Silk Road Adventure: Fann Mountains & Best of Uzbekistan
Trekking in the Fann Mountains in the Pamirs and excursions in Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva
| Tour destinations: | Tajikistan, Pamir-Alay mountains, Uzbekistan | View the route map »» |
| Duration: | 14 days / 13 nights; 12 days / 11 nights | |
| 14 days itinerary: | Dushanbe - mountain camp “Artuch” - Kulikalon Lakes - Alauddin Lakes - Mutnye Lakes - Chimtarga Pass - Bolshoje Allo Lake - Maloje Allo lake - Archimaidan river valley - Penjikent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Khiva- Urgench | |
| 12 days itinerary: | Dushanbe - mountain camp “Artuch” - Kulikalon Lakes - Alauddin Lakes - Mutnye Lakes - Chimtarga Pass - Bolshoje Allo Lake - Maloje Allo lake - Archimaidan river valley - Penjikent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Tashkent | |
This combined tour to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan joins two kinds of travelling: easy trekking in the Fann Mountains, one of the most beautiful regions of the Pamirs; and an excursion route through the world famous Great Silk Road cities – Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.
A group tour starts in the capital of Tajikistan – Dushanbe, and next few days we will enjoy the beauty of colorful lakes, high snowy peaks, fragrant juniper forests and green meadows, deep gorges and mountain rivers. The group is accompanied by a mountain guide and service staff.
During the second part of the tour we will explore ancient cities of Uzbekistan. Excursions in Samarkand and Bukhara will immerse you in the medieval architecture, noisy bazaars, delicious cuisine, sunny weather and warm hospitality of locals.
- ITINERARY,
SERVICES & COST - USEFUL INFORMATION
VISA, PERMITS
| Itinerary | ||
| Day 1. | Arrival in Dushanbe. Dushanbe (sightseeing). Meeting at the airport. Transfer and check-in at a hotel. Sightseeing in Dushanbe: National Museum of Tajikistan, including exploring the famous 12m long reclining Buddha in Nirvana – one of the most valuable exhibits of museum, which had been found in a former Buddhist monastery in southern Tajikistan; Oriental Bazaar, ancient Hissar Fortress, an open-air museum, it was a palace of Bukhara Emirate becks in 18th century. Meals: lunch, dinner. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 2. | Dushanbe – Ayni – Mountain camp “Artuch” (230 km). The way to the Fan Mountains lies through the Anzob Pass (3373 m) on the Hissar Range towards the Zeravshan River valley. Here our trekking in the Fan Mountains starts. This region is an incredibly beautiful corner abounding in alpine lakes and snow-capped peaks, situated at the junction of two major mountain ranges in the Pamir-Alai system – the Hissar and Zeravshan Ranges. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in the mountain camp “Artuch” (2200 m). |
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| Day 3. | Trekking: Mountain camp “Artuch”– Kulikalon Lakes (7 km, 5 h). Well-trodden trail takes us up to Kulikalon Lakes along the scree slope of the western part of the Kulikalon basin. We steadily climb up and enjoy a view to three peaks – Adamtash (4579 m), Mirali (5106 m) and Maria (4790 m) which making the famous Kulikalon Rock Wall. At the foot of the wall there are turquoise necklace of amazing Kulikalon Lakes. Our camp is located on a green meadow, on the shore of one of the lakes, Bibidjanat Lake. Travel time: 5 hours; altitude difference: + 642 m. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in tents (2842 m). |
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| Day 4. | Trekking: Kulikalon Lakes – Alaudin Pass– Alaudin Lakes (7 km, 6 h). While ascending to the Alaudin Pass (3757 m) we enjoy a bird-eye view of Kulikalon Wall, Dushaha Lake and the entire Kulikalon Lake system at its foot. From the pass there's a grand view of amazing Alaudin Lakes, as well as the snow-&-ice-clad 5000+m peaks of the Fan Mountains: Chapdara Peak (5049 m), Bodkhona Peak (5152 m) and Zamok Peak (5020 m). Travel time: 6 hours; altitude difference: +915 m; – 971 m. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in tents (2786 m). |
