Seven Lakes day trip from Samarkand: Panjakent & mountain lakes

Nine hours, seven lakes, two countries in one day

A one-day tour from Samarkand crosses into Tajikistan to explore the ancient Sogdian city of Panjakent and hike among seven mountain lakes in the Fann Mountains, each at a different elevation and color. The tour includes an English or Russian-speaking guide, lunch, bottled water, air-conditioned vehicle and all transfers. You walk across the Uzbek-Tajik border on foot with your guide and meet a Tajik driver on the other side. The road between the first lake (Nezhigon, at 1,640 meters) and the seventh (Khazorchashma, at 2,332 meters) stretches 15 kilometers with stops at each reservoir. The full lake exploration takes around 4 to 5 hours, and the walk to the highest lake is optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Panjakent and Seven Lakes

• Meet guide and transfer to Uzbek-Tajik border
• Cross border on foot with guide
• Meet Tajik driver and transfer to Panjakent
• Visit ancient city of Sarazm and Panjakent sights
• Have lunch in Panjakent
• Travel and explore Seven Lakes, stopping at each lake
• Return to border and cross back to Uzbekistan
• Transfer back to Samarkand

The experience

The day starts with a pickup at your meeting point in Samarkand and a transfer to the border crossing. You walk across the border control with your guide, then meet your Tajik driver-partner for the drive to Panjakent. The ancient city sits on the site of Sarazm, where Sogdian civilization left behind bazaars and archaeological ruins you'll explore before lunch.

The Seven Lakes occupy the afternoon and most of the physical work. You visit all seven in sequence: Nezhigon, Soya, Gushor, Nofin, Khurdak, Marguzor (the largest, at 2,140 meters), and Khazorchashma at the top. The itinerary includes stops at each lake. You can drive to Marguzor but must walk the final stretch to Khazorchashma if you want to reach it. Primitive petroglyphs and traces of medieval semi-precious stone mining mark these high valleys. The 15-kilometer road between the first and last lake takes the bulk of the afternoon.

In the evening you return to the border, cross back into Uzbekistan, and drive back to Samarkand. The tour runs 9 to 10 hours total.

What’s included

• Bottled water and lunch.
• air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• English or Russian-speaking guide.
• all transfers from Samarkand to the Uzbek-Tajik border, across it, and back to Samarkand.

Options for this experience

2 options

One-day adventure from Samarkand to the Seven Lakes near PanjakentGuide in English or Russian · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00

Group tour of the Seven LakesGuide in English or Russian · 08:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00

Book up to10h before

AgesUp to age 7

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TravelBliss LLC

Is this one for you?A moderate level of physical fitness is needed for the lake section, especially the optional walk to the highest lake. The day suits travelers comfortable with border crossings and a mix of driving and hiking at altitude. This tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or during pregnancy.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What happens at the border between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan?

You walk across the border on foot with your guide through border control. Once you clear Tajikistan's side, your Tajik driver meets you for the onward journey to Panjakent and the lakes.

How many lakes do I actually visit, and do I hike to all of them?

You visit all seven lakes: Nezhigon, Soya, Gushor, Nofin, Khurdak, Marguzor and Khazorchashma. The tour includes stops at each one. You can reach Marguzor by vehicle, but the walk to Khazorchashma at 2,332 meters is optional.

How long does the lake portion of the day take?

The full exploration of the Seven Lakes, covering 15 kilometers between the first and last lake, lasts around 4 to 5 hours, with stops at each reservoir.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes an English or Russian-speaking guide, lunch, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle and all transfers from Samarkand to the border, across it, and back.

Do I need a visa for Tajikistan?

Visa requirements depend on your nationality. You will also need a double-entry visa for Uzbekistan, since you re-enter the country after crossing into Tajikistan.