5 Days Horse Riding Tour In Chatkal And Chimgan Mountains

Foothills and Riverside Camping The journey begins with a transfer from Tashkent to the village of Dumaloq. The first ride is a gentle ascent through rolling foothills toward Mount Syurenata. You will pass through highland meadows and "jailoos" (summer pastures) where shepherds live. After navigating a winding Soviet-era mountain road, the day ends with a descent to the Aksakata River. Distance: 22 km Highlight: Falling asleep to the sound of the rushing river. Day 2: The Wild Orchards of Nurekata After crossing the confluence of the Aksakata and Nurekata rivers, you enter the Nurekata Valley. This area is famous for its "wild orchards"—dense groves of hawthorn, apple, cherry, and walnut trees. As you reach the Chet Kumbel ridge (1,870m), the massive silhouette of Greater Chimgan comes into view. Distance: 15 km Highlight: Riding through lush, fruit-bearing mountain forests. Day 3: High Passes and Red Cliffs This is a day of dramatic elevation changes. You will cross the Urta Kumbel Pass and descend into the "Sunny Glade," a plateau famous for its wildflowers. After crossing the Marble River, you ascend to the Kyzyl Jar (Red Cliffs) at 1,866m, offering a bird's-eye view of the entire Chimgan Valley. Distance: 18 km Highlight: The contrast between the terracotta-colored cliffs and the green valley. Day 4: The Charvak Panorama The fourth day is dedicated to the ridges overlooking the Charvak Reservoir. You will ride up toward Charvak Peak (1,410m), where the turquoise water of the reservoir contrasts sharply with the rugged Pskem Valley. This is the best day for photography and wide-scale mountain vistas. Distance: 15 km Highlight: Panoramic views of the reservoir and surrounding peaks. Day 5: Gulkam Gorge and Final Descent The final leg is the longest and most diverse. You will ride toward Small Chimgan and the Gulkam River. Here, you leave the horses for a short time to hike on foot into the narrow Gulkam Gorge to see its hidden waterfalls. The tour concludes with a ride through the Jaupoya slopes back to Chimgan Village for the return transfer to Tashkent. Distance: 20+ km Highlight: Exploring the "natural architecture" of the Gulkam waterfalls.