S&P Travel invites you to extend the magic of the Silk Road with an extension where history does not stop at the walls of Samarkand. It continues East, into Tajikistan, within a landscape of raw beauty. This tour is an intimate fusion between the mythical past of Sogdiana and the timeless majesty of the Fann Mountains.
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Your adventure begins with a leap into time. After crossing the Jarteppa border, S&P Travel guides you through the Zarafshon Valley to Panjakent, nicknamed the "Asian Pompeii." This ancient Sogdian city, flourishing in the 5th century and abandoned after the Arab conquests, opens the doors to a forgotten world. You explore the ruins of the citadel, the vestiges of two Zoroastrian temples dedicated to fire worship, and the old bazaar, a stage for millennia of trade. Following this historical immersion, you reach the natural sanctuary where you spend the night at a homestay, near the Seven Lakes, savouring rural tranquility.
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The second day is an ascent to the azure kingdom. After breakfast, we head towards Artuch, the threshold of the trek. The effort quickly finds its reward: you begin the ascent to the splendid Lake Kulikalon. Far from the crowds, you set up camp for the night (Alp Lager Artuch) and enjoy a picnic in the alpine freshness. The afternoon is a meditation in motion, a revitalizing walk around the neighboring mirrors of water, Govkush and Bibijannat, framed by rock and sky.
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The third day plunges you into the legend of the conquerors. Our route crosses the Zarafshan Valley to reach the magnificent Lake Iskanderkul. Its name is poetry in itself: Iskander, the Persian name for Alexander the Great, and kul, meaning lake in Turkic. Legend has it that the famous Macedonian king himself created this lake by damming the river to destroy a village that had opposed him. The region offers a breathtaking panorama, favored by hikers and climbers for its wild beauty.
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On the final morning, after breakfast, you conclude this epic with one last walk. You set out to discover the mysterious Serpent Lake and make your way through the tumultuous cataracts – a final natural challenge before returning to civilization. The echo of history and the whisper of the mountains will accompany you on your return to the Jarteppa border crossing. With S&P Travel, don't just visit history; live it, step by step.