Recommendations: Samarkand -> Panjakent -> Dushanbe!

[vijayanand180]

Hello,

Planning on doing a 3 day trip starting in Samarkand to Dushanbe. Some questions:

- For the journey from Samarkand to Panjakent, Im told that we can catch a taxi to Panjakent from the border. Is it as easy as that sounds?

- Day 1, Reach Panjakent and see 7 lakes (or a part of it), Is that enough time?
- Day 2, drive Panjakent - Dushanbe with a stop in Iskanderkuul/ Alaudin lakes.
- Day 3, any recommendations close to Dushanbe?

Any other recommendations? thanks!

[samak37]

" Im told that we can catch a taxi to Panjakent from the border. Is it as easy as that sounds?" Yes, about $1 in a shared taxi or $ 4-5 to hire the whole car.
Day 1 - possible, but a long day. Easier if you arrange transport to the lakes before you arrive in Panjakent. Day 2 - another long day. Unless you have to be in Dushanbe at the end of Day 2 I would spend longer in the Fann mountains and less time in Dushanbe.
Happy travels.

[thl989]

The share taxi to the lakes leaves in the afternoon, plus getting there in one day already involves a long day (from Samarkand, across the border, etc.). You can do it if you hire your own transport to the lake. Alternatively you can take the share taxi in the afternoon, spend the night at the lake, and the share taxi might leave at 6am or 7am in the morning, then you can find a ride to Dushanbe from Penjikent the third morning.

[FRT15]

Thl989, when leaving Panjakent what town or lake can you take the shared taxi to ? Do you know if this goes in the morning to or just afternoon? I like the idea of taking a short trip to the lakes. I wasn't planning on staying over but it does sound pretty neat. Thanks

[stansmug]

How did this trip end up, has anyone done similar?