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LAND OF LAKES

Discover the wild

Jamshed Yusupov is the executive director of the Zarafshan Tourism Development Association (ZTDA). Under his leadership, the organization actively develops community-based tourism in the Sughd region, providing local residents with employment opportunities and preserving cultural heritage. Jamshed pays special attention to environmental issues and the creation of sustainable tourism infrastructure that contributes to the development of the region.

Executive Director Jamshed Yusupov  Zarafshan Tourism Development Association (ZTDA)

Executive Director

Jamshed Yusupov


Personal tour

Season opening date

15/04/2025

Difficulty

Moderate/Hard

Group limit

Unlimited

5

Days

Total distance

By car: 400 km | Trekking: 40 km

Route
Panjakent - Artuch - Kuli Kalon lakes - Alouddin lakes - Panjakent
Accommodation
Campsite, tents
Maximum altitude
3860 m
Highlights
Kuli Kalon & Alouddin lakes, Mutnoe lake, Artuch campsite, Ancient Panjakent & Sarazm, wildlife.



Tour Program
Day 1
Meeting at the border. Transfer to Artuch 170 km, 3.5 hours. This area is famous for its unique mountain scenery and beautiful lakes. Artuch base camp consists of wooden cottages located among vast juniper forests, and it is here that we will meet our cook and drivers. Overnight at Artuch base camp.
Day 2
After breakfast we’ll start our trekking from Artuch base camp to Kulikalon Lakes (12 km, 3.5 hours). A well-trodden path takes us up the Urej River valley through mixed juniper and deciduous groves covering two giant dams that rise steeply up the right side of a narrow gorge. The dams act as a natural filter for the water entering the stream. The track levels out and once we reach the upper dam, the turquoise necklace of Kulikalon Lakes frames the jagged peaks of the Pamir Fann Mountains, including Maria (4970 m), Mirali (5120 m), Rudaki (4900 m) and Adamtash (4700 m), which are known as the “Kulikalon Wall”. After a picnic, we continue through the juniper forest and head to the eastern shore of Lake Bibijannat for our first night’s camping. Sit back, relax and enjoy the sunset over Mirali Peak. Overnight at the campsite.
Day 3
Today we’ll take a trek from Kulikalon Lakes to Alouddin lakes through Alauddin Pass - Alauddin Lakes (10 km; 6 hrs; +1060m; -960m). We cross the Alauddin Pass (3860 m) to Alauddin Lake. After a hearty breakfast, we break camp and head steeply uphill through juniper forest and alpine meadows to the Alauddin Pass (3860 m). From here we can see the entire system of Kulikalon lakes and snow-capped peaks of Chapdara (5050 m), Bodkhona (5138 m) and Zamok (5070 m). After a picnic, we steeply descend along a rocky path to our camp near Alauddin Lake. After lunch, you can take an easy walk around the lakes or rest in our campsite. Overnight at the campsite.
Day 4
After breakfast, we will hike to Mutnoe Lake, admiring beautiful views of Kaznok, Zamok (5070 m), Energiya (5105 m) and Chimtarga (5489 m) peaks. Trek length: 18 km, 6 hrs, ± 800 m elevation. The alpine zone's harsh nature, hanging glaciers and steep moraine walls are impressive. We will also see rare birches and a small lake nicknamed Piyala Lake for its round shape. Return to camp late afternoon.
Day 5
After breakfast, transfer to Panjakent. Tour to the Ancient city called the eastern Pompey. Lunch with famous Panjakent pilaf, one of Central Asia’s best. On the way to the border, visit ancient settlement Sarazm, more than 5500 years old. End of the tour.

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Need more information about the tour?

Contact us at
+992 92 774 62 02
or

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

With very young children
With very young children, it is worth considering only the programs of radial campaigns, and from 7 to 9 years old children can go through simple line routes. It is important to take into account not only the age of the child, but also his interest in hiking in nature.
How to get to the place of the start?
We work on the system from door to door. That is, if you buy a tour, then we organize a meeting, accommodation, meals, transportation, guide services and so on. We recommend that prior to departure we agree on all the conditions of the tour. A free recommendation is always available.
Which route to choose on the season?
Tajikistan can be seen at any time of the year. But to really see all the beauty can be from late May to October. April, May, November can organize jeep tours. In the remaining months city tours.
How much water per day?
The required amount of water depends on individual needs and on weather conditions. It can be 1 liter and 3 liters. On a normal, sunny summer day, each participant should have at least 1 liter of water per day transition. In hot weather – more. We recommend: (A) take water with a reserve and (B) do not count on the possibility of replenishing the jar from the sources along the way. Water can be bought in guest houses, on tours ARTS will provide 1.5 liters of boiled water.
Will there be a mobile communication on the route?
In the highlands mobile communication is not available on all sections of the route but in almost all guest houses. In the valleys there is a mobile connection. A similar situation with mobile Internet. You can not count on uninterrupted mobile communication on the tours.
In what conditon are the Guest houses of ZTDA?
On a set of services the guest house is close to a simple hotel. In fact, the guesthouse is the home of a local resident who provides it to tourists. Guest houses have staff. Sleeping rooms – for two four people. A couple can order a separate room. There are separate rooms in most guest houses, but not in all. Mattresses, pillows, blankets are in all shelters. There are beds not in all guest houses. In some guest houses, they are laid on the floor in the national style. There is hot and cold water in the guest houses. Shower is available in almost all guest houses with rare exceptions. Guesthouses include a simple breakfast and, if desired, can order lunch and dinner.
Is it safe in Tajikistan?
Tajikistan is one of the safest countries for tourists. The locals are famous for their hospitality. It is not uncommon when a tourist is invited into the house and treated for free.

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Contact us

  • Phone: +992 (92) 774 62 02
  • E-mail: ztda_zarafshon@yahoo.com
  • Monday to Friday: from 8:00 to 17:00
    Saturday: from 9:00 to 15:00
  • Republic of Tajikistan, Khujand, Academician Radjabov Street 59, inside the Historical Archaeological Complex “Qal’ai Khujand”

With ZTDA

The Association for Tourism Development of Zarafshan (ZTDA) is a public organization operating since March 2008. It was created within the framework of the project “Community-based Tourism in the Zarafshan Valley”, implemented by the local NGO APPR NAU and the German NGO Welthungerhilfe with financial support from the European Commission.
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