Fann Mountains: The Land of Blue Lakes. Trekking. 14, 15 or 19 days.

Region: Pamir Alai, Tadjikistan
Activity: trekking
Trip Category: regular
Difficulty: easy to difficult (depending of variant), no need of special skill and gear
Season: June - October

Fann Mountains (Fanns) is an integral part of a giant mountain system – Pamir Alai. It is the land of lakes, clouded peaks, ancient legends. Picturesque valleys of Zindan and Archamaidan, mysterious beauty of Bolshoi Allo ("Big Echo") lake surrounded with vertical rocks, beautiful chain of Kulikalon and Alaudin lakes, a number of waterfalls, fairy wonderful and attracting peaks: Chimtarga, Chapdara, Bolshaya and Malay Ganza will remain in your memory forever. Stable sunny weather, amazing views and interesting cultural experience are the key features of Fann mountains. After trekkings in the mountains we spend several days in ancient cities - Samarkand and Tashkent and enjoy noisy oriental bazaars and unique architectural monuments.

We offer 3 itineraries, from easy 14 days trekking with mostly hut accommodation (Variant 1) to adventureous 19-days trekking (Variant 3). Variant 2 is somewhere in between.

Itinerary (variant 1, 14 days, easy grade):

Day 1	Arrival in Tashkent. Meeting at airport. Transfer to Samarkand (290 km, 5 hrs). Hotel accommodation. Travelling by car we will cross the valley of the Syrdaria river and Djizak steppes, explore the daily way of the locals and enjoy the view of rocks called “The Gate of Tamerlan”.
Day 2	Transfer to Pendjikent (60 km; 1,5 h). A bit further, border formalities (Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border crossing). Here we change our bus for a special mountain truck and continue transfer to the mountain base "Alaudin" (50 km, 2,5 hrs). The last 30 km the road goes along Pasrud river through canyons and green meadows. The rest of the day we spend for rest and trekking preparation. Accommodation in cottages (2700 m, DBL, lunch and dinner, hot shower, electricity).
Day 3	Acclimatization day. Hiking around the base on the Alaudin lakes shores. Hut accommodation (DBL FB).
Day 4	After breakfast at the base, simple hiking up to Mutnoje Lake along Chapdara river gorge (10 km, 4-5 hrs, + 900 m). Tent camp on the bank of the lake (3600 m), lunch, dinner. During a day we gain attractive panoramas of Kaznok, Zamok, Energia and Chimtarga peaks. Severe conditions of alpine mountain zone, hanging glaciers and steep moraines swells are actual in this region. On the way you can see rare birches and a small lake named for its round shape as "Piala lake", gigantic steps of glacier and polished rocks. High in the sky eagles are soaring around you.
Day 5	Daily round walking trip to the glacier for panoramic view, or much more impressive one - up to pass Kaznok (2 hrs; +400 m) or even Chimtarga pass (4700 m, 1B* grade, 4-5 hrs, +1000 m, see ascent description below at Var. 2 trip). From the passes there are impressive views of Chimtarga peak (5489 m) - the highest summit of Fan mountains, and Energia peak (5120 m) - common medium-grade climbing goal. Descent to Big Alaudin Lake for rest (possible swimming in +10° water!). Return to the base, dinner. Hut accommodation (DBL).
Day 6	Crossing of the Alaudin pass (3860 m, 10 km, 5-6 hrs, +960 m) from where an impressive view of Chapdara peak (5197 m) and the gorge of Chapdara river, then we admire the fascinating panorama of unique Kulikalon Wall with it's clouded peaks above 4500 m (Adamtash, Maria, Rudaki and Mirali peaks) and a crystal-clear emerald-blue water Kulikalon lakes (total 14 lakes) with a plenty of fish. Descent and camp on the bank of the Bibidjanat or Dushokha lakes (2900 m).
Day 7	Daily round walking trip. Possible goals: through easy Zierat pass (3320 m) to picturesque Zierat and Chukurak lakes or to Fluorit Pass (2900 m) then climb up Mt. Fluorite (3200 m) - fine views to Kulikalon Wall and all the lakes from there. You can visit old fluorite mines near the pass. Other option - go to Dushokha Lake on the foothill of Kulikalon Wall. Lunch during the hiking. Dinner at camp, overnight in tents (2 person tents), FB.
Day 8	Crossing Laudan pass (3630 m) along the ancient trail which was the only one connecting the local population to the world. Descent to the base (5-6 hrs, 10 km). Lunch and dinner at the base. Hut accommodation (DBL).
Day 9	Day of rest. Fairwell dinner, BBQ, firework. Hut accommodation (DBL FB).
Day 10	After breakfast transfer to the area's biggest Iskanderkul Lake (named after Alexander The Great, who, as it is believed, reached this remote site during one of his conquire expeditions). Visit of picturesque waterfall on Fandaria river - the only one flows from the Iskanderkul Lake. Transfer to mountain Urmitan kishlak (village) on the bank of Zeravshan river - the former capital of medieval feudal Falgar domain. Visit of local housings, smithy, potter and ancient mosque (XI centure). Traditional lunch (sitting on the floor, tasting of traditional prepared drinks "airan", "yogurt", "Uzbek round bread" and aroma Uzbek tea. Overnight in local house.
Day 11	Transfer to Samarkand via Pendjikent (110 km; 4 h). Hotel (DBL BB). Possible sightseeing to Pendjikent to the excavations of ancient city of Alexandria The Last, founded by and named after Alexander The Great; visiting the Museum of local lore, named after famous Tadjik medieval poet Rudaki.
Day 12	Samarkand. Optional sightseeing around the city and in the suburbs of Samarkand (famous Registan Square with 3 medresse, Timur (Tamerlan) Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Shakh-i-Zinda complex, Bibi-Khanim Mosque, the Sandy City of Afrosiab). Optional folklore concert in the evening. Hotel (DBL BB).
Day 13	Transfer Samarkand - Tashkent (290 km; 5 hrs). Hotel (DBL BB). Optional excursions.
Day 14	Transfer to the airport. Departure from Tashkent.

