Fan Mountains and the Seven Lakes

The Fan Mountains begin a few kilometres south of Penjikent and offer the most accessible serious trekking in Tajikistan — high enough to feel proper Pamir-quality but reachable by ordinary 4WD taxi from town. The Seven Lakes (Haftkul) in the Shing Valley are the classic three-day walk, working up from village to village past a sequence of jewel-coloured lakes.

Trekkers can arrange homestays in any of the lake villages for around 100-150 somoni per night with full board; a return 4WD ride from Penjikent to the lower lakes runs 200-300 somoni shared. Iskanderkul, the larger and more spectacular lake further east, is a two-day detour. Pack for everything from frost to thirty-five degrees, and bring cash — there are no ATMs anywhere up the valley.

things to do sight hiking
A story
The lakes — Mijgon, Soya, Hushyor, Nofin, Khurdak, Marguzor and Hazor Chashma — are arranged in a chain along the Shing valley south of Penjikent, each one a different shade of turquoise, jade or emerald. Locals say each colour represents a different mood of the unfortunate Princess Nofin, who turned each into stone over a series of grievances.

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