Kuli Dushanbe

Kuli Dushanbe is a massive water-park complex on the old Varzob Lake, about twenty minutes north of central Dushanbe. It bills itself as the biggest aquapark in Central Asia, and wakeboarding is one of its paid extras — a two-tower cable reportedly set up in partnership with Estonia's WakeStation. Sessions run twenty minutes for around five dollars, making it one of the cheapest cable rides anywhere. The lake sits in a scenic valley with mountain views on every side. The complex is first and foremost a family water park with Polin slides, a wave pool, a flowrider-style surf machine, flyboard, and a small zoo. Gear is provided, and there are food courts, changing facilities, and shaded gazebos all over the grounds. It opens daily from late May through September. If you are passing through Tajikistan and want to get on the water, it is the only cable game in town.