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| Day 5. | Trekking: Alaudin Lakes – Mutnye Lakes (5 km, 4 h). Today our point of destination is Mutnye Lakes; they got their name because of the deep gray color of the water. The trail passes by the small lake Piala named for its round-shape bottom, and then takes us to the Mutnye Lakes located in the very heart of the Fan Mountains and surrounded by the most beautiful 5000+m peaks: Chimtarga (5489 m), Energiya (5120 m), Mirali (5106 m), Zamok (5020 m), Bodkhona (5152 m). They are especially beautiful at sunset, when surrounding peaks are reflected in the water as in a mirror. Travel time: 4 hours; altitude difference: +700 m. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in tents (3490 m). |
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| Day 6. | Trekking: Mutnye Lakes – the Cirque of Chimtarga Pass (4 km, 6 h). The ascent to the cirque of Chimtarga pass is not difficult technically, but the altitude difference between Mutnye Lakes and the place of our next tent camp is more than 1000 m. Efforts will be rewarded with beautiful views of the dominant peaks – Chimtarga (5489 m) and Energiya (5105 m). Our camp is located at a height of 4500 m, which is the highest point of overnight stay of the entire route. The weather is quite cold there, and warm clothes will be required. Travel time: 6 hours; altitude difference: +1010 m. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in tents (4500 m). |
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| Day 7. | Trekking: Chimtarga Pass – Bolshoje Allo Lake (12 km, 8 h). Today we will ascent to the highest point of the entire route - the Chimtarga pass (4780 m). Stunning views open from the pass: from the both sides there are Energiya Peak and Chimtagra Peak, and on the opposite side - the peaks of the Mutnye Lakes circle: Zamok (5020 m), Bolshaja (Big) Ganza (5306 m), Malaja (Small) Ganza (4946 m), Krasnye Zori Peak (4746 m) and others. Quite far away, on the south there seen the peaks of Hissar Range and on the North - the peaks of Zeravshan Range. Undoubtedly, we feel these moments as a climax of the trek. From the pass we descend to the Zindon Praviy (Right) River valley and get to the Bolshoje (Big) Allo Lake. Lake Bolshoje Allo was formed as a result of an earthquake in 1912, in a hollow between huge vertical rock walls. Travel time: 8 hours; altitude difference: +280 m; –1670 m. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in tents (3110 m). |
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| Day 8. | Trekking: Bolshoje Allo Lake – Archimaidan River (10 km, 6 h). Transfer to Penjikent (70 km; 1,5 h). Descent along the Zindon River valley to the Archimaidan River valley. We overcome a giant blockage that collapsed in the earthquake of 1912 and formed Bolshoje (Big) Allo Lake. We overcome a giant blockage that collapsed in the earthquake of 1912 and formed Lake Bolshoje Allo. Then we will see the emerald-turquoise Maloje (Small) Allo Lake, located at an altitude of 2340 m. Visiting the shepherds' dwellings and tasting ayran – a healthy and refreshing fermented milk homemade beverage. After descending to the Archimaidan River valley - transfer to Penjikent and check-in at the hotel. Travel time: 6 hours; altitude difference: –1146 m. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 9. | Penjikent – “Jartepa” land border – Samarkand (60 km, 2 h). Samarkand (sightseeing). Transfer to “Jartepa” Tajik-Uzbek land border and formalities; further transfer to Samarkand. Samarkand is probably the best-known Uzbekistan’s historic city. Over 2,750 years of age, it has a rich history and boasts world-famous masterpieces of medieval Islamic architecture, most of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Accommodation at the hotel. After lunch – sightseeing in Samarkand: the most impressive square in the entire Central Asia – the Registan Square (Madrasah of Ulugbek, Sher-Dor Madrasah, Tilya-Kori Madrasah); Gur-e Amir Mausoleum – necropolis of the Timurids; the famous Siab bazaar. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 10. | Samarkand (sightseeing). Transfer to Bukhara (280 km; 4,5 h). Continuation of sightseeing in Samarkand: Bibi-Khanym Mosque; architectural ensemble Shah-i-Zinda; Ulugbek Observatory. Transfer to Bukhara. Check-in at the hotel. Bukhara is one of the world’s oldest cities and one of the seven holy cities of Islam. It is over 2,500 years old, and seems to be emanating the breath of history. The city was a large political and religious center in the Middle Ages with over 350 mosques and 80 madrasahs (Islamic colleges), many of which survive. The historic center of Bukhara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 11. | Bukhara (sightseeing). Sightseeing in Bukhara: Mausoleum of Samanids, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo-Khauz Complex, Ark Citadel, Po-i-Kalyan Complex, Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah, Ulugbek Madrasah. After lunch – continuation of sightseeing in Bukhara: Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, domed shopping arcade. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. ► Option with departure from Tashkent (12-day route): Bukhara – Tashkent (580 km, 4 h). Transfer to Tashkent by train “Afrosiab”. Meeting at the railway station, check in at the hotel. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel in Tashkent. |
