Day Trips from Tashkent: Mountains, Orchards and Reservoirs

Tashkent sits on a plain, yet mountains begin only an hour or two away. That makes the city a handy base: coffee on a square in the morning, a walk above a reservoir in the afternoon, back at the hotel by evening. Here are five directions and some pointers for choosing by season and mood.

The mountains: Chimgan and Beldersay

Chimgan, the capital's main mountain resort, is around 80 kilometres from Tashkent. The road runs through Chirchik and Gazalkent and takes about an hour and a half to two hours. It is cool in summer, snowy in winter, and lifts operate on the slopes. In a single day you can ride the cable car, walk the trails and have lunch on the hillside. For skiing you will want to stay overnight. More on the gateway town: Tashkent — Chirchik.

Nearby is Beldersay with its lift and views over the valley, and the Charvak reservoir lies on the way to both.

Charvak: water among the mountains

The Charvak reservoir is about 80 to 90 kilometres from the city. The water is turquoise and cold, with guesthouses and viewpoints around. In summer many people come simply to sit by the water, while fans of water sports hire motorboats or pedal boats. To avoid standing in weekend traffic, leave before 8 a.m.

Parkent: bazaar and orchards

Parkent is roughly 50 kilometres east of the capital. It is a small foothill town with a lively bazaar selling fruit, cheese and baked goods, and orchards in the hills close by. Apricots and almonds blossom in spring, and market stalls sag with fruit in autumn. The route is called Tashkent — Parkent. The trip takes about an hour, so half a day is enough.

Ugam and Chatkal

The Ugam-Chatkal National Park lies beyond Gazalkent. Trails of different difficulty follow gorges, rivers and juniper groves. For a short day choose one easy trail and do not try to cover more than daylight allows. If you are not an experienced hiker, go with a guide or in a group.

Bekabad: the Syrdarya and the Tajik border

Bekabad is about 120 to 130 kilometres south of Tashkent, a drive of roughly two hours. It is a city on the Syrdarya known for its metallurgy, and people visit more for business or the riverside than for beauty. But for those who like open water and unusual landscapes, it makes an interesting contrast to the mountains. Details: Tashkent — Bekabad.

Choosing by season

Organising the day

1. Leave in the morning: weekend traffic out of the capital is noticeable.
2. Take a warm jacket even in summer: it is windy and cool at altitude.
3. Bring water and a snack, though you can also lunch at a teahouse on the way.
4. Leave a time buffer for the return, especially on Sunday evening.
5. Watch the weather: it changes quickly in the mountains.

Getting there

Minibuses and public transport serve Chimgan and Charvak, but they depart when full and seats go fast at weekends. A taxi into the mountains is expensive, especially in the evening. A good alternative is a shared ride. Through Yo'ldosh you can book a seat with a driver heading the same way, for example to Chirchik. You pay for one seat rather than the whole car and know the departure time in advance.

Good to know

• Mobile coverage in the mountains is patchy, so download an offline map.
• Take your rubbish with you: it is very visible on trails and shores.
• Do not swim in unfamiliar places without lifeguards: mountain water is cold and currents are strong.
• Check prices for guesthouses, lifts and rentals before the trip, as they change.

If you travel alone or want to save money, browse all routes and find companions for a convenient time. And if you often drive these roads yourself, take a look at the for drivers section.

Cover photo: Jamshid Nurkulov, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.