Fann Mountains
Fann Mountains
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5.0
17 reviews
Excellent
15
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2
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0
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0
Terrible
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GoranWembley
United Kingdom4,058 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
Fann Mountains in the west of Tajikistan are trekker's paradise. Very different to Pamirs and possibly more foot friendly. There are already well established (unmarked) trails and routes; those with camping equipment are in the best position to enjoy most of what mountains have to offer. Those without the equipment are limited to visits to Iskander Kul from Sarvoda on taxi; Seven (I think it was seven) Lakes south of Penjikent or making a trek or two out of Artuch. I had no time to do all three as my patience with Tajikistan's transportation was seriously running out. I would really love to be back and do two treks: 1. Artuch-Kulikalon Lakes-Alaudin Lakes-Iskander Kul and 2. Penjikent to the furthest you can go in the seven lakes region.
This is what I did in three days from Penjikent:
Day 1:
8am at the Penjikent bazaar for shared ride to Artush. Well, the morning marshrutka was cancelled and the next direct one was scheduled for sometimes around noon. I went for the first available one to Rudaki then a nice 5km trek to Artuch.
The LP says that homestay was available in Artuch, I had trouble finding anyone who speaks Russian. And once I found them they told me there are no official places to sleep in Artuch. Well, people were willing to take me in for nothing, "budesh nash gost", but I didn't want to be anyone's guest without paying for accommodation no matter how kind they seemed. So I had to trek further 7km to Artuch Alplager. Fine, had plenty of time and the villages and nature along the way were nice. And a chai stop as the villagers wouldn't take "spasiba balshoi" for an answer. They told me that I must have tea with them and only then I was allowed to say "thanks a lot".
Artuch Alplager has two types of accommodation: the main wooden building and lux/non lux chalets. The room in main building is USD10 for foreigners and 50 Somoni for locals. This "inostranets" price is most certainly made up as it wasn't displayed at the price list. Never mind. The overcharging almost certainly took place on food there too as the prices couldn't be agreed between members of staff. The beautiful woman with Turkic face features, kind of a boss there, loooves money, so obvious. Very keen to organise the transportation even though that every foreigner comes to Fan Mountains to walk and do many walks. The best thing about the Alplager was Ruksora, the cook, whose food and friendliness made my stay at that place enjoyable in the end.
Day 2:
The trek to Kulikalon Lakes took only two hours to complete. It was nice and the trail was super easy to find. The biggest lake is the most beautiful one so I spent 15 minutes admiring it from its shores.
You'd really need to walk around the area to appreciate the beauty of other lakes. Or head to the hills north of the lakes and try to find a good vantage point. I did this and saw maybe 8/12 lakes at one point. The surrounding mountains add to drama. Very beautiful. Back the same way to Alplager. All together some 5 hours including 1.5 hours spent at the lakes.
I did another trek what I thought it'd be a short trek to Kul Chukurak; the lake located right above the Alplager. Then I discovered that it was possible to make a circular trek to Kulikalon Lakes this way, so weed off! Met Dan and Ora from Israel and we all headed to Lake Zivrat some 5km up from Kol Chukurak. Warning: I wouldn't attempt to reach Kulikalon Lakes this way without a very good map! I think it was better I didn't know about this way earlier in the day; the path up to Zivrat Pass really can be difficult to guess without the map. The views, however, from the pass on a clear day must be spectacular.
I left my Israeli friends at Lake Zivrat to camp and went back. Shocked to see both of them at Alplager some 2 hrs later! Well, they found it not good for camping up there and went back to Alplager. I was hoping to see their pics of views from the pass, but this wasn't to be.
Day 3:
Woke up at 4am to catch transportation from Artuch to Penjikent. Walked to Artuch, no transportation and no surprise so I carried on towards Rudaki. I stopped the private car leaving from Artuch and secured the direct ride to Penjikent for 20 Somoni. There were plenty of transportation options from Rudaki for the usual 10 Somoni.
This is what I did in three days from Penjikent:
Day 1:
8am at the Penjikent bazaar for shared ride to Artush. Well, the morning marshrutka was cancelled and the next direct one was scheduled for sometimes around noon. I went for the first available one to Rudaki then a nice 5km trek to Artuch.
