Seven Lakes of Tajikistan: My Day Trip Review From Samarkand

Visiting the Seven Lakes of Tajikistan from Samarkand is, at the end of the day, doable in a day trip, and, too, I’d say it’s really an adventure well worth taking. Actually, if you’re staying in Samarkand and you want to see something breathtaking that is a bit away from the usual tourist spots, a visit to these lakes could be it. So, then, here’s my rundown of how the day went, plus what I think you, like your friends, should keep in mind if you, like your family, are thinking of making the trip.

Why Choose the Seven Lakes? A Landscape of Calmness

Tajikistan, you know, it’s very, very famous for its unbelievable natural beauty. Actually, what stands out in that region is, arguably, the string of lakes, each lake, in a way, has its own color and vibe. Anyway, it is, too, they sit in the Fan Mountains. To be honest, that setting offers some, sort of, the most breathtaking scenery ever – I mean it’s all rugged peaks meeting super quiet water. First, visiting these lakes gave me a real sense of peace that is, usually, you don’t find in cities.

Deciding to go and How I Booked the Tour

Booking tours, I find that online research helps, and then I did some, and, in the meantime, got different prices from various tour providers. Really, some hotels in Samarkand help you organize tours, like your private tour; some travelers actually do it, yet I ended up booking via a local tour firm I found online. It seemed pretty good. You could, that is, adjust the tour and tailor it so it really worked out well.

The Early Morning Start From Samarkand

My day, you know, it started super early. In fact, the guide, still, he met me right at my hotel in Samarkand at around 6:00 AM. At the end of the day, a little extra sleep sounded great, but I kind of know early starts usually mean you, like your brother, miss the big crowds. I would also have more daylight. Obviously, it, that is, was a three to four-hour ride from Samarkand, crossing the border and driving so that was a bit on the long side. Basically, that just gives you a sense of where these lakes sit – they’re kinda tucked pretty far into the mountains.

Border Crossing: Uzbekistan to Tajikistan

Anyway, I would say be prepared for a bit of waiting, especially at the border, and you also will need your passport. The border crossing from Uzbekistan into Tajikistan, literally, it took roughly one, maybe two hours; just that that is super normal for land borders around there. To be honest, make sure your visa situation for Tajikistan is taken care of before your tour – it definitely can save you headaches at the border.

The Seven Lakes: A Cascade of Beauty

Honestly, each of the Seven Lakes (also sometimes called the Marguzor Lakes), is, arguably, amazing. Anyway, as I was saying, here’s a glimpse into what to expect as you make your way through all of them.

Lake #1: The First Glimpse, Nezhigon

Now, the first lake, Nezhigon, it’s like your welcome mat and you go along your tour of the Seven Lakes, so too it’s the first one that you encounter. Anyway, it has a, sort of, it looks, kinda blue, reflecting the sky, almost. You kind of see some local life happening in this spot, with some homes nearby. At the end of the day, it made me excited about seeing all the others.

Lake #2: Sayoda, The Lucid Lake

Lake Sayoda, the second one you hit, I mean, to be honest, I’m guessing, “Lucid.” And yeah, its name kind of describes it well. It, that is, reflected the bordering mountains, that is, really nicely, so you actually will get a shot of your reflection. You may want to pause for a minute, maybe five, take it all in.

Lake #3: Khushyor, Lake of Vigilance

Khushyor, that is, “Vigilance” if you put that into words. As a matter of fact, a few travelers, arguably, have skipped it since it takes an off-road detour; so too it’s cool. Well, I mean I, literally, wouldn’t skip it if you don’t mind the extra bump. This part of the Seven Lakes is much, much quieter and untouched.

Lake #4: Piyarhon, Emerald Essence

Now, Piyarhon could be my favorite, I would say. At the end of the day, you’ll note how clear the water here looks kinda turquoise in pictures. Well, I mean it does have this intense emerald color, more or less it is because of minerals in it. Anyhow, that made this one pretty awesome.

