Flexible
14 days
Uzbekistan
Hiking in Uzbekistan – Tien Shan Celestial Mountains
Known as the "Celestial Mountains," they offer a unique experience combining spectacular landscapes, natural richness, and the discovery of traditional cultures. If you are passionate about trekking, here is what awaits you in this region!
- The Tien Shan range stretches across several Central Asian countries, but Uzbekistan offers some of the best access points to this mountain chain. While altitudes can reach over 7,000 meters (at the Jengish Chokusu peak), hiking expeditions generally take place at more accessible altitudes.
Trekking in Uzbekistan – The Tien Shan Celestial Mountains
(14 Days / 12 Nights)
Route: Tashkent – Tien Shan Celestial Mountains – Urgench – Khiva – Bukhara – Urgut (Homestay) – Shahrisabz – Samarkand – Tashkent
The Tien Shan Mountains, located in eastern Uzbekistan, are a true paradise for hiking enthusiasts and outdoor adventure seekers.
(14 Days / 12 Nights)
Route: Tashkent – Tien Shan Celestial Mountains – Urgench – Khiva – Bukhara – Urgut (Homestay) – Shahrisabz – Samarkand – Tashkent
The Tien Shan Mountains, located in eastern Uzbekistan, are a true paradise for hiking enthusiasts and outdoor adventure seekers.
Hiking in Uzbekistan – The Tien Shan Celestial Mountains
About this tour
Day 1: France – Istanbul – Tashkent
Direct flight to Uzbekistan.
Day 2: Tashkent
Arrive in Tashkent at [Time]. You will be met by your French-speaking guide. If you arrive early in the morning, your hotel room will be ready (early check-in reserved).
Direct flight to Uzbekistan.
Day 2: Tashkent
Arrive in Tashkent at [Time]. You will be met by your French-speaking guide. If you arrive early in the morning, your hotel room will be ready (early check-in reserved).
- Breakfast
- Morning: Today you visit the dynamic capital, a metropolis of over 3 million people and an ancient Silk Road city with 2,200 years of history.
- Chorsu Bazaar: Visit one of the largest traditional markets in the capital. Stroll through stalls of vegetables, fruits, and spices on one side, and the artisans' gallery on the other—a perfect introduction to Oriental culture.
- Khast Imam Complex: Explore this large park housing Tashkent's historical monuments preserved after the earthquake. Inside one of the madrasahs, you will see the "Othman Quran," the oldest Quran in the Islamic world.
- Lunch in the city
- Afternoon: Continue to Independence Square and Amir Timur Square, followed by a tour of the decorative Tashkent Metro stations.
- Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
- Breakfast
- Morning: Departure for the Amirsoy resort in Chimgan, a large tourist complex at an altitude of 1,600m. Upon arrival, take the gondola lift in two stages up to 2,290m to enjoy sublime mountain panoramas.
- The Hike: Begin trekking toward the weather station. This is primarily a ridge hike offering breathtaking landscapes.
- Picnic lunch in nature.
- Afternoon: Return to the station and descend via gondola to meet the driver. (Optional activities available: horseback riding, jet skiing/pedal boats at the lake, or cycling).
- Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
- Elevation Gain/Loss: +320m / -320m
- Distance: 10.5 km
- Walking Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Breakfast
- Morning: Your driver takes you to the foot of Greater Chimgan Peak to begin the hike. Head toward the Chimgan Pass, cross it, and descend into the Gul Kam Valley.
- The Hike: Walk through the canyon surrounded by stunning scenery.
- Picnic lunch organized during the trek.
- Afternoon: Trek to the "Vodopad" waterfall, then continue to the village exit where the driver will be waiting to transfer you back to the hotel.
- Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
- Elevation Gain/Loss: +350m / -520m
- Distance: 9 km
- Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours
- Breakfast
- Morning: Transfer to Kizil Jar to begin the hike. You will trek toward Lake Charvak, passing through the extraordinary landscapes of the Kizil Jar gorge.
- Picnic lunch organized during the trek.
- Afternoon: Continue the hike through forests of wild fruit trees. Walk until you reach the scenic viewpoint of Lake Chorbog' (Charvak), where you will meet your driver for the transfer back to Tashkent.
- Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
- Elevation Gain/Loss: +120m / -340m
- Distance: 12 km
- Walking Time: Approx. 7 hours
Day 6: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva (40 km)
- Breakfast
- Transfer to the airport for the 07:00 flight. Arrival in Urgench at 08:20. You will be welcomed by your French-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel in Khiva (40 km).
- Discovery of Khiva, one of the wonders of the ancient Silk Road. Khiva has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. The city consists of two parts: "Itchan Qala" (inner city) and "Dichan Qala" (outer city), and is truly an open-air museum.
