Places to visit

Small jailoo of the Dashman village

The village of Barskoon, with a population of over 9,000, lies on the southern shore of Lake Issyk Kul. Remains have been found proving the existence of man as far back as the 4th century BC.

There are also the ruins of an ancient caravanserai dating from the 8th century, as the village lies at the start of the Silk Road over the Bedel Pass (4252 metres above sea level) to the town of Aksou in Xinjiang. The eleventh-century scholar Mahmud al-Kashgari was originally from this region. His father Husayn was the village mayor. Mahmud al-Kashgari is best known as the author of the Dīwān Lughāt al-Turk, the first comparative dictionary of Turkic languages, which he wrote while living in Baghdad in 1072-4 and his map of the known world at the time places Barskoon at the centre of the world.

What's more, the village of Barskoon is the starting point for a number of exciting outdoor activities. Hiking enthusiasts can take to the picturesque trails that lead to panoramic viewpoints, archaeological sites and glacial lakes. The region also offers opportunities for horse riding, mountain biking and fishing in the nearby rivers and lakes.

In terms of infrastructure, the village of Barskoon has basic facilities such as guest houses, homestays and a few local shops.

Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It has a population of around 4.5 million people and is located in the eastern part of the country, at the foot of the Hindu Kush mountain range.

Kabul may have originated under the Achaemenid Empire as early as the 6th century BC. Since then, the Kabul region has been a crossroads between India, China and the West. But also a crossroads of cultures and religions. Its history is rich, and in 1504 it became the main capital of the Mogul Empire.
The most important monuments of the city are the fortress of Bâlâ Hissâr which finds its origin at the time of Turki-Chachis; the garden of Babur and his tomb; the white marble mausoleum and mosque of Châh Djahân; the mausoleum of Timour Châh built in the garden of Châhar Bâgh; the former royal palace; the palace of Bagh-e Bâlâ; the Djâda-e Esteqlâl mosque; the Mausoleum of Abdur Rahman; the palace of Darulaman (or Aman) and the mausoleum of Jamal ad-Din al-Afghani.

Kabul has also been heavily affected by the passed conflict in Afghanistan, and has seen much destruction and violence in recent years. Despite this, the city is still home to a vibrant and resilient population, with a strong sense of community and a rich cultural heritage.

It is also a good starting point for excursions to the surrounding countryside, such as to the historic city of Bagram and the Panjshir Valley.

The city of Karshi or Qarchi developed from a colony which was established from the 7th century BC. It was then that defensive walls began to be built around the ancient city. The remains of the ruins of these walls were first studied by archaeologists in 1999.

There is evidence that the city at this time had the Sogdian name Navtak, which can literally be translated as "New Building". As part of the Greco-Bactrian kingdom, the city may have been called Eucratideus.

Today it has some 200,000 inhabitants and is located in the southwest of Samarkand in the province of Kachkadaria.

Important historical monuments in the city are the Kok Mosque, also called Kok Gumbez, the Tamerlan Bridge over the Kachdaria River, the Khuzhai-Zharrokh funeral complex and the city cemetery with ancient tombs.

The Dushanbe tea room

Kohi Navruz (Kori Nowruz or Noruz Palace) was designed as a teahouse, but during construction it was transformed into a palace. "Kohi Navruz" consists of 12 unusual rooms, each of them is made in a special style. The complex has an art room, a banquet hall, a living room with carved stone moldings, a plaster room decorated with mirrors, two rooms for important political meetings. In total, the building can accommodate more than 3,200 people.

All the halls of the palace are decorated by local artists and craftsmen: there are woodcarvings and Florentine mosaics made from semi-precious Pamir stones, mosaics made of colored mirrors, painted and gilded ceilings. On the walls, legendary scenes are painted on the ceiling in an old style. Most of the wooden ornaments were made by artisans from Isfara.

In the garden of "Kohi Navruz" it grows sequoias, firs, plums, chestnuts, maples, evergreen and deciduous magnolia, pines, cypresses and birches.

The height of the main building is 46 meters, and the complex covers a total of about three hectares.

