go if you have visa for Tallis than
Great adventure crossing border another country beautiful lake everything in one day. Easy to go if you have visa for Tallis than