The Iskander Lake in the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan is a marvel to feast your nature loving eyes on, if you are not impressed by this then I am seriously shocked!
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About Iskanderkul
The lake is named after Alexander the Great – Iskander in Alexander in Persian and Kul is lake in Tajik, the language of Tajikistan. Iskanderkul is a mountain lake of glacial origin in Tajikistan’s Sughd Province. It lies at an altitude of 2,195 metres (7,201 ft) on the northern slopes of the Gissar Range in the Fann Mountains.
Exploring Iskanderkul
As we drove through the pass, we started to see the beginnings of the flowing river through the rocky mountains and the turquoise colour was out of this world. The tired bodies in the van started to surface from sleeping with mouths open at the view, it really was jaw-dropping.
Our chalets were on the waters’ edge of Iskander lake, it couldn’t have been any more perfect. Some brave souls decided a swim would be a fantastic idea before dinner, I was saving my swim in the lake for the morning but no harm in letting others test the temperature first. I thought there was going to be a few heart attacks right there, the water was minus temperatures. So happy we decided to spend the night by the lake chatting underneath the clear sky and the stars as something truly amazing happened, we saw the Milky Way… WOW!
Woke up early with a small audience on the beach awaiting myself and Amani as we had firmly agreed we would do the swim in the lake at 7am. I decided to swim for dear life as movement was the only way I would not freeze to death, turned round and my partner in crime had turned back…. hmmmmm! Before we left, we took an easy hike to the waterfall, Snake Lake, looking out at the president’s dacha on the other side of the lake, passing the village of Sarytag and the Kaznok valley.
>> Read about trekking in the Shirkent Valley and Yagnob
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>> Trip organised by Trekkup
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6 comments
Didnt know that this place is so beautiful , last I saw such water was in Titlis Switzerland , thanks for sharing such offbeat destination , hope to visit here someday 🙂
Wow Tajikistan is one of these countries that no one really knows anything about and yet you can find a lot of beautiful place, thanks for sharing !
Ohh great post, and best is to swim early at 7 am, so how’s the experience of swimming.
I have seen your incredible photos on instagram and hearing your travel experiences make me wanna strive harding and travel more. Iskanderkul is on my bucketlist now.
Another reason to visit Tajikistan! Wonderful experience u must had there, especially to rest next to such waters and relax and enjoy the natures all around 🙂 Superb!!
Lake Iskander and the surrounding area look exquisite! I, too, am always drawn to the water and we have gone with you a swim. If we ever get there, I am sure, I will go for a swim! What natural beauty!!