A trip to Tajikistan - need some help

[MillyR]

Hi,
Mu husband and are planning a trip to Tajikistan starting 26.9 from samarkand and end in osh in 13.10. The main focus is a self guided 4x4 trip on the pamir highway with some detours. However we do want hike a bit in the fann. We thought of doing the lakes loop starting from artuch alpalgar.
My questions are -
1.Is it doable concerning the weather? End of September
2.Can we drive with our 4×4 to artuch alpalgar?
3.How difficult this hike is? We love hiking but we are not keen athletes
4. If not thi hike, and recommendations for a one day hike (beside the haftkul)
Thank you
Milly

[yaqinisme22]

Hi I did hiking in Fann mountains a few weeks ago.
Q.2. Yes, you can drive your 4x4 to artuch base camp
Q.3. I'm not an athlete, neither a pro hiker. I would say hiking from artuch to kulikalon and surrounding lakes is doable. It took me 3 hours from artuch to kulikalon with reasonable break. If you're not going to alaudin from kulikalon, you can still enjoy amazing view. I really recommend Dushaka lake, it's 1.5 hours walk from kulikalon.
Q.4 I think you can do one day hike from artuch base camp to kulikalon or other lakes near base camp, and go back in the evening.

[MillyR]

Thank you for the reply, few weeks ago is probably the best season:)
does any one have an exprience in early october in the lakes loop?
Thanksss
Milly

[Julia]

Some experienced hikers were there in the beginning of October two years ago.
They have a blog but in Russian.
From their report Allaudin lakes, Dushaha lake and other lakes in that area are possible for hiking in early October.
But if you plan hike through passes expect lots of snow.
Also it's cold for sleeping in tents at nights. Need proper winter camping gear.
Better to do one day hikes without camping. But is the base camp still working in October?

Also the weather is often unpredictable. Need to check the weather forecast when you get there.
They experienced both sunny warm days and foggy days, snow, cold.
Also mentioned that days are short and nights are long there at that time of the year.
And no other hikers.

[aybe]

Hi, I was also planning to do the lakes loop but it seems that the weather is not lenient end of Sept Early Oct. I'll probably do a 1 day hike (starting very early in the morning) to kulikalon and Dushaka. I'm not in very good shape so it's safer for me.

[MillyR]

it seems we will do that 1 day trip as well, sleeping out side in this time of the year will be too much for us:)

[Christian77]

Hi, I was in the area early October last year, and the fresh snow was above 4000 metres - well above the lakes. But of course that means really cold rain at the lakes....