We'll meet at Samarkand Airport. Once we get through the customs at the border between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, we'll head off across the Zeravshan River to the Artuch Alpine Camp. From there, we'll start our thrilling journey among the snow-covered peaks and crystal-clear lakes of the Fann Mountains.
In the morning, we'll start our scenic walk to the Kulikalon Lakes, passing through the juniper forest.
Along the way, we'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Kulikalon wall, which reaches over 4,000 meters high, and 14 mountain lakes with crystal-clear emerald water.
We'll set up a camp on the shore of the Bibidjanat lake, surrounded by green meadows.
After breakfast, we'll head to the Alaudin Pass at the height of 3,860 meters. Along the way, we'll see the breathtaking views of the Kulikalon mountains and Dushakha Lakes. On the way, we'll stop at the Alaudin Lakes, where we'll have some stunning views of those brightly colored lakes, as well as the magnificent peaks of the nearby mountains – Chapdara (5,049 m), Bodkhona (5,152 m), and Zamok (5,020 m).
We'll spend the night camping on the lakeshore.
Today, we're heading to Lake Mutnoye at the height of 3,430 meters. Our route will pass through stunning scenery, with towering 5,000-meter peaks, hanging glaciers, and steep cliffs. Along the way, we'll make a stop at the small but colorful Lake Piala.
On this day, we will hike between the peaks of Energiya (5,105 m) and Chimtarga (5,489 m) to reach the Chimtarga Pass (1B, 4,750 m). The trail will vary between steep slopes and flat sections. While the hike is not difficult, the high altitude may cause some symptoms of altitude sickness.
From the top of the pass we'll enjoy a breathtaking view of giant peaks – Chimtarga and Energiya will be on our left and right, while Zamok, Big Hansa, and Little Hansa will be in front of us.
We'll head down to the Right Zindon River, where we'll reach Lake Bolshoye Allo. This lake appeared after an earthquake when the earth split between two cliffs, forming an amazing natural wonder!
On this day we will travel to the Archimaydan River. On the way we will encounter a huge rubble. Like Lake Bolshoye Allo, it appeared after the 1912 earthquake. We will also see Lake Maloye Allo, famous for its bright green waters. Later we will meet local shepherds, explore their culture and traditions, and also try a traditional drink – homemade ayran.
After a busy day, we will go to Penjikent, where we will spend the night in a cozy hotel.
After crossing the border, we will visit Samarkand, one of the oldest cities in the world. It is a living museum of history and culture, where the unique atmosphere of medieval Asia can still be felt.
A lot of exciting things await us in Samarkand. We will see the famous Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, the Ulugbek observatory, Registan square, ancient cities, and sacred sites. We will also immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of the Samarkand bazaar.
The meeting of the group will take place at the airport of Samarkand (SKD) on the first day of the tour before 09:00. The guide will meet you at the exit from the airport. We will have your phone and flight numbers, so we can be in touch.
On the last day of the tour you’ll be transferred to Samarkand airport (transfer is included in the price). The time of transfer depends on the participants’ flight schedule.
During the trip you will be transferred by rented vehicles depending on the group size.
In Uzbekistan:
In Tajikistan:
Part of the route will go along the mountain unpaved roads. We recommend bringing pills for motion sickness.
Tent camps are equipped with a hangar-type dining tent and camp toilets.
Note: If you travel alone, we can book a single hotel room for you at an extra cost of $60. Ask the manager for the details.
Examples of accommodation in Samarkand and Penjikent:
Average temperature is +15...+25 °C in the daytime, and +5...+10 °С at night.
In the highlands the temperature drops by 5 °C every kilometer. When approaching the passes, strong wind may appear.
The second half of summer in the mountains is characterized by hot, dry weather. Although occasional storms, rain, and even snow are possible.
The national currency of Uzbekistan is soum. Dollars, euros and Russian rubles are accepted for exchange.
The national currency of Tajikistan is somoni. Dollars, euros and Russian rubles are accepted for exchange. Payments with bank cards may be difficult, so we recommend taking cash with you on your trip.
This tour doesn’t require any special skills, but the participants should be in good physical condition.
On the hiking part of the tour our equipment will be carried by animal transportation. The weight of the backpack should not exceed 8–10 kg.
Also, keep in mind that for most of the program, we will be staying overnight in tents, so be prepared for camping conditions.
Children are allowed to participate from the age of 14 and only if accompanied by their parents.
During the hiking stage of our journey, a professional chef will prepare breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, offering a variety of European and Asian dishes.
The price of the tour includes breakfasts in hotels.
Note: Since this is a group tour, the food is the same for all participants. Unfortunately, we cannot prepare an individual meal for you. If you have an intolerance or allergy to any of the products, please notify the manager in advance. We will pass this information on to the guide or accommodations. However, we kindly ask you to follow up on this matter during the trip. If you have strict dietary restrictions, we recommend bringing suitable food with you or buy it on the spot.
The Fann Mountains are a beautiful part of the Pamir-Alai region, and this trip is designed to help you appreciate its beauty. Along the way, you'll be accompanied by a skilled chef and porters who will help you enjoy the nature around you without getting distracted by the challenges of camp life. You won't need to carry heavy backpacks, and during rests, you'll have tasty meals cooked by a professional.
We're going to take a walk along a scenic route between two 5,000-meter peaks, Energiya and Chimtarga. We'll stop to admire the breathtaking views of Kulikalon and Alaudin Lakes. We'll spend the night at the lake shore, and then head down to the Archimaydan River, where locals will warmly welcome us with refreshing homemade ayran.
This route is perfect for tourists with little hiking experience. We'll walk about 7-10 km every day, reaching an altitude of 4,710 m.
We'll spend the last two nights in hotels in Penjikent and Samarkand to rest up before the trip ends. On the last day, we're going to get lost in the atmosphere of medieval Central Asia, explore the streets of Samarkand, see its most famous places, and visit the eastern market.
In 9 days we will:
If you're interested in a deeper dive into the traditions and culture of the East, you can check out the 14-day trip to Bukhara and Khiva.
And for those who are not yet ready for camping life, we have a comfortable trip around Tajikistan.