Itineraries · Mountains

Mountains: Chimgan, Charvak and Zaamin in 5 days

The Western Tien Shan on Tashkent's doorstep and the juniper forests of Zaamin: cable cars, waterfalls, mountain streams and cool nights.

5 daysTashkent Region → JizzakhMay, June, July, August, September

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5 days

Day by day

Day 1

Tashkent Region

From Tashkent to the Charvak Reservoir (about 80 km) for the beaches and a boat trip; overnight in a guesthouse near Charvak or Chimgan.
Lake CharvakNature · Tashkent Region
Day 2

Tashkent Region

Chimgan: ride the Beldersay or Amirsoy cable car up into the peaks and walk the alpine meadows. Experienced hikers can climb Big Chimgan (3,309 m) with a guide.
ChimganResort · Tashkent Region
Day 3

Tashkent Region

Ugam-Chatkal National Park: hike the Gulkam gorge or to the Paltau waterfall, then back to Tashkent in the evening.
Ugam-Chatkal National ParkNature · Tashkent Region
Day 4

Jizzakh

Via Jizzakh to Zaamin (about 4–5 hours): juniper forests on the northern slopes of the Turkestan Range and cool mountain air; overnight at a lodge in Zaamin National Park.
Zaamin National ParkNature · Jizzakh
Day 5

Jizzakh

A morning hike in Zaamin National Park, then the drive back to Tashkent.
Zaamin National ParkNature · Jizzakh

About the route

An hour or two from Tashkent the Western Tien Shan begins: Chimgan, the Charvak Reservoir and Ugam-Chatkal National Park are the capital's favourite escapes. The Western Tien Shan was inscribed as a natural World Heritage Site in 2016.

Zaamin National Park lies in the Turkestan Range; founded in 1926 as the Guralash Nature Reserve, it is considered the oldest protected natural area in the country.

Getting around

A car with driver or a hire car is easiest. The Chimgan road is jammed at weekends. Some mountain routes near the border may require a permit — check with your guide.