Hike the highest trails of the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan on a trek with countless height meters to be covered. The highlight of the trek is the 4750 meter high Chimtarga Pass, which is the highest point in the Fann Mountains that can be crossed without specialized equipment. The mountain pass offers amazing views over snow-capped peaks as far as the eye can reach. The trek leads along some of the greatest lakes of the Fann Mountains, each being unique on its own, including Haft Kul, Malo Allo, Bolshoi Allo, Alauddin Lake and the Kulikalon Lakes. In between the heavy climbing, there is plentiful time to explore these natural beauties as well as the local village life in the mountains. Two nights are spent in a homestay, while the other seven nights are spent in tents at some of the most idyllic places imaginable.
The day-to-day itinerary gives a detailed overview of the hiking and highlights planned for each stage of the trek. The itinerary has been carefully tested and tried. Although it rarely happens, unforeseen circumstances can force us to make (minor) adaptations to the schedule, even during the trek. For example, weather and road conditions may change rapidly while trekking and make certain parts of the route less passable. Flexibility is indispensable when traveling and hiking through the rugged lands of Tajikistan.
Departure from Dushanbe in the morning. Pick up from your desired location in Dushanbe. The drive to Artuch takes about 5 hours. The first part of the road is a traverse straight through the mountains and offers the first scenic views. The second part leads to the west through Zerafshan valley. Arrival at the accommodation in Artuch (2200 m) is in the afternoon.
From the accommodation in Artuch, the trail goes up to Chukurak Lake at an altitude of 2430 meters. After a short break, we continue our ascent up to a crest at 3150 meters that offers a wide view over the Kulikalon plateau. Multiple lakes cover the vast plateau that is bordered by high rock walls. We head down to the largest lake on the plateau, where we set up camp for the night. The rest of the day can be used to explore the area of Kulikalon.
The first kilometers of today’s hike are flat over the Kulikalon plateau. We pass by numerous lakes on the plateau, including Kulisiyoh, Bibijonat and Dushokha. From the Dushokha lakes, we hike eastward up a mountain ridge at an altitude of 3780 meters. After an ascent of 900 meters, the views over the Fann Mountains are breathtaking. On the other side of the mountain pass awaits Alauddin Lake, which is one of the absolute highlights of the Fann Mountains. After hiking down the east side of the Alauddin Pass, we reach our camping spot for the night on the shore of Alauddin Lake (2800 meters). Alternatively, the night can be spent in a guest house near Alauddin Lake.
The greatest challenge of the trek starts on the fourth day: the climb to Chimtarga Pass. The entire ascent takes two days. Today’s vertical ascent amounts a considerable 1200 meters. Passing Mutnyi Lake along the way, we reach our campsite for the night on the eastern flank of Chimtarga Pass. The night can be chilly on the highest camping place of the trek.
The difficulty of the trek increases to a maximum today as the altitudes go sky high. The remaining part to Chimtarga Pass gets increasingly steep. After a vertical ascent of 800 meters, the views from Chimtarga Pass are impressive. From 4750 meters, you can overlook nearly the entire Fann Mountains from a bird’s-eye perspective. After enjoying the views and catching our breath, we head down over the western flank for a total descent of 1600 meters. At the end of the day, we pitch our tents on the shore of the great Bolshoi Allo Lake at 3150 meters.
From Bolshoi Allo, we continue our way further down through the valley. On the way down, we pass along Malo Allo Lake with its mesmerizing emerald colors. All the way down at the bottom of the valley, we pitch our tents next to the Archamaidan river.
From our camp next to the Archamaidan river, we hike upstream until reaching Duoba – the confluence with the Sarymat river. We then continue our way through the valley of the Sarymat River. The trail moves gently up all day long. We set up camp along the Sarymat river an altitude of 2450 meters.
The eighth day starts off straight away climbing up the Tavasang Pass (3300 m). The total ascent of this last major climb is 850 meters. After crossing the crest, we go down towards the valley of Haft Kul, which means ‘Seven Lakes’ in the Tajik language. The seven lakes of Haft Kul are situated in a stepwise pattern throughout a valley. The camp site of today is on the shore of the seventh and highest lake.
From the seventh lake, we set off for the final stretch of the trek down through the valley of Haft Kul. We walk along the big sixth lake called Marghuzor and the small picturesque fifth lake named Khurdak. Finally, we reach an homestay where we spend the last night.
Today we return to Dushanbe by car. The first part of the way back is a scenic drive along the lowest four lakes of Haft Kul. In Dushanbe, you are dropped off at the location of your preference. The entire drive back takes about six hours.
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Traveling off the beaten tracks in unspoiled mountains. Back to nature without excess luxury.
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All necessary camping equipment can be provided. Trekking accessible for everyone.
Treks are adaptable to your personal needs regarding food, pick-up/drop-offs, and your fitness level.
