Trekking to Labi-Jay Lake and the Seven Lakes of Tajikistan — Where the Mountains Whisper Ancient St

Tajikistan is a land built by mountains. Over 90% of its territory is made up of dramatic peaks, alpine valleys, glacial rivers and ancient trails. For hikers, nomads at heart, and culture lovers, it offers some of the most untouched and underrated trekking in the world. And one of the best places to feel this magic is the legendary region of the Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) — especially if you go further, all the way to the peaceful and secluded Labi-Jay Lake. ⸻ 📍 Where Is Labi-Jay? Labi-Jay is one of the uppermost lakes in the Haft Kul chain, located in the Zarafshan Valley of northern Tajikistan, not far from the Uzbek border and the historic town of Panjakent. While most visitors hike as far as the fifth or sixth lake, Labi-Jay lies deeper into the mountains, accessible only by foot — and that’s part of its charm. This is a place untouched by mass tourism, where you’ll likely have the trail and the lake all to yourself, surrounded by silence, snowy ridges and the soft sound of river stones shifting under cold mountain water. ⸻ 🥾 Trekking Details • Starting point: Shing village • Access: From Panjakent, take a shared taxi or private 4x4 to Shing (~1.5h) • Trek duration: • To Labi-Jay: 2 days (one way) • Round-trip: 3–4 days • Difficulty: • Moderate to challenging • No technical climbing, but steep ascents and long stretches • Trail conditions can be rocky and uneven • Elevation: Around 2,300–2,500 meters above sea level • Accommodation: • Homestays available in lower villages (Nofin, Marguzor) • Camping is ideal near Labi-Jay (bring your own gear) While the early lakes are reachable by rough road, Labi-Jay is only accessible by trekking, making it a perfect escape for those seeking quiet nature and raw landscapes. ⸻ 🧭 Suggested Itinerary Day 1: Drive from Panjakent to Shing, hike through the first four lakes, sleep in a guesthouse in Marguzor or Khurdak Day 2: Trek up toward Labi-Jay — steep but stunning. Camp by the lake or return to a lower lake Day 3: Hike down and drive back to Panjakent or continue exploring the Fann Mountains ⸻ 💡 What Makes Labi-Jay Special? While all of the Seven Lakes are beautiful, Labi-Jay stands out for its remoteness and purity. Surrounded by steep cliffs and wild nature, the lake reflects the sky like glass. Locals rarely hike this far, and few foreigners make the extra effort — which means you get the unfiltered mountain experience. The stillness, the silence, the sense of reaching “the end of the trail” — it all hits different here.