Independent travel in Central Asia - Recent Posts https://eurasia.travel/forum/ The Independent Travel Enthusiasts Forum is a vibrant online community dedicated to passionate explorers seeking freedom and authenticity in their journeys. It’s a hub for exchanging travel tips, uncovering budget-friendly deals on flights and accommodations, and connecting with like-minded companions. Whether you're planning your next adventure, looking for inspiration, or eager to share memorable experiences, the forum offers endless opportunities for meaningful discussions. Say goodbye to cookie-cutter package tours and hello to personalized, enriching travel experiences, guided by the advice and camaraderie of fellow adventurers. en-US Mon, 19 Oct 2026 04:07:17 +0000 wpForo 60 RE: How to get from Dushanbe to Penjikent and join a trip to the Seven Lakes? https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3585 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:13:29 +0000

By the way, there are also waterfalls near Varzob.

 Well, there’s one big one and a smaller one, Ojok (the second one). There’s also one near the fifth bridge, but you have to walk farther.

So yes, there are quite a few of them there.

 

]]> Maximka https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3585 RE: How to get from Dushanbe to Penjikent and join a trip to the Seven Lakes? https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3584 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:09:54 +0000 In that case, it would of course be easier to go from Samarkand to Tashkent through Tajikistan))))

And by the way, from Dushanbe I would still recommend going to Norak (Nurek) and the pomegranate orchard, as well as Hisor. One day is enough for both places, if you have the time, of course.

]]> Kulagar https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3584 RE: How to get from Dushanbe to Penjikent and join a trip to the Seven Lakes? https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3583 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:09:26 +0000 I booked my trip to Iskanderkul through Tripster. After Tajikistan, I’m going to Tashkent, so my route goes through Samarkand, and then I’ll travel around Uzbekistan, visiting all the cities and eventually making my way to Nukus.

]]> Tricker https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3583 RE: How to get from Dushanbe to Penjikent and join a trip to the Seven Lakes? https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3582 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:08:59 +0000 If you’re interested in excursions, then Penjikent is better. You have the Seven Lakes, Iskanderkul and the Alauddin Lakes there. Then again, the Varzob Gorge is closer to Dushanbe.

From Khujand, you can visit the Kairakkum Reservoir and the mountains (although there is also a lake in Shahristan). So it really depends on what interests you more.

By the way, there are also waterfalls near Varzob. Unfortunately, my excursion fell through. Otherwise, I would have gone hiking there. There are two of them — one is a longer route, the other is shorter. Roughly half a day and a full day.

]]> Kulagar https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3582 RE: How to get from Dushanbe to Penjikent and join a trip to the Seven Lakes? https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3581 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:08:14 +0000 Thank you very much, that’s more or less what I expected. I’ve booked a hostel where foreign tourists mostly stay, so I think I’ll be able to find some people to team up with.

I’ll try different options. I was also thinking about going to Khujand instead of Penjikent, especially since there are even flights from Dushanbe to Khujand, but in the end I decided to go to Penjikent.

]]> Tricker https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3581 RE: How to get from Dushanbe to Penjikent and join a trip to the Seven Lakes? https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3580 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:07:48 +0000 Shared taxis to Khujand and Penjikent leave from the Chorbog Station in Dushanbe. I think it’s around 150 somoni per person. If you stay at a local hotel in Penjikent, the hotels can help arrange a trip to the lakes (Artuch or the Seven Lakes). It’s also easy to find other foreign travellers at the hotel to share the trip with.

]]> VorVog https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3580 How to get from Dushanbe to Penjikent and join a trip to the Seven Lakes? https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3579 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:07:14 +0000 Hello everyone! 
In three weeks, I’ll be travelling independently from Dushanbe to Penjikent. Could you please advise me on how best to plan the trip to Penjikent? Is it possible to find a guide locally who could take me to the Seven Lakes? Ideally, of course, I’d like to join a group.

]]> Tricker https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-penjikent-and-join-a-trip-to-the-seven-lakes/#post-3579 RE: Getting from Dushanbe to Safed Dara and Iskanderkul https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/getting-from-dushanbe-to-safed-dara-and-iskanderkul/#post-3578 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:04:53 +0000 I’ve just returned from Iskanderkul Lake.

I don’t recommend taking a taxi directly from the airport to the lake, as they charge very high prices.

I took bus 3A from Dushanbe to the Chorbog Terminal (the final stop). All the taxis going towards Iskanderkul, Penjikent, etc. are there.

I travelled with other passengers for 100 somoni to Sarvoda, and from there the price varies. I paid 200 somoni, sharing the ride with other passengers, but you can probably get it for less if you find someone going in that direction.

On the way back, I did the same thing and got to Chorbog for 150 somoni.

]]> StranNickII https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/getting-from-dushanbe-to-safed-dara-and-iskanderkul/#post-3578 RE: How to get from Dushanbe to Tashkent on a Budget? https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-tashkent-on-a-budget/#post-3577 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:53:16 +0000 In principle, yes)), it depends on how you negotiate. There are seven-seater cars there, and they may take you for 200.

]]> Khurshid https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-tashkent-on-a-budget/#post-3577 RE: How to get from Dushanbe to Tashkent on a Budget? https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-tashkent-on-a-budget/#post-3576 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:52:52 +0000 Is there any way to get there for 200 somoni?

]]> Charles Mackenzie https://eurasia.travel/forum/transport-tajikistan/how-to-get-from-dushanbe-to-tashkent-on-a-budget/#post-3576