The Fann Mountains, 150 kilometers northwest of Dushanbe in the Zerafshan range, are arguably the finest trekking destination in Central Asia — a compact range with 5,000-meter peaks, dramatic lake systems, and trails that don't require the logistical complexity of the Pamirs. The base camp area around the Iskanderkul lake is accessible by road; the more remote lake systems require a day or two of hiking to reach.
From Dushanbe, most travelers take a shared taxi or private vehicle to Penjikent (via the Anzob Tunnel, a notoriously decrepit Soviet-era tunnel that is an adventure in itself) and then approach the Fanns from the north. Several trekking companies in Dushanbe organize trips; the season runs from June to September.