Pick up from Samarkand hotel, drive to Boarder with Uzbek driver, meet your Tajik guide/driver at other side of boarder, drive to lowest lake – Nezhigon – is at an elevation of 1,640 metres. Its name comes from the Tajik word for eyelashes, although the reasoning behind this name is not clear. It is distinguished by its range of vibrant colours: depending on the lighting and season, the water can be turquoise, blue, or even purple.

Soya Lake is named after the Tajik word for “shadow” – as this lake is situated between high cliffs, it is in shade almost all day. Like Nezhigon, the water in Soya Lake changes colour depending on the weather and time of day.

The third lake, Gushor, is 400 metres from Soya and as you approach it you’ll see a turbulent stream connecting the two. All these names mean “watchful”. Gushor Lake is surrounded by steep cliffs and was once the home of poisonous snakes, which explains the origin of the lake’s name.

Nofin, the fourth of the seven lakes, is very elongated – it is more than 2.5 kilometres long but only about 200 metres wide. The lake’s name means “umbilical cord”, due to Nofin being the central one of seven lakes and very long, like an umbilical cord. Locals tell various legends and say that the lake has secrets., lunch break

Khurdak - this lake, the name of which means “baby”, is the smallest of the Seven Lakes. The distance from Nofin Lake to Khurdak Lake is 1.5 km, and along the way you can see the village of Padrut.

This is the largest and, to many people, the most beautiful of the Seven Lakes. The expanse of blue water and the majestic mountains in the background create a magnificent landscape. Petroglyphs of primitive people have been found on the shore of Marguzor and, in the Middle Ages, semiprecious stones were mined near the lake. Today, at the southern end of the lake is a small village whose houses are scattered on the surrounding slopes. Locals tell legends and fairytales about Lake Marguzor.

Hazorchashma - the seventh and highest of the Seven Lakes is located at around 2,400 metres above sea level. The name Hazorchashma (or Azorchashma) means “thousand springs” – the lake is fed by the waters of two rivers and many streams and springs. Hazorchashma is the last lake in the gorge of the Shing River. The road ends here and beyond this there are no further settlements and you find only the wildlife of the Fan Mountains.

Drive to boarder with Tajik guide/driver, pass Tajik boarder