HIKING TOUR
Mid-June – late August
17 days / 16 nights
UZBEKISTAN – TAJIKISTAN – KYRGYZSTAN
Urgench – Khiva – Bukhara – Nurata – Yurt Camp – Aydarkul Lake – Ukhum village – Samarkand – Pendjikent – Gazza – Artuch – Chukurak – Kulikalon – Artuch – Dushanbe – Bishkek – Kyzart village – Kilemche – Song-Kul Lake – Bishkek
Day 1 Arrival in Urgench (B/-/-)
Arrival in Urgench at night or the early morning. Reception at the airport by the tour guide, transfer to Khiva (31.6 km / 45 min.), accommodation.
In the morning tourists will start visiting the city Ichan Kala – open-air museum city that captivates visitors with its tranquility and serenity. It is a city where time seems to stand still. Full-day sightseeing: Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Kunja Ark Fortress, Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud, and Said Alauddin. Lunch break. Juma Mosque, Tash Hauli Palace and Harem, Islam Khoja Ensemble, Alla Kulichan Madrasah.
Overnight stay in Khiva.
Day 2 Khiva-Bukhara (B/-/-)
Breakfast. Early start and long drive to Bukhara through the Kizilkum Desert (approx. 500 km, approx. 8 hours). Photo stop at the Amudarya River and lunch break at a roadside teahouse. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Overnight stay in Bukhara.
Day 3 Bukhara (B/-/-)
Breakfast. Bukhara is known as “noble Bukhara” and “the pilgrim city.” There is even a saying: “Everywhere else in the world, light comes from the sky, but in Bukhara, it rises from the earth.” This is because Bukhara is the resting place of great Sufi sheikhs. Full-day sightseeing in Bukhara: Lyabi Hauz ensemble, Maggoki Attori Mosque, trade domes (Sarafon – money exchange, Telpak Furushon – Astrakhan hats, Zargaron – goldsmiths), Kosch – madrasah (madrasah of Ulugbek and madrasah of Abdulazizkhan). Lunch break. Poi Kalon Ensemble (Kalon Mosque and Minaret, Miri Arab Madrasah – active), Ark Citadel, Samanid Mausoleums, and Chashma Ayub.
Overnight stay in Bukhara.
Day 4 Bukhara- Nurata – Yurt Camp (B/-/D)
Breakfast. Transfer to Nurata (approx. 175 km, approx. 3 hours), visit to the Chashma complex and ruins of the fortress built by Alexander the Great in 327 BC.
After lunch, continue to the yurt camp. In the evening, enjoy songs by nomadic singers Akyn around the campfire under the starry sky.
Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt (4-6 people per yurt).
Day 5 Yurt Camp – Aydarkul Lake – Ukhum village (B/L/D)
Breakfast. Transfer to Aydarkul Lake (approx. 4.5 km). If desired, this route can be traveled by camel. Picnic on the shore of the lake. If the weather is good, there will be an opportunity to swim. Afternoon drive to Ukhum Village (approx. 123 km, approx. 2 hours).
Ukhum is a small traditional village inhabited by a Tajik community and surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Situated at an altitude of about 960 meters above sea level, the village is nestled between mountains and green valleys, with clear streams flowing through the area and ancient walnut trees that are believed to be over a thousand years old.
One of the highlights of the visit is a hands-on cooking experience with the host family. Guests will have the opportunity to learn how to prepare traditional dishes and bake local bread in the authentic way, using recipes passed down through generations.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner together with the family, tasting regional specialties while experiencing the genuine hospitality that Uzbek and Tajik households are famous for.
This visit offers a unique opportunity to step away from the cities and discover the authentic rhythm of life in a mountain village.
Overnight at the guesthouse in Ukhum village.
Day 6 Ukhum (B/L/D)
Early breakfast at the guesthouse.After breakfast, begin a scenic hiking excursion in the beautiful landscapes surrounding Ukhum Village, located in the foothills of the Nuratau Mountains.
Enjoy a guided hike along one of the most picturesque wilderness trails in the region. The route passes through mountain valleys and gorges, offering opportunities to observe wild nature, traditional mountain landscapes, and local wildlife. Along the way, visit ancient traditional beehives, still preserved in the mountains and once used by local villagers for honey production.
