Day 1 – 11 April: Samarqand - Penjikent – 7 lakes

Early in the morning you leave Samarqand and head to Penjikent, “the city of five villages”. In the 5th century it was a thriving regional hub, a cosmopolitan Silk Road city. After crossing the border, you meet your tajik guide and driver. On the way to Penjikent you will have a short visit to Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from the 5th-6th centuries BC. Penjikent is said to produce the very best plov in Tajikistan, so you’ll feast on this delicious traditional dish for lunch. After lunch, you will head into the Shing Valley to see seven lakes, the turquoise gemstones which decorate these mountains. You will overnight in Noffin village at guesthouse. 

Accommodation: Traditional guesthouse.  

Day 2 – 12 April: Noffin – Artuch 

After the breakfast, we continue exploring the rest of the lakes, we will drive till the end of 6th lake and start hiking up to the 7th lake. Afterwards we will be transferred to Artuch village where you can explore the village and the way of life of mountainous villagers.

Accommodation: Traditional Guesthouse.

Day 3 – 13 April: Artuch - Kulikalon – Artuch 

Today we will have longer and more challenging trekking to Karakul lake (2700m). Trekking will take about 7 hours in total. But the the view to the Rudaki, Mirali and Chimtarga peaks and Kulikalon, Bibijanat, and Dushokha lakes worth this effort. After fully enjoying the Kulikalon area landscape view we trek down to Alp Camp from where your driver will be waiting you to transfer back to the village. Elevations gain +/-600m, 12 km.

Accommodation: Traditional Guesthouse.

Day 4 – 14 April: Artuch  – Iskanderkul - Dushanbe

After breakfast we will be driving towards Dushanbe and on the way we visit  a famous Iskanderkul lake. Here we will overnight at the cottages which are located at the shore of the magnificent Iskanderkul (Alexander’s Lake) and will have opportunity to hike to a picturesque waterfall and snake lake. Afternoon, It is time to leave the mountains behind and return to urban life, journeying to the city of Dushanbe.

Accommodation: own arrangement 

Day 5 – 15 April: Dushanbe

Our city tour will start with a visit to the National Museum of Antiquities with its famous Sleeping Buddha, excavated from the Buddhist monastery at Ajina Teppa. Our next stop is the Navruz Palace, an extraordinary modern building decorated by hundreds of artisans from all over Tajikistan.

We will continue visiting the statue of Ismail Somoni in Rudaki Park. This large monument commemorates the 1,100th anniversary of the Samanid State, a Golden Age of the Tajik nation, when science and arts flourished. From there we will walk through pretty Rudaki Park, which is dedicated to the great Persian poet Rudaki, who also lived during the Samanid period, in the 10th century. You will have a late lunch/early dinner and end your trip with visiting Mehrgon bazaar. 

Transfer to the airport according to your flight time.