Chimtarga Pass Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a gorgeous but grueling route. The trail is rough, and route finding requires some experience. Know what you are getting into before embarking on the trip. Though the route is difficult, the views are amazing. Your journey will wind along the valley floor under soaring granite peaks with glaciers spilling down the sides. You'll pass lake after lake of unbelievable blues. You'll likely come across shepherds caring for yaks and sheep grazing the hillsides. Towards the end you climb into true alpine terrain. The highest lake is a milky white color from glacier ground rock, and above this you'll work your way across ever changing talus fields, and onto snow pack. Climbing to Chimtarga Pass requires crampons and an ice axe, but has a safe run-out and isn't long. The views from here are amazing. The tallest peak, Chimtarga stands to the west, and the impressive face of Energia towers to the east. There are peaks in every direction as far as the eye can see. This is truly a magical place.

Tajikistan is an amazing and beautiful place, but travel here can be challenging, and certainly not what you expect in the west. I would highly recommend finding a travel agent at least to take care of some of the logistics. This will smooth out many of the stresses of travel in this remote area and allow you to enjoy the beauty! Be sure to enjoy the cultural aspects of the country as well, the people are very hospitable, and spending time learning their way of life will give you a much greater appreciation for this corner of the world.

Wildflowers and marmots abound! As well as herds of yak and sheep. There are Marco Polo Sheep, and snow leopards in these mountains, but they are only rarely spotted.