In the northwestern corner of Tajikistan, along the border with Uzbekistan, lay the rugged and beautiful Fann Mountains, a branch of the Western Pamir-Alay Range. They divide the northern territory of the country, in the Fergana Valley, from Dushanbe and the south. It is a compact range, with around 100 stunning peaks, many over 5,000m, and renowned alpine lakes. Famed among nature lovers and mountaineers, these mountains nonetheless see very few visitors, and their natural beauty and cultural treasures have remained virtually unchanged to this day.
PROGRAMME
Day 1 Arrival in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Some shopping in city. Trip to Vertical Alaudin climbing camp (2780 m) by rented car, which is in the heart of the Fann mountains, near Alaudin Lakes in the valley of Chapdara River.
Day 2 Trekking for acclimatization, we will walk from Alaudin Lake to Alaudin Pass and return to the camp.
Alaudin Lake 2780m – Alaudin Pass 3730m – Alaudin Lake 2780m
Time: 4-6h, ↑ 950m ↓ 950m
Day 3 Trekking to Mutnyi Lake, overnight in tents in our new camp on bank of the lake. In the afternoon: optional radial trek to VAA Pass.
Alaudin Lake 2780m – Mutnyi Lake 3600m
Time: 3h, ↑ 820m
Day 4 The first challenge. The goal of the day is to reach and crossing the Chimtarga Pass and trekking away throght Right Zindon Valley to Allo Lake.
Mutnyi Lake 3600m – Chimtarga Pass 4740m 1B – Right Zindon Valley – Allo Lake 3180m
Time: 10-12h, Distance: 10,4km, ↑ 1140m ↓ 1560m
Day 5 Day for relaxing in the camp site on the bank of the Upper Allo Lake.
Day 6 The sixth day we will move to valley of Kazok River, which run to Iskander Lake. Our trek crossing Dvoinoi Pass and we will reach the beautiful Biriuzovoe Lake.
Allo Lake 3180m – Left Zindon Valley – Dvoinoi Pass 4260m 1B – Biriuzovoe Lake 4070m
Time: 6-8h, ↑ 980m ↓ 190m
Day 7 On this day we will descend to start point of the Kazok Pass and reach valley of Chapdara River.
Biriuzovoe Lake 4070m – descend to start point of the Kazok Pass – Kazok Pass 4060m 1B – Mutnyi Lake 3600m
Time: 4-6h, ↑ kb. 500m ↓ 400m
Day 8 Day for relaxing in the camp site on the bank of the miraculous Mutny Lake.
Day 9 The challenge of the day is to reach Zamok’s 5070-meter summits, the highest point of the trip. The summit is one of the most spectacular peak of Chapdara Valley. Zamok means ‘castle’, considering its imposing shape. The mountain route is 2B by Russian Alpine Grades.
Time: 8-10h, ↑ 1470m ↓ 1470m
Day 10 The last day on the road, we get back into Vertical Alaudin climbing camp. We step out from the wonderful region lakes and Fann mountains. But if you fall in love with the country and want to continue the journey, join the sightseeing tour: we will visit Khujand, one of the oldest cities of Central Asia and Silk Road.
Time: 3-4h, ↓ 980m
Check here the Russian Pass Grades and the Russian Alpine Grades.
KHUJAND
You’re probably never going to find yourself walking the unknown streets of Khujand, Tajikistan. But no matter where you plan on taking your holidays, there’s good reason for knowing a brief history of Khujand, so bare with me. About 2500 years ago, King Cyrus (the Great), leader of the first Persian Empire, founded a city here and immodestly named it Cyropolis. Alexander (also the Great), travelled here from Macedonia in 329BC, and built a settlement named Alexandria Eschate – literally, Alexander the Furtherest. Not long thereafter, Khujand became the first city where Europeans and Chinese got acquainted, translating Kung-Pow-Chicken recipes and sharing rice-crackers with a nice bottle of Macedonian red. For centuries thereafter, Khujand became a major point on the Silk Road, joining East and West.
Around the 8th century, Muslim armies invaded, adding yet another layer of religion, culture and kebab joints. In the 13th century, Khujand was laid to waste by the Mongolian forces of Ghengis Khan. For most of the 20th century, Khujand was named Leninabad – when the stylishly bearded, but economically retarded, Russian Bolsheviks incorporated Tajikistan into the Soviet Union. And, since 1991 this ancient city of phenomenal complexity is once again back to being known, as Khujand
Photo and text by https://yomadic.com
INFORMATIONS
Tour categories:
Tour leaders:
Pallag István
voluntary leader
