Fann Mountains Horse Riding and Trekking Tour to the Turquoise Lakes
Accommodation, guides, transport included. 15% deposit, balance 30 days before tour starting date.
Fann Mountains Horse Riding and Trekking Tour to the Turquoise Lakes Highlights
An 11-day journey through the Fann Mountains of Tajikistan that combines three days on horseback with classic mountain trekking to the turquoise lakes. After two days in Dushanbe, with Rudaki Park, the National Museum, Navruz Palace and the old Hissor Fortress, you drive through the Zeravshan valley to the Seven Lakes (Haftkul).
From there you ride across alpine meadows and summer pastures to Obi Safed, the village of Gazza and the remote Chukurak Lake, then continue on foot to the Kulikalon lakes and over the Alauddin Pass (3,860 m) to the Alauddin lakes, with a hike to the glacial Mutnoe Lake. The tour ends with a night in a village guesthouse in Saritag, the “Fann Niagara” waterfall and Snake Lake at Iskanderkul. Nights are spent in hotels, guesthouses and tented camps, and donkeys carry the luggage.
Difficulty: Moderate Moderate to moderately challenging: 4–7 hours of activity a day, three days on horseback (8–12 km a day) and three trekking days of 7–11 km, with the Alauddin Pass (3,860 m) as the highest point. Suited to travellers in good physical condition; previous trekking experience is recommended but not required.
Tour Itinerary
Arrival in the capital of Tajikistan. You are met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. A relaxed day to recover after the flight, with a light walk around the city. Transfers: about 10 km. Walking: 1–2 km (1–2 hours). Altitude: 820–900 m.
Dushanbe
Overnight: Dushanbe (Hotel)
Meals: Dinner
City tour of Dushanbe: Rudaki Park, the National Museum, Navruz Palace and the old Hissor Fortress outside the city. A calm and informative day that helps you acclimatize before heading into the mountains. Transfers: 40–60 km. Walking: 3–4 km (4–5 hours). Altitude: 820–900 m.
Rudaki Park, National Museum of Tajikistan, Navruz Palace (Kokhi Navruz), Hissor
- Dushanbe → Hissor (25 km)
- Hissor → Dushanbe (25 km)
Overnight: Dushanbe (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A scenic drive into the Fann Mountains through the Zeravshan valley, past mountain landscapes, rivers and traditional villages. A short walk in the Fann Mountains, whose snow-capped peaks are reflected in breathtakingly beautiful mountain lakes. Arrival at a tent camp near the Seven Lakes (Haftkul). Drive: about 300 km (6–7 hours). Walking: 1–2 km. Altitude: up to 2,400 m.
Varzob valley, Zarafshan Valley, Seven Lakes (Haft Kul)
- Dushanbe → Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) (300 km)
Overnight: Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A scenic ride across alpine meadows and summer pastures – a peaceful day with wide panoramas and a strong sense of freedom. Horse riding: 8–10 km (3–4 hours). Altitude: 2,400 → 2,800 m.
Obi Safed
- Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) → Obi Safed (9 km)
Overnight: Obi Safed (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The ride continues through high mountain valleys, with silence, open landscapes and breathtaking views of the Fann peaks. Night in the Samandar guesthouse in the village of Gazza. Horse riding: 10–12 km (4–5 hours). Altitude: 2,600–2,900 m.
Gazza
- Obi Safed → Gazza (11 km)
Overnight: Gazza (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A day on horseback to the remote and atmospheric Chukurak Lake, far from the busy routes. Night in tents by the lake. Horse riding: 10–12 km (5–6 hours). Altitude: about 2,800 → 2,430 m.
Chukurak Lake
- Gazza → Chukurak Lake (11 km)
Overnight: Chukurak Lake (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek over a mountain pass to the famous Kulikalon lakes, surrounded by sharp rocky peaks – one of the most photogenic places in the Fann Mountains. Night in tents. Trekking: 7–8 km (4–5 hours). Altitude: up to 3,180 m, then down to 2,800 m.
Chukurak Pass, Kulikalon lakes
- Chukurak Lake → Kulikalon lakes (8 km)
Overnight: Kulikalon lakes (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
One of the key days of the tour: crossing the Alauddin Pass (3,860 m), with spectacular panoramic views of the whole range, and descending to the Alauddin lakes. Night in tents. Trekking: 9–11 km (6–7 hours). Altitude: up to 3,860 m, then down to 2,780 m.
Alauddin Pass, Alauddin lakes
- Kulikalon lakes → Alauddin lakes (10 km)
Overnight: Alauddin lakes (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A hike to the glacial Mutnoe Lake at the foot of snow-covered peaks and back (trekking 8–10 km, 4–6 hours, up to 3,520 m). Then walk down to the road at the Vertikal base camp (1.5–2 km) and drive to the legendary Iskanderkul Lake and on to the village of Saritag, where you get to know the way of life and traditions of a mountain community. Night in the Shahboz guesthouse. Altitude: 2,700 → 2,300 m.
Mutnye Lakes, Iskander Kul, Sary Tag
- Alauddin lakes → Alauddin lakes (9 km)
- Alauddin lakes → Sary Tag
Overnight: Sary Tag (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An easy and scenic day: visit the powerful “Fann Niagara” waterfall below Iskanderkul and walk to the hidden Snake Lake among the mountains. Then return to Dushanbe for dinner and the night at the Grey Hotel. Walking: about 4 km. Drive: about 140 km. Time: 5–7 hours. Altitude: 2,300 → 820 m.
