Detailed itinarary

The following itinerary is intended as a working guide only and is a subject to variation as a result of local conditions, weather and governmental restrictions. We reserve the right to alter (lengthen or shorten) the trek at any time if necessary. Aeroflot domestic timetables are altered occasionally and it may be necessary to vary our itinerary to adapt to these changes.

There also exist an opportunity to combine excellent hiking with exotic sightseeing by adding several days and have a good tour around the most important and beautiful ancient cities of Central Asia which are more than 2 millennia old. All of these cities were important points on a famous "Silk Road". For more information on these ancient cities see ANCIENT CITIES OF CENTRAL ASIA

DAY 1. Arrive in Tashkent. Fly to Bukhara (1 hour). Tour of Bukhara. The city is first mentioned in Chinese chronicles in the 5th century, Bukhara is one of the oldest trade and cultural centers of Central Asia. Once boasting more than 350 mosques and 100 religious colleges, the city is still a constant feast of old and beautiful buildings. The narrow, twisting alleys of the old quarter are fascinating to explore. Night in a comfortable hotel.

DAY 2. 4 hour drive to Samarkand. For thousand's of years the city thrived on its location on one of the major trade routes to China. In the 15th century Tamerlane made it the capital of his vast empire. Most of the monuments date back to this period and include the world's famous Registan, the Gur-Emir Mausoleum where Tamerlane was buried and the Great Mosque which overlooks the colorful bazaar. Night in a hotel.

DAY 3. Drive 1.5-2 hours by private bus to Penjikent, 40 miles east in Tadjikistan, by the Zeravshan River. A 4WD vehicle takes us past Shing to the sixth Marguzor Lake (4 hours) where we will camp.

DAY 4. The donkeys arrive in the morning to carry the luggage. After a gentle section we climb steeply, passing the village of Kiogli, to camp below the Tavasang Pass at about 3000m, (10,000').

DAY 5. After crossing the Tavasang Pass, 3300m, we descend to the Sarymat river for lunch. A gentle climb through sparse juniper woods leads to a magical meadow and campsite below the icy north face of Munora.

DAY 6. Walk up to the Munora Pass, 3520m, and descend to the deep, craggy gorge of the Archa-Maidan river. The more energetic can take-in a side trip to visit Lake Pshtykul before dropping down to the campsite - this option makes for a long but rewarding day.

DAY 7. We go down the Archa-Maidan valley to Zurmech Wood. Along the way we pass several small villages which appear to blend into the rocky mountainsides. At Zurmech we pass through semi-wild apple, cherry and apricot orchards to reach our camp by a crystal clear stream (2000m).

DAY 8. Walk up a colorful canyon to the Zurmech Pass, 3200m. Descend to the next campsite by the Chukurak lakes. The gnarled junipers combine with steep cliffs to make this a very scenic spot. The inviting lake waters are icy cold! Camp by the lake.

DAY 9. Cross the Chukurak Pass to Kulikalon hollow with its numerous streams and lakes. Camp by Bibijona Lake with magnificent panorama of the steep glaciated north face of the Chimtarga, the highest summit of the Fann.

DAY 10. We spend an extra night here; relaxing or doing a circular walk from the campsite.

DAY 11. Hike up to the Alaudin Pass, 3730m, from where there are stunning views of the deep-blue Alaudin Lakes and the main peaks. Descend to a campsite by the lakes.

DAY 12. Up to the Mutnye ("Murky") Lakes which are surrounded by glaciers and summits amongst these being Energia, 5120m, Zamok, 5150m, Chimtarga, 5489m, the highest peak in the Fann. Although this is our highest campsite (3500m) there are still alpine flowers to liven up the stark, high mountain setting.

DAY 13. After two hours walk we reach snowfields leading up to the Kaznok Pass, 4040m, - a magnificent viewpoint. A ski stick or similar is useful for the last part of the ascent. The guide will carry a rope for those who would like to benefit from it's security. We return to our campsite then descent to spend a second night at the Alaudin Lakes.

DAY 14. Walk down the valley to our waiting transport. Drive the down the Zeravshan river valley, to Penjikent, 5-6 hours. We have lunch in Penjikent before continuing on to our hotel in Samarkand, 1.5-2 hours.

DAY 15. Drive back to Tashkent for the return flight.

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