Trekking the Lakes and Mountains of Tajikistan
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Trekking the Lakes and Mountains of Tajikistan Highlights
A 12-day trek through the Fann Mountains from Dushanbe to Samarkand, crossing high passes to the Kulikalon and Alauddin lakes. After a day in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, you drive north through the Varzob Gorge to Iskanderkul, the lake named after Alexander the Great, and start walking with the team and the donkeys that carry the luggage.
Over the Dukdon Pass (3,812 m) the trail leads past Pichikul Lake into the Archa-Maidan valley and through the apricot and apple orchards of Gazza to the village of Guitan, where you spend a night with a local family. From there you cross to Chukurak Lake and on to the Kulikalon lakes and Dushakha Lake, then climb the Alauddin Pass (3,860 m) to the turquoise Alauddin lakes below the peaks of Chimtarga, Mirali and Zamok. On the last day you visit the Sogdian ruins of Panjakent and cross the border to Samarkand.
Difficulty: Challenging Nine trekking days of 3.5–7.5 hours with climbs of up to 1,160 m a day, over the Dukdon (3,812 m), Guitan (2,660 m), Chukurak and Alauddin (3,860 m) passes, on rocky paths and moraine that can be snowy in early summer; 8 nights in tents at 2,200–2,900 m, one night with a local family and one in a bungalow. Donkeys carry the luggage.
Tour Itinerary
You arrive early in the morning and are welcomed by your English-speaking guide, followed by a transfer to the hotel. Discover the capital, at an altitude of 850 m: visit Ismail Somoni Square and the local bazaar, with lunch in the city. In the afternoon, visit the botanical garden and explore the city. Dushanbe is one of the most pleasant capitals in Central Asia, set against a backdrop of mountains, with shady avenues lined with pastel-colored neoclassical buildings. Dinner in the city and overnight at the hotel.
Dushanbe, Dushanbe Botanical Garden
Overnight: Dushanbe (Hotel)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive north through the Varzob Gorge (65 km from Dushanbe) towards the Zeravshan valley and on to Iskanderkul Lake (160 km, about 4.5 hours of driving), with lunch along the way. Iskanderkul, one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Tajikistan, is a highlight of the Fann Mountains. According to legend, it is named after Alexander the Great, known as Iskander in the East, who took this route on his campaign to India. Below the lake its outflow forms a 24-meter waterfall. Enjoy a walk around the lake. Then drive via the village of Sarytag to the Karakul River at 2,350 m (12 km, 45 minutes), where you meet the team and the donkeys. Picnic in nature. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Varzob valley, Iskander Kul, Sary Tag
- Dushanbe → Iskander Kul (160 km)
- Iskander Kul → Sary Tag (12 km)
Overnight: Sary Tag (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, walk up a wooded valley, then a rocky path leads to the first terrace. Picnic in nature. Continue along the Dukdon stream to the camp on a beautiful grassy terrace at 2,900 m. Walking time: 4–4.5 hours. Ascent: 1,160 m, descent: 280 m. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Fann Mountains
- Sary Tag → Dukdon Pass (8 km)
Overnight: Dukdon Pass (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, cross the Dukdon Pass (3,812 m) at the foot of the glaciated Dukdon peaks (5,208 m), with stunning high-mountain scenery. Picnic in nature. Descend over a moraine, which may be snowy in early summer, into the picturesque Sarikhodan Gorge (2,650 m), with magnificent views of the glaciated range. Walking time: 7–7.5 hours. Ascent: 620 m, descent: 1,130 m. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Dukdon Pass
- Dukdon Pass → Dukdon Pass (9 km)
Overnight: Dukdon Pass (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, climb in stages to Pichikul Lake (2,450 m), a beautiful clear lake where you stop for a picnic. Then descend into the Archa-Maidan valley (2,200 m), with a few sometimes difficult passages. Walking time: 6.5–7 hours. Ascent: 800 m, descent: 1,340 m. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Archa-Maidan
- Dukdon Pass → Archa-Maidan (10 km)
Overnight: Archa-Maidan (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walk down the Archa-Maidan valley for about 2 hours on fairly wide, well-marked paths, then through the apricot and apple orchards of the village of Gazza to the pleasant shade of a walnut grove. Picnic in nature. After lunch, follow a road for 30 minutes and then walk up to the village of Guitan (1,850 m), where you discover its surprisingly authentic customs and traditions. Walking time: 7–7.5 hours. Ascent: 240 m, descent: 540 m. Dinner and overnight with a local family.
Gazza, Guitan
- Archa-Maidan → Guitan (22 km)
Overnight: Guitan (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave the village of Guitan for the pass of the same name at 2,660 m, passing shepherds' camps where the welcome is always warm. Enjoy panoramic views of Chimtarga (5,489 m) and the high northern faces of the range: Mirali (5,106 m) and Maria (4,790 m). Picnic in nature. Descend to the calm, radiant Chukurak Lake (2,450 m), whose name means "the deep" in Tajik. The cliffs around it offer climbing routes. Meet the shepherds. Walking time: 5.5–6 hours. Ascent: 850 m, descent: 160 m. Dinner and overnight in a bungalow near Chukurak Lake.
