The Five Stans Adventure exploring Turkmenistan 🇹🇲 Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 Tajikistan 🇹🇯 Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 and Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
Make the epic drive across Shahriston Pass (with an elevation of 3378 m) to Iskanderkul Lake, named after Alexander the Great – this scenic spot is a popular weekend destination for many locals from Dushanbe. When you arrive, admire the local ‘Niagara’ and Zmeinnoe Lake before continuing to Sary Tag – a mountain village on the other end of the lake, in the heart of Fann mountains. This evening, you’ll have a little time to explore the village and discover the local way of life.
~ Intrepid Travel ~ Five Stans Day 13
Shahriston Pass
Shahriston Pass is a mountain road that is 55.63 km long with an altitude of 3,382 metres. I have to be honest ~ there were a few times when I looked out the window and all I could see was the white line (or no line) on the road and then the drop down the side of the cliff. This is not for the faint hearted or those afraid of heights. It’s beautiful but a little scary. Everyone passes and it doesn’t matter if something is coming or you’re on a turn. And the switchbacks! OMG. I usually say Sweet Baby Jesus but I’ve picked up a new saying. Someone said Jesus, Mary and Joseph and Jonathan from the UK added “and a wee donkey”. So my new saying is Sweet Baby Jesus and A Wee Donkey! Were there guard rails? I don’t recall.
Waterfall Hike
Iskanderkul Lake
Given its name for Alexander the Great, Iskanderkul is a mountain lake of glacial origin at an altitude of 2,195 metres on the northern slopes of the Gissar Range in the Fann Mountains. It has a surface area of 3.4 square kms and is up to 72 metres deep. Iskander is Persian for Alexander and Kul means Lake.
Zmeinnoe Lake
This lake is located right next to Iskanderkul Lake and is also called Snake Lake. It is home to a lot of amphibians, reptiles and snakes. I was constantly on the look out!
Sary Tag
Sary Tag is a village. It’s quiet with not a lot of people but it sure is beautiful. Folks say hi and children want their picture taken.
Homestay
We spent a great night here while in the village of Sary Tag.
Happy Travels!
The Five Stans
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Jackie is “Mom” to one amazing son, an IT professional and an obsessed traveller. She spends her time reading, golfing at Ladies League and implementing software projects. Jackie has travelled to 7 continents, 5 oceans and 103 countries and she is always planning the next destination and adventure!