Fann Niagara Waterfall, Snake Lake (Iskanderkul), Iskander Kul, Dushanbe
- Sary Tag → Dushanbe (140 km)
Overnight: Dushanbe (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
This tour is only available in EUR.
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 2–3 travelers | €3,105 |
| 4–5 travelers | €2,875 |
| 6 travelers | €2,645 |
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What's included
Included
- Accommodation: 3* hotels in Dushanbe, guesthouses and tents
- All transportation with a driver
- Three days of horse riding, with horses and riding equipment
- English-speaking mountain guide
- Donkeys with a donkey driver to carry the luggage
- Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Camping equipment
- Drinking water (1 bottle per person per day)
Not included
- International and local flights
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses and tips
Sino is an experienced tour leader and focuses mainly on the tours in Northern Tajikistan and other parts of Tajikistan outside Pamirs.
Where you'll stay
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Nights 1–2
Dushanbe
3* hotel in Dushanbe or similar
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Night 3
Seven Lakes (Haft Kul)
Tent camp in the Fann Mountains or similar
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Night 4
Obi Safed
Tent camp in the Fann Mountains or similar
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Night 5
Gazza
Samandar Guesthouse (Gazza) or similar
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Night 6
Chukurak Lake
Tent camp at Chukurak Lake or similar
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Night 7
Kulikalon lakes
Tent camp at Kulikalon Lake or similar
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Night 8
Alauddin lakes
Tent camp at Alauddin Lake or similar
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Night 9
Sary Tag
Shahboz Guesthouse or similar
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Night 10
Dushanbe
Grey Hotel or similar
Tajikistan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Tajikistan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Tajikistan before booking.
The official currency is the somoni (TJS). US dollars are accepted in some places, but the somoni is what you use day to day.
ATMs
Withdrawing cash can be difficult, so carry some cash with you. There are ATMs in Dushanbe, Panjakent, Khujand, Khorog, Isfara, Istaravshan and Bokhtar (Kurgan-Tube), and even in smaller towns, but not in Murghab. Eskhata Bank in Dushanbe is a reliable choice for US dollars and has a generous limit for somoni withdrawals. ATMs may be harder to find at weekends, and ATMs that take Mastercard can be tricky to find.
Exchanging money
US dollars and euros are widely accepted, though in rural areas without exchange offices people often prefer dollars. Changing money on the black market is illegal.
The overall security situation is generally stable and Dushanbe is relatively safe, though robbery and petty crime occasionally happen, and foreigners can be targets.
Documents
Always carry a copy of your passport's photo page, as the authorities may ask for identification.
Staying safe
- Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and stay alert in public places.
- Do not leave drinks unattended, decline drinks from strangers and keep an eye on how much you drink.
- If you are followed or harassed at the airport, report it right away to your tour agent or the consular office at the airport.
- Women travelling alone may face unwanted attention or harassment.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions.
- Smoking while walking in the street is prohibited.
- Possessing or using drugs is strictly illegal.
- Photographing anything related to the military or security services can cause trouble with the authorities.
- Same-sex relationships are not illegal, but local views are conservative and tolerance varies, especially outside the major cities.
Roads and services
- Vehicles are often poorly maintained and driving standards are basic. Fuel stations are rare outside the cities and emergency services may not be available, so bring what you need and expect delays.
- Roads outside the major cities are poor and some are passable only by four-wheel drive. Spring is especially hazardous because of avalanches and landslides.
- Energy and water shortages and power cuts are common, especially in winter and spring and mostly outside Dushanbe.
Border areas and nature
- Avoid the border area with Afghanistan because of the unstable security situation there.
- Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan signed a border treaty in 2025 after the clashes of 2022, and the northern Sughd region, including Khujand, is safe to visit.
- Tajikistan is prone to earthquakes, avalanches, landslides and floods.
Visitors from many countries can travel to Tajikistan visa-free. Leave the country before your visa or visa-free stay runs out, to avoid fines and having to get an exit visa.
Pamirs (GBAO) permit
A permit is required to visit the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).
Borders and customs
Tajikistan's borders can close at short notice. Declare large amounts of money on arrival, and show the customs declaration when you leave.
The best months to explore Tajikistan are April, May, June, September and October. September may be the very best: the heat on the plains has eased and nearly all mountain passes are still open.
Autumn
In September the markets are full of fresh produce and the landscape turns golden.
The Pamirs
The best time to visit the Pamirs is August.
Summer and winter
Summers are dry and very hot, up to 40°C in the lowlands. Winters can be extremely cold, down to −20°C in the mountains, and heavy snow in the west can disrupt winter routes and close the high passes.
Medical facilities in Tajikistan are limited and essential medicines are often in short supply. Outside Dushanbe facilities are basic, and some areas have almost none.
Insurance
Before you go, check that your destination can provide any medical help you might need, and make sure your travel insurance covers treatment and unexpected medical evacuation. If you are sent to a medical facility, contact your insurer straight away.
Medicines
Some medicines containing codeine are strictly prohibited. Check that any medication you bring is legal, and declare all medicines and other restricted items on arrival.
Vaccinations and risks
Ticks are common in forests and rural areas from spring to autumn. Improperly disposed uranium and pesticides in the northern Sughd region are a possible health hazard. At a minimum, get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B and tetanus before your trip.
Tour updated