Get Exclusive Access to My Top 10 International Travel Tips - Subscribe Now!
One of the best hikes in Central Asia is through Tajikistan’s Seven Lakes. This trek offers amazing views of the alpine lakes and the surrounding Fann Mountains. While some people choose to spend multiple days hiking this trail, it is possible to take a day trip to the Seven Lakes. In this guide, we will tell you how to get there, what to pay the taxi drivers, and our tips for hiking this trail.
Table of Contents
What are Tajikistan's Seven Lakes?
Tajikistan’s Seven Lakes (Haft Kul in Tajiki) are a series of 7 alpine lakes connected by a river. They are located in the Fann Mountains. There is a hiking trail along the lakes, and it is often considered one of the most beautiful hikes in Central Asia.
How did the lakes form?
These lakes were formed thousands of years ago when glaciers carved out large basins in the mountains. As the glaciers retreated, the basins were filled with water from rain and snowmelt, forming the lakes. Different sediments and minerals flowed into the water, which contributed to each lake’s unique color.
Where are the Seven Lakes?
The Seven Lakes are located in the Fann Mountains, south of Panjakent, Tajikistan. The first lake takes approximately 1.5 hours by car to reach from Panjakent.
How to Get to the Seven Lakes?
Get to Panjakent
The closest city to the Seven Lakes is Panjakent. This city is conveniently connected to the rest of Tajikistan via marshrutka, or shared bus.
Panjakent is also located only 15 minutes from the border of Uzbekistan. It is easily accessible from Samarkand. The journey from Samarkand to the border is only about 1 hour. A taxi on the Tajikistan side of the border will get you to Panjakent in 15 minutes.
From Panjakent
The easiest way to get to the Seven Lakes is by renting a taxi.
If you decide to just do a day trip, you need to make sure that the taxi driver brings you back. Transportation is very hard to find once you are at the Seven Lakes!
The seventh lake is only accessible by hiking. If you want the taxi driver to drop you off after the sixth lake and wait for you to hike to the seventh lake and return, then you will have to pay him for his time.
Where do I find a taxi?
The taxis that depart for Haft Kul are located behind one of the Bazaars in Panjakent. Look for the Olim Dodkhoh Madrasah, and take the road north for about 100 feet.
How much should I pay the taxi driver?
You will have to negotiate pretty hard. They will give you a ridiculous price at first. For 8 hours, including waiting 2.5 hours for us to visit Lake 7, we ended up paying 700 TJS ($63 USD in 2023, see current rates here). It’s best to go with at least one other person to split the cost.
What to Bring to Seven Lakes
- At least 3 liters of water
- Snacks
- Money in case of emergencies
- Drawstring bag or small backpack
- Offline map (I use Maps.me for hiking)
- Hiking shoes
Optional
Lake 1 - Nezhigon
After 1.5 hours of driving from Panjakent, you will reach the first lake. This lake, called Nezhigon, had some of the bluest water that I had ever seen! It is the lowest of the seven lakes, and it is warm enough to swim in.
Lake 2 - Soya
The second lake, or Soya, is only a few minutes further up from the first lake. This lake is very turquoise and clear. It is incredible to see how different the colors are between the first two lakes.
Lake 3 - Gushor
The third lake, called Gushor, is nearly bordering the second lake. Slightly larger than the second lake, this lake is a darker color than the first two. If you pass the third lake, you will reach a hill that provides a great photo opportunity of the second and third lakes.
Lake 4 - Nofin
A little further away is the fourth lake, or Nofin. The longest lake out of the seven, this is the first lake to have a noticeable community bordering it, as there are several houses near the shore. There are even some guesthouses along this lake.
Lake 5 - Khurdak
The fifth lake, or Khurdak, is the smallest and shallowest lake. A small village, Padrud, is located here as well. As I went down to the lake, a group of young kids greeted me and started skipping rocks along the water.
Lake 6 - Marguzor
The sixth lake, or Marguzor, is the largest of the seven lakes. The road along this lake is high and narrow, and can be a bit nerve-wracking when trying to pass an oncoming vehicle.
As you travel along the road, you will be met with amazing views.
Hiking to Lake 7
Once you pass the sixth lake, the taxi driver will stop and let you hike to the seventh lake.
You will follow the path up toward the lake for about 20 minutes until you find a bridge, then you will have two paths to choose from.
Follow the road
The easiest and quickest way to reach the seventh lake is by following the dirt road. If you want to play it safe and just want to see the lake, I recommend taking this road.
When coming back from the lake, I always recommend taking this road.
Climb the mountain
If you take the dirt road, you will stay on the right side of the stream. If you decide to take the mountain path, you will stay on the left side of the stream.
The mountain path is much more difficult and could even be dangerous. I took this path to the lake, and there were parts where I had to climb rocks and even crawl under objects blocking my path.
However, it was rewarding because I passed by a family who lived on the mountain. They invited me to have tea and bread with them! It was an amazing experience.
Lake 7 - Khazorchashma
When you finally reach the seventh lake, or Khazorchashma, you will be ready to sit and enjoy the amazing views of the lake. You will find goats, cows, and maybe even horses up here. While this lake is too cold to swim in, the views alone make it worth the hike.
Where to Stay in Panjakent
There are a few different options to choose from when deciding where to stay in Panjakent. What you choose will depend on your budget, desired level of luxury, and what kind of experiences you wish to have.
Low budget - less than $25 USD/night
I stayed at Inn Sogdiana for only about $12 USD/night, and this was for a private room. However, I was one of the only people there. If you want somewhere with a more social environment, check out Salom Hostel.
Medium budget - between $25-50 USD/night
For a higher-value stay, check out Hotel SUGD & Guest House. This hotel is located closer to the taxis that depart for the Seven Lakes. It also offers continental breakfast and air conditioning in its private rooms.
High budget - $50+ USD/night
The most expensive places to stay in Panjakent are still very affordable. For the most luxurious experience, check out Panjakent Plaza. This 3-star hotel offers continental breakfast and rooms with a balcony.
Where to Stay Within Seven Lakes Trail
If you wish to spend the night near the Seven Lakes, there are a few locations offering accommodations.
Lake 4
Most accommodations on the Seven Lakes Trail are near Lake 4. You can stay at the Jumaboy Guesthouse. This is a great place to stay if you decide to hike the entire trail. You also can stop by here for lunch or dinner without spending the night here.
There are also at least two homestays, Najmiddin and Mijgon, that you can find on Google Maps. Reservations cannot be made online.