- The tour begins at the main gate, Ota Darvoza. You will then visit the Kalta Minor truncated minaret, the Mohamed Aminkhan Madrasah, the Mennonite Museum, the King’s seat and the Kunya Ark ancient palace, the Mohamed Rahimkhan Madrasah, the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, and the Islam Khodja Minaret.
- Lunch in the city.
- The visit continues with the Juma Mosque, the Caravan Saray (today's market), the Tosh Khavli Palace, and the Khan’s Harem.
- Dinner in the city. Night at the hotel.
- Breakfast
- Today is a travel day toward Bukhara. In the morning, you will cross the Amu Darya, the largest river in Central Asia, which dries up before reaching the Aral Sea.
- Then, you will travel through the Kyzyl Kum Desert ("Red Sand"), featuring desert vegetation, wildflowers (depending on the season), and sand dunes. The 450 km journey takes approximately 7 hours.
- Lunch organized along the way.
- Arrival in Bukhara and transfer to the hotel.
- Dinner in the city. Night at the hotel.
- Breakfast
- Full day to discover Bukhara, one of the most remarkable cities of the Silk Road. Known as the "Holy Land" or the "City of Knowledge," it has been a UNESCO site since 1993.
- Morning: Visit the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, the Ark Citadel (with its panoramic view of old Bukhara), and the Bolo Haouz Mosque. You will also visit the Kolkhoz Bozor (farmers' market).
- Lunch in the city.
- Afternoon: Exploration of the Po-i-Kalyan Complex (Kalyan Minaret, Mir-i-Arab Madrasah, and Great Mosque), the Twin Madrasahs (Ulugbek and Abdul Aziz Khan), and a stroll through the medieval trading domes (Toqi Zargaron, Toqi Telpakfurushon, and Toqi Sarrafon). Visit the Lyabi Hauz ensemble, including the Magok-i-Attari Mosque, the Nadir Devanbegi Khanaka and Madrasah, and the Kukeldash Madrasah.
- Artisan Workshops: Visit workshops of master artists: carpets, "Suzani" embroidery, and traditional puppet making.
- Miniature Masterclass: Visit the school of a master miniaturist, participate in a class, and paint your own miniature.
- Dinner at the miniaturist's home. Night at the hotel.
- Breakfast
- Visit the outskirts of the city: the Naqshbandi Mausoleum, the tomb of one of the most revered Sufi figures in the Muslim world. Continue to the Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Summer Palace and the Chor Minor Madrasah.
- Lunch in the city.
- Transfer to the station for the high-speed train at 16:11. Arrival in Samarkand at 18:00.
- Drive south to Urgut for a homestay with a friendly local family. The village is located in the foothills of the Zarafshan range (part of the Pamir-Alay system).
- Dinner and night with the host family.
- Breakfast
- Hike toward the Zumrad Cave, ascending to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the village and the surrounding sublime landscapes.
- Picnic lunch in nature.
- Walk along the ridges toward the village of Tersak, making a loop back to the host family.
- Plov Masterclass: Participate in preparing the national dish, "Plov," with the family.
- Walking time: 5 to 6 hours. Elevation: +300m / -300m. Distance: 10 km.
- Dinner and night with the host family.
- Breakfast
- Drive to Shahrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. You will cross the Takhtakaracha Pass (1,788 m).
- Visit: The "Blue Dome" ensemble (mosques, mausoleums, and madrasahs), the Crypt of Tamerlane, and the ruins of the Ak-Saray Palace. Stroll through the massive historical park.
- Lunch in the city.
- Return to Samarkand. Stop at the mountain pass to enjoy the view and visit a small local market for dried fruits and spices.
- Dinner in the city. Night at the hotel.
Day 12: Samarkand
- Breakfast.
- Finally, we reach Samarkand—known as the "Face of the Earth," the "Pearl of the World," and the "Rome of the East." The list of titles is endless. The city has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001.
- Morning: Discover two remarkable monuments: the 14th-century Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum and the legendary Registan Square. Explore its three magnificent madrasahs: Ulugbek Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, and Tillya-Kori Madrasah. These monuments bear witness to the grandeur of legendary Samarkand, the capital of the Timurid Empire.
- Lunch in the city.
- Afternoon: Visit the Ulugbek Observatory and the Afrosiyab Museum. You will also visit a Samarkand paper workshop, where paper is still handcrafted using ancestral methods.
- Evening (Optional): Folk concert at the El Merosi Theater, offering a beautiful immersion into local theatrical traditions and performances related to Uzbek history and culture.
- Dinner in the city. Night at the hotel.
- Breakfast.
- Continue exploring the treasures of Samarkand: the majestic Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the vibrant Siyob Bazaar, and the stunning Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis.
- Lunch in the city.
- Transfer to the railway station to take the high-speed train to Tashkent at 17:30. Arrival in Tashkent at 19:40.
- Dinner and night at the hotel.
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight at [Time].
