Getting There and Around

The Fan Mountains are easily reachable via several main roads. From the capital city, Dushanbe, a scenic asphalt road takes you through the dramatic Anzob Pass (3,372 m) on the way to Lake Iskandarkul. An alternative paved route approaches from Panjakent, while a northern route from Khujand goes through Istravshan (formerly Uroteppa) and crosses the Shahriston Pass (3,351 m). Once in the region, both paved and unpaved roads offer access to remote valleys and trailheads, making it convenient to plan multi-day hiking, climbing, and lake-hopping adventures.

Landscape and Trekking

The Fan Mountains are a dream for outdoor enthusiasts. The area boasts dozens of alpine lakes with colors ranging from deep turquoise to glassy blue, framed by sharp ridgelines and glaciers. Hikers can traverse valleys and cross passes, exploring stunning locations at every turn. Each route offers solitude, raw nature, and dramatic altitude shifts.

Peaks popular among mountaineers include:

• Chimtarga (5,487 m) – the highest summit in the range, with multiple routes.
• Mirali (5,120 m) and Maria (4,970 m) – known for their vertical walls and remote surroundings.
• Chapdara (5,050 m) – overlooking the Alauddin Lakes, its north-west face lights up gold at sunset.
• Zamok (5,070 m) and Zindon (4,800 m) – challenging climbs surrounded by spectacular scenery.
• Adamtash (4,940 m) – notable for its stone-man-shaped silhouette and technical ascent.

Lake Iskandarkul

At 2,255 meters above sea level lies Lake Iskandarkul, one of the jewels of the region. Roughly 2.5 km long and 1 km wide, the lake was formed thousands of years ago by a massive landslide. The bluish-green water is icy cold and slightly opaque, discouraging most swimmers.

Three rivers feed into the lake — Serima from the north, Saritag from the west (carrying the most water), and Hazor-Mech from the south. Only the Iskandar-Darya flows out, cascading into a hidden waterfall that’s well worth a short hike off the main road.

Due to its mineral content, the lake supports almost no fish life — only small loach, akin to catfish, survive here.

Right next to the lake stands Mount Chulboi (3,358 m), also known as “Rain Gauge Mountain,” named after the weather station once installed on its grassy, panoramic summit. From the top, visitors can enjoy a stunning view of the lake and surrounding ranges.

The flora in the Iskandarkul area is varied despite its limited abundance — everything from wild apricot trees to alpine moss can be found here. Fauna includes foxes, rabbits, wolves, marmots, mountain goats, and even the elusive snow leopard (palang). Bird watchers can spot snowcocks, stone partridges, vultures, and quail.

The Legend of Alexander the Great

One of the most captivating legends surrounding the lake tells of Alexander the Great, who is believed to have reached the area during his campaign to India. After a grueling mountain crossing, his beloved horse fell ill from drinking the lake’s water. Alexander left the animal with a few guards and moved on. The horse recovered, but eventually threw itself into the lake, never to surface. Locals say that on full-moon nights, a white-maned horse emerges from the water, grazes in the meadows until dawn, and then vanishes into the depths again — a ghostly tribute to its fallen master.