Distance: 5 + 6 km (total)
Elevation gain/loss: Day 1 +250 m / -250 m ; Day 2 +500 m / -500 m
Available: mid-May – mid-September
This 2-day Hiking Tour to Gulkam Canyon and Small Chimgan Mountain is designed for those who love mountain hiking and want something medium in difficulty. Besides, it gives variety: on the first day you will go up the Gulkamsay river to the deep canyon made of powerful rocks going up to 50 meters, and on the second day there will be a relatively easy ascent to the Small Chimgan mountain, from where you will get a magnificent panorama of all the surrounding peaks and ridges. In Gulkam canyon you will pass through baths, where you will have to soak your feet, and in the finale there will be a refreshing 10-meter waterfall. On the second day, from the top of Small Chimgan you will see Greater Chimgan peak in the south, Aukashka (Okhotnichy) peak in the south-east, Charvak reservoir in the north-east, and many ridges of Tien Shan on the horizon. And between these hikes you will have an opportunity to have a great rest in a hotel with a swimming pool.
Tour itinerary:
11:00 - 15:00: Walk to Gulkam gorge and Gulkamsai tributary - Kuylusai. Here you can enjoy the magnificent views of the Gulkam gorge, their steep cliffs, as well as "baths" on the cascade of waterfalls. Along the way there will be numerous crossings across the river, where you will have to wet your feet, so it is advisable to have a change of shoes (2 km, +200 m elevation gain). After visiting the gorges, go along the tributary Kuylusai to the picturesque waterfall (400 m, +50 m elevation gain). Picnic lunch on the way. Return to the car.
15:00 - 16:00: Transfer to Pana Hotel. Check-in and enjoy free time.
9:30 - 10:00: Transfer to the base of Small Chimgan Mountain (1550 m), the starting point for the day's trek.
10:00 - 11:00: Upon arrival at the base of Small Chimgan Mountain, your guide will provide a safety briefing. After confirming you have all the necessary gear, the ascent begins. The initial part of the trek is a gentle climb through a wide meadow before the path turns left, leading into a more challenging climb through dense thickets. Though strenuous, in about 30 minutes, you'll reach Pesochny Pass (1,832 meters), the saddle connecting Small and Greater Chimgan. The path to the pass is 1.5 km with an elevation gain of 240 meters.
11:00 - 12:00: After a brief rest at the pass, you'll tackle the rocky slope of Small Chimgan. This section will require the most effort – with a distance of only 700 meters, the elevation gain is 220 meters! There is no shade from the sun, and you may feel increasingly thirsty – stay hydrated by taking small, frequent sips. Soon enough, you'll reach the ridge, and the final 800 meters to the peak at 2,099 meters will be a much easier walk. Your reward is a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
12:00 - 13:00: Enjoy lunch at the summit and take photos with the stunning backdrop of Lake Charvak and Greater Chimgan Mountain.
13:00 - 15:00: Descend at a comfortable, steady pace to minimize the load on your knees. The trail is steep in some places, so pay close attention to every step. Using trekking poles will significantly ease the task and protect your joints.
15:00 - 17:00: Transfer back to Tashkent. End of the Gulkam Canyon and Small Chimgan hiking tour.
Attention! Please inform us in advance if you have any musculoskeletal issues (knee or joint problems), cardiovascular or respiratory conditions (high blood pressure, asthma, implants), or if you have undergone surgery within the last 2 years. Please also specify any food allergies or dietary preferences (vegetarianism, etc.).
Your safety is our priority: if a participant's health condition poses a risk, the guide reserves the right to modify or terminate the route.
Important information:
- In case of bad weather, guides reserve the right to modify the route;
Equipment:
- In hot and sunny weather: a panama hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, long-sleeved outerwear, trousers (shorts are not suitable due to thorny bushes along the path), trekking boots or sneakers. Lightweight gloves (such as cycling gloves) will also be a plus.
- Day 1: Flip-flops or sandals for the crossing. For those who want to swim: a swimsuit and a towel.
- Day 2: Part of the route has an incline of up to 30 degrees, reaching 40 degrees at certain points. Trekking poles are highly recommended (we provide them).
- In cold weather: a jacket or a windbreaker.
Price includes:
- Transportation to/from the mountains (1-2 people in a sedan; 3-6 people in a minivan);
- Services of a mountain guide;
- Picnic lunch for two days;
- Trekking poles;
- Accommodation at a hotel with breakfast.
Price doesn't include:
- Dinner at Pana Hotel;
- Insurance policy.
