FAN MOUNTAINS
Fan Mountains is the attractive tourist area not only in the Zerafshan Valley, but in Tajikistan. The Fan Mountains are situated in the north-west of the country, between the Hissar and Zerafshan Ranges, west of the Anzob pass. Fan Mountains are often called “Land of lakes”, as there are 30 lakes of a variety of colours. Here one can see the mysterious legendary Iskander-Kul Lake – the Lake of Alexander the Great, amazingly colorful Alaudin lakes, and Lake Kulikalon located in a narrow hard-to-get valley Zindon (Jail), the wonderful Big Allo Lake.
Eleven peaks, each over 5,000 meters high protect the beauty of the area. The highest of them are Chimtarga (5489m), B.Ganza (5330m), Bodkhona (5300m), Chapdara (5050m), Zamok (5070m), and Mirali (5120m).
History
The scientific exploration of the Zerafshan Valley and Fan Mountains in particularly began with the “Turkestan” expedition conducted by Russian e
xplorers in 1968. A. Fedchenko, the famous explorer of the Pamirs visited the region on this expedition. The second expedition to the Fan Mountains was conducted two years later by the Russian general A. Abramov. The explorer started in Kuhistone Mastchoh, went along the river towards Varziminor (today Ayni), and lead along Dandaryo river towards Iskanderkul. 1964, the alpinist Paganuzi has opened the first tourist route. In the summer 1965, 12 tourist groups have visited the Fan Mountains. Since that, the region became known for the tourists.
xplorers in 1968. A. Fedchenko, the famous explorer of the Pamirs visited the region on this expedition. The second expedition to the Fan Mountains was conducted two years later by the Russian general A. Abramov. The explorer started in Kuhistone Mastchoh, went along the river towards Varziminor (today Ayni), and lead along Dandaryo river towards Iskanderkul. 1964, the alpinist Paganuzi has opened the first tourist route. In the summer 1965, 12 tourist groups have visited the Fan Mountains. Since that, the region became known for the tourists.Flora and Fauna
The flora of the Fan Mountains is exceptionally diverse. One can see forest, steppe, meadows and high mountains flora. The hillsides are covered with juniper forest, which makes the valleys of Arc, Sarimat and Karakul Rivers more beautiful. In the Valley 
one can see growing fruits (apples, apricots, cherry plums, among other), nuts (walnuts and almonds), and berries (currants, sea-buckthorn berries). Higher in the mountains there are plenty of the herbs (mint, thyme, and others)
one can see growing fruits (apples, apricots, cherry plums, among other), nuts (walnuts and almonds), and berries (currants, sea-buckthorn berries). Higher in the mountains there are plenty of the herbs (mint, thyme, and others)The rabbits, foxes, red marmots, wolves, black and brown bears, mountain goats, snow leopards, and other animals are to be found in the Fan Mountains. As for birds, mountain turkeys (snow cocks), stone partridges, griffons, and quails are inhabitants in this regions.
