The landscape around Dushanbe rewards exploration. Hisar Fortress, 30 km west, is the most visited excursion — an 18th-century stronghold now a pleasant ruin with good views. The Varzob Gorge north of the city offers cooler temperatures, a Soviet-era health resort, and thermal springs. The Norak Reservoir, 75 km east, is a striking blue lake in dry mountain scenery created by the former world's tallest dam. Longer trips to Iskanderkul Lake and the Fann Mountains require at least two days but are among the finest landscapes in Central Asia.
Destinations