The LP says that homestay was available in Artuch, I had trouble finding anyone who speaks Russian. And once I found them they told me there are no official places to sleep in Artuch. Well, people were willing to take me in for nothing, "budesh nash gost", but I didn't want to be anyone's guest without paying for accommodation no matter how kind they seemed. So I had to trek further 7km to Artuch Alplager. Fine, had plenty of time and the villages and nature along the way were nice. And a chai stop as the villagers wouldn't take "spasiba balshoi" for an answer. They told me that I must have tea with them and only then I was allowed to say "thanks a lot".
Artuch Alplager has two types of accommodation: the main wooden building and lux/non lux chalets. The room in main building is USD10 for foreigners and 50 Somoni for locals. This "inostranets" price is most certainly made up as it wasn't displayed at the price list. Never mind. The overcharging almost certainly took place on food there too as the prices couldn't be agreed between members of staff. The beautiful woman with Turkic face features, kind of a boss there, loooves money, so obvious. Very keen to organise the transportation even though that every foreigner comes to Fan Mountains to walk and do many walks. The best thing about the Alplager was Ruksora, the cook, whose food and friendliness made my stay at that place enjoyable in the end.
Day 2:
The trek to Kulikalon Lakes took only two hours to complete. It was nice and the trail was super easy to find. The biggest lake is the most beautiful one so I spent 15 minutes admiring it from its shores.
You'd really need to walk around the area to appreciate the beauty of other lakes. Or head to the hills north of the lakes and try to find a good vantage point. I did this and saw maybe 8/12 lakes at one point. The surrounding mountains add to drama. Very beautiful. Back the same way to Alplager. All together some 5 hours including 1.5 hours spent at the lakes.
I did another trek what I thought it'd be a short trek to Kul Chukurak; the lake located right above the Alplager. Then I discovered that it was possible to make a circular trek to Kulikalon Lakes this way, so weed off! Met Dan and Ora from Israel and we all headed to Lake Zivrat some 5km up from Kol Chukurak. Warning: I wouldn't attempt to reach Kulikalon Lakes this way without a very good map! I think it was better I didn't know about this way earlier in the day; the path up to Zivrat Pass really can be difficult to guess without the map. The views, however, from the pass on a clear day must be spectacular.
I left my Israeli friends at Lake Zivrat to camp and went back. Shocked to see both of them at Alplager some 2 hrs later! Well, they found it not good for camping up there and went back to Alplager. I was hoping to see their pics of views from the pass, but this wasn't to be.
Day 3:
Woke up at 4am to catch transportation from Artuch to Penjikent. Walked to Artuch, no transportation and no surprise so I carried on towards Rudaki. I stopped the private car leaving from Artuch and secured the direct ride to Penjikent for 20 Somoni. There were plenty of transportation options from Rudaki for the usual 10 Somoni.
Written 3 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kalpak_Travel
Nussbaumen, Switzerland112 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
Few hours drive from Dushanbe absolutely stunning scenery awaits you in Fann mountains. Typical trekking tours go from one mountain lake to another one over some passes, always with great view on snow-capped mountains and going through different vegetation zones. Compared to Pamirs, the average elevation is lower which makes it easier to walk and less cold, and you can see more villages and farms on the way. In a trek of around 5, 6 days you can see a good part of the Fann mountains. If you are interested in history I would suggest to include the town Penjikent in a tour to the Fann mountains. Pamirs and Fann mountains are very distinct in regards to nature but also culture, as Pamiri people are different from Tajiks, so it's definitely worth to visit both Pamir and Fann mountains. :)
Written 23 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea A
Denver, CO6 contributions
Aug 2018
We spent 2 weeks traveling in Tajikistan in August 2018. Umed from Fann Mountain Travel picked us up at the airport and arranged the entire 2 weeks. First week was spent trekking in the Fann Mountains. Amazing scenery but even more amazing was the cultural experience with the guide, cook and 3 donkey quides as well at all the local villagers. We then went to the Pamir Mountains and had an amazing time there as well. Tajikistan is a country not to be missed. The people are the most hospital in the world. Umed thanks for the fabulous trip as well as David and Alfred. Highly recommend Fann Mountain Travel LTD.
