Full Day Trip from Samarkand to the Seven Lakes in Tajikistan

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Picking up from a hotel or other specific location and transfer to Jartepa border

   1 h

2. pass Tajik boarder, meet with a guide and driver after crossing the border and drive to Haftkul

   1 h

3. The drive to the lowest lake, Nezhigon, situated at an elevation of 1,640 meters, is captivating. Its name is derived from the Tajik word for "eyelashes," though the exact reason for this name is not entirely clear. Nezhigon is renowned for its striking colors, which vary depending on the lighting and season. The water can appear turquoise, blue, or even purple, adding to the lake's allure.

   1 h

4. Soya Lake derives its name from the Tajik word for "shadow," reflecting its location between high cliffs that keep it shaded almost all day. Similar to Nezhigon, the water in Soya Lake changes color depending on the weather and time of day.

   1.5 h

5. Gushor, the third lake, is located 400 meters from Soya, and as you near it, you'll notice a turbulent stream that connects the two. All three lakes are named "watchful." Gushor Lake is encircled by steep cliffs and was previously inhabited by poisonous snakes, which is how the lake acquired its name.

   45 min

6. Nofin, the fourth lake in the series, is characterized by its elongated shape, spanning over 2.5 kilometers in length but only about 200 meters in width. The name "Nofin" translates to "umbilical cord," as it is the central lake among the seven and is very long, resembling an umbilical cord. Local legends speak of the lake's secrets, adding to its mystique. Enjoy a lunch break by the lake before continuing your journey.

   1.5 h

7. Khurdak, which means "baby," is the smallest of the Seven Lakes. It is located 1.5 kilometers from Nofin Lake, and along the way, you can catch a glimpse of the village of Padrut.

   45 min

8. Lake Marguzor is the largest and arguably the most beautiful of the Seven Lakes. The vast expanse of blue water against the backdrop of majestic mountains creates a stunning landscape. Petroglyphs left by primitive people have been discovered on the lake's shore, and in the Middle Ages, semiprecious stones were mined in the vicinity. Today, a small village sits at the southern end of the lake, with houses scattered across the surrounding slopes. Local legends and fairytales about Lake Marguzor add to its allure.

   50 min

9. Hazorchashma, the seventh and highest of the Seven Lakes, sits at an altitude of approximately 2,400 meters above sea level. Its name, Hazorchashma (or Azorchashma), translates to "thousand springs," as the lake is fed by the waters of two rivers along with numerous streams and springs. Hazorchashma marks the end of the gorge of the Shing River, beyond which there are no more settlements, only the wildlife of the Fan Mountains.

   40 min

10. Drive to boarder with Tajik guide/driver, pass Tajik boarder

    2 h

11. pass Uzbek boarder drive back to your starting point

    1 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in Samarkand

• Its from-price is 124% above the median of the 48 day trips we list in Samarkand.
• It is longer than most of them.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Samarkand

Samarkand is an ancient Silk Road city in Uzbekistan, famous for blue-tiled domes, grand madrasas and the great Registan square.

Samarkand has been a crossroads of trade routes for more than two thousand years, and in the late fourteenth century it became the capital of Timur's empire. The Registan, a square framed by three madrasas with tiled façades in blue, turquoise and gold, is its best-known sight. The madrasa of Ulugh Beg dates from the 1420s, and the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Top-ranked sights in Samarkand: Registan Square, Gur-e-Emir Mausoleum, Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis.

See all 178 experiences in Samarkand