Uzbekistan & Tajikistan Trekking Journey
14 Days / 13 Nights

Theme: Chimgan Peak Panoramas & Gulkam Waterfall Descent

Overnight: Chimgan Area Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast at Hotel, Picnic Lunch, Dinner at Hotel

Activity level: Moderate to Challenging (significant descent on rocky trails, 4–5 hours trekking)

08:00 | MEET GUIDE & MORNING BRIEFING

• Meet your mountain guide in your hotel lobby in the Chimgan area.
• Receive packed lunch from the hotel.
• Pack daypacks with trekking poles, extra water, and layers. You will be doing a significant descent.

08:00 – 08:45 | DRIVE & CABLE CAR TO SMALL CHIMGAN

• Short drive to the Chimgan cable car (chairlift) station.
• Take the cable car up to the Small Chimgan (Kichik Chimgan) area.
• Spectacular panoramic views of the Chatkal Range and Charvak Reservoir.
• Altitude: Start trekking at approximately 2,100–2,300 meters (6,900–7,500 ft).

09:00 – 12:30 | TREK: SMALL CHIMGAN → GULKAM CANYON RIM

• 3 to 3.5-hour traverse along high mountain trails.
• Begin with relatively flat or gently descending ridges from Small Chimgan with breathtaking views.
• Gradually descend towards the head of the Gulkam Canyon.
• Terrain: rocky paths, possible scree, uneven ground. Trekking poles are highly recommended.

12:30 – 13:30 | DESCENT INTO GULKAM CANYON → WATERFALL

• Begin the steeper, switchbacked descent into the Gulkam Canyon.
• Reach the famous Gulkam Waterfall area where water cascades into emerald pools.
• This section is the most physically demanding part of the day.

13:30 – 15:00 | EXPLORATION & PICNIC LUNCH AT THE WATERFALL

• Lunch break: enjoy your picnic lunch in a spectacular setting by the waterfall.
• Rest, photos, and (optional) dip your feet in the cold pools.

15:00 – 16:00 | FINAL DESCENT → GULKAM GORGE TRAILHEAD

• Final ~1-hour descent down the well-maintained trail to the standard Gulkam Gorge trailhead/parking area.
• Your driver meets you here with the vehicle.

16:00 – 16:30 | DRIVE BACK TO YOUR CHIMGAN HOTEL

• Short drive back to accommodation.
• Arrival approximately 16:30.

EVENING | HOTEL RELAXATION

• 17:00 Free time: rest and recover. A hotel spa or pool is perfect after the long descent.
• 20:00 Dinner.
• Overnight in Chimgan.

Title (given): Chimgan → Chukurak & Paltau Waterfalls

Theme (as written): Waterfalls

13:30 – 14:30 | PICNIC LUNCH

• Picnic lunch at a scenic spot along the trail.

PACE

• Leisurely but consistent, with regular breaks. The guide sets a sustainable pace for the group.

16:00 – 18:00 | ARRIVE AT LAKE, SET UP CAMP

• Reach the stunning jade-green lake. Time for awe and photos.
• Guides instruct and assist with pitching provided tents in a sustainable location.
• Organize your tent, change into warm layers, and relax.

18:00 – 20:00 | ALPINE EVENING & CAMPFIRE DINNER

• Free time: explore the lakeshore, take sunset photos, or enjoy the tranquility.
• Guides prepare a hot, hearty camp dinner (e.g., pasta, rice with vegetables/meat, tea).
• Enjoy dinner together, possibly around a campfire if conditions allow and regulations permit.

20:00+ | OVERNIGHT IN TENT AT NEFRIT LAKE

• Experience the high mountain silence and incredible starry sky.
• Temperature: nights are chilly; use the provided sleeping bag fully.

Suggested structure to paste in when ready:

• Morning: wake up, camp breakfast, pack daypacks.
• Day activity: (choose) short trek / acclimatization / lake exploration / rest.
• Meals: (define) lunch + dinner at camp.
• Overnight: tent at Nefrit Lake (or alternate camp).

Theme: High Mountain Pass Trek & Remote Village Transfer

Overnight: Guesthouse in Taka Yongoq Village

Meals included: Breakfast (Camp), Packed Lunch, Dinner (Guesthouse)

Activity level: Very High (long, challenging trek with significant elevation change)

06:30 | WAKE UP AT CAMP, PACK UP

• Wake up at Nefrit Lake campsite. Break camp, pack personal and group gear.
• Mornings are very cold; dress in warm layers.

07:00 – 08:00 | CAMP BREAKFAST

• Guides prepare a hot breakfast (porridge, tea, bread).
• Final hydration and preparation for a long day.

08:00 – 10:00 | TREK DESCENT TO URUNGACH PICKUP POINT

• 2-hour steady descent from Nefrit Lake (~2,100m) down to the Urungach area or designated vehicle-access point in the Pskem Valley.
• Rocky trail following the river downstream.
• Meet the pre-arranged 4x4 Niva vehicle.

