Full Day Private Tour in Seven Lakes from Samarkand
Recommended by 94% of travellers
Badge of Excellence
Samarkand, Uzbekistan
- 8 to 10 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Tajikistan is known for its stunning natural scenery, but visiting the country’s gorges and lakes can be a challenge without your own transportation—especially traveling from Uzbekistan. Ideal for anyone seeking to get off the beaten track, this full-day private tour from Samarkand visits the Marguzor Lakes (or “Seven Lakes”), providing a glimpse of traditional rural Tajik life that most people miss.
- Travel to Tajikistan and back in a single day, with no overnight needed
- Ride comfortably between locations by air-conditioned vehicle after a hotel lobby pickup
- Visit Sarazm, an archeological site dating back to the 4th century BC, with entrance fees included
- Private tours ensure a personalized experience, adapted to your tastes and schedule
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- Entrance fee - Entrence fee to Sarazm archeological site
- Lunch
- Tajikistan visa (if required for your nationality).
- A double-entry visa for Uzbekistan, as you will re-enter the country after visiting Tajikistan.
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
1
Panjakent
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
2
Seven Lakes
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
3
Seven Lakes
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Proto-urban site of Sarazm
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travellers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveller Photos
Featured review
diegoga8
The Uzbekistan–Tajikistan border crossing was not too difficult, but it can be a bit confusing, so make sure you receive all your entry and exit stamps correctly. What really made the experience worthwhile was Afred, our amazing guide. He was not only a skilled driver but an even better guide: funny, engaging, and very knowledgeable throughout the journey. The lakes are absolutely stunning and the scenery along the way is impressive, with plenty of driving and beautiful views. The drive to the border takes about an hour, and our car unfortunately did not have seat belts, which seems quite common in Uzbekistan, though it doesn’t really make sense. Overall, highly recommended, try to request Afred if you can.
Reviews
4.8
based on 119 reviews
Shubham_S, May 2026
It was an amazing trip. The lakes are surreal and our guide, Diloshub, had amazing knowledge about Tajikistan and its history and geography. Would recommend 100%.
Noviana_I, May 2026
What a wonderful experience tour. Guide Dilo n all the driver very2 friendly n helpful. So beautiful lakes. Guide explain so clearly.
TomasZagoda, Apr 2026
The seven lakes are absolutely stunning, and our driver Rahim got us there safe and sound on some very narrow and winding roads. Our guide Dill was absolutely amazing and so much fun, telling us lots of facts about Tajikistan and sharing some delicious food with us. It’s a great day out and the tour was handled very well.
Myra_n, Apr 2026
The lakes are gorgeous so worth the trip. Border crossing into Tajikistan took 2 hours at 9:30. Border crossing back took 10 minutes. Because it took so long we did not get to see the UNESCO site in Panjakent as listed in the itinerary. Clearly we were not the first group to take 2 hours. Be honest about that in describing the tour. Guide got an A. Driver got an A+. Most of the trip was on unpaved roads and many portions hugged the mountain side on narrow roads. But driver was really good.
diegoga8, Apr 2026
The Uzbekistan–Tajikistan border crossing was not too difficult, but it can be a bit confusing, so make sure you receive all your entry and exit stamps correctly. What really made the experience worthwhile was Afred, our amazing guide. He was not only a skilled driver but an even better guide: funny, engaging, and very knowledgeable throughout the journey. The lakes are absolutely stunning and the scenery along the way is impressive, with plenty of driving and beautiful views. The drive to the border takes about an hour, and our car unfortunately did not have seat belts, which seems quite common in Uzbekistan, though it doesn’t really make sense. Overall, highly recommended, try to request Afred if you can.
Orsolya_K, Apr 2026
Diloshub was an amazing guide. She is very knowledgeable and helpful and our drivers were great as well.
Pantakan_S, Apr 2026
An absolute must-do if you are in Samarkand! The Seven Lakes are even more beautiful in person. The tour was well-organized, the vehicle was comfortable for the mountain roads, and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. The colors of the water change with every turn of the road. It was a long day but worth every second for the views and the experience of visiting Tajikistan.
Nantida_J, Apr 2026
Good communication about pick up & crossing boarder. Tajikistan is beautiful & has unique scenery. Highly recommended!
Jenny_S, Apr 2026
This tour was very well organized. We were picked up by our driver at our accommodation and he took us to the border. We then walked across with little waiting time. In Tajikistan, our guide met us right at the border. He was very knowledgeable about the region and the history of the country. We drove into the mountains and saw six lakes. We decided not to go to the seventh lake as it was already getting late and the weather was just incredible at the sixth lake, so we ended up picnicking there and spending quite a bit of time taking photos. When we returned to the border, our initial driver met us there again. He recommended a lovely winery and great restaurant on our way home. Great experience all around. Especially if you only have one day this is a great opportunity to visit another country and see some beautiful nature. Thanks so much!
john_b, Apr 2026
Great communication and guides were amazing. The lakes are beautiful and it was such low effort to be driven to them-in a good way! The border crossing was part of the experience. Highly recommend!!