Itinerary (variant 2, 15 days, medium grade):

Day 1	Arrival in Tashkent. Meeting at airport. Transfer to Samarkand (290 km, 5 hrs). Hotel accommodation. Travelling by car we will cross the valley of the Syrdaria river and Djizak steppes, explore the daily way of the locals and enjoy the view of rocks called “The Gate of Tamerlan”. Optional excursion.
Day 2	Transfer to Pendjikent (60 km; 1,5 h). A bit further, border formalities (Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border crossing). Here we change our bus for a special mountain truck and continue transfer to the mountain base "Artuch" (50 km, 2,5 hrs). The rest of the day we spend for rest and trekking preparation. Accommodation in tents (2200 m). Mausoleum of famous Tadjik medieval poet Rudaki en route in Padjud village.
Day 3	Start of trekking. We hike up to Kulikalonskie lakes through juniper forests and admire the fascinating panorama of unique Kulikalon Wall with it's clouded peaks above 4500 m (Adamtash, Maria, Rudaki and Mirali peaks) and a crystal-clear emerald-blue water Kulikalon lakes (total 14 lakes) with a plenty of fish. Camp on the bank of the Bibidjanat or Dushokha lakes (2900 m). (10 kms; 5 hrs; +700m).
Day 4	Daily round walking trip. Possible goals: through easy Zierat pass (3320 m) to picturesque Zierat and Chukurak lakes or to Fluorit Pass (2900 m) then climb up Mt. Fluorite (3200 m) - fine views to Kulikalon Wall and all the lakes from there. You can visit old fluorite mines near the pass. Other option - go to Dushokha Lake on the foothill of Kulikalon Wall. Lunch during the hiking. Dinner at camp, overnight in tents (2 person tents), FB.
Day 5	Crossing of the Alaudin pass (3860 m) from where an impressive view of Chapdara peak (5197 m) and the gorge of Chapdara river opens up, then we descent to the Alaudin lakes and Alaudin base. Accommodation in cottages (2700 m, DBL, lunch and dinner, hot shower, electricity). (7 km / 6 hrs / +900 m; - 1150 m). Far down you can see Alaudin lake with its amazing color changing from light-blue to bright ultramarine.
Day 6	Day of rest. Hiking around the base on the Alaudin lakes shores. Hut accommodation (DBL FB).
Day 7	After breakfast at the base, ascent to the Mutnoje lake (8 km, 4-5 hrs, + 800 m). Camp on the bank of the lake. (3600 m). During a day we gain attractive panoramas of Kaznok, Zamok, Energia and Chimtarga peaks. Severe conditions of alpine mountain zone, hanging glaciers and steep moraines swells are actual in this region. On the way you can see rare birches and a small lake named for its round shape as "Piala lake", gigantic steps of glacier and polished rocks. High in the sky eagles are soaring around you. Daily round walking trip up to pass Kaznok (2 hrs; +400 m). From a pass there is an impressive view of Chimtarga peak (5489 m) - the highest summit of Fann mountains.
