Uzbekistan
An active weekend hike with no special training needed: the waterfalls and canyons of Tavaksay, Paltau Waterfall with its birch grove, and Aksagata Canyon. Loop trails of up to 15 km a day, suitable for beginners.
We leave Tashkent at 08:00 in the morning and drive to the starting point of the route in the area of the Tavaksay gorge. By 09:00 the hiking part of the trip begins. The route runs along the mountain bed of the Tavaksay River and passes through canyons, rocky sections and a series of waterfalls of various heights.
During the hike, the group will ford the river several times, so extra shoes and socks are recommended. During warmer months, you can take a dip in one of the waterfalls. Along the way, you'll enjoy picturesque views of the gorge and mountain slopes, and the route itself allows you to gradually ease into a hiking rhythm without experiencing sudden exertion.
A picnic is held at the top of the canyon, where the Tavaksay River plunges over 40 meters. This is one of the most impressive spots on the route and a great spot for rest and photographs. After the picnic, the return journey begins along the left bank of the river, passing through hills and mountain slopes with virtually no fords.
In the evening, the group returns to the transport and travels to the Green Canyon Hotel, where they check in and relax. Dinner must be ordered in advance.
The morning begins with breakfast at the hotel. At 09:00 we depart for the Aurakhmat border checkpoint. Bring your passports: this is where the group is registered and permits to visit Ugam-Chatkal State National Nature Park are processed. After the formalities, the hiking part of the route begins.
The trail starts from the outpost and gradually climbs along a dirt road. Along the way, panoramic views of the Charvak Reservoir, the Chatkal River, Mount Paltau, and the surrounding valleys open up. As you ascend, the landscapes become more expansive, and the route becomes more picturesque.
After about two hours, the group reaches the Paltau waterfall, about 38 meters high. The waterfall is framed by a C-shaped rock wall, creating the effect of a natural well. There is time here to rest, take photos and enjoy the view. Next comes a short but steeper climb, after which the route joins a dirt road and leads into a birch grove.
A picnic and a long rest are arranged in the grove. Afterwards, the return journey to the starting point begins, completing the circular route. In the afternoon, return to the Green Canyon Hotel, dinner, and rest.
After breakfast at the hotel, depart at 09:00 toward the Aksagata Canyon, located about 40 km from Tashkent. The route starts near the village of Shuldak and follows the left bank of the Aksagatasay River.
The hiking portion of the tour begins with a gentle climb up a sloping marble slab. As you progress, views of the canyon and surrounding rock formations open up. The route boasts geological diversity: along the way, you'll encounter fossilized shells of various sizes, testifying to the ancient marine past of these areas. The climb leads to the foot of the extinct volcano Syurenata, making the route particularly interesting for geology and nature enthusiasts.
Lunch is served in a green meadow next to a fallen, centuries-old poplar—a cozy place to rest before the return journey. Along the way, you can observe a rich fauna and birdlife: blue whistling thrushes, rock doves, starlings, and thrushes nest in rock niches, and cows and horses often graze in the pastures. In spring, the route is especially picturesque thanks to the blooming tamarisk and wild almond trees.
In the afternoon, return to your vehicle and travel back to Tashkent. Estimated arrival in the city is around 18:00.
The 3-day tour to the Chimgan Mountains is an active weekend hike from Tashkent with waterfalls, canyons, and mountain panoramas, suitable even for beginners and letting you fully recharge in nature without complicated preparation.
The 3-day tour to the Chimgan Mountains in 2027 is designed to be accessible for beginners while still offering an action-packed experience and varied landscapes. The routes follow canyons, mountain trails and rivers, with no extreme sections or technical climbing.
This tour is perfect for those who want to try a real hiking experience without going far from Tashkent and without the rigors of a challenging hike.
11 answers to frequently asked questions
Citizens of most CIS and European countries don’t need a visa.
CIS and former USSR countries. Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia enter without a visa under bilateral agreements, with no fixed length of stay: for a long trip, temporary registration is required. Citizens of Kyrgyzstan can stay without a visa for up to 60 days, and those of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan for up to 30 days. Russians need an international passport: an internal passport will not be accepted.
Europe and the USA. Citizens of EU countries, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway can enter visa-free for up to 30 days, and US citizens also for up to 30 days (from 2026). Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after entry.
Other countries. If a visa is required, it is applied for online on the e-visa.gov.uz portal; an e-visa is issued in about 3 business days. We will tell you how to get one.
Registration. Foreigners are registered at their place of residence within 3 days of arrival, and citizens of Russia within 14 days. In a hotel, the hotel does this; the tourist tax is usually already included in the bill. Keep the registration slip until departure.
Yes, the route is chosen to be accessible to people without hiking experience. The pace is relaxed, with no technically difficult sections or extreme climbs.
No special training is required. All you need is reasonable physical fitness and the willingness to walk 14–15 km per day, with breaks.
The routes follow established trails. There are river crossings on the first day, but they are shallow and safe if you follow the guide's instructions.
Yes. On day two, at the Aurakhmat checkpoint, the group is registered and permits for Ugam-Chatkal National Park are issued.
The route is adapted to the weather. In case of rain or worsening weather, the guide may adjust the pace or certain sections of the route.
No, this is not a self-supported trek. You stay at a hotel, your personal belongings stay in your room, and you only take a daypack on the trail.
There's an option to camp in tents — tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads are provided.
Breakfast at the hotel and meals on the trail. Dinners aren't included — order them at the hotel in advance. If you camp in tents, meals are included for the entire tour.
A 50% prepayment confirms the booking.