Debra_H, Mar 2026
Perfect day, our driver picked us up as agreed. Photos at the border so that the Tajikistan driver would recognise us. Our driver spoke English very knowledgeable and attentive to our requests. Went in March so quiet roads, few other travellers. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Appreciate your review! Safe travels and see you again!
Christine_M, Mar 2026
Great day, beautiful lakes and fun to go into Tajikistan and learn about another country. Great and informed guide.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Really appreciate your kind words! Glad you had a great experience.
Hector_V, Mar 2026
Really a fantastic experience. Both driver and guide take care of us, show the best of Tayikistan in the slot time of the trip. Unexpected experience but 100% to repite
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thankyou for sharing your traveling experience
Brian_E, Jan 2026
If you want to visit Seven Lakes in Tajikistan from Samarkand, I highly recommend this day trip. The communication from Oriz was excellent especially when there was snow at Seven Lakes the day before my trip was originally scheduled. I was able to move back the trip by one day and Oriz then let me know that the road might only be open to lake 5. He offered a refund if I wanted to cancel, but I decided to go and was very happy that I did. I was picked up on time at my hotel by Shaxram and enjoyed riding with him to the border. He then showed me a photo of the car of my driver/guide Shamshidin in Tajikistan and also took a photo of me to send to him. The border crossing to Tajikistan had very few people in mid-January and went smoothly. Shamshidin was waiting for me and was an outstanding driver and guide who shared his knowledge about his country's history and current conditions. Although the road to Seven Lakes was snowy, after photo stops at lakes 1 thru 5, we made it all the way to lake 6 on what turned out to be a nice sunny January day with beautiful scenery. There were more people on my return border crossing to Uzbekistan so it took a little longer, but Shaxram was waiting for me and returned me to my hotel after taking me on a short side trip to see the Emerald City in Samarkand. It was a very memorable day.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback. Looking forward to seeing you next time!
George_H, Nov 2025
Everything worked out to Art satisfaction. We will use via tour again.. thank you for a special day and we really really really liked it
Babor_N, Oct 2025
It was a really nice trip. Our driver in uzbekistan and in Tajikistan were both very kind and made several stops for taking photo’s and also taking short breaks. Our driver in Tanikistan knew a lot of the history and told us a lot thing about the country. Very helpfull driver.
Jacqueline_O, Oct 2025
This was a great way to visit the Seven Lakes from Samarkand. We were picked up from our hotel in town and driven to the border. After we crossed the border, our guide picked us up on the other side and drove us to the lakes. The transition between our driver in Uzbekistan and the guide in Tajikistan was extremely smooth. We stopped at each lake and were able to take as many pictures as we wanted, we never felt a time pressure to leave any of the lakes. This tour was mostly driving, there weren’t good opportunities for walks or hikes but we got to see some great scenery. The transition back from Tajikistan to Uzbekistan was just as smooth and we were dropped off back at our hotel. Overall we really enjoyed this tour and would highly recommend using this operator if you’d like to see the Seven Lakes!
Ruth, Oct 2025
Worth the detour to spend day exploring all the 7 Lakes. Expect a rough ride over bumpy unpaved dusty roads. Our backs hurt overnight because of the super bumpy ride.
Overall tour was fine but would prefer for drivers on both Uzbek and Tajik side to be less speed-crazy on the road and also for cars to have working seatbelts in the passengers’ seats.
MARCOS_D, Oct 2025
Really enjoyed the tour. VIP experience where we needed to organize a thing! Tour guide was amazing!
Christopher_W, Sept 2025
Starting with the only “negative” - it’s advertised as a private tour, but there were others in our (small) group, so it’s definitely not a private tour. However, everything else about this trip was incredible. Pickup was smooth and on time, drive to the border was pleasant and our driver was very friendly and helpful. Once we crossed the border, our Tajik guide Parvina was there to greet us with a big smile. She was very friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating throughout the tour. She taught us a lot about Tajikistan and made sure we had an amazing day. The tour packs in a lot and is a great introduction to this beautiful country. The Seven Lakes were stunning and Panjakent is a beautiful city. Parvina is an amazing guide - 10/10. When we returned to Uzbekistan, our driver was very kindly dropped us off at a different location from pickup, as we requested - he was super friendly and kind. Thank you for an amazing day!
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Thank you very much for your kind and detailed review! 🌸
We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the tour, the stunning Seven Lakes, and your time with Parvina – she will be delighted to know you rated her 10/10.
Just to clarify, our tours are always offered as private trips. However, for solo travelers or those looking for a more budget-friendly option, we also have a shared group version available on weekends. Since you booked this option, two other travelers joined your group that day.