Guitan Pass, Chukurak Lake
- Guitan → Chukurak Lake (10 km)
Overnight: Chukurak Lake (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Climb to the Chukurak Pass, with a stunning panorama of the colorful patchwork of the Kulikalon lakes and the peaks of the Chimtarga range (Adamtash, Mirali, Maria). Picnic in nature. Then descend to the Kulikalon lakes (2,800 m) on a fertile plateau with many junipers and pastures, and set up camp near the lakes. Walking time: 5.5–6 hours. Ascent: 700 m, descent: 360 m. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Chukurak Pass, Kulikalon lakes
- Chukurak Lake → Kulikalon lakes (6 km)
Overnight: Kulikalon lakes (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stroll around the Kulikalon lakes (2,800 m), including Bibijonat Lake ("grandmother's paradise"), with views of the glaciers. The brave can swim in these lakes, which are warmer than others in the region. Picnic in nature. Then continue to Dushakha Lake (2,900 m), 30–40 minutes' walk away. Walking time: 3.5–4 hours. Ascent: 110 m, descent: 85 m. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Kulikalon lakes, Dushakha Lake
- Kulikalon lakes → Dushakha Lake (6 km)
Overnight: Dushakha Lake (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Climb to the Alauddin Pass (3,860 m) through alpine meadows, overlooking the pearl of the Fann Mountains: the magnificent Alauddin lakes. Enjoy beautiful views of the imposing faces of Chapdara (5,049 m) and Zamok (5,070 m), as well as Bodkhona, Maria and Mirali. A good descent on a stony path brings you to the emerald waters of the Alauddin lakes. Picnic in nature. Stroll around the Alauddin lakes (the main lake and the "guitar" lake), whose crystal-clear waters in shades of dark blue, turquoise and emerald mirror the surrounding peaks. Set up camp on the shore (2,770 m). Walking time: 5.5–6 hours. Ascent: 900 m, descent: 1,020 m. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Alauddin Pass, Alauddin lakes
- Dushakha Lake → Alauddin lakes (8 km)
Overnight: Alauddin lakes (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From the Alauddin lakes, walk up towards Mutnoe Lake. After crossing some thickets, the ascent continues on a steep rocky slope. Throughout the day you see the peaks of Zamok (5,070 m), Paygambar (4,938 m) and Energiya (5,120 m) and the Kaznok Pass (4,040 m). Picnic at Mutnoe Lake ("the murky lake", 3,500 m), whose dark colors contrast with those of the Alauddin lakes, with a beautiful panorama of the snowy peaks around it, all over 5,000 m high, especially Chimtarga (5,489 m). In the afternoon, return to the camp at the Alauddin lakes (2,770 m). Walking time: 5.5–6 hours. Ascent: 760 m, descent: 760 m. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Mutnye Lakes, Alauddin lakes
- Alauddin lakes → Alauddin lakes (13 km)
Overnight: Alauddin lakes (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, a quick descent of 1–1.5 hours brings you to the road, where the vehicles meet you for the drive to Panjakent. Lunch. Visit ancient Panjakent, the Sogdian city in the upper Zeravshan valley that flourished from the 5th century until it was abandoned after the Arab conquest in the 8th century, and the Rudaki Museum of local history. Transfer to the Jartepa border (25 km). After the border formalities, the team in Uzbekistan welcomes you and drives you to Samarkand (50 km), where the tour ends.
Panjakent, Ancient Panjakent, Panjakent History Museum (Rudaki Museum), Jartepa / Panjakent border control, Samarkand
- Alauddin lakes → Alauddin lakes (4 km)
- Alauddin lakes → Panjakent (110 km)
- Panjakent → Jartepa / Panjakent border control (25 km)
- Jartepa / Panjakent border control → Samarkand (50 km)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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What's included
Included
- Accommodation: 3* hotel in Dushanbe (1 night), tents on the trek (8 nights), a night with a local family in Guitan and a night in a bungalow at the Artuch camp
- Meals as per program: breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trek (picnic lunches)
- Cook
- English-speaking mountain guide
- Donkeys and a donkey driver to carry the luggage
- All transportation as per program by air-conditioned minibus or 4x4 (one vehicle for 4 travelers)
- Entrance tickets
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Fees for photography and filming at historical sites
- Tips
- Single room supplement: 40 USD
- Single tent supplement: 3 USD per day
- Environmental fee: 2 USD per day
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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Night 1
Dushanbe
3* hotel in Dushanbe or similar
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Night 2
Sary Tag
Tent camp in the Fann Mountains or similar
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Night 3
Dukdon Pass
Tent camp in the Fann Mountains or similar
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Night 4
Dukdon Pass
Tent camp in the Fann Mountains or similar
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Night 5
Archa-Maidan
Tent camp in the Fann Mountains or similar
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Night 6
Guitan
Guesthouse in Guitan or similar
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Night 7
Chukurak Lake
Artuch tourist camp or similar
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Night 8
Kulikalon lakes
Tent camp at Kulikalon Lake or similar
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Night 9
Dushakha Lake
Tent camp at Dushakha Lake or similar
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Nights 10–11
Alauddin lakes
Tent camp at Alauddin Lake 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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