In the Fann Mountains

In the time of the USSR these mountains were popular enough among climbers and hikers. Contemporary tourists have almost forgotten about these picturesque places.

Mostly foreign tourists come there today. The best city to stay in for a trip to the Fanns is Penjikent. The main places to visit in the Fanns are wonderful lakes.

Let’s see one of such places called Seven Lakes not far from Pejikent. Earthquakes had partially ruined the mountains and in these places later formed the lakes. There are 7 of them, one over another. They are all different in size and color.

Along the river and the lakes there are kishlaks where you may find guest homes. Prices are not high, but the conditions are Spartan though locals are very hospitable.

From the market of Penjikent you may take a bus or a shared taxi to the kishlaks.

The first lake

The long 4th lake

Kishlaks

Locals

The 5th lake

You may bathe if you want

Who stays underwater longer than others?

The 6th lake is the biggest one

More locals

Another trip of ours is to lake Kulikalon.

There is a guest house here too which is not expensive as well. But the owners are quite wealthy. One of the sons works as a guide. Father has a lot of various work, besides, he is into blacksmithing.

Here you may hire guides, cooks, porters etc. Tourists often travel with the whole “suite”.

Many locals invite you to have tea.

Way to the lake

Many of local men work in Russian markets and even have flats and dachas there. Besides they often have two wives – one in Pejikent, another one – in Russia.

Kulikalon lake

The last place we are going to visit in the Fanns is lake Iskanderkul, named so after Alexander Makedonskiy who allegedly had been there. It’s not easy to get to the place.

People may stay in holiday camps, prices here are not so cheap. There are more Tajiks here than foreigners.

People who come here often leave inscriptions on the rocks. Those made written before the 90s are mainly in Russian…