We’re glad everything else went smoothly and that you had such a wonderful experience. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you again in Tajikistan! 🙏
Ramon_M, Aug 2025
Great excursion. Beautiful place. Border crossing was straightforward but tedious. Drivers were polite. Driver on the Tajik side was very knowledgeable and bought us some tasty food. On the other hand, he was constantly calling and texting on his cellphone while driving, and he made three personal stops: pharmacy, ATM, and car wash (!). Hence the four stars instead of five. Anyway, I recommend the company and the excursion.
Roland_d, Aug 2025
The Seven lakes of Tajikistan are a genuinely special place. It is a stunningly beautiful area with some awe inspiring views. The people we met were lovely. Our guide was kind and gracious, answering our questions and explaining bits of history and culture as we went.
Michael_M, Jul 2025
Really enjoyed our tour of The Seven Lakes in the Fann Mountains of northwest Tajikistan. We were really well looked after by our tour guide and driver.
Davide_T, Jul 2025
A wonderful trip, perfectly organized.
Our guide Omar was knowledgeable and incredibly friendly, making the long journey to the destination truly enjoyable. The breathtaking scenery and unspoiled nature make the trip more than worth it. The lakes are stunning, and the Tajik villages you pass along the way add a special charm to the experience.
NayantaraMehra, May 2025
We had a wonderful day in beautiful Tajikistan. Although many of the roads weren’t fully paved, our driver did a great job with navigation and we were comfortable throughout. The lakes were beautiful, as were the mountains, meadows and streams we drove by. Locals too were friendly and open, and we passed a number of small villages full of smiling kids. Our guide was very nice, keeping us entertained with music, stories and her love of Bollywood. Would highly recommend this as an option when travelling to Samarkand. Unfortunately, due to a landslide, road access to the 7th lake was blocked, but we more than made up for this with a picnic lunch by a beautiful stream that we didn’t want to leave!
Nabil_A, Apr 2025
The Seven Lakes tour from Samarkand is an absolute must-do, showcasing Tajikistan's stunning natural beauty with its vibrant, jewel-toned lakes nestled amidst the Fann Mountains. The journey is long but rewarding, offering breathtaking scenery and a glimpse into remote village life. This unforgettable experience is well worth the trip for any adventurous traveler seeking awe-inspiring landscapes.
The tour was well coordinated between the guides in the 2 countries. Make sure you have a visa.
Response from Host, May 2025
“Thank you so much for your kind words!
And recommendations. We're truly glad you enjoyed your experience with us. It was a pleasure to have you on the tour
Hugo_L, Apr 2025
Oriz and his team were great. Our tour guide, Iva, was very knowledgeable and gave us good information about local customs, history and about the places we visited. His driver was excellent and made us feel safe even with the very challenging road conditions.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour with Iva and felt safe with our driver. It was a pleasure having you!
ARMANDO_R, Mar 2025
Interesting tour to the 7 lakes we did not get to see the 7th lake. The guide told us it was not reachable even we saw another group head in that direction. Also be warned no decent public toilets available on the tour. No food available during Ramadan month.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
We appreciate your feedback and are glad you enjoyed the tour to the Seven Lakes. Safety is our top priority, and due to rain in the mountains, reaching the seventh lake was not safe on the day of your visit. While some travelers may have attempted it, we always prioritize the well-being of our guests.
As we mentioned before the tour, the Seven Lakes region is remote, and food availability is limited, especially during Ramadan. We always recommend bringing snacks or a packed lunch to ensure a comfortable experience.
Regarding restroom facilities, we understand this can be a challenge in rural areas, and we appreciate your patience. We will continue to improve our tours and provide the best experience possible.
We hope to welcome you again on another adventure!
Saija_W, Nov 2024
The mountains were majestic, the guide excellent, and we felt very welcome in Tajikistan. So glad we did this tour.
The road to the final lake was a bit scary because of the steep drops, but the driver was very skilled, careful and confident, which helped us not worry. The final views of snow capped mountains mirrored in crystal clear lake were definitely worth it.
I can't praise the guide enough! Not only was he a lovely person to talk to, but he also bought us some local lunch.
At first, this tour seemed very complicated to me, as British citizens need visas and we would have to cross the border on our own. However, everything went very smoothly and I didn't need to worry.
The online visa application was simple to do, and our only complications at the border were occasionally queuing up when we didn't need to, but the locals were very patient and friendly, even helping us locate our driver on the other side.
Great experience, would highly recommend!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your review! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the beautiful nature of Tajikistan
We hope to welcome you back soon to Tajikistan!
Luca_R, Oct 2024
Highly recommended tour! If you like nature, the seven lakes is the perfect spot to visit. Perfect day trip from Samarknd and very well organised tour. Furthermore, our guide Shams provided us with a lot of insights and explanations along the way.
From US$95.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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