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Uzbekistan

Trekking in the Chimgan area: Aksagata, the Kumbel pass, and the Marble Baths

A three-day trek from Tashkent with a tent camp in a shady grove: Aksagata Canyon, the Nurekata and Beldersoy river valleys, the Chet-Kumbel and Urta-Kumbel passes, petroglyphs, fossils and marble pools.

In the footsteps of the Tethys Ocean active trekking tour in the mountains of Uzbekistan active trekking tour in the mountains of Uzbekistan active trekking tour in the mountains of Uzbekistan hike to Lesser Chimgan hike to Lesser Chimgan Aksagata Canyon Aksagata Canyon Aksagata Canyon Nurekata trek views Nurekata trek views Nurekata trek views Nurekata trek views Nurekata trek views Nurekata trek Fossils more than 10 million years old Cliffs of the Aksagata Canyon Petroglyphs of Kumbel
All 18 photos
Duration
3 days / 2 nights
Season
Spring – Autumn
Group
from 1 person
Price
550 $ 🔥
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Itinerary

The tour program is designed for three days and is structured so that participants gradually settle into the rhythm of hiking, adapt to the mountain terrain and pass through the route's key natural zones in sequence.

3 days · tap a day to expand

  1. Day 1 Aksagata Canyon – confluence of the Aksagata and Nurekata rivers

    Departure from Tashkent at 08:00.
    Arrival at the starting point of the walking part at 09:00.

    We take light backpacks with us with personal medications, water, lunches and necessary things depending on the weather and season of the tour.

    Lunch 13:00–14:00 at the confluence of the Aksagata and Nurekata rivers.

    After rest, we continue our hike to the camp, located in a shady grove.
    The camp will be set up by the team in advance, and dinner will be prepared.

    The camp has an enclosed toilet tent with a plastic toilet seat and all necessary hygiene products.

    Optional: swimming in a mountain river.
    After dinner, lights out in the tents.

    Meals are included in the price.

  2. Day 2 Petroglyphs, Chet-Kumbel Pass – views of Greater Chimgan

    Breakfast 07:30–08:30.
    We set off on the trail at 09:00.

    Lunch 13:00–14:00 at the petroglyphs with a view of the southern slopes of Greater Chimgan, the valleys of the Nurekata and Beldersoy rivers.

    During the hike, you may encounter livestock, shepherds, birds of prey, foxes and hares.
    In spring, endangered tulips, mountain irises and other plants bloom.

    Descent to the camp along the watershed ridge of Beldersoy and Nurekata through the Chet-Kumbel pass.
    Arrival at camp by 17:00.

    Rest, a swim in the river and tea.
    In the evening — a hot dinner cooked over a fire.

    Night in tents.

    Meals are included in the price.

  3. Day 3 Chet-Kumbel Pass — Urta-Kumbel — Marble Baths — Tashkent

    Breakfast 07:30–08:30.
    Packing up camp.
    The walking part starts at 09:00.

    Crossing the Chet-Kumbel Pass into the Beldersoy River Valley. In spring, fording the river is possible.
    Herds of horses roam the area, and you may come across a shepherds' camp.

    Ascent to the Urta-Kumbel Pass and crossing it.
    Descent to the marble river, rest and lunch.

    The trail then follows a shady gorge downstream.
    Visit the marble pools, formed in marble rock with a large number of fossilized shells over 10 million years old.

    Climb up a narrow trail to the paved road where our transport is waiting, and return to Tashkent.

About the tour

The route runs through the mountainous region of Chimgan, within the Ugam-Chatkal State National Nature Park, and leads to the valleys of the Nurekata and Beldersoy Rivers. The hiking portion begins after the transfer from Tashkent and takes in several mountain passes, sections of the watershed ridge, and river valleys.

The base camp is located in a shady grove. Part of the route runs along the ridge between Beldersoy and Nurekata, then the itinerary includes crossing the Urta-Kumbel Pass and descending to the Marble River.

Highlights

  • Cliffs of the Aksagata Canyon

    Aksagata Canyon

    A deep mountain canyon with sheer walls and trails that offer one of the most impressive treks on the route.

  • Petroglyphs of Kumbel

    Petroglyphs of Kumbel

    Ancient rock paintings left by nomadic tribes tell of people's lives in the mountains thousands of years ago.

  • Fossils more than 10 million years old

    Fossils

    Shells more than 10 million years old.

  • In the footsteps of the Tethys Ocean

    Overnight in tents

    Overnight stays in cozy tents in the middle of the mountain silence.