10:00 – 11:00 | 4X4 TRANSFER TO BADAK LAKE TRAILHEAD

• Load gear into the Niva. Your main luggage should already be in this vehicle (pre-arranged by your tour operator).
• ~1-hour rugged 4x4 drive north toward the Badaksay Valley (rough pass/valley tracks).

11:00 – 13:30 | TREK TO BADAK KOL (BADAK LAKE)

• Start trek from where the 4x4 can go no further.
• 2.5-hour hike to Badak Kol (Badak Lake) with steady ascent.
• Pass the Amir Temur (Timur) Rock formation en route.
• Reach the stunning Badak Lake.

13:30 – 14:30 | PICNIC LUNCH AT BADAK LAKE

• Enjoy packed lunch with magnificent view.
• Short time for photos.

14:30 – 17:00 | CONTINUATION TREK → VEHICLE MEET POINT

• ~2.5-hour hike from/around the lake to the pre-arranged pickup point on the opposite/northern side of the Badaksay Valley.
• Crucial logistics: guide and driver must know the exact meeting spot (vehicle cannot access the lake directly).

17:00 – 18:00 | 4X4 DRIVE TO TAKA YONGOQ VILLAGE

• Same Niva meets at the designated point.
• ~1-hour drive to Taka Yongoq Village.

18:00 | ARRIVAL AT GUESTHOUSE

• Check-in, settle in. Basic but authentic accommodation.
• Time to wash up and rest.

19:30 | DINNER AT GUESTHOUSE

• Home-cooked dinner with the local family.

OVERNIGHT | TAKA YONGOQ GUESTHOUSE

Meals included: Breakfast (Guesthouse), Lunch & Dinner

Activity level: Minimal (Travel & Relaxation)

08:30 – 10:00 | LEISURELY BREAKFAST

• Enjoy a relaxed final breakfast with your host family.
• Say goodbye and experience the slow morning pace of mountain village life.

10:00 – 13:30 | SCENIC DRIVE BACK TO TASHKENT

• 3.5-hour drive from remote Pskem Valley to Tashkent.
• Descend from the mountains, passing Charvak Reservoir and Kamchik Pass route.
• Arrive around 13:30.

13:30 – 14:00 | HOTEL CHECK-IN IN TASHKENT

• Drop luggage, freshen up after the journey.

14:00 – 15:00 | LUNCH AT YOUR LEISURE

• Option: hotel restaurant for convenience.
• Option: nearby café or a recommended plov center (e.g., Central Asian Plov Center).

AFTERNOON & EVENING | FREE TIME & OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Primary goal: rest and recovery.
• Optional light Tashkent tour.
• Alternative: pure relaxation (pool/spa), nap, organize and clean trekking gear.

19:30 | DINNER

• Choose from Tashkent’s wide range of restaurants.

OVERNIGHT | TASHKENT

DAY 7: Arrival Dushanbe – Flight HY | City Tour – Hotel Isra

Flight: Uzbekistan Airways HY | Tashkent (TAS) → Dushanbe (DYU)

• Departure Tashkent: 08:00 (Local Time, UTC+5)
• Arrival Dushanbe: 09:00 (Local Time, UTC+5)
• Aircraft: Usually Airbus A320 or Boeing 757
• Check-in: Closes 1 hour before departure (07:00). Arrive at Tashkent Airport by 06:15 at the latest.

Arrival: At Dushanbe Airport (DYU). Meet driver, transfer to hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Isra or similar (3-star, central Dushanbe).

Optional City Tour (if arrival is in morning):

• Rudaki Avenue & National Museum of Tajikistan.
• Hissar Fortress (30-min drive, 18th-century ruins).
• Flagpole Park (world’s 2nd tallest flagpole).

Evening: Briefing with guide, dinner at local restaurant.

Meals: Dinner.

Overnight: Hotel Isra, Dushanbe.

This day is a journey from the capital into the high mountains, packed with scenic stops and culminating at one of Tajikistan’s most famous lakes.

The Drive: Anvarob Pass

• Route: leave Dushanbe on the A377 road north towards the Fann Mountains.
• Key feature: the climb over the Anvarob Pass (3,372m / 11,063 ft).
• Realistic timing: 2.5–3h is pure driving; with stops/activities total is often 5–6h.

Activities in detail:

• “Small Niagara” Waterfall (Fanskaya Niagara): easy walk from parking (approx. 20–30 minutes one way). Final approach can be rocky/wet.
• Snake Lake (Kuli Morg): 10–15 minute photo stop beside the road.
• Five Springs (Panchashma): sacred springs site; flat 5-minute walk; customary to drink a little water.