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| Day 12. | Transfer to Khiva (440 km, 7–8 h). Transfer to Khiva through the famous Kyzylkum desert along the Amu Darya River. Check-in at the hotel. Walking around the historical district – Itchan Kala (XVIII century) which is the walled inner town of the old Khiva oasis and State Museum-Reserve protected as a World Heritage Site. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. ► Option with departure from Tashkent (12-day route): Tashkent (departure) Transfer to the airport. The end of the tour program. Departure from Tashkent. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 13. | Khiva (sightseeing). Sightseeing in Khiva (Itchan-Kala): Pakhlavan Makhmoud Complex, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Hajji Madrasah & Minaret. After lunch – continuation of the sightseeing: Tash Khauli Palace, Alakuli Khan Madrasah, Juma Mosque, Mukhammad Aminkhan Minaret & Madrasah. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 14. | Khiva – Urgench. Departure. Transfer to the airport of Urgench city. The end of the tour program. Departure from Urgench. Meals: breakfast. |
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The cost of the tour includes:
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The cost of the tour doesn’t include:
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Additional Services:
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Hotels.
We offer accommodation in small cozy hotels often decorated in a national style. This type of accommodation is completely unique: it combines modern comfort in every detail and a unique culture of hospitality in a chamber atmosphere with almost home cosiness.
| Location | Accommodation |
| Dushanbe | Аtlas 3* / Shumon 3* or similar |
| Penjikent | Umariyon or similar |
| Samarkand | Arba 3* / Jahon Palace 3*or similar |
| Bukhara | Kabir Hotel 3* / Kavsar Hotel 3* or similar |
| Khiva | Arkanchi 3* / Shokh Jahon 3* or similar |
Transport.
During the tour the following types of transport will be used (depending on the number of people in a group):
| Group | Type of transport |
| Group 1-2 pax. | "Chevrolet Lacetti" |
| Group 3-6 pax. | "Hyundai Grand Starex" |
| Group 7-9 pax. | "Toyota Hiace" / "King Long" |
| Group 10-15 pax. | Mitsubishi Rosa / "Eurise" |
| Group 16-45 pax. | "Golden Dragon" |
Visa, permits
No visa is required to enter Tajikistan and Uzbekistan for nationals of Russia and some of the CIS countries, however, foreign nationals are required to have a valid foreign passport.
Citizens of the most European and far abroad countries need visas to enter Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The details on Uzbek and Tajik visa, rules of entry and stay on the territory of these countries you can find here.
To enter the territory of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan the foreign national must have a foreign passport valid for not less than 6 months following the termination date of the tour.
It is also important that before their trip foreign nationals arrange travel medical insurance with coverage of up to $10,000-15,000.
Please note that in order to formalize necessary papers (registration in a local foreign visits registration police department transliterated from Russian as OVVIG; also called OVIR) you should provide us with photocopy of your passport not later than 30 days prior to your arrival.
In case you can’t find the answer to your question on our site, please call our tour operators team for assistance.
E-mail: adventure@centralasia-travel.com
Photo of the tour:
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Our video gallery:
 Trekking to Lake Sary Chelek |
 Riding motorbikesthrough Kyrgyzstan |
 In an off-road vehicle across Kyrgyzstan |
 RideThePlanet:Kyrgyzstan Whitewater |
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