Expert opinion
Pluses
- Two ancient sites: Penjikent is a Sogdian city of the 5th–8th century and Sarazm is a UNESCO site with a 5,500-year-old settlement.
- Mountain lakes: The day continues with a drive up to the Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) in the Fann Mountains.
- No night away: You return to Samarkand the same evening, with transport, one lunch, tickets and a guide in your language included.
Minuses
- Border crossing: A valid passport (6+ months) and any required documents are your responsibility.
- A packed day: Penjikent, Sarazm, the museum, the lakes and the way back to Samarkand all fit into one day, and the programme gives no driving times.
- Extras paid separately: Only one lunch is included; photo and video fees at historical sites are paid separately.
AroundCA numbers
How we counted
By the AroundCA programme: we count only what is written in the day-by-day programme of this tour. If the programme gives no figure, we show nothing.
Best time
Mar–Nov
The Seven Lakes can be visited in spring, summer and autumn (March–November).
A typical day
You cross the border into Tajikistan from Samarkand, visit ancient Penjikent, the Sarazm archaeological site and the Rudaki Museum, then drive up to the Seven Lakes in the Fann Mountains for the scenery. One lunch is included, and you return to Samarkand in the evening.
What the price includes
What is included
- Comfortable transport
- One lunch
- Entrance tickets to the monuments
- Guide in your language for the excursion
Not included
- Photo and video fees at historical sites
- Personal expenses
- Anything not listed in the programme
Extra cost on site
- Photo and video fees at historical sites
- Personal expenses
Good for
- Travellers based in Samarkand who want to add a second country
- Lovers of mountain scenery and archaeology
- Groups — the per-person price drops with group size
Maybe not for you if
- Travellers without a passport valid for 6+ months or the documents needed for Tajikistan
Questions about this tour
What is included?
Everything that is and isn’t included, and what you pay on site, is in one list: What the price includes
What is not included?
Everything that is and isn’t included, and what you pay on site, is in one list: What the price includes
Where does the trip start and end?
It starts in Samarkand, crosses the border into Tajikistan and returns to Samarkand in the evening.
What documents do I need?
A passport valid for at least 6 more months and any documents required for Tajikistan; arranging them is the traveller's responsibility.
How does the price work?
The price per person depends on group size: $350 for one person, $255 each for two, $150 each for 15+1 and $115 each for 20+1; a child costs $45.
Didn’t find your answer? Ask about this tour →
Programme and details
Day-by-day route, prices and terms
Route extension · 1 day
Penjikent & Seven Lakes Day Trip
A one-day crossing into Tajikistan from Samarkand — ancient Penjikent, Sarazm and the Seven Lakes of the Fann Mountains.
from $115 per person (larger groups)
From Samarkand into Tajikistan
Guide in your language
Highlights
What’s inside
- Ancient Penjikent — a Sogdian city of the 5th–8th century
- Sarazm — a UNESCO archaeological site, a 5,500-year-old settlement
- The Rudaki Museum in Penjikent
- The Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) in the Fann Mountains
Programme
Day by day
Day 1 · Samarkand — Penjikent — Seven Lakes — Samarkand
Cross the border to Tajikistan, visit ancient Penjikent, Sarazm and the Rudaki Museum, then drive up to the Seven Lakes for the mountain scenery, and return to Samarkand in the evening.
Price
Price per person (by group size)
| 1 person | $350 |
| 2 people | $255 per person |
| 15 + 1 people | $150 per person |
| 20 + 1 people | $115 per person |
| Child | $45 |
A trip into Tajikistan: a valid passport (6+ months) and any required documents are the traveller’s responsibility. Prices may change with rates, new taxes or currency moves.
Booking
How to book
- Send a request via the form on this page, by email hello@aroundca.com or on WhatsApp. Reply within 24 hours.
- This is an add-on to a longer route — we help you fit it into your itinerary.
A day across the border — Sogdian ruins and the lakes of the Fann Mountains.
