Fann Mountains Trekking Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Fann Mountains Trekking Tour Highlights
A 6-day camping trek through the Fann Mountains of Tajikistan, from the Alauddin lakes over a 3,860 m pass to the Kulikalon lakes. The Fann Mountains are one of the finest trekking areas in Central Asia: from Dushanbe you drive through the Varzob gorge and the Anzob tunnel into the Zarafshan valley and on to the Alauddin lakes, where you camp for two nights. A day hike past the Piyola lakes to Mutnoe Lake (3,500 m) below Zamok Peak (5,070 m) helps you get used to the altitude.
The highlight of the trek is the crossing of the Alauddin Pass (3,860 m). From the top you have close views of Chapdara (5,050 m), Adamkuh (4,700 m) and Maria Peak (4,970 m), a mountain with a long history of mountaineering, and of the glaciers and the Kulikalon lakes below. You descend past the Dushakha lakes to camp at Kulikalon (2,900 m), then cross the Chukurak Pass (3,180 m) to Chukurak Lake (2,450 m), where local families stay with their herds in summer. Donkeys carry the luggage, and a cook prepares the meals in camp.
Back on the road, you visit the Seven Lakes (Haftkul), a chain of colourful mountain lakes that is still little known to tourists, and pass the mausoleum of the poet Rudaki on the way to Panjakent, where the last night is in a 4* hotel. On the final morning you walk through the bazaar and visit the ancient site of Sarazm before the transfer across the border to Samarkand in Uzbekistan.
Difficulty: Challenging A 4-day camping trek with daily walks of about 10–12 km (5–6 hours on the pass day) over the Alauddin Pass (3,860 m) and the Chukurak Pass (3,180 m), with a day hike to 3,500 m; 4 nights in tents at 2,450–2,900 m without acclimatization days. Donkeys carry the luggage.
Tour Itinerary
Arrive in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, and transfer to a hotel for a short rest and breakfast. Then drive north through the Varzob gorge and the Anzob tunnel into the Zarafshan valley, and on through the beautiful Pasrud valley to Alauddin Lake (about 2,700 m), with a picnic lunch on the way. In the evening you meet the donkey drivers who will carry the luggage from the next day on. Dinner and overnight in tents on the shore of Alauddin Lake.
Dushanbe, Varzob valley, Zarafshan Valley, Alauddin lakes
- Dushanbe → Alauddin lakes (140 km)
Overnight: Alauddin lakes (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, walk up past the Piyola lakes to Mutnoe Lake (3,500 m), with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks such as Zamok (5,070 m). Return to the camp for dinner and a second night in tents on the shore of Alauddin Lake. The day hike is about 10 km there and back and helps you get used to the altitude before the pass.
Alauddin lakes, Mutnye Lakes
- Alauddin lakes → Alauddin lakes (10 km)
Overnight: Alauddin lakes (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you climb to the Alauddin Pass (3,860 m). The panorama from the top is close and impressive, with Chapdara (5,050 m), Adamkuh (4,700 m) and Maria Peak (4,970 m), a mountain with a very long history of mountaineering. From the foot of Maria Peak you can see all the glaciers and the Kulikalon lakes. Picnic lunch on the way, then descend past the Dushakha lakes to Kulikalon Lake (2,900 m). Dinner and overnight in tents on the shore of the lake. The trek is about 12 km (5–6 hours of walking).
Fann Mountains, Kulikalon lakes
- Alauddin lakes → Kulikalon lakes (12 km)
Overnight: Kulikalon lakes (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross the Chukurak Pass (3,180 m) and descend to Chukurak Lake (2,450 m), the “deep lake”. Here you meet local people who live in the area in summer with their herds. Picnic lunch at the lake, then dinner and overnight in tents on the shore of Chukurak Lake. The trek is about 9 km (4–5 hours of walking).
Chukurak Lake
- Kulikalon lakes → Chukurak Lake (9 km)
Overnight: Chukurak Lake (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, walk down past the Artuch mountain camp to Yakkakhona village (about 9 km), where the vehicles wait. Drive towards the Seven Lakes (Haftkul) and stop at the mausoleum of the poet Rudaki on the way. Lunch on the way and free time for a walk at the lakes. In the evening, drive to Panjakent for dinner at a restaurant and an overnight stay in a 4* hotel.
Yakkakhona, Panjrud, Haftkul – Seven lakes, Panjakent
- Chukurak Lake → Yakkakhona (9 km)
- Yakkakhona → Panjakent (140 km)
Overnight: Panjakent (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, take a walk through the bazaar of Panjakent and visit the ancient site of Sarazm on the way to the border. Cross into Uzbekistan and continue to Samarkand, where the tour ends.
Panjakent, Sarazm, Samarkand
- Panjakent → Samarkand (60 km)
Meals: Breakfast
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What's included
Included
- All transportation in a Hyundai Starex / 4x4 vehicle with air conditioning
- Guide
- Mountain guide
- Accommodation: tents on the trek (4 nights) and a 4* hotel in Panjakent (1 night)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Cook service
- Donkeys and a donkey driver for the luggage
- Entrance tickets to the sights in the program
Not included
- International flights
- Consular visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Single supplement (90 USD)
- Mineral water
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Possible fees for photo and video shooting at historical sites
- Tips for the guide and driver
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
-
Nights 1–2
Alauddin lakes
Tent camp at Alauddin Lake or similar
-
Night 3
Kulikalon lakes
Tent camp at Kulikalon Lake or similar
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Night 4
Chukurak Lake
Tent camp at Chukurak Lake or similar
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Night 5
Panjakent
4* hotel in Panjakent 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.
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