Trekking in Tajikistan through the Fann Mountains
The Fann Mountains in northwestern Tajikistan attract visitors with their picturesque landscapes. Part of the Pamir-Alay range, the area is rich in numerous high-altitude, deeply carved green valleys and sharp ridges of four- and five-thousand-meter peaks. The diverse mountain landscape features willows and poplars in inhabited valleys, juniper clusters, meadows, pastures, and scree higher up, with rocky slopes and glaciers in the highest sections.
During the trek, we'll meet local people - Tajik shepherds grazing their herds on mountain slopes and living in summer camps, residents of lower valley villages, and hosts who will welcome us into their homes.
The route will be adapted to elevation gains and terrain topography - we'll ascend numerous passes offering spectacular views. We'll camp in deep valleys. The route is arranged so that after several nights in tents, we'll stay in guesthouses. One day offers optional trekking - possibility for additional excursion or rest.
Falconry - Why you won't find it in our programs? Nomadic traditions, including falconry, are beautiful as long as they're authentic, practiced daily, serve local communities, and demonstrate respect for animals. When they become tourist attractions, they lose value and often lead to animal suffering. Meeting a real falconer is rare. We don't say no - if we can confirm meeting such a person during the tour, we'll gladly arrange it! But we won't take you to staged shows of questionable reputation.
DETAILED ITINERARY:
DAY 1 The day is booked for a flight to Central Asia.
DAY 2 Meeting in Central Asia (Dushanbe, Samarkand, or Tashkent airport). Transfer to Panjakent city along the Zeravshan River. Lunch in a chaikhana and local bazaar visit. Drive to Fann Mountains, to Haft-Kul, the land of seven lakes. Overnight in Padrud village.
Accommodation: guesthouse
DAY 3 Begin trekking through Fann Mountains! With help from donkeys carrying our baggage, passing the sixth of seven lakes in the valley, we ascend Tovasang Pass at 3,307m. Descent to riverside campsite, pitch tents, rest.
Distance and elevation: 16km, +1,400m/-880m
Highest point: 3,307m
Accommodation: tent
DAYS 4-5 Continue trekking through valleys surrounded by high Fann Mountain peaks. Pass local shepherds' summer camps. Set up camp below the pass. Next day, reach miniature Pushtikul Lake hidden within mountains. Descend to Archmadon River canyon, set up riverside camp.
Distance and elevation: Day 4: 9km, +1,100m/-750m | Day 5: 6km +150m/-700m
Highest points: Day 4: 3,500m | Day 5: 2,750m
Accommodation: 2x tent
DAYS 6-7 Trek to rocky Zindon River valley where we'll camp for 2 days. Next day: rest day or optional full-day return trek to beautiful Bolshoj Allo Lake (3,150m), surrounded by scree and steep walls.
Distance and elevation: Day 6: 16km, +1,400m/-1,300m | Day 7: 14km +950m/-950m
Highest points: Day 6: 3,400m | Day 7: 3,150m
Accommodation: 2x tent
DAY 8 Leave Zindon valley. Trail leads through verdant Archmaidan River valley. After half-day trek, reach Gazza village. Rest in guesthouse, shower available.
Distance and elevation: 18km, +500m/-1,000m Highest point: 2,200m
Accommodation: guesthouse
DAY 9 After lighter day, return to altitudes above 3,000m, crossing pass under Chukurak peak, descending to mountain lodge in Uredz River valley. Rest in comfortable conditions among high mountains.
Distance and elevation: 11km, +850m/-550m Highest point: 3,200m
Accommodation: guesthouse
DAY 10 Depending on participants' fitness and weather, we'll choose easier or harder route to reach basin filled with Lake Kulikalon, fed by glacier waters from five-thousander Chimtarga. Lake area particularly rich in local juniper variety covering steep mountain slopes. Camp by Lake Kulikalon.
Distance and elevation: Either 7km, +1,100m/-400m, or 6km/+700m/-50m
Highest point: 3,175m
Accommodation: tent
DAY 11 Final day of our Fann Mountains trek! We'll finish with flourish, crossing Alauddin Pass (3,780m), offering breathtaking panorama of peaks rising above mountain lakes. Our final tent camp at Lake Alauddin.
Distance and elevation: 11km, +950m/-1,000m
Highest point: 3,780m
Accommodation: tent
DAY 12 After breaking camp, jeeps collect us. Drive to Lake Iskanderkul, largest in Fann Mountains. Recreational walk to waterfall. Opportunity to swim in legendary waters of Alexander the Great's Lake. Rest in pleasant guesthouse in Saratoq village near lake.
Distance and elevation: 4km, +100m/-100m
Accommodation: guesthouse.
DAY 13 Transfer from Lake Iskanderkul to departure point (Dushanbe, Samarkand, or Tashkent). Time for city walks, souvenir shopping and optional farewell dinner.* Accommodation: guesthouse
*This day serves as buffer day in case of weather-related trek extensions.
DAY 14 Early morning departure. Return flight
INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE:
• english-speaking tour leader
• local mountain guide
• 5x nights with breakfast in rural guesthouses, city guesthouses
• 7x nights in personal tents
• full board throughout trip except arrival/departure city
• local transport in Tajikistan
• donkeys carrying luggage during trek
• information materials
• mandatory travel agency insurance
• mandatory personal insurance: accident insurance, insurance against the costs of treatment, travel luggage
• mandatory Tourist Guarantee Fund fee
• mandatory Tourist Assistance Fund fee
• COVID-19 infection insurance during foreign stay
INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE:
• airline tickets to/from Azja - we can help you select and buy a ticket
• personal tent
• optional customary tips
• alcoholic beverages and additional snacks
ACCOMMODATION:
During trek, accommodation alternates between personal tents and rural guesthouses. Throughout tour: 5x guesthouse stays, 7x tent camping. Guesthouse rooms accommodate 2-4 people.
MEALS:
Full board provided (breakfast, lunch, dinner). During trek, meals prepared by expedition chef. Due to regular village stops, more frequent fresh product resupply possible (vegetables, eggs) compared to similar treks.
Trek meals consist of expedition-style food, hearty but easy to prepare - "traditional camping food." Includes pasta, grains, canned meat, vegetables, dried fruits, sweets. Not freeze-dried food.
TREKKING
"Light trekking" means donkeys transport main baggage. This doesn't indicate an easy trek. Expect rocky paths and steep ascents/descents with significant elevation changes - typical Fann Mountains terrain.
Highest point: Alauddin Pass (3,780m) near trek end. Other passes at 3,300m, 3,500m. Highest overnight at 2,800m. Usually sleeping between 2,000-2,400m.
WEATHER:
Average summer temperature in Tajikistan's Fann Mountains region: 20-30°C. Possible hot days, but night temperatures may drop to single digits.
GROUP SIZE:
We operate small groups. Minimum 8 participants, maximum 15/16.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• The itinerary may change depending on the date of departure, weather and other factors.
• Learn more about general conditions of participation and find out how to sign up for a trip.
• Attention! In case of the introduction of restrictions that prevent the implementation of the tour, we will refund 100% of the money paid up to 7 days from the date of cancellation of the tour.
• The organizer of the trip is Active Travel Agency Barents.pl
