Desert Castles of Uzbekistan & the Seven Lakes of Tajikistan
Tashkent → Khiva → Desert fortresses of Khorezm → Bukhara → Samarkand → Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) → Shakhrisabz
From €1,155 per personView tour
A day from Samarkand · Tajikistan
Seven Lakes (Haft Kul)
Seven lakes of changing colour in the Shing valley.
The Seven Lakes, Haft Kul, are strung along the Shing valley in the western Fann Mountains, rising from about 1,600 m to 2,400 m. Each has its own colour, from turquoise to deep green, depending on depth and light.
A road climbs past the first six; the seventh is a short hike. From Samarkand, the Penjikent border makes it a long but rewarding day trip.
- Time needed
- Day trip, or 1 night in a homestay
- Best time
- May–October
- Getting there
- About 1.5 hours from Penjikent; Penjikent is about 1 hour from Samarkand plus the border crossing.
Don’t miss
Highlights
- 01
Mijgon
The first lake, near the village of the same name.
- 02
Nofin and Khurdak
Small jade-green lakes along the road.
- 03
Marguzor
The largest and most photographed of the lakes.
- 04
Hazorchashma
The highest lake, at the end of the valley.
Tours
Tours that include Seven Lakes (Haft Kul)
Central Asia grand tour: five countries in 21 days
Ashgabat → Darvaza gas crater → Kunya-Urgench → Khiva → Bukhara → Samarkand → Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) → Tashkent → Margilan → Osh → Bishkek → Song-Kul → Issyk-Kul → Almaty
From €2,935 per personView tour
Fann Mountains trek from Samarkand, 7 days
Samarkand → Penjikent → Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) → Fann Mountains → Iskanderkul → Dushanbe
From €805 per personView tour
Things to do
Experiences in Seven Lakes (Haft Kul)
Nearby
Continue your journey
