Aborigines of Pamir and a 'pearl' of the East – Samarkand (TTJ 02)
The itinerary: Tashkent - Oybek border post - Shakhristan Pass - Khodishar - Rost Pass - Dekhkalon - Psken - Naumetkan - Shobita - Margib - Sardoba - "Vertical" alpine camp - Fann Mountains - Alaudin Lake - Mutnoye (Muddy) Lake - Alaudin Pass - Kulikalon Lakes - Chukurak Pass - Zimtut - Oybek border post - Tashkent - Samarkand - Tashkent
This unusual and interesting itinerary joins past and present times, history and the comtenporaneity. The tour gives the opportunity to familiarize closer with the life of aborigines - the people whose far ancestry lived in fire-worshippers and Zoroastrism time. Aborigines or “Tribes of Pamir” have kept until now their ancient language – a dialect of Sogdian language, their history, culture, way of life and traditions. They call themselves as “yagnobs” by the name of Yagnob River, flowing along Zarafshan Range of Pamir.
The itinerary consists of 2 parts:
- the first part – trekking along Yagnob River,
- the second part – trekking in Fann Mountains – a country of clear lakes, glaciers, and peaks beyond the clouds (more 5000 m).
BRIEF PROGRAM OF THE TOUR
Day 1 | Arrival to Tashkent. Hotel. Free time. |
Day 2 | Transfer Tashkent - "Oybek" border post - Shakhristan Pass - Khodishar village. |
Day 3 | Trekking along the gorge of Guzn River to Sharipul settlement. |
Day 4 | Ascend under Rost Pass. The overnight stay is at the altitude of 3220 m. |
Day 5 | Crossing of Zarafshan Range via Rost Pass. Dekhkalon settlement. Camp. |
Day 6 | Descend along the gorge of Yagnob River. The camp is at the altitude 2140 m. |
Day 7 | Descend along the valley of Yagnob River via old Sogdian settlements: Psken, Naumetkan and Shobita. |
Day 8 | Descend along Yagnob River to Margib settlement. |
Day 9 | Fann Mountains. Transfer Margib – Sardoba – "Vertical" alpine camp. Alaudin Lake. |
Day 10 | One day walking to Mutnoye (Muddy) Lake. Return to the camp at Alaudin Lake. |
Day 11 | Ascend on Alaudin Pass and descend to Kulikalon Lakes. |
Day 12 | Walking from Kulikalon Lake via Chukurak Pass to Zimtut settlement. |
Day 13 | Moving to border post "Oybek and then to Tashkent. Hotel. Rest. |
Day 14 | Full day excursion to the ancient Samarkand (drive to Samarkand and back to Tashkent by train). |
Day 15 | Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Departure. |