Kulikalon Lake
Green water and islets.
Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Fann Mountains are part of the western Pamir-Alay system in Sughd Region, between the Zarafshan Range to the north and the Gissar Range to the south. They hold about a hundred peaks, several above 5,000 metres, with Chimtarga the highest at 5,489 metres. This is the country's best area for mountain walking, and its turquoise lakes are the finest thing about it. The range runs east to west from the Fan Darya to the Archimaydan River, with relative heights of up to 1,500 metres. Its best-known lakes are the Alaudin lakes in the Chapdara valley, the Kulikalon lakes on the north slope of Chimtarga, Big Allo Lake and Iskanderkul. Near Panjakent lie the Seven Lakes, also called Haftkul or Marguzor, known for their changing colours. You walk among grey rocky slopes and dark juniper to reach Kulikalon Lake, with green water, small rocky islets and snow-marked peaks behind. From higher up the blue Dushakha lakes show in a far valley. Herds of goats and sheep graze the meadows, and you may meet a herder's tent or a guard dog, so move calmly. The lake is about 26 km from Iskanderkul in a straight line and about 54 km from Panjakent. The best walking runs from late June to mid-September. Access is generally from Panjakent, reached from Dushanbe or Samarkand. Take a local guide, a tent and warm clothes, as services are few and the weather turns fast up high.
Green water and islets.
Blue in a far valley.
Goats and sheep.
Sughd Region, western Tajikistan
The trails are long and high, so you need fitness and a guide, though beginners can pick shorter routes.
Three to seven depending on the route, and nights up high are cold.