Hiking and immersion in Transoxiana

Early in the morning, you take the road from Tashkent to the Bildersay valley, located at 1,510 meters altitude. A 7 a.m. departure is possible to reach these mountain landscapes at the gates of the capital.

• Your hiking tour begins with the ascent of the red cliffs, to the left of the ski lift station. You reach a sunny meadow at 1,720 meters altitude, where a break allows you to admire the surrounding mountains and valleys.

• The route continues in front of a thousand-year-old tree, then to the Urta Kumbel pass, at 1,830 meters. A gentle descent then takes you to the Marble River, at 1,540 meters altitude, for lunch in the heart of nature.

• After the meal, you begin climbing towards the Takhtajalou Pass, at 2,000 meters. Along the way, you may have the opportunity to meet local shepherds. A well-marked trail then leads you into the Chimgan Valley, in the direction of the Aksai River.

• The day ends with dinner and a night under a tent by the river.

Early in the morning, you set out on the ascent of Grand Chimgan, which peaks at 3,309 meters, via the northern slopes of the massif. As you approach 3,000 meters, the vegetation fades away and the landscape becomes mineral and rocky.

At the summit, you enjoy a panorama over the surrounding valleys and mountains. You then descend via the same route back to your campsite, where you have dinner and spend the night in a tent.

After breakfast, you cross the Chimgan village and begin the ascent near the children's station, at 1,570 meters altitude. You reach the Pisochni pass, at 1,825 meters, then continue your climb towards the Little Chimgan summit, which peaks at 2,118 meters.

From this viewpoint, admire a panorama of the Big Chimgan, the Karjantou ridge, Lake Charvak, the Chimgan valley and the reliefs of western Kyrgyzstan. After lunch, take a moment to rest before beginning your descent to the village of Chimgan, where you rejoin your camp.

This morning, you leave Chimgan on foot to reach the Melovoy pass, at 1,695 meters altitude. You then progress along the ridge, along the undulating red cliff of Kyzyljar, which reaches 1,845 meters

You have lunch in a summer pasture frequented by local shepherds, then continue walking along the ridges. The panoramic views accompany this final stage to a summit offering a view over Lake Charvak.

After a break, you head down to the Chorvak Oromgohi hotel, at 950 meters altitude. Your driver meets you there for the return journey by road to Tashkent.

• After breakfast at the hotel, you leave Tashkent at 9 a.m. to reach Zaamin province. Around noon, you arrive at the village of Pechogor, where you settle in before sharing lunch at a local home.

• You then discover the Khoja Serob spring, whose name means "the master of springs". Considered sacred by the inhabitants, this place is associated with an imam who is said to have helped spread Islam in the region.

• The visit continues at Mukkadas Gor, the "sacred cave", where objects of historical interest studied by archaeologists were discovered. You then hike between the Dolanakuduk rocks and the hills of Zaamin, passing through Kazakh villages before returning to your guesthouse.

You continue your discovery of the Zaamin region by hiking along the Ouvoldara river. Along the way, you pass through Teshiktos, the "pierced stone", before reaching the source of the river. You then stop near a waterfall, where it is possible to refresh yourself depending on conditions. After a picnic, you head towards Samarkand.

After breakfast at the hotel, you visit the necropolis of Samarkand, where descendants of Amir Timur rest, as well as military leaders and their wives. You also discover the tomb of Kussam ibn Abbas, called the "Living King" and considered a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. You continue with a visit to a silk carpet factory, then to the Ulugh Beg Observatory, dedicated to astronomical observation in the Middle Ages.

After lunch, you travel to Eski Forish. Upon arrival, you stay with a local family, then stroll through the village to discover its peaceful atmosphere and local life.

• From Eski Forish, you set out on foot towards a historic viewpoint, once used to monitor the plains of the Kyzylkoum Desert. The path crosses through the village orchards, then steeper pastures, before reaching increasingly mineral landscapes. Along the way, you may observe local wildlife, including eagles and partridges. It is rarer to spot ibex. Upon your arrival at the village of Achraf, you settle into a guesthouse. After lunch, you have free time to stroll through the village and interact with its inhabitants.

You will depart from the village of Achraf for an easy hike to Oukhoum, a neighboring mountain village. There, you may be invited to share tea on an Uzbek tapchan, in a convivial moment. You will arrive around noon for lunch. In the afternoon, you will set off on foot on a round-trip route in search of mouflons. The trail passes in front of houses and allows you to observe the locals in their daily activities.

You leave Oukhoum to reach the Kyzylkoum desert and discover its landscapes as well as the nomadic way of life of the Kazakhs. You then head to the shores of the Lake Aydar. Weather permitting, you may swim there or observe the birds present on the banks, notably pelicans and cormorants. A walk through the desert takes you to the yurt camp. Along the way, you may spot local wildlife as well as herds of sheep and cattle. After settling in, you take a short ride on a Bactrian camel, then enjoy free time to admire the sunset.

After breakfast, you leave the Kyzylkoum desert to reach Nourata, a town situated in an oasis between the desert and the mountains of the same name. You discover the sacred spring, the mosques of the religious complex and the remains of the fortress attributed to Alexander the Great.

After lunch in the city, you continue your journey to Bukhara. You check in at your hotel at the end of the day, then have dinner in the city before enjoying an evening stroll.

After breakfast, you discover the surroundings of Bukhara. You first stop at the sacred site of Bakhaouddin Nakshbandi, a place of contemplation that houses the tomb of a major figure in Sufism. You then visit the "palace of the moon and stars", a former residence of the emirs of Bukhara where local architectural elements and Russian influences blend together. The discovery continues at the Chor Minor madrasah, recognizable by its four towers.

After lunch in the city, you head to the train station to take the train to Tashkent. Upon arrival, you dine in a typical restaurant before spending the night at the hotel.

After lunch, you are transferred to the airport to take your return flight, marking the end of your trip to Ouzbékistan.