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The Fann Mountains are deservedly considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Even seasoned travellers never pass up the opportunity to go hiking in the Fann Mountains, visiting this enchanting region of Pamir-Alai for the umpteenth time. It seems that this is where the most exquisite peaks are gathered, among which dozens of blue-eyed lakes are scattered. This route is quite challenging and is ideal for physical and acclimatisation training for those planning to climb a five-thousander. Please note that mules will accompany us on the first days of the trek to carry our belongings; on other days, we will carry our backpacks ourselves.
Travel between countries (Uzbekistan → Tajikistan), transfer to the mountains. During the first few days, equipment is carried in packs. Food and accommodation in the alpine camp are included. Additional expenses on the route are minimal.
The track programme was revised several times, and we tried to make it as rich and comfortable as possible. Many groups have participated with us!
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If the consultant has approved the purchase of a ticket, you can go ahead and buy it. The programme will not be cancelled due to our fault.
Experienced Kuluar guides will accompany the group throughout the entire route, making your trip as safe and memorable as possible!
Over 12,000 participants have already been on the trek with Kuluar, and 97.8% were satisfied. We are sure you will be too!
The group will meet at Tashkent Airport in the morning, no later than 10 a.m. If there are no morning flights from your city, you will need to arrive the day before. Today, we will need to travel quite a few kilometres to reach our first overnight stop. After crossing the Uzbek-Tajik border, we will stop in Khujand at a suburban café for lunch. Today you will have the chance to get acquainted with the local cuisine. Then our road will take us into the mountains, heading for the mountaineering base (2200 m). We will arrive here after dark. After the transfer, we will spend the night in rooms at the tourist base and have dinner provided by the hosts.
Yesterday we were in noisy cities, driving along dusty roads, and today we woke up among the mountains under a blue sky. Our legs are eager to hit the road and meet new adventures! But first, let's have breakfast and sort through our belongings to leave our city clothes here at the alpine camp. Our belongings will be carried by donkeys, while we leisurely ascend to the Kulikalon Lakes. Our route begins with an ascent along the waterfall and the Khojarovat and Ruzirovat mountains. Gradually gaining altitude, we will reach the Kulikalon Lakes. It is difficult to resist the temptation to plunge into their crystal clear waters. Refreshed and invigorated, we descend to the shore of the picturesque Lake Bibijanat. Here we will set up camp and stay for the night. From Artuch to the Kulikalon Lakes, you can go through the Kuchurak Pass. The tour leader may choose this option. In this case, on the first day, you will climb the Kuchurak Pass (about 3,100 m) and the Urichchia Peak (3,243 m), which offers magnificent views of the Kulikalonskie Lakes and the entire valley. The team leader can choose any route, depending on weather conditions, preferences and the condition of the group.
Distance: ≈ 7 km, elevation gain: +840 / -120 m, travel time: ≈ 5 hours
After yesterday, it would be good to rest and acclimatise properly. To do this, we will climb to the summit called Fluorite, 3,445 metres above sea level. Here, we will be able to stand with the Dushakha wall on our left and the Kulikalonsky wall on our right. The summit offers a view of the Alaudinsky Pass, our destination for tomorrow, and the Kulikalonsky, Bibijanat and Dushakha lakes. The size and grandeur of the mountains are breathtaking! We will need to spend some time at the summit to acclimatise. So we will take our time taking photos and enjoying the views. After returning, we will rest at the camp.
Distance: ≈ 9 km, elevation gain: +870 / -870 m, travel time: ≈ 6 hours
We have a very early start today, as we are going to climb the Alauidin 1A pass. First, the trail will take us to a picturesque mountain valley dotted with lakes, popularly known as "Mary's Tears", at the foot of the Dushak wall. Then we follow a winding path and reach the pass. Below us, among the grey rocks, lie the turquoise Alaudin lakes. The largest of them is Kulikolonskoye Lake. After admiring the scenery to our hearts' content, we begin our descent to the equally picturesque and enchanting Alaudin Lake. It is deservedly considered one of the most beautiful places in the Fann Mountains, so we simply cannot pass it by. We will stop for the night here on its shore. If you wish, in the evening you can walk to the other side of the lake, to Chaykhona, and try the delicious local pilaf there.