Lake #5: Khurdak, The Little One

As a matter of fact, it is true that Khurdak means “small”, yet, I would say, it makes up for what it lacks in size with heaps, truly, character. The landscapes around Khurdak really were rugged, and this provided a, like your backyard, stunning, actually dramatic feel.

Lake #6: Marguzor, The Highlight

Lake Marguzor actually could be the most amazing lake from all Seven Lakes, in some respects. At the end of the day, it’s also the largest and many of my pictures truly came out nice here because of the size of it, literally it gives you so many picture points for perfect postcard stuff.

Lake #7: Hazorchashma, A Thousand Springs

Now, to get to Hazorchashma, that means “a thousand springs”, you may find out you need to hike. Actually, most cars or tours usually can’t go that way. Walking actually allowed me to soak the landscape in. You should probably, sort of, allow like half an hour to fully experience it, there and back. Anyway, it caps the day in an outstanding, but quiet, fashion.

Food Along The Way: What to Eat

Anyway, when I booked the tour the eats, well, very, they came up. Actually, I chose a version where grub comes up included because sometimes in places, you know, food and things may, seemingly, not be as easy to figure out for you, like your siblings, while you’re traveling. Naturally, most eats would involve meat because the Tajiks kind of, literally, dig it a lot! I ate a plov, the lamb dish; some kurtob – and a pasta dish called lagman was kind of on deck, too.

Bring Snacks Just In Case

Really, I would still suggest maybe just having a bite here or there with you, just in case. It might be that eats in the Fan Mountains taste different, or just because there may only be one meal across a really, like your uncle, long tour day.

Some Interaction With Local Life

Okay, but for me, like seriously, a big piece of this Seven Lakes tour that I really value, well that involved getting close and just seeing how real humans are in the small Tajikistan villages. Actually, some families sell different bits and crafts by the lakes; so too it’s how they make money. As a matter of fact, I got like this hand-embroidered item as a souvenir to bring back home. Very many interactions truly painted, like a photo from your, actually, childhood; one that is always warm and friendly. It almost shows the soul of this place off super strongly.

Things to think about for the trip to Seven Lakes

Going all that distance for all seven of those Tajikistan lakes does take thought. Very, very quickly, here’s what could assist for your trip planning, almost.

• Best Months: The summer may be ideal to hit those alpine beauties. Anyway, from June to September it isn’t too freezing; but you actually still want a layer or two.
• What To Wear: Just wear layers as you never really know how warm things actually are around those hills. Then sturdy shoes always.
• Money Stuff: Arguably, ensure some Tajik Somoni is within reach, most especially if you feel like shopping from the residents or just want, sort of, this small snack, or anything you find that your group may want while away.

Photographing The Seven Lakes

I’m guessing just a thing to call out — photography really could be very, very special right here. In fact, to be clear, bring lenses of various type. Wide angles can eat up, such as in landscapes and those narrower zoom type to see the lakes up super close; basically both can be ideal to zoom and pull out the most killer pictures of your trip! I mean that can last a lifespan, you know!

So Was The Day Tour Worth It? My verdict

Getting to Tajikistan’s Seven Lakes truly meant, too, super-early leaving from Samarkand; still seeing what was up there made it special. Actually, nature’s hugeness felt all-enveloping out in the mountains, the villages added that small taste of Tajik life which truly enriched it. You kind of, too, needed an amount of time put aside (that transit time is very real) still what things you find at day’s close absolutely creates something cool.

Quick Takes on the Day Trip

• Seven Lakes, honestly, showcase some pure, actually real nature from the Fan Mountains!
• Logistics-wise, booking via places online goes.
• Engage a local human! Actually interacting made this, that, cooler, almost, than I could dream!
• Actually gear-wise always get clothing which is very solid!
• For sure be ready — it all takes time because travel is the star of things for sure!!