Trekking Uzbekistan: 6-Day Trek & Camping in The Western Tian Shan Mountains

Embark on a captivating 6-day trekking adventure through the lush green valleys of the Western Tian Shan mountains in Uzbekistan. The journey promises an exquisite blend of breathtaking scenery, panoramic mountain views, and heartwarming encounters with local shepherds. Your expedition begins in the charming village of Gidjal, just an hour and a half’s drive from Tashkent. Over the course of 6 days, you’ll traverse a total distance of 74 kilometres, culminating at the renowned Beldersay Ski Resort. The pinnacle of this adventure lies in reaching the majestic summit of Great Chimgan, soaring at an impressive elevation of 3,309 metres above sea level.

Amidst this enchanting trek, you’ll be treated to a diverse array of landscapes – from idyllic meadows and verdant orchards to the vast expanse of bare high mountain plains. A highlight not to be missed is the warm interactions with local shepherds, who will undoubtedly enrich your experience with their hospitality and insights into mountain life. At the end of each day, find solace in the embrace of picturesque camping sites nestled within lush valleys, creating the perfect backdrop for memorable evenings under the stars. This trekking tour is best suited for those with prior trekking experience, seeking an extraordinary journey through the remarkable landscapes of Western Tian Shan.

Day 1 – Tashkent-Aksakata valley
Be ready at 9:00 am to meet our driver and guide in the parking lot of the Uzbekistan Hotel in Tashkent and transfer to the trekking start point. A 65-kilometre, 1.5-hour drive brings you to the Aksakata Valley. Ascending the ridgeline and traversing to the adjacent valley, you’ll reach 1400 metres and descend to 1100 metres. A lunch break awaits by the Aksakata and Nurekata rivers, providing fresh drinking water from a nearby homestead across the Aksakata village, reachable via a bridge (2 hours 50 minutes from the start).

Post-lunch, retrace your steps across the Aksakata River, gradually ascending on a vehicle-accessible dirt road, then crossing back over the river. The path leads upstream for 30 minutes to a campsite shaded by trees, nestled near the Aksakata and Kashkasu Rivers’ confluence.

Highest Altitude 1400m
Sleeping Altitude 1350m
Distance 15km, 7 hours, 300m height gain

Day 2 – Aksak Ata Valley
Continue your exploration along the tranquil Aksakata River valley, where nature’s beauty thrives and freshwater streams meander by. Around 2 hours from the campsite, a brief 50-metre stretch of the path presents a narrow and rocky challenge, but fear not. We’ll backtrack and take an alternative path closer to the river, ensuring a safe and enjoyable passage.

Continue ascending the trail along the Aksakata River’s bed. Passing by shepherd’s seasonal abodes and a charming waterfall, the path is adorned with barberry and dog-rose bushes along the riverbanks, while fruit trees add to the scenery. As the day unfolds, your camping spot awaits near a spring. Depending on the group size, you’ll find 1 or 2-level terraces, securing an accessible water supply for your convenience.

Highest Altitude 2050m
Sleeping altitude 2050m
Distance 16km, 8 hours, 700m height gain

Day 3 – Aksakata Pass
Start your trek by following the main track uphill to Aksakata Pass at 2200 metres for about 1 hour. Revel in sweeping views of distant peaks and Plateau Pulatkhan. Continue north along the ridge, reaching around 2350 metres before descending to 2100 metres in the next valley. Lunch awaits at 2250 metres by a stream. Climb further to High Karangur at 2700 metres to catch your first glimpse of Big Chimgan’s summit. Descend into a narrow valley, and ascend to Karaungursay’s camping area. Water from the streams, the source of Karaungursay, ensures your supply.

Highest Altitude 2700m
Sleeping altitude 2650m
Distance 10km, 6 hours, 700m height gain

Day 4 – Karaungursay
Return to the main Mingjilki Ridge from your camp, your path drawing you nearer to Big Chimgan. Along the way, catch glimpses of Plateau Pulatkhan. Journey towards the source of Karaarcha River, traversing the Takhta Pass (2620m). Navigate through the ups and downs of the ridge, surpassing 2800m before descending to set up for lunch and overnight campsite near the Takhta Pass.

During today’s trek, you’ll encounter numerous shepherds’ summer settlements, all while soaking in panoramic vistas of mountains and the Chirchik Valley throughout the day.

Highest Altitude 3000m
Sleeping altitude 2700m
Distance 10km, 4 hours, 300m height gain

Day 5 – Big Chimgan Peak
Big Chimgan Peak summit day. Today is the most challenging day as the trek reaches its highest point with the summiting of Big Chimgan peak (3309m) before descending to the Beldersey River. Big Chimgan is the highest peak in the area and offers fantastic panoramic views. You begin walking from your camp at Takhta Pass heading up along the ridge, walking around subsidiary peaks of the massif, and eventually emerging on the northeast side of the mountain with the ‘steel tripod’ on the summit ridge and the main summit now in view. There are great views of the Charvak Reservoir and of the neighbouring towns and distant mountain ranges of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Reaching the actual summit peak from the tripod requires the team to ascend some broken terrain that is exposed in places. The summit can be reached in approximately 3 hours, with about 1 and a half hours for the descent back down to the pass. You’ll have lunch before continuing the descent down to the Beldersey River.

Heading down from the pass, follow the stream all the way down until you meet another ridge, head up past the shepherd’s tent, and continue up the ridge, the last major ascent of the expedition. Near the top, we will see some ancient Petroglyphs. Your camp for this evening is on the Kumbil Pass (2350m).

Highest Altitude 3309m
Sleeping altitude 1800m
Distance 10km, 7 hours, 610m height gain, 960m descent

Day 6 – Beldersay Valley – Charvak reservoir – Tashkent
Descend to the ski resort of Beldersey and from there transfer by vehicle to the Charvak reservoir. Starting along this long and winding ridge the route gradually descends to 1880m at Chet Kumbel Pass, a small pass separating the Nurekata and Beldersay River Valleys. You’ll continue to descend to the ski resort of Beldersay. From here you will transfer to Charvak high-mountain reservoir and then on to Tashkent (120 km, 2 hours).

Highest Altitude 3309m
Sleeping altitude 1800m
Distance 13km, 5 hours, 50m height gain, 930 descent (walking time)

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