Iskandarkul Sanctuary

Lake Iskanderkul lies at 2,195 metres on the northern slopes of the Gissar range within Tajikistan's Fann Mountains, part of the Sughd region. It formed when a landslide dammed the Saratogh river, creating a triangular basin of about 3.4 square kilometres that reaches depths of up to 72 metres; its striking turquoise colour comes from fine mineral sediment carried by glacial meltwater. The lake takes its name from Alexander the Great, 'Iskander' being the Central Asian rendering of his name and 'kul' meaning lake in Tajik. A short distance downstream, the water drops over a 38-metre cascade nicknamed the 'Fan Niagara.' The surrounding Iskanderkul nature reserve spans more than 300 square kilometres and shelters wildlife such as the Himalayan snowcock, bearded vulture, Central Asian lynx and ibex. Located about 134 kilometres from Dushanbe, the lake is one of Tajikistan's most visited natural sites.