The seven lakes are connected by a river that flows from one into the next, like steps going down a staircase. Hikers walk along a path beside the river to visit each lake in turn. Local people use Tajik names for each one — names like Soya (Shadow), Gushor (Earring) and Marguzor (Pearl Place), which hint at how beautiful the valley is.
The lakes are surrounded by dramatic cliffs and gentle apricot orchards. In spring, when the snow melts and the orchards blossom pink and white, the valley smells wonderful. Small villages dot the lower part of the valley and local families have welcomed visitors for generations.
Because the mineral content changes from lake to lake, each one has a slightly different shade. Sunlight also makes a huge difference — the same lake can look sky-blue in the morning and deep emerald in the afternoon. Photographers come from all over the world to try to capture every colour.