Tour conditions

Starting point
Tashkent
Duration
3 days / 2 nights
Price
550 $ 🔥

Included

  • Transport services throughout the entire route;
  • An experienced guide throughout the active part of the tour;
  • Accommodation per the itinerary;
  • Rental of necessary equipment: three-person tent, sleeping bag upon request, sleeping pads, camp furniture, camp equipment.
  • Meals per the itinerary;
  • Organization and guiding of all hiking routes;
  • Visiting all natural and historical sites indicated in the itinerary;
  • Organizational support and route coordination throughout the entire trip.

Not included

  • Visa (the cost of the visa depends on citizenship)
  • Tourist tax
  • Air travel
  • Insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional services and activities not included in the main itinerary

Additional information

  • Prepayment 50%;

Good to know

13 answers to frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to travel to Uzbekistan?

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.

Is it possible to change the itinerary?

Yes, if the group agrees, the timing and certain sections can be adjusted — within the budget or for an extra charge.

When is the best time for this tour?

Spring and autumn. In spring the tulips and irises are in bloom, but on day three you may need to ford the Beldersoy. Summer is hotter, but you can swim in the river.

Where does the tour start and end?

We leave Tashkent at 08:00 on day one and return to Tashkent on day three.

How much does the tour cost?

550 $ per person. 50% deposit.

What isn't included in the price?

Visa, tourist tax, airfare, insurance, personal expenses and extra services not in the itinerary.

Accommodation and meals

The tour's accommodation and food arrangements are designed to maintain a balance between self-sufficiency on the route and the basic comfort needed to recover from active hiking days.

Accommodation

Tent camp in the Tashkent mountains.
An organized camp with three-person tents (two people per tent), camp furniture and a kitchen.
Tents and sleeping mats are provided; a sleeping bag is available on request (or bring your own). There is a dedicated dining area and a covered toilet.

Meals

Meals are organized taking into account the physical activity and format of the expedition:

  • Breakfasts and dinners are served in the tent camp;
  • Lunches — in the form of snacks or lunch boxes along the route;

The diet is tailored to active days and provides sufficient caloric intake. Individual preferences can be accommodated in advance.

Equipment

Mandatory equipment for participation in the tour:

  • trekking boots with good foot support;
  • comfortable day backpack;
  • sun protection (cap, glasses, cream);
  • wind and water resistant jacket;
  • warm clothes for evenings in the mountains;
  • individual first aid kit and personal medications.

Tents and sleeping pads are provided; sleeping bags are available on request (or bring your own).

Climate and weather

Weather conditions in the mountains can change quickly. Temperature fluctuations, wind, and precipitation are possible throughout the day.
In case of unfavorable weather conditions, the guide may adjust the route or timing without missing key sights.

Connectivity and conditions

In mountainous areas, mobile coverage may be patchy or absent.
This is part of the expedition format and an opportunity to temporarily disconnect from the daily routine.

What is the difficulty level of the route?

This tour is classified as a moderate-difficulty trek. The itinerary includes daily hikes through mountainous terrain, with ascents and descents.

Will I have to carry a heavy backpack?

No. Our team sets up camp in advance; on the trail you carry just a light daypack with water, lunch and personal items.

Do you need trekking experience?

Hiking experience is preferred, but not required. Good physical fitness and a willingness to undertake daily activities are essential.

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Key points and natural sights

On the first day, the route leads to the confluence of the Aksagata and Nurekata rivers, where lunch is provided. The trail then leads to the base camp, located in a shady grove.

On the second day, the route includes a section near petroglyphs with a view of the southern slopes of Greater Chimgan and the Nurekata and Beldersoy valleys. The descent follows the watershed ridge through the Chet-Kumbel Pass.

The third day takes you through the Urta-Kumbel Pass, entering the Beldersoy River Valley. The route includes a visit to marble pools, formed in marble rock containing fossilized shells over 10 million years old.

Reviews

5.047 reviews

  • Sarah and Jeroen

    Evgeniy was our driver, campmaker, guide, cook and car repair man all-in-one 🙂
    We spent three days in Chimgan Mountains with him in late August, and it was great. He really took care of everything, was nice, punctual, well-organized and a very experienced traveller who made our travel unforgettable. 'We highly recommend him!
    Many thanks Evgeniy, good luck with your adventures and business and we hope we'll do more traveling with you in the future!

    Sarah and Jeroen – The Netherlands

  • Starlight Summerain

    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.

