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Trekking in the Fann Mountains

#Trekking #Fann Mountains #Lakes #Mountains
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Meeting point
Samarkand
End location
Samarkand

Duration

12 days

Length

80 km

Location

Panjakent

Recommended group composition

2-10 per

Difficulty level

Very easy - Suitable for individuals with minimal physical fitness or experience. Involves short, flat walks with little elevation gain or loss.

Easy - Requires basic physical fitness. Involves moderate walking on well-maintained trails with gentle inclines and declines.

Optimal - Suitable for individuals with average physical fitness. Involves moderate to challenging hiking, often with some elevation gain or loss.

Intense - Demands good physical fitness and endurance. Involves long hikes on rugged terrain with significant elevation changes.

Extreme - Suitable for experienced hikers and mountaineers. Involves technical climbing, glacier crossings, and exposure to high-altitude environments.

Super extreme - Reserved for highly skilled and experienced adventurers. Involves challenging mountaineering expeditions with significant risks and potential dangers.

Intensive

Recommended age

18+

The price is per person, prices change for group trips.

500 $

500 $ / pr

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Participants

Prepayment - 150 $

Tour in brief

From Artuch Alpine Camp, hike over Chukurak Pass to Kulikalon Lakes. Cross Alauddin Pass to Alauddin Lake and Muddy Lake, then conquer Chimtarga Pass before relaxing at Big Allo Lake. Optional visit to Upper Allo Lake, then explore Small Allo Lake before ending in Gaza.

Tour organizer and guide

Zarafshon Tour

Zarafshon Tour

The tourist company "Zarafshon Tour" organizes hiking tours, trekking in the mountains of Tajikistan (in particular, the Fann Mountains). Our slogan is: "We cannot live without mountains", so we put our soul into our business.


Tour program

Day 1. Arrival in Samarkand

Day 1. Arrival in Samarkand

The first day will be busy with transfers, so please arrive by 2:00 PM. If no flights arrive by then, consider arriving a day earlier. The Alpine Camp instructor will meet the group in the city center, where transportation will take us to the mountains. We will stop at the train station to purchase tickets for the train between Samarkand and Bukhara. After crossing the border between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, we will head to Artuch Alpine Camp at 2200 meters. We will arrive late in the evening, settle in, and leave non-essential items for the trek at the camp. Overnight in the camp's rooms.

What to visit
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Artuch Alpine Base

Day 2. Chukurak Pass and Kulikalon Lake

Day 2. Chukurak Pass and Kulikalon Lake

Our first hike will be engaging but manageable. We will first ascend to the Chukurak twin lakes situated above the alpine camp - the lowest of the three in the Chukurak Gorge. The water color changes mysteriously, shifting from green during the day to blue in the evening. We continue upwards to Chukurak Pass (3180 m) for a breathtaking view of the Kulikalon Lake system. We will descend to the stunning Bibidjanat Lake and set up camp by the lake.

What to visit
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Guesthouse

Day 3. Alauddin Pass

Day 3. Alauddin Pass

Today involves a long hike, so we start early, pack up camp, and begin the ascent to Alauddin Pass (3730 m). We follow a scenic valley towards the Dushakha Lakes at the foot of the Maria Mountains (known as the "Tears of Maria"). We will climb higher, enjoying views of the turquoise Alauddin Lake and the large Kulikalon Lake. We will descend to one of the most beautiful lakes in the Fan Mountains. We will camp near Alauddin Lake, where a tea house is located on the opposite shore. In the evening, you can visit it to try traditional local pilaf. Distance: 10 km; Elevation

What to visit
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Hotel

Day 4. Muddy Lake

Day 4. Muddy Lake

We continue our trek up the narrow gorge towards the base of Chimtarga, the highest peak in the Fan Mountains and the entire Pamiro-Alai system (5487 m), slightly lower than Elbrus. We will reach a small round lake, Piala, with incredibly clear and cold water (about 4 degrees), constantly rippling. Our goal for the day is Muddy Lake. Here, we part ways with the mule drivers, as we will carry all our backpacks ourselves. The hike will take no more than three to four hours, leaving the rest of the day for relaxation. We will swim in the green waters surrounded by the highest peaks of the Fans: Zamok, Fagitor, Chimtarga, Energia, and Adantash.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Hotel

Day 5. Approach to Chimtarga Pass

Day 5. Approach to Chimtarga Pass

Today involves a technically easy but long ascent. Chimtarga Pass, the highest point of our trek in the Fan Mountains, stands at 4750 m and is rated as category 1B. From Muddy Lake, we need to gain 1200 m, with the best time for the ascent being the morning. We will set up a bivouac in the pass’s cirque, where there are cleared spots for tents, and enjoy dinner with a magnificent view of Zamok Peak. We will go to sleep right after sunset as the next day will start early.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Guesthouse