Written 26 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kerry S
Roseville, MN23 contributions
May 2017 • Family
I lived in Dushanbe for many years and while there I passed thru the Fann Mountains many times. I have visited Iskanderkul Lake and little villages nestled along the main road from Dushanbe to Ayni and on to Panjakent and Khujand. These mountains get into your soul and heart. The people have always been fantastic, warm and helpful. It certainly would help you to learn some Russian or Tajik before you go but many people now speak English. I would visit any time in the summer from March onward to September. Although early March may be too soon to go into the mountains it is really the spring vernal equinox Nowruz Festival that should be experienced which occurs in late March. Buzkashi also happens in the early spring as well. There is so much culture to see in Tajikistan that it is a must see country.
Written 11 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ross C
Sydney479 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
We went trekking in these mountains with World Expeditions for 5 days. The scenery was stunning however the trek was hard going especially going over Alauddin Pass which is at 3680 metres. No problem for fit people. The Donkey men were great and invited us into one of their summer grazing huts as we passed which was high in the mountains . The people are so friendly and generous and others offered us fresh bread and yoghurt as we passed.
Written 8 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jarrodd1
Nairobi, Kenya99 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
We used ZTDA tourism (http://www.ztda-tourism.tj/en) for a 6 night/7 day trek. Our children are aged 7 and 9 and they loved it. The scenery was amazing and it was enjoyable to camp by a different lake each night. We hired an extra donkey for the kids to use when needed which was helpful on the longer days. The highest pass we crossed was 3850m and this did not present a problem for the children. We planned to stay two nights at the end of the trek at Artuch base camp but left after one as it was not as relaxing as we had expected (a lot of people and too much noise due to end of Ramadam celebrations).
There is a short window of opportunity to complete this trip due to the climate in the area. Plan on June, July or August.
I would definately recommend this trip.
There is a short window of opportunity to complete this trip due to the climate in the area. Plan on June, July or August.
I would definately recommend this trip.
Written 19 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scrat59
Bergamo, Italy138 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Make a round trek in this range and you will experience how steep are the mountains and how hard is to live in this country.
Written 14 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pwau98
Hong Kong, China111 contributions
June 2014 • Friends
We hired Mountain Adventure Travel to take 6 days to Fann Mountain in June 2014. We started from the Marguzor Lake and ended in Alaudin Lake. Specticular and awesome snow mountain and lakes all along the route. The weather is lovely with a little bit shower in the evening and at night. But it didn't do harm to our trek. We had encounter with local nomads. They were so friendly with hospitability and shared their sour yogurt with us, The kids are well educated and had shared our souvenrs with others. We trekked around 2000 - 3000 km something so high attitude sickness is only mild. Up and down for about 800 - 1000 km a day. Strongly recommended for trek and adventure lovers.
Written 23 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
minoo vahdat
6 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Such a pretty area, pretty crowded on a weekend but the weather was perfect in January. Tajikistan has the most beautiful mountain that you can found. You can spend an entire day just enjoy.
Written 25 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MegaSte
Giussano, Italy107 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
The Fan Mountains provide some of the most attractive scenery of Tajikistan. They are situated in the north west of the country, between the Hissar and Zerafshan Ranges, west of the Anzob Pass. The Fan Mountains are often known as the “Land of Lakes”, thirty of which can be seen here in a wide variety of colors. This includes the legendary Iskanderkul Lake, believed to have been created by Alexander the Great, the amazingly colorful Alauddin and Kuli Kalon Lakes and many more.The Fan Mountains contain eleven peaks over 5,000 meters in height, the tallest of which is the Chimtarga (5489m).
Here you can see lots of animals: rabbits, foxes, red marmots, wolves, black and brown bears, mountain goats, snow leopards, snow cocks, stone partridges, griffons, and quails.
Here you can see lots of animals: rabbits, foxes, red marmots, wolves, black and brown bears, mountain goats, snow leopards, snow cocks, stone partridges, griffons, and quails.
Written 12 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone could answer a couple of questions? Me and my 8 year old son Sid are heading to the fann mountains in April. We will mostly be walking around lower level areas like haft kul, iskanderkul, alludin and if time, a look around the yagnob valley. We do a bit of walking and camping and was wondering if you could camp in lower areas in April? Our sleeping bags have a -2 Deg rating. We will stay mostly in guesthouses but just wondering wether to bring the tent and sleeping bags. Also, is it easy to get transport independently around? I.e haft kul to sardova, sardova to iskanderkul or alludin, sardova to margib. I know yurts are more common with Kyrgyz and Kazakh nomads but are there any yurt stay opportunities in Tajikistan or any other unique accomodation experiences. Be great to hear any knowledge or tips, very excited about our trip.
Written 13 February 2019
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