Continue the walk to the sacred Hazrat Imam Babayi Eshan Shrine, an important spiritual site for local communities. Nearby, discover ancient rock paintings, believed to be more than 2,500 years old, located in the surrounding cliffs.
The trail continues through the scenic Havzi Shohum Gorge, often referred to by locals as the “lifeline” of the area. During the hike, you may see a variety of mountain plants, wild fruit trees, birds, and other native fauna.
After walking approximately 12 km, the trail reaches an altitude of about 1,265 meters above sea level, where a picnic lunch will be enjoyed in nature, surrounded by beautiful mountain views.
The Nuratau mountain range reaches its highest peak at about 2,265 meters above sea level, creating impressive panoramic landscapes. From several viewpoints along the route, enjoy distant views of the villages of Ukhum Village and Hayat Village, as well as the vast steppe landscapes where Aydarkul Lake can sometimes be seen on the horizon.
Afternoon begin the gradual descent through the picturesque Hayatsoy Gorge. Continue hiking through the mountain landscapes and small rural settlements, including Hayat Village.
After approximately 5 hours of walking (around 13 km), arrive at a local family house, where you will be welcomed by the hosts.
Enjoy a traditional home-cooked dinner with the local family, offering a wonderful opportunity to relax and share stories after a day of hiking in the mountains.
Overnight at the guesthouse in Ukhum Village.
Day 7 Ukhum (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the guesthouse. After breakfast begin a cultural walk through the traditional mountain village of Ukhum Village, offering a unique opportunity to observe the authentic lifestyle of local residents. During the walk, guests may see villagers performing their daily activities such as milking cows, baking traditional bread, weaving carpets, and spinning yarn using the traditional spindle known as “urchuk.” This experience provides an insight into the preserved rural traditions of the Nuratau region.
The walk continues with a short hike to Karavultepa Hill, a scenic viewpoint located about 200 meters above the village. From the top, enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. On clear days, it is possible to see the villages of Ukhum Village and Hayat Village, and even distant views in the direction of Aydarkul Lake.
Return to the guesthouse after walking approximately 7 km. Lunch at the guesthouse. In the afternoon continue exploring the surrounding landscapes of the Nuratau Mountains. The walk leads to the remains of an ancient fortress (kurgan) located on a hill about 180 meters above the valley. These ruins illustrate how ancient inhabitants chose strategic locations to protect their settlements and observe approaching enemies.
During the excursion, also visit a traditional stone water mill, which has been operating with the power of mountain water for several centuries. Here you will learn about traditional grain milling techniques that were once essential for local communities. After walking approximately 5 km, return to the guesthouse in the evening.
Guests who are interested may participate in a cooking masterclass with the host family, learning how to prepare traditional Uzbek dishes using local ingredients. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with the hosts, a wonderful opportunity to experience the famous hospitality of mountain families.
Overnight at the guesthouse in Ukhum Village.
Day 8 Ukhum – Samarkand (B/-/-)
Breakfast. Departure to Samarkand (161 km app. 3:40h).
Arrival to Samarkand. Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world, as old as Rome and Athens, founded in the 8th century BC. The city is called the pearl of the Silk Road. Full-day sightseeing: Gur Amir Mausoleum, Registan Ensemble, Bibi Hanim Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Shahi Zinda Necropolis and Ulugbek Observatory.
Overnight stay in Samarkand.
Day 9 Samarkand – Penjikent – Gazza (B/L/D)
Breakfast. Transfer to the border with Tajikistan.
Meet guests on TJK/UZ border and drive to Penjikent
Short sightseeing tour in Penjikent.
Today we will drive to the one of the valley in Fann mounts Archamaydon, to village Gazza.
Overnight in guest house.
Day 10 Gazza – Artuch (B/L/D)
Morning hike along the Archamaydon valley.
Explore around and after we will drive to Artuch. Artuch is a town in north-west Tajikistan. It is located in Sugd not far from the Kulikalon Lakes. The mountaineering tourist base “Artuch” is located in the heart of Fan Mountains at an altitude of 2200 m in the valley of the river Artuč, the land is covered with alpine meadows and where the spring river “Chil Chashma” originates.The camp was opened in 1971 and was the site of various climbing camps and events.
Overnight in cottages.
