Silk Road Adventure: Fann Mountains & Best of Uzbekistan

We shall begin our trekking the Pamir Mountains in Dushanbe, the colourful capital of Tajikistan.

For the first time the city of Dushanbe was mentioned in literary sources only in the early 18th century, although scientists discovered at the site a number of archaeological monuments belonging to the Greco-Bactrian period, as well as a few medieval settlements. Initially the city sprang up as a small settlement at a crossroads, where a large bazaar used to be organized on Mondays. Thence, the name of the city, ‘dushanbe’ translating as ‘Monday’ from Tajik.

This city, the largest one in Tajikistan, features squares that have retained the memory of numerous historic events, ancient fortresses that witnessed major historic battles and museums that can relate the stories of old civilisations. Dushanbe is the capital of a country, where Ismail Somoni, an outstanding ruler from the Samanid dynasty, after whom the monetary unit of Tajikistan, somoni, was named and the Pamirs’ highest peak, Ismail Somoni Peak (former Communism Peak), was renamed in 1998, founded his great empire. Present-day Dushanbe is a modern capital, a sunlit city with a highly developed infrastructure, which, probably, is the leader in the number of streets, avenues and squares named after poets and writers.

Your excursion to Dushanbe will include the Rudaki Park, which is the city’s central garden; botanical garden. We also visit one of the most famous tourist attractions of Tajikistan - ancient castle of Hisor (Gissar fortress).

Overnight in the hotel.

Nanny goat’s milk here is like a honey - fantastically tasty and, due to alpine-herb diet in the nanny goat’s menu, causes curing effect on organism.

This day will be the start of you trekking program about the Fann Mountains. Only wonderful emotions and amazing impressions are waiting for you ahead! The desperate donkeys-workers are far away already, loaded with your luggage.

Well-trodden trail takes us up Urjam River valley through mixed juniper and deciduous groves covering two giant scree dams steeply rising up the right-hand side of the tight gorge. The dams serve as natural filter making water in the stream absolutely transparent.

In 2-3 hours the track levels and we top the upper dam, on the other side of which is turquoise necklace of Kulikalon Lakes (numbering 14) framed in jagged ridges and summits over 4000m-5000m: Maria (4970m), Mirali (5120m), Rudaki (4900m), Adamtash (4700m) (the four peaks making so called “Kulikalon Wall”), Saryshah (4650m) and Aurondag (4573m). Below, just under your feet, there is a huge lake, and on the left side there are many others. However, the first one is the biggest, and its color is turquoise.

Then we resume going on the right-hand side of the valley making a shortcut on the trail running straight across the juniper forest keeping the lakes on our left, heading to our Camp 1 set on the shore of the Bibidjanat Lake (2,700m) where cozy tents are already set. Here you will have tasty dinner and a good rest.

First overnight in tents. Do not miss last moments of the sunset to view the top of Mirali Peak fantastically coloured in red and rose.

We steadily climb up not wide and rather short U-shaped Alaudding River valley. It is surprisingly calm out there. We hear no stone rumbling in the river as there is no river in sight: water is hidden under the three giant dams/steps (ancient moraines) stretching across the valley and obstructing the way. We only hear as wind is rustling and Ulars (Himalaian Snowcocks) waffling there up scree slope under the sheer high rocky valley sides. Towering peaks are looking over us. During the day we enjoy views of Kaznok Peak (4200m), Zamok Peak (5070m), Cherny Peak (5010m), Paygambar Peak (4800m), Energiya Peak (5105m) and dominant Chimtarga Peak (5487m). Sever arctic zone climate conditions, overhanging glaciers, gigantic steep moraines, ice-polished valley sides are the reality of this area. On the way one can see natural phenomena: a rarefied birch grove and a small "Piala Lake" named for its round-shape bottom.

Late lunch on the Mutnoje Lake shore. Camp 3 on the wide dam top of the lake amongst big boulders scattered everywhere.

