Heartland of Fann Mountains Trek - Tajikistan

Day 1: Arrive in Dushanbe

We shall begin our trekking the Pamir Mountains in Dushanbe, the colourful capital of Tajikistan. Check into the hotel. 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 - the ancient castle of Hisor (Gissar fortress).

Overnight in the hotel.

Day 2: Dushanbe - Artuch (2200m)

Duration: Drive: 2 hours | Trek: 4 hours

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart from Dushanbe. Drive via the Anzob Pass (3,373m), which crosses the Gissar Range from south to north. Continue our drive downhill from the pass along the rapid Fandarya River cutting the Zarafshan Range. Travelling further down the road we get to the small town of Ayni perched on the bank of the powerful Zarafshan River. After driving a little down the stream we turn to the south and make our way towards the mountain village of Artuch. A bit deeper into the mountains we shall find our destination point, stationary mountaineers’ base camp (BC) ‘Artuch’ (2200m). Wooden chalets and cottages of the base camp are set amidst a wide expanse of juniper woods. Artuch is a mini town with most basic necessities available. 

Day 3: Artuch - Kulikalon Lakes - Bibidjanat Lake Camp 1 (2700m)

Duration: 5 hours

Today we start the trekking portion of the trip. We load our luggage onto donkeys and take the well-trodden up Urjam River valley through mixed juniper and deciduous groves. We cross two scree dams that serve as a natural filter making water in the stream absolutely transparent.

In 2-3 hours the trail levels and we top the upper dam, on the other side, are the 14 lakes of Kulikalon framed by jagged ridges and summits over 4000m-5000m. Maria (4970m), Mirali (5120m), Rudaki (4900m), Adamtash (4700m) (the four peaks  together called “Kulikalon Wall”), Saryshah (4650m) and Aurondag (4573m) rise above the lakes.  The first lake is the biggest, and its colour is turquoise.

Keeping the lakes on our left, heading to our Camp 1 set on the shore of the Bibidjanat Lake (2,700m) where cosy tents are already set.

Day 4: Bibidjanat Lake - Alauddin Lake (2,900m)

Duration: 6 hours

The trail today is steep. We make our way out of the juniper forest and pastures, through alpine meadows to reach Alauddin Pass (3,860m). On the way up we see vultures and eagles hovering in the blue sky. We enjoy a bird-eye view of Dushaha Lake and the entire Kulikalon Lake system. From the stony pass, get impressive views eastwards to Chapdara River valley. Left to right, we see snow-&-ice-clad Chapdara Peak (5,050m), Bodhona Peak (5,138m) and Zamok Peak (5070m), a clear-cut pyramid of Kaznok Peak (4200m) and a “bowing head” of Adamtash Peak (4700m). Down in the valley bottom, we see a blue speck of Alauddin Lake varying in colour from lilac to deep turquoise and providing a stunning contrast against the backdrop of the Chimtarga wall. We picnic on the green grassy spot 200m below the saddle near a spring. A steep rocky descent brings us to our campsite on the glade near the river flowing out of the Alauddin Lake (2,900m). Easy afternoon walk around the lakes is followed by relaxation in tent and more than welcomed dinner.

Day 5: Alauddin Lake - Mutnoje Lakes (3490m)

Duration: 4 hours

We steadily climb up the Alauddin River valley today. During the day we enjoy views of Kaznok Peak (4200m), Zamok Peak (5070m), Cherny Peak (5010m), Paygambar Peak (4800m), Energiya Peak (5105m) and the dominant Chimtarga Peak (5487m). Severe 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 shores where we set up camp. Optional afternoon walk to Kaznok Pass (400m) for a breathtaking panoramic view (4hrs).

Day 6: Mutnoje Lakes - Chimtarga Pass Base (4454m)

Duration: 6 hours

The day is going to be, perhaps, most strenuous and challenging of the entire trek. First, we bypass the lake on the right and cross over a stream running down from Chimtarga glacier. We carry on along the glacier, which is notched in small channels carrying water and stones down to bigger streams and into the river. We ascend along the level easy surface of the glacier and then through a steeper moraine to reach our camping site, among big boulders. 

Zeravshanskiy Range and Gissarskiy Ranges converge here giving astounding panoramic views and feel of the whole Fann mountain highland in the rays of the setting sun.

Day 7: Chimtarga Pass Base - Chimtarga Pass (4780m) - Bolshoje Allo lake (3110m)

Duration: 7 hours

After breakfast, make our way to the Chimtarga pass itself and view the Fann mountains from the top. Reach the pass in an hour of walking along the simple scree trail. A fixed rope might be required 50m short of the pass on the snow depending on general weather conditions of the year. 

From 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 Fann mountains’ peaks: Bolshaya (Big) Ganza (5,308m), Malaya (Small) Ganza (4,956m), Energiya Peak (5,105m), Moskva Peak (5,046m) and others.  

Descend to the Chimtarga River valley and trek along the beautiful and wide valley of the river to make our way to 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). We camp on the shore of the lake. 

Day 8: Bolshoje Allo lake - Zimtut Village

Duration: Trek: 6 hours | Drive: 30min

Walk Downhill along the “imprisoned” Zindon River valley to the confluence with Amshut River. 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 strikingly unusual colour!

We introduce ourselves to the simple life of Tadjik shepherds, taste their traditional "airan" (kind of yoghurt), "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.

Day 9: Zimtut - Samarkand

Drive: 4 hours

After breakfast, drive to Samarkand and check in to the hotel. 

Day 10: Samarkand

Sightseeing program in Samarkand. Visit 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. 

Day 11: Samarkand - Bukhara

Drive: 5 hours

After breakfast, drive 5 hours to Bukhara and check into your hotel. After lunch sightseeing program in Bukhara: Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, domed shopping arcade. Visiting a showroom of Bukhara golden-embroidered factory and Karakul dressing (astrakhan fur) workshop. 

Day 12: Bukhara - Tashkent

Train: 3 hours

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.

Transfer by train to Tashkent. On arrival check-in and overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing in Tashkent: Khast-Imam Square, Barak-Khan Madrasah, Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum, Kukeldash Madrasah, the oldest bazaar of Tashkent “Chorsu”. After lunch visit Independence Square and Amir Temur Square. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 14: Departure

Early morning transfer to airport for departure. Trip Ends!