Uzbekistan Mountain Canyoning

Canyoning, Canyoneering, Traveling in Canyons, Canyon Hiking, Canyons in Uzbekistan

Canyoning (known as canyoneering in the U.S.) is traveling in canyons using a variety of techniques that may include walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling, and/or swimming.

Although hiking down a canyon that is non-technical (canyon hiking) is often referred to as canyoneering, the terms canyoning and canyoneering are more often associated with technical descents — those that require rappels (abseils) and ropework, technical climbing or down-climbing, technical jumps, and/or technical swims.

Canyoning is frequently done in remote and rugged settings and often requires navigational, route-finding and other wilderness travel skills.

Canyons that are ideal for canyoning are often cut into the bedrock stone, forming narrow gorges with numerous drops, beautifully sculpted walls, and sometimes spectacular waterfalls. Most canyons are cut into limestone, sandstone, granite or basalt, though other rock types are found. Canyons can be very easy or extremely difficult, though emphasis in the sport is usually on aesthetics and fun rather than pure difficulty.

Uzbekistan Mountains near to Tashkent

Chimgan Mountains

The Chimgan Mountains are invariably attractive for mountaineers. The wide variety of Chimgan and its surroundings allows the activity in all kinds of mountaineering and landscape tourism. Mountains  (Small and Greater Chimgan Peaks - 3,309 m) of Chatkal range, plateaus, the Black Waterfall (40 m) at the lower part of Greater Chimgan Peak, Gulkam and Novotasha waterfalls, attract a lot of tourists from Uzbekistan and abroad.

West Tien-Shan Mountains Map

Ugam & Karjantau ridges

Another attractive place for mountaineering is situated on Ugam ridge and on the southern; slopes of the Karjantau ridge of the Western Tyan-Shan system.

There are following natural sites, which are of interest of mountaineers in area of Ugam & Karjantau ridges:

• Peak Mingbulak (2,628 m)  - the highest peak of the Karjantau ridge.

• Qizilsuv waterfalls - the pictorial cascades that flow at the sinuous river gorges of Qizilsuv Mountain River.

• Loquacious cave is located on plateau Ghiza, 20 km from village Humsan, in a funnel-shaped hollow. On the bottom of the hollow, in the exposure of grey limestone, there is a 1x1 m rectangular aperture transforming to a 1.5 m high sloping tunnel. Its floor is covered with lumps, ceiling being arcaded. This tunnel is 20 m long and leads to the inner larger part of the cave. A ladder is needed in order to proceed into the cave as there is a 6 m high prominence. Then the floor levels out, height reaching 20-30 m. The cave is so named due to a streamlet flowing through it.

• Arkutsay – exposure of loess stratum. The site is 3 km west of Humsan, on the right bank of the Ugam River. Section of the formation represents the wall of a small landslide breakaway and is a stratum of interstratifying loess-like loams of Quaternary and fossil soils horizons. The section is unique as it exposes more than 80 m thick deposition of rocks.

• Kyrk-Kokyl waterfall (in Uzbek “Kyrk-Kokyl” means 40 plaits) – pictorial waterfall at Pustonlyk – confluent of Ugam River, 9 km from Humsan village.

Suggested routes for Canyoning

Route 1. Backpacking, Rock Climbing, Canyoning

Day 1. Overnight route. Backpacking to Qizilsuv waterfalls - the pictorial cascades that flow at the sinuous river gorges of Qizilsuv Mountain River, about 9 km up-stream from starting point of the route. Camp in the birch grove.

Day 2. Rock Climbing to rocks surrounding the Qizilsuv waterfalls. Waterfalling. Descent to the starting point. Departure by car to Tashkent.

Price Per Person
Individual: US$ 120
2 Pax: US$ 65
3, 7, 12 Pax : US$ 48
4-5 Pax: US$ 42
6 Pax: US$ 56,5
8-10 Pax: US$ 42
11 Pax: US$ 52

Transportation isn't Included; Personal Equipment isn't Included. Mountain guide service - included. Guide/Climber Ratio: 1:5 maximum limit. The rent of the tents is included for all period of expedition. Food, kitchen and climbing gears - included. Porter service is available for an additional payment ($20/day).
The price does not include: personal travel insurance; personal equipment, alcohol, personal expenses.

Route 2. Hiking, Rock Climbing, Canyoning

Day 1. Overnight route. Hiking on the slopes to a panorama point of the Karjantau ridge, and then to Mingbulak pass (2,100 m). The word “Mingbulak” means “Thousand-springs”. The peek and pass acquired their names from numerous springs that in actuality exist on the slopes near to Mingbulak pass. Descent to a camp in the birch grove. You are free of packing. All your equipment is carried to a camp by animals.