Distance: ≈ 8.5 km, elevation gain: +960 / -1020 m, travel time: ≈ 8 hours
Next, our trail passes through a narrow gorge that will lead us to the foot of the highest peak of Fan - Mount Chimtarga (5487 m). We will pass by the purest high-mountain lake Pial; it is deep and has transparent water. But you are unlikely to want to swim, as the water temperature is no more than 4 °C. Three to four hours after leaving the camp, we will be at Mutnoe Lake. Here we will set up tents and rest, surrounded by the highest Fan peaks: Chimtarga, Adamtash, Zamok, Energiya and Fagitor.
Distance: ≈ 7 km, elevation gain: +880 / -200 m, travel time: ≈ 6 hours
Tomorrow we will face a serious climb to a pass of difficulty category 1B. From Mutne Lake to the saddle, we will need to climb about 1,200 metres vertically. Therefore, today we will only climb to the foot of the pass, gradually acclimatising and gaining altitude. The trail initially passes through gentle scree slopes, then turns onto a gentle glacier descending from the summit of Energia, and leads us to a fairly steep scree slope, after which we will find ourselves in the cosy Perevalny Cirque. We will spend the night here. We will get water from the snowfield.
Distance: ≈ 5 km, elevation gain: +990 / -50 m, travel time: ≈ 5 hours
Early rise, quick packing and preparation. We are heading for the pass connecting two peaks - Chimtarga and Energia. After some time and effort, we will find ourselves at an altitude of 4740 m. Above us, the wall of Chimtarga rises proudly, and on the other side, distant cloud-covered peaks stand out. No matter how beautiful it is here, we cannot linger - a cold and piercing wind blows on the pass. We begin our descent to the place of our next overnight stay. Perhaps it is on this section that you will feel how useful trekking poles can be. Without them, it is quite difficult to descend rocky scree slopes. Be extremely careful and cautious. When we pass a huge rockfall and find ourselves at the intersection of the valleys, know that we are very close to Lake Velyke Allo, near which we will spend the night.
Distance: ≈ 9 km, elevation gain: +280 / -1680 m, travel time: ≈ 8 hours
Sometimes the weather makes adjustments to our plans. Strong winds or rain can cause the schedule to shift. We will keep this day as a backup in case of bad weather or other force majeure circumstances. If the route goes according to schedule, today we will be able to take a radial walk to the beautiful high-mountain lake Verkhne Allo, which is nestled among grey rocks at an altitude of 3,150 metres. The history of its creation is remembered by the formidable peaks, when a hundred years ago, as a result of a strong earthquake, the rocky slopes crumbled, and among them, in a hollow, a magnificent lake with incredibly blue and cold water was formed. On the way, you can swim in a waterfall.
Today is the final part of our walking route. To get back to civilisation, we will have to cover a considerable distance. The trail leads us along a steep gorge, past a small lake called Male Allo. It can usually only be admired in years with high water levels, when melted snow and rainwater fill the lake with crystal clear water. We will have lunch here, enjoying the coolness and tranquillity of the lake. With every hundred metres we descend towards the village of Gaza, the air temperature will become noticeably warmer. We will set up camp on the outskirts of the village. This marks the end of the walking part of our Fani trek. Our last night in a tent under the stars.
Distance: ≈ 14 km, elevation gain: +320 / -1450 m, travel time: ≈ 8 hours
In the morning, we pack up camp and descend to the village, where transport to Penjikent will be waiting for us. Then we head to the border and go through the procedure of leaving Tajikistan.
