To Panjakant and Giving up on 7 Lakes

It was a short distance riding today from Iskandarkul to Panjakant border town. This was the last segment of Tajikistan for me and initially this area was to be a relaxing and time burner area where I would set base in Panjakant town and do day-trips or multi-day trips into the national parks.

The Seven Lakes was one of the goals but road conditions were poor and my mental state was too week after being bashed over and over again through Tajikistan. My goal initially was just to try it and see how far I could go without stressing too much on the riding. 

Riding to Panjakant - Great Roads 

Riding to Panjakant - Great Views 

After the fall in Anzob tunnel and a limping recovery to Iskandarkul, I knew all the adventure riding plan had to stop for now.

I reached Salom Hostel in Panjakant fairly quickly by 12pm. Checked in after lunch in downtown and I collapsed into the bed sleeping till 5pm. I could tell then that my body was really exhausted and needed rest. 

Evening came and I went for a stroll to check out the central bazaar market of Panjakant. Lovely old historical bazaar which is still alive and kicking with locals going about their everyday live.

Downtown Panjakant - Clean and vibrant

Old Bazaar in Panjakant

I was there late of course so the bazaar was already closing so the main purpose of hunting down the little short guy with a big plastic bag of money to exchange Tajiki som to Uzbeki som did not happen. 

Sources from internet and talks from overlanders in hostel all confirmed that this was the place to get Uzbeki som. Money changers usually don’t have them for some reason and changing balance Tajiki som was also hard outside of Tajikistan. Central Asia still love the USD bills it seems.

Inside the Old Bazaar where life is simple

I headed back to the hostel where I met a few good people with talks of life and dreams. I spend half the time listening and the other half excusing myself to tinker with the bike. I was leaving the next day for Uzbekistan. Tajikistan had put me and Bragge through the wringer and I was ready to leave. 

Hence that evening in the hostel when everyone was socializing in the big outdoor garden patio, I striped Bragge to the bone and re-organized everything while tuning up all the gears and chain while checking a third time thoroughly for any damages from the Anzob Tunnel fall.

The next morning, I re-visited the bazaar, quickly found the man with the plastic bag to change all my Tajiki som to Uzbeki som and made a run for the border.

Traveled on: July 2024