Gulkam Canyon and Small Chimgan Mountain: Two-day Tour2 Days | Gulkam, Small Chimgan

The tour is offered from mid-May until mid September.

This two-day tour is designed for those who love mountain hiking and want something medium in difficulty. Besides, it gives variety: on the first day you will go up the Gulkamsay river to the deep canyon made of powerful rocks going up to 50 meters, and on the second day there will be a relatively easy ascent to the Small Chimgan mountain, from where you will get a magnificent panorama of all the surrounding peaks and ridges. In Gulkam canyon you will pass through baths, where you will have to soak your feet, and in the finale there will be a refreshing 10-meter waterfall. On the second day, from the top of Small Chimgan you will see Greater Chimgan peak in the south, Aukashka (Okhotnichy) peak in the south-east, Charvak reservoir in the north-east, and many ridges of Tien Shan on the horizon. And between these hikes you will have an opportunity to have a great rest in a hotel with a swimming pool.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Tashkent - Gulkam Canyon - Pana Hotel

9:00 - 11:00: Depart from Tashkent and travel through the Charvak Reservoir to Gulkam Canyon, where the active part of the tour begins. This is the meeting point of two mountain rivers, Mazarsay and Gulkamsay (1200 m).

11:00 - 12:30: Hike up the Gulkamsay riverbed, covering a distance of 2 km. The trail gradually ascends, with the mountain slopes slowly closing in until they form two sheer walls. You'll reach the “bathtubs”, where the fast-flowing cold water creates small whirlpools. Along the way, there will be several river crossings, requiring you to get your feet wet, sometimes up to the knee. The water can be quite cold, so a change of footwear is recommended. After navigating these crossings, you will arrive at the final destination—a 10-meter waterfall on the Gulkam River (1450 m).

12:30 - 13:30: Lunch.

13:30 - 15:00: Return along the same route by the river to the vehicle (2 km).

15:00 - 16:00: Transfer to Pana Hotel. Check-in and enjoy free time.

Day 2: Pana Hotel - Small Chimgan Mountain - Tashkent

9:00 - 9:30: Gather at the hotel and prepare to depart with your luggage.

9:30 - 10:00: Transfer to the base of Small Chimgan Mountain (1550 m), the starting point for the day's trek.

10:00 - 12:00: Begin the ascent to the summit. There will be a brief stop at Pesochny Pass (1832 m), offering views of Gulkam Canyon, where you hiked the previous day. After the pass, the climb becomes steeper, but reaching the top rewards you with a stunning panorama of the Chimgan Mountains. The final stretch involves walking a few hundred meters along the ridge to the peak (2099 m), providing even more breathtaking views of the surrounding area, including Greater Chimgan Peak (3309 m), Aukashka Peak (3099 m), and the Charvak Reservoir. The total ascent covers 3 km with a 550-meter elevation gain.

12:00 - 13:00: Enjoy lunch at the summit and take time for a photo session.

13:00 - 15:00: Descend along the same route (3 km) back to the starting point, where the car will be waiting.

15:00 - 17:00: Transfer back to Tashkent. End of the Gulkam Canyon and Small Chimgan tour.

Price includes:

Transportation to/from the mountains (1-2 people in a sedan; 3-6 people in a minivan);
Services of a mountain guide;
Picnic lunch for two days;
Trekking poles;
Accommodation at a hotel with breakfast.

Price doesn't include:

Dinner at Pana Hotel;
Insurance policy.

Note: In case of adverse weather conditions, guides may modify the itinerary.

Important Note: No special equipment is required for this tour, but there will be steep ascents and descents. If you have a history of surgery, life-sustaining implants (e.g., prosthetic heart valve), chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, high blood pressure), or any special dietary requirements, including vegetarian/vegan diets, please inform us in advance.

Dress code:

In hot, sunny weather: Wear a hat or cap, long-sleeved outerwear, pants (shorts are not recommended due to thorny bushes), trekking boots or sneakers, and a change of footwear for river crossings. Light gloves are also recommended for passing through thickets.
In cold weather: A jacket or windbreaker is advised.