The turquoise water
Peaks mirrored on it.
Marat Nadjibaev — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marat Nadjibaev — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marat Nadjibaev — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marat Nadjibaev — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marat Nadjibaev — CC BY-SA 4.0
Iskanderkul is a mountain lake of glacial origin in Sughd Region, at 2,195 metres on the northern slopes of the Gissar Range in the Fann Mountains. It is triangular, covers 3.4 square kilometres and reaches 72 metres in depth. Its turquoise green among brown and red mountains makes it the country's best-known easily reached natural sight. It formed when a landslide blocked the Saratogh river, and its water leaves as the Iskander Darya, which joins the Yaghnob. The name comes from Alexander the Great, as Iskander is the Persian form of his name. One legend says he diverted a river to drown local people who resisted him, and another says his horse Bucephalus drowned here. These are folk stories and nothing more. The water's colour shifts with the sky, from bright green to blue, and in calm morning air it mirrors the peaks. The way in follows a deep gorge with red and white walls and a fast river, and near the outflow a waterfall throws up spray where rainbows form. A 300-square-kilometre reserve surrounds it, home to mountain birds such as the Himalayan snowcock and saker falcon. It lies 134 km by road from Dushanbe, the last 23 km after leaving the Dushanbe to Khujand road on a rough stretch. The water is very cold, and swimming is only for those used to it. Places to stay around the shore are simple, so bring food and a jacket, as nights are cold even in summer. June to September is the best time.
Peaks mirrored on it.
Rainbows in the spray.
Red and white walls.
Fann Mountains, Sughd Region, Tajikistan
It is possible but long, as the road takes hours, and a night by the lake is easier.
A high vehicle with a driver is easiest, as the last stretch is rough and unpaved.