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Expedition Tajikistan - Roof of Central Asia
Smallest amongst the "Stans" but the highest of all. Escape to Tajikistan's tranquil landscapes of epic river valleys, surreal mountain passes and authentic countryside life on this incredible Fann Mountains trekking expedition where there are few places in the world that allows you an accomplished sense of self-actualization.
HIGHLIGHTS
Uncover Tajikistan's jaw-dropping landscapes
Stay in the front row spectacle of nature
Sample the most palettable traditional Tajik cuisine
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE DUSHANBE
Arrive Dushanbe Intl Airport where after an early arrival, we transfer to the Hyatt Regency Dushanbe for rest. In the late morning, be met as we take you to a local restaurant specializing in traditional Tajik cuisine and thereafter, a visit to the ancient fortress of Hisor, just outside Dushanbe, dating back to the 7th Century. Returning to Dushanbe, we take a city tour which encompasses the city’s main sights: Rudaki Park, the National Library, the White House and the National State Seal. Just as impressive is what is currently the second tallest freestanding flagpole in the world – after Jeddah – a whopping 165 meters high with a flag measuring thirty by sixty meters.
Overnight: Hyatt Regency, Dushanbe (guaranteed early check in)
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
DAY 2: DUSHANBE / MARGHIB / PSKAN
Heading out of the Tajik capital this morning, we drive through the Varzob gorge. Moving on, we climb steadily from the foothills into the Fann Mountains. These picturesque peaks form part of the lofty Zarafshan ridge where you will be able to gaze without interruption at their beauty. After 2-3 hours, at Takfon village, we drive off the main road towards Yagnob valley. After one more hour of a bumpy ride we reach the village of Marghib, where we stop for lunch at a local family’s guesthouse. This place, lost in time, is one of the most photogenic villages in Tajikistan and you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the sheer rock face of Zamin Karor. In the afternoon, we drive further to enter soon the Yagnob gorge, named after the Yagnob river. From the gorge we cannot continue by car and will hike the last 3km to the village of Pskan. We will stay for overnight in a very simple guesthouse in Pskan, and get familiar with the lifestyle of the Yagnobis – direct descendants of the Sogdians from the time of Alexander the Great. Still today the Yagnobis speak Sogdian language.
Overnight: Guest house in Pskan (no shower available)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3: PSKAN / MARGHIB
After breakfast, we will leave the village and trek down to Numetkan village where the mountain bikes will be waiting for us. Along Yagnob river we will have a delightful ride to Marghib (30km, approximately 5 hours). We will stop for lunch in form of picnic at a picturesque place along the way. In Marghib we will have dinner and stay for overnight in a family-run guesthouse.
Overnight: Guest house in Marghib (shared shower and western toilet)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4: MARGHIB / MARGUZOR
After breakfast, we will continue mountain biking on the dirt road (mainly downhill) and partially on the paved road. Lunch at café in Sarvoda where you can take a rest and have a nice lunch before ascending to Marguzor village.
Overnight: Guest house in Marguzor (shower available but no western toilets)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5: MARGUZOR / VERTICAL ALP CAMP
Today the route goes through scenic gorge of alpine landscape of Fann mountains further up to around 2700m altitude. The first part of the mountain biking ends at lunch time today.
Overnight: Vertical Alp Camp (shower and western toilets available)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6: VERTICAL ALP CAMP / MUTNOE LAKE / ALAUDDIN LAKE
Today, we are tackling a trekking route at an even higher altitude, where the air is thin and breaths are measured. To acclimatize we will hike today up to Mutnoe Lake (3500m altitude). From the lake we have a fabulous view of the Alauddin gorge and to the South, glaciers and peaks as far as the eye can see. Our guides will point the peaks out to you: Zamok (5070m), Energiya (5120m) and Chimtargha (5489m), the highest peak in the Fann Mountains. After a picnic at the Lake we return to Alauddin Lake, where we will spend the night at the shore of the picturesque lake in a tent at 2770m.
Overnight: Tent camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: ALAUDDIN LAKE / BIBIJANAT
Today we will embark on a tough but rewarding hike via Alauddin Pass (3860m) to Bibijanat Lake. The path to Alauddin Pass is quite steep at times, and one of the most demanding parts of this tour. The incredible view from the pass is the first reward for your efforts. The second reward awaits you at Bibijanat Lake, one of our favorite lakes in the Fann mountains, amidst many more turquoise lakes. Despite the altitude of almost 3,000m if the weather is nice, it will likely be quite hot during the day and you might want to jump into the lake to get rid of the sweat of the long hike. We will set up our tents for the night right next to Bibijanat lake.
Overnight: Tent camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8: BIBIJANAT / ARTUCH ALP CAMP
After breakfast we will have a short walk around the area of Kulikalon Lakes and trek down to the Artuch alp camp (3 hours) where you have lunch overnight at Alp camp (shower and western toilet). For the rest of the day you can relax or do a short hike to Chukurak and Ziyorat lakes.
Overnight: Artuch Alp Camp (shower and western toilets)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 9: ARTUCH ALP CAMP / ISKANDERKUL / DUSHANBE
Our adventure in the Fann Mountains come to an end as we return back to "civilization". En route, we stop to see the magnificent Iskanderkul (Alexander’s Lake) and a picturesque waterfall before returning to Dushanbe to check in back at the Hyatt Regency Dushanbe. Your farewell dinner will be served at an authentic Tajk restaurant, accompanied by live music and dance.
Overnight: Hyatt Regency, Dushanbe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: DEPART DUSHANBE
Transfer to the airport today for your onward journey home or continue your adventures in Central Asia.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Located in the city centre, on the grounds of City Park and adjacent to Lake Komsomol, Hyatt Regency Dushanbe reflects the distinctive flavour of Tajikistan in the design of its generously sized rooms and suites.
There are no better experiences than to camp in a tent around the lakes of the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan. Enjoy the "luxury" of being immersed in nature blessed by the gods. This is a good old camping and hiking trip in the great outdoors where we disconnect to connect.
Tent Camps
Through a well-established network of local guest houses and homestays in Tajikistan, we offer the best and most well-furnished environments in selected guest houses with the local immersion program and experience to understand the daily lives of locals.
Guest Houses
