
From
United StatesMy stay at Jumaboy Guesthouse was one of my all-time favorite travel experiences and I highly recommend it!! Mr. Jumaboy and his son, who speaks English, are extremely kind and gracious hosts and went out of their way to ensure I had a pleasant stay. Mr. Jumaboy personally picked me up in Panjakent in his RAV-4 and at the end of my stay drove me to the Uzbek border. The guesthouse, which has been operating for nearly 20 years, is well-run, clean, and comfortable, and in the perfect location for exploring the Fann Mountains and the 7 Lakes. The food, much of it grown in their own garden, was delicious. It was cold at night in March, but there are lots of blankets and a wood burning stove in each room. I really enjoyed my conversations with the owner's son, who is so kind. This was truly a memorable and incredibly unique way to experience local Tajik culture in a stunningly beautiful area.
A few logistical details that may be helpful to you: The guesthouse is a 2 hour drive from Panjakent, up a narrow dirt road that climbs steadily into the mountains. Shared transport is possible if you're flexible, or the guesthouse can arrange private transport. The guesthouse is located at Lake 4, near the village of Nofin. From there, you can hike up to Lake 7, which is a 22 km roundtrip walk gaining about 500 m of elevation, and it takes 6-8 hours. They will prepare a lunchbox to take with you. When I visited in mid-March, there was scattered snow on the upper portion of the trail, and Lake 7 was totally frozen, and Lake 6 partially frozen. The views were stunning, and the kids in the local villages very friendly. In summer, you can hike even higher/deeper into the mountains, including a 3-4 day trek to the village of Artuch. Jumaboy can help facilitate this, including with pack animals I believe. If you have the skills, there are also limitless possibilities for backcountry climbing and skiing in the Fanns.