Hiking in Chatkal mountains (Chimgan, Beldersay) Q&A

[Jpinilla]

The mountains around Chimgan are breathtakingly beautiful and almost completely deserted. During our three days of trekking in early May 2015, we only saw two other groups of climbers and a herd of cows. Of all the fascinating places in Uzbekistan, this area was definitely the highlight of our trip.

For anyone planning to visit, there is a nice homestay in the village of Chimgan. It is run by a woman named Dinar (+998909260973) and offers comfortable accommodation, a delicious dinner, and registration for around $15. Both she and her husband can also give you advice about hiking trails, swimming, skiing, or onward transport.

[steven]

Thank you very much for a useful contact! I was in Chimgan 2 years back, but did not strike out into the mountains beyond, we lived in a simple dacha and attended a bard festival. Will have to return for some serious hiking. Nice to see people exploring Uzbekistan beyond the main cities and the Aral Sea!

ps: moving this to the Uzbekistan forum.

[Will1981]

Hi,

Hoping somebody knows some details about 'Big' Chimgan near Tashkent. I'm hoping to hike up it in a few days, but am not sure if it is just a hike or a climb? Happy for steep and strenuous, but have no equipment for a technical climb. If anyone has been up it in summer, some advice/info would be great.

Likewise for Gumkal Canyon. Have read varying reports about this, some saying it requires specialised equipment, others saying it doesn't. If it does require equipment, how far up/down the canyon can you go before it gets technical?

Thanks!

[steven]

Can you tell us more after you've gone up? I have never been myself.

[rhk40]

Hi

A friend and I are looking to spend a couple of days in Chimgan mountain area. We are both interested in hiking, and if possible would like to do some hikes self-guided. We are both intermediate hikers.

Is it possible to hike in the area self-guided? Are there any routes available online?

Also, where would be a good place to stay in the area? We do have the possibility to rent a car, but was also going to look into renting a hotel/guesthouse close to the routes and just take a train and taxi there and back. If anyone has any recommendations for guesthouses in the area we would be grateful

Thank you!

[dhop]

A friend and I are looking to spend a couple of days in Chimgan mountain area. We are both interested in hiking, and if possible would like to do some hikes self-guided. We are both intermediate hikers.
Thank you!

I'm interested in this also, with the same parameters. Did you get any tips?

[steven]

I just updated my Chatkal mountains guide: https://caravanistan.com/uzbekistan/center/chatkal/

A lot of info there.

[Märy_5432]

Our hiking experience:
We have been in Chimgan about one week ago. We did two day hikes. One to the Kyzyldzhar Peak (maps.me worked!). Nice hike, mostly steep, but great view!
On the other day we wanted to hike to the Aksoy waterfall. As the river was already dry, we went back after some time, took the cable car "Kanatka" to the top and went down from there. Sometimes a bit steep but still nice.

How we got to Chimgan:
In Tashkent we took a Yandex to the bus station "Mashinasozlar". As traffic can be really busy in Tashkent leave early enough. At the bus station we took the 9am bus to Charvak (locals said there is no direct bus to Chimgan). We have been a bit too late but luckily the bus was still waiting. It is a big bus/trolleybus (No. 208). In Charvak we took a taxi for 140.000 UZS (after negotiation) to Chimgan. Yandex didn't work there (it is possible to book a Yandex but then the driver calls you in advance and asks for a higher rate than the app shows).

The next day we hitch-hiked back from Chimgan to Chavak (we gave the driver 50.000 UZS) and took the 11am bus back to Tashkent. It was the same bus, bus number, driver and station - so pretty easy.

Bus schedule (Oct 2023):
Tashkent - Charvak
9.00 - 14.00 - 18.30
Charvak - Tashkent
6.00 - 11.00 - 16.00