Chimgan-Beldersay area is an attractive place for adventure and tourism lovers
Location geography and history
Chimgan-Beldersay area is located in the territory of Ugam-Chatkal National Park and is part of Bostanlyk district (Tashkent region). Chimgan village is located 12 km from Charvak
lake, one of the largest artificial water reservoirs in Uzbekistan. The area is intersected by Chimgan and Beldersay rivers.
Chimgan village is located in the mountain massive of dominant Greater Chimgan peak (3,309 m) of Chatkal range at an altitude of 1,620 m. The nearest villages are Yusufhona
and Galvasay (24 km; 1,000 inhabitants), Yubileyniy (8 km; 750 inhabitants).
Chimgan village was settled 400-500 years ago, probably, by settlers from southern Central Asia. Some experts see Chinese words in the name “Chimgan” but others translate it as “sod” or “pasture abundant in water, green valley”.
Climate and seasons
Climatic conditions in Chimgan are determined by the mountainous part of the Ugam-Chatkal National Nature Park. The climate is continental; there are seasonal and daily fluctuations. During the day it is warm, the evenings are cool. Spring comes in April in the mid-mountains; in the high mountains there is snow and cold until midsummer. The highest temperature is in June-July and early-August. Mean daily temperature of the warmest month (July) fluctuates from 20C to 35C. Average annual precipitation is 650 mm. Heavy snowfall is in winter, which allows ski tourism development. Snow cover lasts for 4-5 months. The frost period lasts about 130 days.
Tourism attractions and abilities
The wide variety of Chimgan and its surroundings allows the development of landscape tourism. Mountains (Small and Greater Chimgan Peaks), Gulkam, Marble and Black waterfalls, as well as Charvak artificial lake attract a lot of tourists from the capital of Uzbekistan and abroad. Furthermore there is an interesting flora: juniper forests, flowers including tulips, eremuruses (desert-candles), bushes and alpine meadows. Argali, bears, marmots, eagles, partridges, owls, nightingales and other fauna species inhabit in this area as well.
The Chimgan Mountains are attractive for adventure tourism lovers. Sport and tourist infrastructure is constructed here, such as ski lifts, hotels, paved roads and other facilities.
Tourism in Chimgan is characterized by the following data. Peak period: up to 80-85% of the visits are in summertime, including late spring and early autumn. Winter has 15-20% of the visits, that are mostly related to winter sports and celebrating New Year.
In the village there are horses for hire. There are other services including transportation, food and accommodation services.
Private guesthouses
CBT (community-based tourism) accommodation is based on home-stay facilities. Houses are built mainly from local materials; some of the houses are built from bricks. Some have basins and hot water. All premises are provided with electricity. The guesthouse owners guarantee security and safety of tourists’ property.
Other accommodation facilities
There are private recreation centres and comfortable tourist hotels such as Nebesa. Beldersay Oromgohi hotel was built during 1994-2000. On the 40 hectares site there are cozy family cottages, helipad, and two tennis-courts. Nearby there is start of the seat ski lifting that delivers mountain skiers to the Kumbel track. The length of this track is more than 3,000 meters with an altitude difference of 765 meters. The centre has been working since 2001 rendering restaurant, disco, sauna, summer cafe, tennis-courts, and summer pool services.
Next to Belderay the modern Amirsoy ski resort is located. It occupies an area of 900 hectares in one of the most beautiful and picturesque places, on the spurs of the Chatkal ridge, just 65 kilometers from Tashkent.
On the left bank of Charvak reservoir there is Charvak Oromgohi recreation centre. Although it is not included in Chimgan-Beldersay area it could be useful for establishment of ecological routes in Ugam-Chatkal National Park. Three hotels Charvak-Oromgohi were built in the form of pyramids having 222 rooms of different classes including standard and VIP.
Other services such as horses and transportation rent, guides and food are easy to get. There is a sandy beach, 800 meters long, and not far from hotels, that provides conditions for rest and recreation. There is a boating station, which provides launches, water motorcycles, skis, etc. Guides conduct excursions and tours in the surroundings.
Accessibility
Chimgan is located 60 km from Gazalkent regional centre and 40 km from Hojikent railway station. The closest airport having international and local importance is in Tashkent, 100 km away.
Chimgan is further reachable from Gazalkent by private taxi (30 min). The road is accessible any time of the year, but in spring there can be limitations because of landslides and mudflows.
Protected areas
Within the territory of Tashkent region there is Ugam-Chatkal National Nature Park occupying 576 sq km and Chatkal reserve occupying 22,000 hectares of land. Ugam-Chatkal National Nature Park is considered as a part of future West Tien-Shan Trans-Boundary Biosphere Reserve.
Suggested trekking routes in the Chimgan-Beldersay area
Route 1: 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.
Trek Price Per Person
Individual: US$ 510
2 Pax: US$ 285
3 Pax : US$ 230
4 Pax: US$ 185
5 Pax: US$ 170
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 (survival ration), kitchen and climbing gears – included.
Porter service is available for an additional payment.
The price does not include: personal travel insurance; personal equipment,
alcohol, personal expenses.
Route 2: Beldersay ring (trekking).
Day 1 Transfer from Tashkent to the Beldersay river valley to the junction of
the Beldersay River and the Marble Rivulet. (85 km, 1,5 hrs). This is the
starting point of the route. Climbing to the left shore of the Marble Rivulet
which takes 2,5 — 3 hours. Stop at a grove. Camp. Resting and walking around.
Acclimatization and preparation for the next day.
Day 2 Breakfast. Climbing to the Urta-Kumbel Pass (1850 m), 1 hour. Beautiful
view opens up from the pass to the Chirchik river valley and the Chet-Kumbel
pass. Gentle slope leads to the small grove at the shore of the Beldersay river.
After short rest continue passing under saddle of the Chet-Kumbel pass. Camp.
Day 3 After breakfast four-hour walk towards rock paintings. Returning to the
camp, lunch. Go down along the Beldersay River valley. Departure by car to
Tashkent.
Trek Price Per Person
Individual: US$ 310
2 Pax: US$ 175
3 Pax : US$ 140
4 Pax: US$ 115
5 Pax: US$ 105
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 (survival ration), kitchen and climbing gears – included.
The porter service is available for an additional payment.
The price does not include: personal travel insurance; personal equipment,
alcohol, personal expenses.
Short references +99897 7009846
Telegram +7771 467-41-93
WhatsApp / Viber +7966 065-53-44
e-mail – your@climberca.com
Suggested hiking routes in the Chimgan-Beldersay area
Option 1.
Driving from Tashkent through the Galvasay village to the recreation
zone “Chimgan” at the foothill of the Chatkal range in the 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. After rest – going downstream the Gulkamsay river to
the water intake near the country road. Departure by car to Tashkent along the
Charvak water reservoir. Majestic panorama of Ugam, Pskem and Koksu ranges of
the West Tien Shan surrounding Charvak water reservoir opens up from the road.
See the map …
Option 2.
Driving from Tashkent through the Galvasay village to the recreation
zone “Chimgan” at the foothill of the Chatkal range in the 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. After rest – climb back to the Pesochniy pass
(1,832 m), then ascent to 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 this peak. Descent to Chimgan. Departure by car to
Tashkent along the coast of Charvak water reservoir.
Price for one day of all routes hiking program
1pax – U$ 80
2pax – U$ 45
3pax – U$ 35
4pax – U$ 30
Mountain Guide included, Mountain gear included, One meal included. Local
transportation isn’t included.
Short references +99897 7009846
Telegram +7771 467-41-93
WhatsApp / Viber +7966 065-53-44
e-mail – your@climberca.com