All-inclusive Day tour to Seven Lakes from Samarkand

Day 1: Samarkand - Panjakent - Seven Lakes - Samarkand Meet our Uzbek driver at 08:00 am in your hotel lobby and drive to the Tajikistan border. Arrive at the border at 09:00 am. Cross the border on foot to the Tajikistan side. Meet our Tajik team at the Tajikistan side of the border around 09:30 am, and begin your tour toward Panjakent. Panjakent: An ancient welcome to Tajikistan! Panjakent was once the capital of the Sogdian Empire, a Zoroastrian civilization that predates Islam in the region. Places to visit around Panjakent: • Sarazm: Just a stone's throw from the border crossing are the UNESCO-listed ruins of Sarazm. Over 5,000 years old, they represent the remnants of the first agricultural society in Central Asia. Remarkably tall human skeletons, including one nicknamed the "Princess of Sarazm," have been discovered here along with various ornaments. Archeologists have also uncovered artifacts suggesting ancient trade routes extending as far as present-day Iran and Pakistan. • Panjakent Bazaar: The bazaar features a beautifully constructed central building surrounded by arched walkways made of bricks. It is a great spot for stocking up on hiking snacks such as nuts and dried fruit, or experiencing firsthand the warm Tajik hospitality. • Old Mosque and Madrassa of Olim Dodkhoh. After exploring the town, we will head off to Seven Lakes. Seven Lakes (Haft Kul): Tears of seven sisters The Haft Kul consists of seven tiny lakes located in northwestern Tajikistan. According to legend, these bodies of water formed from the tears shed by the daughters of a lost father. Scientifically speaking, they came about due to earthquakes.