  • Valentina Borisovna, teacher

    A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVGENY SHABANOV FOR THE MOST INTERESTING WALK ALONG THE MOUNTAIN SLOPES OF LASHKARAK!!! The kids were thrilled! For five years now, we've been introducing children to beauty with Evgeny Shabanov. So many wonderful experiences! So much fascinating knowledge about our native nature!
    Imronbek: “Thank you for the beautiful places!”
    Bilolbek: “I pushed past my limits! I made it to the summit!”
    Farzona: “I loved it so much! I'll be going to the mountains again and again!”
    Ziyodakhon: “I learned to overcome challenges. I made it to the summit. Thank you so much!”
    Azizbek: “I saw the beauty of the mountains, the beauty of our nature. I want to go to the mountains again!”
    Nurdaulet: “I really loved it! I enjoyed the beauty of the mountains and the forest air. I want more!”
    Mustafo: “I saw a wonderful view from the mountain. I really loved it! I want more!”
    Evgeny, we are waiting for new routes!

  • Evgeny Amiraslanov

    I’ve traveled with Zhenya Shabanov several times now: we hiked Patandezbashi, went to Turkmenistan together, and most recently did a seven-day trip through the Fann Mountains. He organizes every trip end to end, taking each participant’s interests into account. On our trek he lent everyone his own tents and sleeping bags and took care of the meals; when we went to Turkmenistan — that was back in 2024, when it had only just opened up to tourists — he told us all about his own experience there and put all our worries to rest. Plus, Zhenya is simply fun and interesting to be around — he’s incredibly well-read and always has an amusing story to share. I highly recommend Zhenya!

  • Marzena Kochaniak

    Super, to była fajna przygoda. Dogrywanie wycieczki trwało dosłownie chwilę -zamawialiśmy ją wieczorem a rano już wyruszyliśmy. Zejście do Wodospadu, zrobiło wrażenie.Przewodnik bardzo profesjonalny, pomocny i z pasją do gór. Zaopiekował się nami jak własną rodziną.Polecamy

  • Anna Wandlang

    Ich habe die zweitägige Tour zum Aralsee relativ spontan gebucht und bereits die Organisation im Vorfeld war völlig unkompliziert. Die Kommunikation war schnell und zuverlässig und auch die kurzfristige Buchung hat problemlos funktioniert.
    Die Tour selbst hat meine Erwartungen absolut erfüllt. Die Landschaften sind beeindruckend und gerade die Geschichte des Aralsees und die Veränderungen dieser Region haben mich sehr berührt. Der Schiffsfriedhof in Moynaq, die Fahrt über den ehemaligen Meeresboden, das Ustjurt Plateau und schließlich der heutige Aralsee waren unglaublich spannend zu erleben. Besonders faszinierend fand ich auch die abgelegenen Orte unterwegs und die enorme Weite dieser Landschaft.
    Ein großes Lob verdient mein Fahrer. Leider habe ich seinen Namen vergessen, aber er war wirklich großartig. Die Strecken sind lang und teilweise anspruchsvoll, trotzdem habe ich mich während der gesamten Tour sehr sicher und gut aufgehoben gefühlt. Er war unglaublich aufmerksam, freundlich und hilfsbereit.
    Auch das Essen war wunderbar. Ich esse vegetarisch und darauf wurde überall ganz selbstverständlich Rücksicht genommen. Ich hatte während der gesamten Tour sehr gutes und reichliches Essen.
    Besonders schön fand ich auch die Übernachtung im Jurten Camp am Aralsee. Das Camp ist sehr einfach, aber gerade das hat für mich perfekt zu diesem Erlebnis und zu dieser außergewöhnlichen Umgebung gepasst. Ich habe mich dort sehr wohlgefühlt.
    Auch das Preis Leistungs Verhältnis fand ich für das, was in diesen zwei Tagen organisiert und geboten wurde, absolut angemessen.
    Für mich war die Tour von Anfang bis Ende ein besonderes Erlebnis und definitiv eines der Highlights meiner Reise durch Usbekistan. Ich würde sie jederzeit weiterempfehlen.

  • Morgan Morgan

    We are absolutely delighted with our trip to the Institute of Solar Physics with our guide Artem. Excellent organization, everything on time, a careful and calm driver, a clean bus, perfectly planned time at each site, and lunch at a very tasty place by the river. The Institute of Solar Physics made a stunning impression, and all our guests were delighted. We will recommend it to friends and colleagues.
    Thank you for a magical day off.
    Best regards,
    A group from Moscow and the Moscow region

  • Ninette Castellón

    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.

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