• Opening days: every day of the week
• Price of the visit: 25 somonis

The Naltar Valley is located 34 km from the town of Gilgit. Its nature is very rich and in 1975 a protected area was created. The reserve is covered with forests, mixed mountain forests, deciduous and coniferous. Coniferous species present include Picea and Juniperus. Among the trees present are Fraxinus, Olesya, Pistachio, Sagere, Bettiaula, Salix, Populus and Krascheninnikovia ceratoides. Some herbs that grow here and there include Artemisia, Haloxylon and Stipa.

The reserve is home to several species of astor markhor and one species of endangered wild goat. Other large mammals present here include alpine ibex, snow leopard, brown bear, grey wolf, red fox, beech marten and leopard cat. Nearly 35 species of birds have been recorded in the valley, including the Brooks' Warbler.

There are five lakes in the Naltar Valley known as Satrangi Lake, Halima Lake, Bodo Lake, Dhudia Lake, Pari Lake and Blue Lake. 

In winter, the Naltar ski resort organises international ski races.

International Caravanserai of culture Ikuo Hirayama in Tashkent is a unique object, which is both a museum and a scientific and cultural center.

Langar is one of the last villages in the Panj Valley in the south of the Tajik Pamirs, on the banks of the Pamir River. The village is located at an altitude between 2800 and 2850 meters, opposite the Wakhan corridor and on part of the delta of the Pamir river which here forms the Panj river. Thousands of petroglyphs have been found in this region, representing ibex, deer, yaks, hunters with their bows or even horsemen. In Langar you can see a mazar with many horns of Siberian goats and argali, where ancient religious rituals still take place (a mixture of pagan and Ismaili beliefs). 5km east of the village are the ruins of the Ratm fortress.

Nukus International Airport under the IATA code "NCU" was built in the 1960s, and is located in the north of Uzbekistan. The current airstrips were renovated in 2011. The airlines Ural Airlines and Uzbekistan Airlines operate from this airport.

The Alay valley is bordering Tajikistan on the South of Kyrgyzstan. The river name Kyzyl Suu or the "red river" and flew into Tajikistan. It's part of the Kyrgyz Pamir or named also Pamir Alay. The valley is wellknown for large flocks of yacks but also for its wellknow peak named "Lenin". Gulsho is its administrative center, and Sary Mogol village is one of largest village of the valley. In winter, life conditions are particulary difficult.

The architectural monument of the Sari Mazor Mausoleum is located in the city of Istaravshan in the Sughd region in the north of the Republic of Tajikistan. The Sari Mazor Mausoleum is a 16th century architectural monument and is a two-chamber, two-domed structure.
The mausoleum is built of fired bricks. The building consists of a square dome in the shape of a cross, including an engraved tomb.
The dome of the portal and the tomb rest on arches of the spherical type.
The Sari Mazor Mausoleum later became the core of the complex, which includes the Grand Mosque of Chill Ahona and the portal of the Aginakhona Mausoleum. According to several sources, a great religious figure and philosopher Makhdumi Azyami Dahbadi Samarkandi is buried here.

Coordination office of CBT Arslanbob leading by Hayat. Our local partner for trekking, horseback riding and ski touring in the region of the largest nuts forest in the world. With Hayat the coordinator of CBT Arslanbob, we are developing new routes and programs. In partnership with the Swiss NGO "Boule de neige", we are supporting winter sport access to children of Arslanbob village.

Lake Issyk is located at an altitude of 1756 m above sea level about 70 km east of Almaty.10,000 years ago, a huge collapse occurred in the mountains as a result of an earthquake that blocked the gorge and formed a huge dam. The noisy glacial river filled the basin. Lake Issyk was a truly perfect work of nature, the cleanest air, the coolness of the mountains and the mirror of malachite-colored water lured tourists here. It was so until July 7, 1963. On that tragic day, an enormous mudslide stream that fell from the mountains dared to and the natural dam, completely emptying the lake in just five hours, only a small muddy puddle remained in place of the once picturesque lake. Today Issyk Lake is half the size. In the early nineties, it was still possible to restore it by building a new dam instead of a destroyed one and installing devices to drain the water. Today, the lake also attracts tourists and locals and is a place to relax from the bustle of the city. 

Ekurgenkel is a stunning lake located in the southern part of the Seok mountains on the eastern side of the Jetim Bel range. Its main source of water is the Sary Tor glacier, which ensures a constant supply of fresh, clean water. 