Day 11 Artuch – Chukurak – Kulikalon – Artuch (B/L/D)
After having breakfast, we will do hike to the lake Chukurak, the lake located at height of 2455 m. lies through pass Chukurak (3160 m.). At the same time descent to lake Chukurak will take 1,5 – 2 hours through the picturesque gorge covered with wild fur-trees woods.
Also we will hike to Kulikalon lake. On the way there is an opportunity to admire the wonderful panorama of the majestic Kulikalon wall and the surrounding peaks over 4000m and 5000m high (Adamtash, Mirali, Rudaki, etc.).
Returning to the camp “Artuch”.
Overnight in cottages.
Day 12 Artuch – Dushanbe
After breakfast we will drive from Artuch to Dushanbe over Anzob pass (2900m) and Anzob tunnel via Varzob gorge. From the north, there is a relatively gentle ascent along the valley of the river of the same name, in the south – a steep serpentine descent to the upper reaches of the Varzob River.
Overnight in Dushanbe.
DAY 13 Dushanbe – Bishkek – Kyzart Village (B/L/D)
Transfer to the International airport to Bishkek. Arrival in Bishkek (formerly Frunze), the capital of Kyrgyzstan early in the morning. Transfer to the hotel for rest. After breakfast transfer to Kyzart village (300 km, about 5-6 hours). The road goes via Kochkor village and over the 2 small passes Kubaky 2100m and Kyzart pass 2664m. Lunch on the way. Walk in the village. Accommodation and dinner in CBT family guesthouse.
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: beginning of day – 800 m in Bishkek, highest point – 2664m at Kyzart pass, end of the day – 2150m in Kyzart village)
Day 14 KYZART – KILEMCHE (B/L/D)
(Trekking distance 16 km, about time 5-6 hours)
Breakfast. Transfer to the start point of trek, which is located nearby main road between Kyzart and Kochkor(15 km). Start the trekking cross Kyzyl-Kiya jailoo, an enormous, relatively flat sea of grass. Pack lunch as a picnic by the river. Continue over the Chaar-Archa Pass (3061 m) into the Chaar-Archa Valley follow the trail over verdant hills to Kilemche Jailoo. The name means “like a carpet,” and this swathe of grass covers whole mountain ranges, with shadings as subtle as any shyrdak. Dinner and overnight in Kilemche yurt camp of CBT
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: beginning of day – 2150m in Kyzart village, highest point – 3061m at Chaar Archa pass, end of the day – 2580 m in Kilemche Jailoo)
Day 15 KILEMCHE – SONG-KUL LAKE (B/L/D)
(Trekking distance about 11 km, time 4 -5 hours of the hike)
After breakfast at Kilemche, spend the morning climbing to Jalgyz Karagai pass (3300 m, about 2-3 hours), over the Song-Kol Mountains and into the lake’s basin. The morning climb affords wonderful views of Kilemche jailoo, and the pass itself is rocky and exciting. From the pass, Song-Kol is still distant, but as you trek down the slopes about 2 hours, it gets larger and larger; the mountains on the other side get higher and higher, until finally the lake fills most of your field of view and the southern mountains tower above it. Lunch in NoviNomad Yurt camp. Spend afternoon time at the lakeside. Dinner in the Yurt camp.
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: beginning of day – 2580 m in Kilemche Jailoo, highest point – 3300m at Jalgyz Karagai pass, end of the day – 3080m in Yurt camp)
Day 16 SON-KUL – BISHKEK (B/L/D)
(380 km about 5-6 hours of driving).
Breakfast. Transfer to Bishkek. The road goes over the Kalmak Ashu pass (3447 m). Lunch in Kochkor. Visiting woman group who is producing traditional nomad’s carpets from the felt which call “Shiyrdak’” and “Ala Kiiz”.
City tour in Bishkek with visiting the central square, victory square. Farewell dinner in the local restaurant. Accommodation in the hotel.
(Altitudes above sea level during the day: beginning of day – 3080m in Yurt camp, highest point – 3447m at Kalmak Ahuu pass, end of the day – 800m in Bishkek)
Day 17 BISHKEK airport (B/-/-)
Breakfast. Transfer to airport (Packed breakfast or buffet breakfast that is served from 7 to 10.00 /-/-)