Destination: Iskandarkul Lake

• “Alexander’s Lake,” a massive turquoise-blue alpine lake at 2,195m (7,200 ft).
• First views often appear from above the road before descending to the shore.
• Time to admire the view and walk along the pebbly shore.

Accommodation: Cottage near the Lake

A blend of easy transition and immersive trekking, taking you deeper into the Fann Mountains’ culture and quieter landscapes.

Morning: the short transfer

• Drive: a very scenic 15-minute drive along the northern shore of Iskandarkul Lake.
• Arrival in Saritog: small traditional village in a valley.

The main activity: trekking to two valleys

• Concept: two shorter exploratory hikes into different valleys around Saritog.
• Possible valleys/views:
  • Valley towards Sarvatag Pass (panoramic views back over Iskandarkul).
  • Side valley towards Alaudin Lakes / Chapdara Massif (pastures, shepherd huts, rock walls).
• Level: Moderate, steady ascents/descents on mountain trails; relaxed exploration pace.
• Duration: Full day of hiking with a picnic lunch (packed by guesthouse).
• Scenery: wildflowers (in season), streams, high pastures, mountain vistas.

Accommodation: Guesthouse Donish

This day combines a significant but scenic mountain transfer with an iconic afternoon trek to a stunning alpine lake.

The Drive: into the heart of the Fanns

• Duration: 5-hour estimate is realistic (includes breaks and slower unpaved sections).
• Scenery: high passes, river valleys, and approaches to towering peaks near Artuch.

Destination & basecamp: Artuch Mountaineering Base

• Atmosphere: expedition feel; a communal hub for trekkers.
• Facilities: dormitory-style rooms (often 4–6 beds), shared bathrooms/showers, limited hot water.
• Electricity often available for a few set hours in the evening via generator.
• Main lodge with dining hall.

Afternoon activity: trek to Chukurak Lake

• Known for intense turquoise-to-emerald color caused by glacial silt.
• Start: directly from Artuch base.
• Stats: moderate hike, steady ascent on a good trail; typically 3–4 hours round trip.
• Altitude: base ~2,200m; lake ~2,800m (excellent acclimatization).
• Trail winds through juniper forest; reflections on calm days.

Overnight: Artuch Tour Base

A demanding but profoundly rewarding day of trekking to one of the most spectacular alpine lake systems in Central Asia.

The Trek: Artuch Base → Kulikalon Lakes & return

• Destination: Kulikalon basin (series of lakes of varying colors) beneath Chapdara & Bodkhona peaks.
• Type: out-and-back trail (same route up and down).
• Difficulty: moderate to challenging due to steady ascent and total duration.
• Key stats:
  • Starting altitude (Artuch): ~2,200m (7,218 ft)
  • Highest point (pass/viewpoint): ~2,800–2,900m (9,186–9,514 ft)
  • Total elevation gain: ~600–700m (1,969–2,297 ft)
  • Hiking time: 6–8 hours round trip, including photos, lunch, exploration

Detailed flow

• Morning ascent after breakfast; trail through juniper/rosehip shrubs.
• First view of lakes scattered below towering rock walls; descent into the basin.
• 1–2 hours exploration time + packed lunch.
• Return to Artuch; descent is faster but can be hard on knees (trekking poles recommended).

Overnight: Artuch Tour Base (again)

Transition, exploration, and immersion in a different kind of Tajik beauty—vibrant lakes set in a deep populated valley.

The drive: alpine base → pastoral valley

• Scenic ~3-hour drive south from Artuch base into the Shing Valley.
• Landscape shifts from rugged peaks to greener pastoral valley with villages and farms.

The lakes: Haft Kul

• Seven distinct lakes with unique colors, cascading down the valley.

Activity: Trek from Lake 6 to Lake 7

• Drop off near Mijgon (Lake 6) and follow a clear path upstream to Hazorchashma (Lake 7).
• 45 minutes to 1.5 hours one way; minimal elevation gain.
• Enjoy changing lake colors, river sound, and village views.

Accommodation: Guesthouse in the Seven Lakes Area

Part 1: Drive to border

• Final ~3-hour drive through Tajik countryside to the Jartepa border crossing (Samarkand/Khayrabad).
• Your Tajik driver/guide takes you to the Tajik exit control point.

Part 2: Border crossing (Jartepa) — on foot

• Tajik exit: passport control and customs.
• Uzbek entry: proceed to Uzbek entry control; present passport and Uzbekistan e-visa/visa (arranged in advance).
• Meet & greet: your pre-arranged Uzbek driver waits on the Uzbek side holding a sign with your name.

Part 3: Transfer to Samarkand & hotel check-in

Overnight: Hotel in Samarkand.

Activity: Meet your driver in the hotel lobby for the scheduled transfer to Samarkand International Airport (SKD).

The tour concludes: End of services. Safe travels!