After an initial greeting in Dushanbe’s international airport, you will be taken to your city hotel where you will spend the next two nights. Once you have checked in, you can recuperate over breakfast and have the rest of the day to yourself. Choose whether to explore the culture-rich city or rest in the comfort of this well-appointed hotel. Lunch and dinner are authentic-Tajik style, served at a local restaurant.

An early breakfast in the hotel is followed by a city tour, where you can visit the Buddha in Nirvana at the Museum of Antiquity. At over 39 feet high, it is the largest Buddha in Central Asia and is believed to be 1,600 years old. There is also a stop at the famous Gurminj Museum of Musical Instruments, the huge Somoni statue from where the currency got its name and 13th century Fort Hissar for a journey into Tajikistan’s local history. There will be a stop for lunch between visits and dinner can be enjoyed in a traditional Tajik restaurant before heading back to the hotel for a night’s rest.

In the morning, say goodbye to the hospitable hotel staff after breakfast and set off to Iskanderkul Lake, situated on the slopes of the Fann mountains, 7,201 feet above sea level. Upon arrival, you can check into your local hotel for the night and drop off your baggage. A walk from here will lead you to a magnificent waterfall, hidden within a rocky gorge, where the Iskandardaya falls from an impressive height of 78 feet. From here, visit the reed-covered Snake Lake and opt whether to swim in the crystal-clear and refreshing waters of Iskanderkul Lake. Tonight, you will enjoy a dinner in beautifully natural and tranquil surrounds which will lead you into a peaceful sleep.

A delectable breakfast meets you after your night’s rest and soon after you will set off to a cozy local’s house in the village of Saritag, where you will stay the night. This picturesque village is located in a subalpine meadow, elevated at 7,874 feet, and is home to local farmers and livestock herders. A walk through this scenic location, surrounded by snowcapped peaks, will take you to the meandering river Karakul, onto the fork pass of Dugdon and to the eery black waters of Karakul Lake. Take in the gorgeous views over a quick stop for a picnic. A welcomed dinner awaits you upon your return to the house and a night in comfort will leave you feeling refreshed for the following day.

Today, after breakfast, you will arrive at the mysterious Alaudin Lakes, located at an altitude of 9,022 feet. A walk through the lakes is guaranteed to bring you to your senses; an azure sky hangs over the dazzling turquoise waters of the lakes and fresh alpine air make for a rewarding trek. A picnic here gives you the opportunity to marvel at the beautiful surroundings, rarely visited by outsiders. After lunch, head down to the base of the mountain where tonight’s accommodation is located at a lofty 8,038 feet. Look back on the day’s surreal views over dinner and enjoy a quiet night’s rest.

Day six of the tour starts with breakfast before heading off to the Artuch base. Set in the heart of the Fann mountains, amidst majestic peaks, the town of Artuch is located 7,217 feet above sea level and boasts stunning views over alpine meadows as well as traditional Tajik architecture. Stop for lunch here where an authentic, home-cooked Tajik meal is served amidst these beautiful surrounds. After, take a walk up to Chukurak Lake at 8,038 feet and back. The lake’s pure waters are visited often by the locals who come to admire its pristine beauty. A relaxing night follows with a warming dinner and night’s stay in your accommodation at the base.

On the penultimate day of the tour, you will be collected by your own private transport to the famous seven lakes. Relax while taking in the admirable beauty and array of colors of the seven lakes, hidden from view by rocky mountains, until you are dropped off near the sixth lake. From here, take a hike to explore the seventh, elevated at 7,874 feet, and back. You will then be taken down into the quaint village of Padrud for a welcomed dinner and memorable night in a homestay.

This action-packed day starts off with breakfast in the ancient town of Penjikent, the old center of the Sogdian empire. It’s a remarkably preserved town where you will take a tour and visit the Rudaki Museum, which displays ancient artifacts from the town. The excavations of ancient Sogdiana are also an inspirational visit, where the ruins of old Penjikent can be seen, dating back an impressive 2,500 years. The bazaar of this region is a must-see event where local items and handicrafts can be bought. After lunch in the town, you will be taken to the city of Khujand where after checking into a city hotel, you can enjoy an evening to yourself.

The final day of today’s tour starts with a farewell breakfast at your hotel. You will then be taken to Oybek, on the Tajik-Uzbek border, and have the opportunity to take a tour of this city and uncover the many hidden charms that can be seen here. Take a look around the city’s museum followed by the bustling bazaar. After lunch in the city, leave the unforgettable country of Tajikistan and arrive in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to depart to your next exciting destination.