Day 6. Ascent to Chimtarga Pass

Day 6. Ascent to Chimtarga Pass

We rise early and begin the ascent to the saddle between Chimtarga (5489 m) and Energia. From here, we will have a spectacular view of Chimtarga, towering above us like a crimson impregnable wall. We will then continue our trek down to Big Allo Lake, navigating trails covered in small stones, making movement challenging but manageable. After crossing a large stone field, we reach the valley intersection where the coveted lake is hidden.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Guesthouse

Day 7. Weather Contingency Day

Day 7. Weather Contingency Day

This is a reserve day in case of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances on the route. If everything is favorable, we can use this day for a day trip to the uniquely beautiful Upper Allo Lake (at 3150 m) or for rest after the challenging ascent. In 1912, a powerful earthquake shattered the southern slope of the Western Fan Range, causing the river to stop and creating a new "mountain eye"—Big Allo. This bean-shaped lake is filled with ice-cold, unusually rich blue water and is located in a basin surrounded by towering vertical walls. It is an excellent spot for a rest day. We will swim and enjoy the Fans' incredible beauty.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Hotel

Day 8. Small Allo Lake – Gaza

Day 8. Small Allo Lake – Gaza

We face the longest trek today. The trail leads us through a steep gorge to the tiny Small Allo Lake. In wet years, it appears in the Zindona Canyon at 2340 m. The water, having passed through a five-kilometer rock field, acquires crystal-clear purity and a unique green hue. We will take advantage of its coolness, rest a bit, and then continue. The lower we go, the warmer it gets. We will camp near the village of Gaza, marking the end of the active hiking portion.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Guesthouse

Day 9. Transfer to Samarkand

Day 9. Transfer to Samarkand

The trekking in the Fan Mountains transitions to its “historical” phase—ancient worlds await us. We leave Tajikistan and head to Samarkand early in the morning by car—one of Uzbekistan's most famous cities. We will check into a hostel and spend the evening exploring, dining at a restaurant, and resting before the excursions.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Guesthouse

Day 10. Samarkand

Day 10. Samarkand

We begin exploring the jewel of the Ancient East—a city with a history spanning over 2750 years. We will visit Registan, the true gem of Central Asia and one of the most beautiful squares in the world, located in the heart of old Samarkand. It is paved with cobblestones and brick. Here, we will see three magnificent and architecturally stunning medieval universities: Ulugh Beg Madrasah (built between 1417 and 1420), Sherdor Madrasah (built in the late 17th century), and Tillya-Kari Madrasah (started in 1646). We will also visit the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum—the Timurid dynasty’s tomb, a masterpiece of Central Asian architecture—and many other landmarks. We will spend the whole day in Samarkand, and in the evening, a night train will take us to the “Holy and Noble” Bukhara.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Guesthouse

Day 11. Bukhara

Day 11. Bukhara

In the morning, we will explore the great city of Bukhara, a center of ancient architecture and Islamic sanctuaries. In medieval times, Bukhara had over 350 mosques and 80 madrasahs, many of which are well-preserved. There are over 140 architectural monuments here. All roads in this sacred city lead to the central water basin—Lyabi-Hauz (Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble (16th-17th centuries)) in one of Bukhara’s main squares. Surrounding the large artificial pond are the Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah (1622) and the Kukeldash Madrasah (1568). We will head to Lyabi-Hauz and also explore the Poi-Kalyan Complex (built between the 12th and 16th centuries), which includes a mosque, minaret, and Miri-Arab Madrasah, as well as the Khodja-Gaukushan Complex and more. In the evening, we will return to Samarkand by train, where our trekking in the Fan Mountains will end.
Day 12: Farewell to the Fans Participants will bid farewell to each other and fly home. But the Fans and the beautiful cities of Central Asia will forever remain in your heart.
Visa Information: Citizens of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia do not need a visa to visit Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Excursions and leisure Walk , Photo Where we live Guesthouse

Map

Information

What's included:

  • Transportation: All necessary transport during the tour.
  • Meals: Three meals a day.
  • Accommodation: Stay in hotels, guesthouses, or hostels.
  • Mountain Guide: Professional guide for the trekking or climbing portions.
  • Interpreter Guide: Assistance with language translation and communication.

What's not included:

  • Travel Insurance: Insurance coverage is not included and should be arranged separately.
  • Entrance Fees: Tickets for museums and other attractions are not included.
  • Personal Expenses: Any personal spending or additional costs are not covered.

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