Day 8	On one of this most difficult days we ascent to the foothill of Chimtarga pass. Camp (4500 m). (5 km., +900 m.) Ascent on the flat easy-walking and gentle glacier leads to steep screes, there are some grassed places where we can camping. Unforgettable views of Zeravshansky and Gissarsky ranges and the whole Fan mountains system in the colors of sunset are our reward.
Day 9	Crossing the Chimtarga pass (4740 m, 1B* CD) - the highest pass among the simplest ones in the region. Descent from the pass along stone-scree rocks to the valley of Zindon river and further to Bolshoye Allo lake. Camp on the bank of lake (3180 m). (8 km; +300 m; 1.5 hrs; - 1500 m; 5 hrs). From the pass we enjoy a magnificent views of mountain "country" - Fan Mountains, Bolshaya (Big) Ganza (5308 m) and Malaya (Small) Ganza (4956 m), peak Energia (5120 m), Moskva peak (5046 m). Hard-hiking descent from the pass to the valley of Zindon river, and then an easy-hiking path to Bolshoye Allo lake which is one of the most amazing in its beautyr and inimitable in its colors. It was originated from gigantic landslide in 1916. Lower part of descent leads to the valley of Zindon river (the name of which means "Prison", because of rocks which squeeze the river from all sides).
Day 10	The rest day on Bolshoye Allo lake. Swimming in the lake. Sightseeing on Verkhneye (Upper) Allo lake (3 kms; 3 hrs), where you can admire a big waterfall. On the way the view onto Peak Moskva (5046 m) and attached peaks and glaciers.
Day 11	Descent along Zindon river to the vast valley of Archamaidan river (5-6 hrs). Meeting car. Camp (1600 m). During the descent introducing shepherds' way of life. Tasting traditional prepared drinks "airan", "yogurt", "Uzbek round bread" and aroma Uzbek tea.
Day 12	Transfer to Samarkand via Pendjikent (110 km; 4 h). Hotel. Possible sightseeing to Pendjikent to the excavations of ancient city of Alexandria The Last, founded by and named after Alexander The Great; visiting the Museum of local lore, named after famous Tadjik medieval poet Rudaki.
Day 13	Samarkand. Possible sightseeing around the city and in the suburbs of Samarkand (famous Registan Square with 3 medresse, Timur (Tamerlan) Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Shakh-i-Zinda complex, Bibi-Khanim Mosque, the Sandy City of Afrosiab). Hotel (DBL BB).
Day 14	Transfer Samarkand - Tashkent (290 km; 5 hrs). Hotel (DBL BB). Optional excursions.
Day 15	Transfer to the airport. Departure from Tashkent.

Itinerary (variant 3, 19 days medium to difficult grade):

Cost: please for the price offer.

Included: Meeting and transfers in Tashkent, accommodation in double tents on trek and double rooms in the hotels, all the transfers according to the program, all permits and local fees, food - 3 times a day on the active part, guide, porters, cook, interpreter, rent of necessary equipment (cooking and kitchen utensil, tents).

Not included: Visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items.
Options. Visa support, extra nights in Tashkent, Pendjikent and Samarkand, SGL accommodation, gear rental, extra excursions.

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