Fann Mountains Trekking Expedition, Tajikistan

Trek through the idyllic Fann Mountains of Tajikistan’s northwest fringes with us for 12 days in June 2024, taking in some of the most beautiful mountain scenery on Earth. This is one of my most favorite expeditions to share with you, showing you around a place that has become a second home to me.

Starting from the capital city of Dushanbe, we will make our way north by road to the gorgeous lake of Iskanderkul to begin our trek into the Tajik wilderness. From there we will continue on to cross over four mountain passes and numerous villages getting a taste of Tajik mountain culture, and visit several unbelievably beautiful lakes in the Fanns including Kulikalon, Chukurak, Bolshoi Allo, and finally ending at the stunning Alovaddin Lakes.

After completing the trek, the tour will finish up in Dushanbe.

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Fann Mountains Expedition Itinerary

Day 1: Dushanbe

After breakfast, you will meet your guide who will take you on a fascinating city tour of Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s leafy capital. Highlights of the city include the Somoni Monument, the world’s second-tallest flag pole, Rudaki Park, the parliament buildings, the historic Hissar Fort, and the Navruz Hall. In the evening, we will have dinner at a luxury Tajik restaurant with live music and a dance show.

Accommodation: 4 * Atlas Hotel

Day 2: Iskanderkul & Sarytag

We start off early in the morning and make our way to the largest lake of the Fann Mountains, Iskanderkul. We should arrive around midday, giving us ample time to explore the shores of this dazzling turquoise lake. Later in the afternoon, we will head to the nearby village of Sarytag, where we will start our trekking adventure into the Fann Mountains.

Accommodation: Guesthouse
Distance: 4 hours by car
Altitude: 2200 meters

Day 3: Sarytag Village & the Foot of Dukdon Pass

After breakfast, we officially begin our Fann Mountains trekking expedition. The path begins from Sarytag, following the course of the Sarytag River for a few kilometers before we begin our ascent into Dukdon Pass. We’ll reach our camp in a lush pasture at the foot of Dukdon Pass in the later afternoon.

Altitude: 2380m
Distance: 11km, 7 hours, +950m/-30m
Accommodation: Tent

Day 4: Dukdon Pass & Sugarkhona Meadows

We gradually begin our first challenge on this Fann Mountains expedition to ascend Dukdon Pass (3800m) today. The paths are fair, leading along a rocky and narrow path up into the pass.

Slowly but surely, we will arrive at the top of Dukdon Pass around midday where we will break for lunch before taking on the descent alongside the glacier covering the pass partially.

By late afternoon, we will arrive at our camp in the Sugarkhona Meadows, In Tajik, sugarkhona means “Marmot house” and you are sure to see many marmots here. There are many other small mammals, birds, and medicinal herbs and plants to be seen along the way.

Altitude: 3300m
Distance: 7 km, 7 hours, +520m/-840m
Accommodation: Tent

Day 5: Sugarkhona & Archamaidon Valley

After breakfast, we will continue trekking past the spectacular mountains and glaciers surrounding Sarykhodan Gorge and toward Archamaidon Valley, taking a small detour en route to visit the beautifully tucked away Pushtikul Lake (2500m).

Tonight we camp in a lovely spot along the Archamaidon River.

Altitude: 2980m
Distance: 13km, 7-8 hours, +140m/-830m
Accommodation: Tent

Day 6: Archamaidan Valley & Zindon Gorge

In the morning we continue along the course of the river to eventually reach the narrow Archamaidon Gorge following ancient shepherd’s paths. In the afternoon we will leave the Archamaidon Valley to begin our gradual ascent along the Zindon Valley. We will camp a short distance away from the small Maloye Allo Lake.

Altitude: 2290m
Distance: 13km, 8 hours, +1230m/-1140m
Accommodation: Tent

Day 7: Zindon Valley & Bolshoi Allo

Today, we will have a challenging day hike towards the Bolshoi Allo Lake (3150m) – one of the most beautiful lakes in the Fann Mountains, surrounded by an amphitheater of jagged peaks. On the way, we will see Maloye Allo Lake (2400m) and enjoy the gorgeous natural scenery of the Zindon Gorge. The gorge is surrounded by high mountains on either side and there are two high rockfalls that are safe and simple to trek, while still being challenging.

We will plan to return to our camp in the Zindon Gorge this evening.

Altitude: 3150m
Distance: 17km, 9-10 hours, +790m/-790m
Accommodation: Tent

Day 8: Zindon Valley & Vin

Early in the morning, we will make our descent from Zindon Gorge to the Amshut River, and back to the Archamaidon River. We’ll follow the course of the river along a rough dirt road for most of the journey today to arrive in the idyllic village of Vin in the early evening where we will have a lovely dinner in a homestay.

Altitude: 2380m
Distance: 17km, 6-7 hours, +20/-860m
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 9: Vin & Chukuruk Lakes to Artuch

After an early breakfast, we will head downhill from Vin and begin our trek that will take us past the village of Zimtut from where we begin our ascent to cross the Guitan Pass (3000m) and onto Chukurak Lakes (2450m). We will reach Artuch village by the afternoon where we will have a night at the at the lovely Artuch Base Camp.

Altitude: 1900m
Distance: 17km, 8 hrs, +1600/-1000m
Accommodation: Artuch Alp Camp

Day 10: Artuch Alplager & Kulikalon Bowl

After breakfast, we will begin our trek up to the Kulikalon Bowl. We should arrive at our camp in the early afternoon and then take time to explore the beautiful Kulikalon Bowl Lakes. 

Altitude: 2200m
Distance: 12 km, ~4 hrs, +600/- 60 m
Accommodation: Tent

Day 11: Kulikalon Bowl & Alovaddin Lake

In the morning, we will start our ascent up the spectacular Alovaddin Pass. From the top of the pass (approximately 3860m), we will be rewarded for our efforts with an extraordinary panorama of the surrounding peaks and lakes spread out below. From there, we will descend to a campsite located beside the jewel-toned Alovaddin Lake for the night.

Altitude: 2800m
Distance: 12 km, ~6-7 hrs, +1060/ – 1100 m
Accommodation: Tent

Day 12: Alovaddin Lake & Dushanbe

We start off early in the morning to catch a gorgeous sunrise before we pack up our camp, say our goodbyes to the Fann Mountains, and make a short 1.5 km hike down from Alovaddin Lakes to the base camp where our van will be waiting to pick us up.

We will arrive back in Dushanbe in the afternoon, where we’ll have a bit of time to do some last-minute shopping before we have our goodbye dinner in the heart of the Tajik capital.

Altitude: 2750m
Distance: 1.5 km walk to the lake from the end of the road | 5 hours (by car)
Accommodation: 4 * Atlas Hotel

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