Early arrival in Samarkand. Meeting at the airport. 

Transfer to “Jartepa” Uzbek-Tajik land border, customs formalities. Further transfer to the Zeravshan river valley and the mountain camp “Artuch”.

Here our trekking in the Fan Mountains starts. This region is an incredibly beautiful corner abounding in alpine lakes and snow-capped peaks, situated at the junction of two major mountain ranges in the Pamir-Alai system – the Hissar and Zeravshan Ranges.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in the mountain camp “Artuch” (2200 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Well-trodden trail takes us up to Kulikalon lakes along the scree slope of the western part of the Kulikalon basin. We steadily climb up and enjoy a view to three peaks – Adamtash (4579 m), Mirali (5106 m) and Maria (4790 m) which making the famous Kulikalon Rock Wall. At the foot of the wall there are turquoise necklace of amazing Kulikalon Lakes. Our camp is located on a green meadow, on the shore of one of the lakes, Bibidjanat Lake.

Travel time: 5 hours; altitude difference: +642 m.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in tents (2842 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

While ascending to the Alaudin Pass (3757 m) we enjoy a bird-eye view of Kulikalon Wall, Dushaha Lake and the entire Kulikalon Lake system at its foot. From the pass there's a grand view of amazing Alaudin Lakes, as well as the snow-&-ice-clad 5000+m peaks of the Fan Mountains: Chapdara Peak (5049 m), Bodkhona Peak (5152 m) and Zamok Peak (5020 m).

Travel time: 6 hours; altitude difference: +915 m; –971 m.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in tents (2786 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today our point of destination are Mutnye Lakes, they got their name because of the deep gray color of the water. The trail passes by the small lake Piala named for its round-shape bottom, and then takes us to the Mutnye Lakes located in the very heart of the Fan Mountains and surrounded by the most beautiful 5000+m peaks: Chimtarga (5489 m), Energiya (5120 m), Mirali (5106 m), Zamok (5020 m), Bodkhona (5152 m). They are especially beautiful after sunset, when the surrounding peaks are reflected in the water as in a mirror.

Travel time: 4 hours; altitude difference: +700 m.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in tents (3490 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The ascent to the cirque of Chimtarga pass is not difficult technically, but the altitude difference between Mutnye Lakes and the place of our next tent camp is more than 1000 m. Efforts will be rewarded with beautiful views of the dominant peaks – Chimtarga (5489 m) and Energiya (5105 m). Our camp is located at a height of 4500 m, that is the highest point of overnight stay on the entire route. The weather is quite cold there, and warm clothes will be required.

Travel time: 6 hours; altitude difference: +1010 m.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in tents (4500 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we will ascent to the highest point of the entire route – the Chimtarga pass (4780 m). Stunning views open from the pass: from the both sides of the pass there are Energiya Peak and Chimtagra Peak, and on the opposite side – the peaks of the Mutnye Lakes circle: Zamok (5020 m), Bolshaya (Big) Ganza (5306 m), Malaya (Small) Ganza (4946 m), Krasnye Zori Peak (4746 m) and others. Quite far away, on the south there seen the peaks of Hissar Range and on the North – the peaks of Zeravshan Range. Undoubtedly, most of us feel these moments as a climax of the trek. From the pass we descend to the Zindon Praviy (Right) River valley and get to the Bolshoje Allo Lake. Lake Bolshoje Allo was formed as a result of an earthquake in 1912, in a hollow between huge vertical rock walls.

Travel time: 8 hours; altitude difference: +280 m; –1670 m.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight in tents (3110 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Penjikent (70 km; 1,5 h).

Descent along the Zindon River valley to the Archimaidan River valley. We overcome a giant blockage that collapsed in the earthquake of 1912 and formed Bolshoje (Big) Allo Lake. We overcome a giant blockage that collapsed in the earthquake of 1912 and formed Lake Bolshoje Allo. Then we will see the emerald-turquoise Maloje (Small) Allo Lake, located at an altitude of 2340 m. Visiting the shepherds' dwelling and tasting ayran – a healthy and refreshing fermented milk homemade product.

After descending to the Archimaidan River valley – transfer to Penjikent and check-in at the hotel.

Travel time: 6 hours; altitude difference: –1146 m.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to “Jartepa” Tajik-Uzbek land border, customs formalities; further transfer to Samarkand.

Samarkand is probably the best-known Uzbekistan’s historic city. Over 2,750 years of age, it has a rich history and boasts world-famous masterpieces of medieval Islamic architecture, most of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Accommodation at the hotel after 14:00. Leisure time.

Meals: breakfast.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Sightseeing in Samarkand: the most famous and impressive square in the entire Central Asia – the Registan Square, surrounded by three monumental madrasahs – Madrasah of Ulugbek, Sher-Dor Madrasah, Tilya-Kori Madrasah; Gur-e Amir Mausoleum – the grand dynastic tomb of Tamerlane and necropolis of the Timurids, which served as a prototype for the Humayun's Tomb in Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra; the largest cathedral mosque in Central Asia, embodying majesty and beauty – Bibi-Khanym; the largest market in Samarkand – Siab Bazaar; an architectural ensemble of 11 medieval mausoleums – Shah-i-Zinda; and the Ulugbek Observatory Museum - one of the most important observatories of the Middle Ages, where a giant angelometer (sextant) is preserved underground.

Meals: breakfast.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Free time to explore Samarkand on your own.

Transfer to Bukhara by day train (12:42-15:06*, travel time 2 hrs 24 mins).

Bukhara is one of the world’s oldest cities and one of the seven holy cities of Islam. It is over 2,500 years old, and seems to be emanating the breath of history. The city was a large political and religious center in the Middle Ages with over 350 mosques and 80 madrasahs (Islamic colleges), many of which survive. The historic center of Bukhara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sightseeing in Bukhara: Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble – the most famous square in Bukhara with an artificial pond around which are Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, Khanaka, the famous monument of Khoja Nasreddin and many cosy cafes. A visit to the 16th-century domed shopping arcade, where you can find folk craft workshops.

A visit to the exciting puppet workshop in Lyab-i HauzSquare. Heritage craftsmen will show how stunning puppets are made, and then bring them to life with a short performance. It is easy to find your 'double' among the many handmade puppets and take it home as a souvenir from Bukhara.

Meals: breakfast.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Continuation of sightseeing in Bukhara: Mausoleum of Samanids – dynastic tomb combining the traditions of Sogdian and Islamic architecture; unusual mausoleum in the shape of an oblong prism, associated with the biblical legends of the wandering Job – Chashma Ayub Mausoleum; Bolo-Khauz Complex – monument of the monumental Registan of Bukhara, consisting of a water reservoir, minaret and mosque, decorated with 20 carved wooden columns; Citadel of ancient Bukhara, 'city in the city' – the ancient fortress Ark; the oldest building of the Parade Square, the central ensemble and the main symbol of Bukhara – the Po-i-Kalyan Complex, including the famous Kalyan Minaret (46.5 m), Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah; stunning Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah, richly decorated with intricate ornaments; austere and balanced Ulugbek Madrasah.

Meals: breakfast.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to Bukhara airport. End of the tour.

Departure from Bukhara.

Meals: breakfast.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast