Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) day trip
The Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) of the Shing valley climb one after another from Mijgon to Hazorchashma at 2,400 m, each a different shade of blue-green. From Panjakent it is roughly 55 km — 20 km of good asphalt to Tarror, then a narrow, rocky road up the valley. With a private car and driver you see all seven and are back the same evening; from Samarkand it is a long but very doable day with a car on each side of the border.
- Distance~55 km
- Drive time2–2.5 h each way
- Pricefrom $90
Your ride is performed by a licensed local partner carrier in Tajikistan; we arrange it and stand behind it.
Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) day trip: price per car
| Car | Per car return trip, driver waits | Per person if you are 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan up to 3 Toyota Camry / Hyundai Sonata or similar | $90 ≈ 850 somoni | $45 | $30 | — | — |
| Minivan up to 6 Hyundai Staria / H-1 or similar | $120 ≈ 1,130 somoni | $60 | $40 | $30 | $20 |
| 4x4 up to 4 Toyota Land Cruiser / Prado or Mitsubishi Pajero | $130 ≈ 1,220 somoni | $65 | $43 | $33 | — |
English-speaking driver +$15 (transfers) / +$20 a day. Prices updated 2026-10-20.
Seven Lakes from Samarkand (day trip, border handover)
| Car | Per car return trip, driver waits | Per person if you are 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan up to 3 Toyota Camry / Hyundai Sonata or similar | $160 ≈ 1,500 somoni | $80 | $53 | — | — |
| Minivan up to 6 Hyundai Staria / H-1 or similar | $210 ≈ 1,970 somoni | $105 | $70 | $53 | $35 |
| 4x4 up to 4 Toyota Land Cruiser / Prado or Mitsubishi Pajero | $230 ≈ 2,160 somoni | $115 | $77 | $58 | — |
English-speaking driver +$15 (transfers) / +$20 a day. Prices updated 2026-10-20.
Seven Lakes from Dushanbe, 2 days (night in Marguzor)
| Car | Per car for 2 days, driver’s lodging included | Per person if you are 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan up to 3 Toyota Camry / Hyundai Sonata or similar | $290 ≈ 2,730 somoni | $145 | $97 | — | — |
| Minivan up to 6 Hyundai Staria / H-1 or similar | $370 ≈ 3,480 somoni | $185 | $123 | $93 | $62 |
| 4x4 up to 4 Toyota Land Cruiser / Prado or Mitsubishi Pajero | $410 ≈ 3,850 somoni | $205 | $137 | $103 | — |
English-speaking driver +$15 (transfers) / +$20 a day. Prices updated 2026-10-20.
The road
Paved to Tarror (20 km), then a winding, unimproved rocky road past Shing. The steepest bit is the last climb to Hazorchashma, about 6.5 km past Marguzor. In some summers high water floods the track near Lake Nofin and you walk a short stretch — we check the state of the road the day before.
Worth stopping
- Mijgon, Soya and Hushyor — the first three lakes, close together.
- Nofin and Khurdak — the narrowest part of the valley.
- Marguzor — the biggest lake, with guesthouses and tea platforms.
- Hazorchashma (“thousand springs”) — the last lake, a short walk above the end of the road.
Good to know
- Season: May to October. In winter the valley is snowbound and villages are cut off for months.
- From Samarkand: bring your passport and the Tajik e-visa (or visa-free status). The Uzbek car drops you at the Jartepa crossing, you walk across, and our Tajik driver waits at Sarazm.
- Want a slower trip? Sleep at a guesthouse in Marguzor and book the return the next day at the same price.
Included
- Private car and driver, fuel, road fees and parking
- Meet & greet with a name sign at the airport, 60 min free waiting after landing
- Stops on the way where you ask (up to 1 h in total on transfers)
- Multi-day trips: the driver’s lodging, meals and return drive
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
- Transfers: pay the driver in cash (USD or somoni) — no prepayment
Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) day trip: questions
How much is a Seven Lakes day trip from Panjakent?
$90 sedan, $120 minivan, $130 4x4 per car, return the same day with the driver waiting.
Can I do the Seven Lakes from Samarkand in a day?
Yes: $160 sedan, $210 minivan, $230 4x4 per car, including the Uzbek car to the border and back, the Tajik car to the lakes and the waiting at the border. Leave Samarkand at 7:00 and plan to cross back before dark.
And from Dushanbe?
Too long for one day (about 300 km each way). We do it in 2 days with a night in Marguzor: $290 sedan, $370 minivan, $410 4x4 per car.
Is a sedan OK on the road?
Local drivers do it in sedans in dry weather, slowly. A 4x4 is more comfortable and safer after rain.