Day 2. Rock Climbing to rocks surrounding the Qizilsuv waterfalls. Waterfalling. Descent to the starting point. Departure by car to Tashkent.

Route 3. Scrambling, Rock Climbing, Canyoning

Day 1. Moving by car to the Qizilsuv river valley. (75 km, 1.5 h). Stop at one of recreation camps. Resting and walking around. Acclimatization and preparation for the next day, which starts at 3 o’clock in the morning.

Day 2. Very tense day. Scrambling to the highest peak of the Karjantau ridge - the peak Mingbulak (2,628 m). Roundtrip normally takes 12-13 hours. Panoramic view from the peak to the Ugam, Pskent and Chatkal ridges of the West Tien-Shan; Charvak and Khodjikent water reservoirs and the Valley of Chirchik River. Passing through Mingbulak pass (2,100 m). The word “Mingbulak” means “Thousand-springs”. The peek and pass acquired their names from numerous springs that in actuality exist on the slopes near to Mingbulak pass. Descent to a camp in the birch grove. You are free of packing. All your equipment is carried to a camp by animals/porters.

Day 3. Rock Climbing to rocks surrounding the Qizilsuv waterfalls. Waterfalling. Descent to the starting point. Departure by car to Tashkent.

Price Per Person
Individual: US$ 180
2 Pax: US$ 97,5
3, 7, 12 Pax : US$ 72
4-5 Pax: US$ 63
6 Pax: US$ 84
8-10 Pax: US$ 63
11 Pax: US$ 78

Transportation isn't Included; Personal Equipment isn't Included. Mountain guide service - included. Guide/Climber Ratio: 1:5 maximum limit. The rent of the tents is included for all period of expedition. Food, kitchen and climbing gears - included. Porter service is available for an additional payment ($20/day).
The price does not include: personal travel insurance; personal equipment, alcohol, personal expenses.

 

Route 4. Hiking in West Tien Shan. Canyoning

Driving from Tashkent through Galvasay village to the recreation zone "Chimgan" at the foothill of Chatkal range in West Tien Shan (100 km, 1,5 hours, 1,300 m). Going up by a good path to the Pesochniy pass (1,832 m). Descending to the gorge of the Gulkamsay river. After rest in the birch grove go through one of the most beautiful places in the mountains of Uzbekistan - the Gulkam canyon. Canyoning. Rock chap at times converging up to 5 m having numerous small waterfalls, baths, rock gorges and with frequent wades can be walked through in 2 hours. Lunch is organized in the picturesque grove at the end of canyon. After rest crossing on the country road around the Smaller Chimgan Peak (2,100 m). Majestic panorama of Ugam, Pskem and Koksu ranges of the West Tien Shan surrounding Charvak water reservoir opens up from the road. After 3 hours drive arrival in Chimgan village. Departure by car to Tashkent along Charvak reservoir. See the map ...
 

Price for one day of all routes hiking program

1pax - U$ 55
2pax - U$ 27,5
3pax - U$ 18,3
4pax - 7pax - U$16
Mountain Guide included, Mountain gear included, One meal included. Local transportation isn't included.

 

Route 5: Around the Greater Chimgan Peak (trekking)

Day 1 Transfer from Tashkent to Beldersay (80 km, 2 hrs.). Walking along the gorge of the Beldersay river to the Chet-Kumbel pass (1880 m). Overnight stay in tents on the picturesque glade. Camp 1.

Day 2 Short day. Walking along the good path to the upper Beldersay river. Ascend to the Kumbell pass (2550 m). Camp 2 near the spring.

Day 3 Very tense day. Climbing along the southern slopes to the summit of Greater Chimgan Peak (3,309 m), descent to the Komsomolec pass (2700 m). Camp 3.

Day 4 Descending from the Komsomolets pass to the gorge of the Mazarsay river. Walking to the place called "Vodoprovod". Camp 4 near the spring

Day 5 Descending to the gorge of the Gulikamsay River. Visiting the Gulikam canyon. In the afternoon passing through Pesochniy pass (1,830 m) to the valley of the Chimgansay river. Collected by car. Return to Tashkent.

See the map ...

Trek Price Per Person
Individual: US$ 300
2 Pax: US$ 163
3, 7, 12 Pax : US$ 120
4-5 Pax: US$ 110
6 Pax: US$ 138
8-10 Pax: US$ 110
11 Pax: US$ 130

Transportation Tashkent-Chingan-Tashkent isn't Included; Personal Equipment isn't Included. Mountain guide service - included. Guide/Climber Ratio: 1:5 maximum limit. The rent of the tents is included for all period of expedition. Food, kitchen and climbing gears - included.
Porter service is available for an additional payment ($20/day).
The price does not include: personal travel insurance; personal equipment, alcohol, personal expenses.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canyoning