The lake is approximately 1.5 kilometers in length and 1 kilometer wide, with crystal clear waters that reflect the surrounding mountain peaks. The area around the lake is characterized by peaks that rise to altitudes of more than 4000 meters, creating a breathtaking landscape that is sure to awe visitors.

The water from Ekurgenkel flows out to form the river Ekurgen, which ultimately joins the Taragaï river. The lake's location in the heart of the mountains ensures that it is surrounded by natural beauty, making it an ideal spot for hiking, camping, horseback riding or simply enjoying the view. With its serene waters and magnificent scenery, Ekurgenkel is truly a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Seok mountains region and Ak-Shirak syrthe.

The Chong-Ak-Suu valley or also called Grigorivka, stretches for 35 km in the Kungey Alatoo massif, between Lake Issyk Kul and the Kazakh border. The river of the same name is bordered to the north by cliffs and very steep slopes, while to the south, large pastures cover the mountains. The valley is very visited in summer by tourists who come to rest on the shores of Lake Issyk Kul.

Altai is a small town of 16,000 inhabitants and the capital of the province of Gobi-Altai, also called Yesönbulag.

The city is located nearly 1000 km southwest of Ulan Bator, and 2180 meters above sea level, making it the highest city in Mongolia.

Altai Airport has a dirt runway that regularly serves Arvaikheer and Ulaanbaatar.

The central Altai Square is named after Janchiv, a Mongolian hero who died in the 1945 Liberation War during the Japanese invasion of the Janchkhuu Pass. There is also a statue of Janchiv Baatar walking towards a bright future with his rifle in hand. In addition, another unique monument in Janchiv Square is the statue of "Zulai Tsagaan Altai", Mongolian composer and poet, whose works can be heard at the Altai Ensemble Theater, which is the hallmark of the Musical and Dramatic Theater of Gobi-Altai, is a unique architectural building. But the main visit is the "Aimag Central Museum of Local Traditions" has a rich collection of exhibits on the history, traditions, people, customs, life and celebrities of Altai, as well as on the formations geological and minerals of the aimag.

Kulunatin national reserve is located in the Kashura Too range in Osh region. It covers the territory of Ferghana range and was established in 2004 and covers about 27 thousand hectares. The Kulun (Kulung) lake is the pearl of the reserve. Landscape and biodiversity are remarkable. 

We organize different routes around this region. If you have more questions, please feel free to contact our manager.

Fans of mountaineering in the gorge It is scarlet – Arch will be able to test the strength at tops. Here such tops as Two-horned (4380 m), Corona (4860 m) and peak of Semenova-Tyan-Shanskogo (4875 m) - the highest point of all Kyrgyz Ala-Too are located. In the same place all routes of the fifth category of difficulty are concentrated. Each of these tops has on several classified routes.

Also there are peaks:

• "Svobodnaya Korea" - 4740 m above sea level
• "Komsomolets Peak" - 4204 m above sea level
• "Uchitel Peak" - 4640 m above sea level
• "Frunze Peak" - 4245 m above sea level
• "Boks" - 4293 m above sea level
• "Teke-Tor" - 4479 m above sea level
• "Aktoo" - 4612 m above sea level
• "Toktogul" - 4361 m above sea level
• "Ak-Duval" - 4421 m above sea level

Salkyn-Tor National Park is located on the forested northern slope of the Naryn Too mountain range about 18 km east of the town of Naryn. The park was established in May 2001 and has an area of 104 km². It can be reached easily by the road up the Naryn River. The entrance fee to the park costs $ 1 per person.
One of the objectives of the park is to increase the local population of Maral, which has declined sharply since independence. Other animals inhabit the forests of the Naryn Range include roe deer, Eurasian lynx, and brown bear.
The lower part of the park is dominated by dense stands of Schrenk spruce mixed with Tian Shan rowan. It is interesting to observe species of wild rose, willow and barberry.

Camp at the footsteps of the Sary Mogol valley

The Dorut Tilavat (Dor-i-Tilavat/Dorut Tilovat/Dor al-Tilavat) complex is a "house of meditation". It has a large Friday mosque Kouk Gumbaz and the mausoleum of Goumbazi Saydan.

Small lakes on the foot of the Juku pass, with turquoise color. The lower lake is just 100 meters long, the upper one is 400 meters long. It's nice place for camping.