From the Fanskye Mountains to the caravan cities

After your early morning or late evening arrival and some time to rest, followed by breakfast at the hotel, you'll meet your guide for a tour of the capital, situated at an altitude of 850 meters . You'll stroll through the Presidential Gardens and discover the iconic statues of Rudaki and Ismail Samani, founder of the Samanid dynasty. The city charms visitors with its neoclassical buildings in pastel hues, reminiscent of the atmosphere of Saint Petersburg. You'll then explore the bustling Central Market and enjoy a convivial lunch amidst the local atmosphere, a perfect way to begin your journey.

You set off towards Lake Iskanderkul , the largest lake in the Fanskye Mountains , also known as Lake Alexander the Great. From its shores, you admire the panoramic views of the glaciers in the Ayniy region . A walk along the water's edge then leads you to Fan Niagara , a 38-meter- high waterfall. After lunch by the lake , you travel to the village of Saritag to spend the night with a local family .

You set off early towards the Fan Mountains , with a gradual ascent through a stark landscape of sandstone and limestone. The surrounding valleys are dotted with willows and poplars until you reach a pass at 2700m altitude. At the village of Sarvoda , you leave the paved road behind and take a dirt track , marking the true beginning of your adventure. The landscape then becomes greener, dotted with traditional villages, apricot trees, and sea buckthorn bushes lining the river. You finally reach the Sangui Safed Gorge , the starting point of your trek . You settle into your first campsite by the water and meet your local team , made up of cooks, muleteers, and guides. A short warm-up walk concludes this approach day.

You begin your day from your campsite overlooking the fairy chimneys of the Sanguisafed Valley, a name meaning "white stone" in reference to the surrounding limestone formations. You embark on a 12km round-trip hike along the Imat River. The trail winds through traditional sheepfolds where you'll encounter shepherds and their flocks, in a landscape dominated by the glacial peaks of Bolchoya Ganza (5306m) and Chapdara (5049m) . If you keep your eyes peeled, you might be lucky enough to spot hares, partridges, or bearded vultures. The hike continues along a ledge path lined with willows, birches, and junipers until you reach a rocky outcrop. Here, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch with a view of the glacier. An option is available to continue the ascent to the foot of the Imat Glacier at 2900m . The return journey follows the same route to reach your bivouac and spend a second night there.

From Sangui Safed , you resume your hike towards the Chapdara Pass , perched at 3,450 meters altitude. The trail leads you past shepherds and their flocks of goats and sheep. After following a track, you ascend the Bodrona River to reach a peat bog area crisscrossed by streams, at the foot of a glacier. You then begin the final ascent to the pass, which offers a clear view of Chimtarga , the highest peak in the massif, and Lake Allaudin . Finally, you reach the lower part of the pass to set up camp for the night.

You set off towards the Kulikalon Lakes, winding along a path through limestone scree. Your ascent takes you to the Allaudin Pass at 3800m , the highest point of your trek. From this vantage point, you can admire the blue and turquoise reflections of the lakes, shaped by the presence of algae. Once at the pass, you'll enjoy an unobstructed view of the glaciers of the Marya and Mirali peaks, as well as the vast Kulikalon Lake . The descent continues on softer terrain, amidst juniper trees twisted by the elements. Finally, you reach the shores of Lake Bibijanat at 2900m , where you'll set up camp .

You'll trek through a juniper forest from Bibijanat to Lake Kulikalon , crossing several streams and encountering shepherds and their flocks. The route then climbs to the Chukurak Pass at 3200m altitude after a 400m ascent. You'll descend into the Govkhona Valley to Lake Chukurak , a secluded basin nestled at the foot of Rudaki Peak . After a picnic lunch by the water , an optional hike leads up to Lake Zirat , 100m higher, while the rest of the group enjoys some relaxation at the campsite . Finally, you'll share a last dinner at the bivouac with the local team.

You bid farewell to the muleteer team who accompanied you on your trek. You then reach the village of Artuch and take the road towards Panjikent . A 50km transfer (approximately 1 hour ) then takes you to the Jartepa border crossing. After completing customs formalities and passport control at the Tajik and Uzbek posts, you cross the border into Uzbekistan to continue your journey.

You will dedicate this day to visiting Samarkand , an iconic crossroads of ancient trade routes between China, Persia, and the West. Shaped by the passage of Genghis Khan and later established as the capital by Timur (Tamerlane), the city reveals its rich architectural heritage. You will explore the madrasas of Registan Square , built between the 15th and 17th centuries and adorned with tiles characteristic of Timurid art. Your itinerary will then take you to the Bibi Khanum Mosque , followed by a visit to the Shah-i-Zinde mausoleum . You will conclude your tour at the Gur-e-Amir , the tomb housing the remains of Timur and his descendants, located next to the Rukhabad Mausoleum .

You continue your exploration with a visit to the Samarkand Museum , ideal for delving into the rich history of Central Asia . Next, you travel to Mount Kunak to explore the Ulugh Beg Observatory , built in the 15th century . This major scientific site bears witness to the work of Ulugh Beg, grandson of Timur (Tamerlane), who left his mark on the region as a ruler, poet, philosopher, and astronomer.

You will spend your morning exploring Samarkand , including its mausoleums and historical buildings . Late morning, you will depart for Bukhara , approximately 200 km away. After settling into your hotel, you will enjoy your first moments in the city, soaking up its atmosphere and admiring its medieval architecture , which has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

You'll set off to discover Bukhara , a major stop on the ancient Silk Road, located in the Zerafshan Valley . Once a trading hub for carpets and jewelry, the city was shaped by Zoroastrianism and later Islam. During the day, you'll explore its architectural heritage, including mosques, tombs, and madrasas . Your itinerary will take you to the Ark Citadel , the Po-i-Kalân complex, the Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Madrasas, and the Labi-Khish site, all emblematic of the city's medieval past.

After an early breakfast, you'll depart for Khiva . During the journey, you'll cross the Kyzylkum Desert , a vast, arid plain emblematic of Central Asia . You'll enjoy this drive, taking in the wild landscapes throughout the day. You'll arrive in Khiva in the late afternoon and check into your hotel .

You will explore the historic city of Khiva , the former capital of the khanate, located in the heart of the Khorezm oasis . You will pass through the pink clay walls to enter Itchan Kala , the fortified inner city. As you wander, you will discover the 16th-century residence of the khans at Kukhana Ark , the Friday Mosque with its 11th-century minaret, and the Islom Khoja Madrasa.

(Note: According to the schedule, your 1-hour domestic flight from Urgench to Tashkent will either take place this evening at 8 p.m. with an overnight stay in Tashkent, or the following day at 3 p.m. with an overnight stay in Khiva.)

Depending on your Urgench-Tashkent domestic flight schedule, your morning will be spent in Khiva or directly in Tashkent if your flight departed the previous evening at 8:00 PM . If your transfer is scheduled for 3:00 PM today, you'll have some final moments in Khiva before boarding your flight. Once in the capital, you'll immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Chorsu Bazaar , strolling among the stalls of spices, fruits, and flowers. You'll then visit the historic center of Hasti-Imam , nestled amidst rose gardens. This site notably houses a 16th-century madrasa , a mausoleum, and the library containing the oldest Quran in the world . You'll conclude the day by checking into your hotel .

Depending on your return flight schedule, a transfer to the airport will be arranged for your flight back to France . You will arrive during the day, thus concluding your trip.