Multi-day Trek Crossing Chimtarga Pass

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Duration 8 days

Distance 58 km

Max. altitude 4750 meters

Camping 7 nights

Homestay 0 nights

Difficulty

Extreme

Price

From €949 $1081 / person

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Hit the roof of the Fann Mountains

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 and Alauddin Lake. In between the heavy climbing, there is plentiful time to explore these natural beauties as well as the local village life in the mountains. One night is spent in a homestay, while the other six nights are spent in tents at some of the most idyllic places imaginable.

Highlights

Haft Kul (Seven Lakes)

Cross the highest pass of the Fann Mountains at 4750 meters

Alauddin Lake

Wild camping under the stars

Bolshoi and Malo Allo lakes

Available departure dates

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Group departure

Map and Profile

Itinerary

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.

Day 1 – Alauddin Lake

Departure from Dushanbe in the morning. Pick up from your desired location in Dushanbe. The drive to Alauddin Lake takes about 3.5 hours. The road goes straight through the mountains and already offers the first scenic views. The afternoon can be used to explore Alauddin Lake and its surroundings. Alauddin Lake is one of the most impressive places in the Fann Mountains. Several other lakes with intense blue colors can be found in its direct surroundings. The night is spent in the alpinist accommodation near Alauddin Lake. Alternatively, it is also possible to spend the night in tents on one of the campsites.

Day 2 – Mutnyi Lake

7 km

The greatest challenge of the trek starts directly on the second day: the climb towards Chimtarga Pass. The total height difference of the ascent is more than 2100 meters. Today’s vertical ascent amounts to a considerable 800 meters. Starting from Alauddin Lake, we climb up over steep scree slopes until we reach Mutnyi Lake, where we set up camp for the night.

Day 3 – Camp 4400 meters

5 km

From Mutnyi Lake, the trail continues steep uphill. Steadily we gain more and more altitude. Today, we cross the 4000 meters mark. After covering a vertical ascent of 900 meters, we reach our campsite for the night at an altitude of around 4400 meters on the eastern flank of Chimtarga Pass. The night can be very chilly on the highest campsite of the trek.

Day 4 – Chimtarga Pass and Bolshoi Allo Lake

8 km

The difficulty of the trek increases to a maximum today as the altitudes go sky high. The remaining part to Chimtarga Pass is a narrow and steep rocky trail. After a vertical ascent of 350 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.

Day 5 – Malo Allo Lake and Archamaidan Valley

12 km

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.

Day 6 – Sarymat Valley

13 km

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 at an altitude of 2450 meters.

Day 7 – Crossing Tavasang Pass

13 km

The seventh 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 today is on the shore of the seventh and highest lake.

Day 8 – Return to Dushanbe

Today we return to Dushanbe by car. The first part of the way back is a scenic drive along the lower six lakes of Haft Kul. If everyone still has energy, it is also possible to walk down this road and only then get in the car. In Dushanbe, you are dropped off at the location of your preference. The entire drive back takes about six hours.