Most ambitious travellers then may opt for a round walking trip up left-hand side moraine to Kaznok Pass (400m) for a breathtaking panoramic view (+400m; 3km; 4hrs) (or as far as they can reach) while others may prefer to have a walk around the lake or just relax. As sun sets the owners of down stuff (jackets, pants and sleeping bags), at last, can give it a check and appreciate warmth and comfortablility of the gear. As water in the lake is reach in suspended clay particles, it is recommended that travellers avoid drinking raw water (boiled water or tea only). Dimox is proved to be good against altitude sickness and guarantees a good sleep.

After breakfast you will get acquainted with the Chimtarga pass itself and have opportunity to enjoy the sight of the Fann mountains from its height. The 4,740 m-high Chimtarga Pass is reached within one hour of walking along the simple scree trail. The uppermost bit of 50-60m may, for security reasons, require fixed roping on the snow - depending on general weather conditions of the year. From the both sides of the pass there are Energia and Chimtagra Peaks, and on the opposite side - the peaks of the Mutnoye lakes circle: Pakhamber (4938m), Zamok (5020m), quite far away, on the south there seen the peaks of Hissar ridge and on the North - the peaks of Zeravshan ridge. From the top of the area’s highest pass we see magnificent Fan mountains’ peaks: Bolshaya (Big) Ganza (5,308m), Malaya (Small) Ganza (4,956m), Energiya Peak (5,105m), Moskva Peak (5,046m) and others. Undoubtedly, most of us feel these moments as a climax of the trek.

Then descend to the Chimtarga River valley.

Next we will have two hours trekking along the beautiful and wide valley of the river. And after it you will come up to the big beauty of the region - the Bolshoje Allo lake.

Bolshoje Allo Lake is a real wonder of Fann Mountains and surely one of the most beautiful alpine lakes of the region. You can even swim in this blue reservoir and enjoy the warm sun of Pamir. The lake owes its origin to the gigantic landslide happened in 1916. The path on the downstream side of the dam leads to the enclosed valley of Zindon river (literally meaning "prison" due to extremely tight and narrow gorge sides “imprisoning” water that disappears underground).

Camp 5 on the lake shore (3,110m).

Downhill along the “imprisoned” (underground) Zindon River valley to the confluence with Amshut River. Past bottleneck, we see interesting natural phenomenon: a water stream rushing out (as if it’s “freed”) from under the giant rocky dam to the surface.

On the way you will see Little Allo, a small emerald-turquoise lake situated in the Zindona Canyon at an elevation of 2,340m above sea level. It is filled with crystal clear water of a strikingly unusual colour!

We introduce ourselves to simple life of Tadjik shepherds, taste their traditional "airan" (kind of yogurt), "round bread" and aroma tea.

We shall go down into the Amshut River Valley, from where we shall be transferred to the village of Zimtut to stay for the night in a guest house.

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Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing program in Samarkand at 10:00 AM: the most impressive square in the entire Central Asia - the Registan Square (Ulugbek Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, Tilya-Kori Madrasah), Gur-e Amir mausoleum - necropolis of the Timurids.
After lunch continuation of sightseeing program in Samarkand: Bibi-Khanym mosque, architectural ensemble Shah-i-Zinda, Ulugbek observatory. Overnight at the hotel.

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Breakfast at the hotel.
Continuation of sightseeing program in Bukhara: Mausoleum of Samanids, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo-Khauz Complex, Ark Citadel, Po-i-Kalyan Complex, Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah, Ulugbek Madrasah.
After lunch out-of-town guided sightseeing tour (4 km from Bukhara): Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace, memorial complex of the Islamic saint Baha-ud-Din Naqshband. Return to Bukhara.
Overnight at the hotel.

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Breakfast at the hotel.
A group gathering in the hotel lobby at 09:00 AM.
Sightseeing program in Khiva (Ichan-Kala, historical inner city): Pakhlavan Mahmoud Complex, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Hajji Madrasah & Minaret, Tash Khauli Palace, Alakuli Khan Madrasah, Juma Mosque, Muhammadaminkhan Minaret & Madrasah.