The hike does not require complex or specialized gear, but the right equipment will make the route comfortable and safe. Below is the recommended packing list.
Required gear
Recommended
It's important to remember that this isn't a self-supported trek—overnight stays are at a hotel, so you don't need to carry anything heavy or unnecessary with you.
Guides lead hikes and accompany groups in the following languages: Russian and English. The guiding language is confirmed in advance when you book the tour.
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We had so much fun touring Ugam-Chatkal National Park thanks to both Jenya and Daria. They customised the 2 days itinerary based on what we requested and it was a blast. They also filled the trip with lovely information of Uzbekistan history and culture, making the tour a highlight of our trip.
I'm from El Salvador and was discovering Uzbekistan for a couple of weeks.
With Xtrail I could go to the mountains and have a wonderful two-days trip, where everything was well organized, safe and enjoyable.
Dmitry, the guide, is a good person, he even spoke in Spanish with me. He was explaining many history and local insights, which I value the most.
F. The driver, was also very nice, we was always caring about me, and trying to communicate and make me feel comfortable.
I really appreciated their warm hospitality.
We were offered a trip to the Nurata mountains, to the villages of Sentob and Majrum. We had hiked the mountains around Charvak many times and wanted something new and fresh. Huge thanks to Evgeny for showing us this wonderful place. These places were magical. Every village is full of its own history, way of life and beautiful scenery. We want to go back with our family, despite the long road there.
A great tour for those who want to see the most beautiful lakes of Tajikistan and completely switch off from city life for a few days.
Six days flew by. After crossing the Uzbek–Tajik border we had lunch in Penjikent, where we tried delicious gul-manti — rose-shaped dumplings made of very thin dough. Then we headed to Artuch, and in the evening walked to the Chukurak and Ziyorat lakes.
The second day was memorable for the trek to the Kulikalon lakes. On the way we swam in an icy mountain river, and in the evening enjoyed the silence, the mountains reflected in the water and the starry sky.
The hardest but most impressive part was the climb to the Alaudin pass. The panoramas from the pass and the turquoise Alaudin lakes are worth every effort. Special thanks to Ali for the delicious home-cooked food — after a long trek it was especially welcome.
We spent the next day resting: walked around, swam in the lake, and then drove via the Vertikal mountaineering camp to the Marguzor lakes, admiring the stunning mountain scenery.
The Marguzor lakes also left vivid impressions. Because of the high water level, the paths around the upper lake were flooded, so part of the route had to be walked right through the water, which added a bit of adventure to the trip.
At the end of the route we visited Iskanderkul and the Fan Niagara waterfall. Then we drove to Dushanbe, where we had a little time to walk around the city before flying home.
I would especially like to mention the excellent organization of the tour. Everything was well thought out: the route, transfers, meals and overnight stays. Many thanks to our guide Evgeny for his attention to the group, help on the trail and a wonderful atmosphere throughout the trip.
This trip gave us incredible views, vivid emotions and a real sense of adventure. The photos turned out great, but they cannot convey all the beauty of the Fann Mountains. If you love mountains and active holidays, I definitely recommend this route. Afterwards you are left with only one wish — to come back again.
Thank you, Evgeny. Yukhin Peak was my dream, and thanks to you I achieved it. Thank you so much for patiently leading us to the summit. May we be blessed to conquer many more peaks together with you.
Evgeny (our guide) took care not only of safety and comfort, but also made beautiful videos and photos.
I recommend this hike, or any other hike with xtrailtour, to everyone!
Huge thanks to Evgeny for organizing and leading a private one-day tour for my sister and me! A leisurely walk in the mountains in pleasant, informative company, enjoying the incredible scenery, feeling the power and might of a waterfall, flying a paraglider, and coming away with unforgettable impressions of the time we spent: it was all unforgettable!!! Everything was very well organized, professional, safe and comfortable! Our expectations were met 100% and even a little more! :)
Evgeny is a very attentive guide who senses what his guests want and knows how to build comfortable routes. Next time I will only contact him, and I recommend him to everyone! :)
The Uzbek vibe in all its beauty.
Those 7 days in Uzbekistan are still spinning in my head.
We started right away with the mountains. We headed to Chimgan, and it was the perfect decision. After a long flight, we were greeted by fresh air and cool weather. We climbed higher, looked out over the ridges, had rice soup and shashlik in some yurt, and realized we had already fallen in love. The mountains here are completely different: soft, green, not intimidating.
Then we went down to Tashkent. The city turned out to be a pleasant surprise: modern, with huge bazaars where your eyes run wild. In the evening we sat in a teahouse, ate plov and shashlik, drank green tea, and didn't want to leave anywhere anymore.
And then it took off. Samarkand… Registan is simply out of this world.
Bukhara is a universe of its own. Narrow streets, old courtyards, the Lyabi-Hauz square where people drink tea in the evening and nothing is rushed. Time really slows down there.
And the finale: Khiva.
In short, one of the tastiest and most heartfelt trips in recent years. Uzbekistan hooks you strongly and quickly.
On behalf of our whole cheerful group, I want to express sincere gratitude to the entire X-Trailtour team, and especially to Evgeny Shabanov, for the unforgettable excursions to the Jade Lakes and Aksagata Canyon! Your professionalism, positivity and attention to detail made our trip unforgettable. The stunning, breathtaking views of these places will stay in our memory forever. Thank you for your work and for caring about every participant of the tour.
We wish you continued success and prosperity. We are planning a tour next year with X-Trailtour.
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Evgeny Shabanov Founder of XtrailTour, mountain guide
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