The tour leader and participants who have plane tickets from Tashkent continue their journey to the capital of Uzbekistan. Those who plan to stay and travel independently around Samarkand or Bukhara say goodbye to the group immediately after crossing the border.
We recommend booking night flights or making hotel reservations for that night in advance.
Depending on weather conditions, the condition of the group and general preferences, the tour leader has the right to make changes to the itinerary.
After completing the trek through the Fann Mountains, we recommend the following routes:
If you plan to stay in Uzbekistan and visit Bukhara and Samarkand, here are some tips. On the tenth day after the trek, our transfer takes the group to the railway station near Samarkand. Most of the group, who have tickets from Tashkent to their home countries, take the train to the capital of Uzbekistan.
Those participants who wish to stay can take public transport or a taxi from the railway station on the tenth day to Samarkand and stay in the city overnight from the tenth to the eleventh day. In the evening, you can take a walk around the city, and spend the morning and afternoon of the next day exploring Samarkand.
On the evening of the eleventh day, you can purchase train tickets and travel to Bukhara. Check into a hotel and devote the twelfth day entirely to this city. There are night trains from Bukhara to Tashkent, which some participants use so as not to book an extra night in a hotel, but to spend it on the train and fly home from Tashkent on the morning of the thirteenth day.
This additional programme should be planned independently, allowing at least one day for each city. You can also limit yourself to just Samarkand for one day — this simplifies logistics and train travel somewhat.
Please note that the team leader from our club does not stay with the participants and returns home on the tenth day. At the same time, the consultant will create a chat room where participants can discuss in advance their desire to stay and join forces for this trip.
The route runs through wild mountainous areas. Therefore, as soon as we leave the alpine camp, there will be virtually no mobile phone coverage along the route (except at the Alaudin Pass on the fourth day of the trek).
It is most advantageous to exchange currency at official bank exchange offices for personal expenses. It is better to have dollars to exchange for local currency, even though you pay the club in euros.
The weight of your packed rucksack before the trip should be around 15 kg.
During the hike, you will be provided with shared equipment and provisions weighing up to 5 kg. Some of the food will be used while the group is accompanied by donkeys.
Usually, if you buy tickets several months before the departure date, the cost will be significantly lower. The later you buy tickets, the more expensive they will be. And this does not depend on us.
When choosing tickets, remember that you need to arrive in Tashkent by 9 a.m. on the day of the meeting. You will need to go through passport control, collect your luggage and arrive at the meeting point by 10 a.m. In any case, we recommend that you coordinate your flights and arrival times with the manager before purchasing and paying for tickets to avoid unpleasant situations.
To participate in the programme, you need good insurance that covers trekking at altitudes up to 5,000 metres. Please do not ignore this point. It has saved some participants thousands of dollars. You can find our recommendations for insurance here: "Insurance for Kuluar trekking participants"
It is best to go between mid-July and early September, as this is the driest season in these mountains, and in most cases, the snow is above the line of our trek.
Yes, you can go, but it will be difficult and you must be physically and psychologically prepared for it.
If you can easily run 10+ km, cycle 30+ km or actively engage in other sports, completing this route will not be a problem for you.
The total amount of mandatory expenses not included in the price will be approximately 120 euros for meals in cafés (depending on your appetite) and tips. We recommend having an additional 100 euros on your card for souvenirs and possible additional expenses.
If the prepayment amount is too high for you at the moment, but you want to book a place, write to a consultant and they will divide it into convenient parts.
👉 Please read: payment methods and refund conditions in case of cancellation or departure from the route
Dear friends, we kindly request that you refrain from accepting 500 euro banknotes. We consistently encounter issues when settling accounts with our partners in Europe. Thank you for your understanding.
*Please note: the consultant will help you select and search for airline tickets and recommend insurance, but purchasing is not part of their job. Participants do this themselves or contact our partners. All contact details are provided in the article: tickets, hotels and insurance