Uzbekistan hiking to Paltau waterfall

Tulipa kaufmanniana Regel	Tulipa greigii Regel	Tulipa bifloriformis Vved	Tulipa tschimganica Z.Botsch
Paltau valley	Paltau waterfall	Picnic in birch grove	"Obi-rakhmat" grotto

HIKING TO PALTAU WATERFALL

   WELCOME TO JOIN to April tulips watching hiking to Paltau waterfall

   Itinerary: Tashkent – Ugam-Chatkal national park, Paltau valley – Tashkent

Region: Ugam-Chatkal national park, Western Tien-Shan, Uzbekistan
Tour duration: 1 day
Season: April - November
Hiking distance: 13 km
Tulips blooming season: April
Kinds of tulips: Tulipa kaufmanniana Regel, Tulipa greigii Regel, Tulipa tschimganica Z.Botsch, Tulipa bifloriformis Vved

Highlights: The trail to Paltau waterfall passes inside Ugam-Chatkal national park, which located among the mountain spurs of Western Tian-Shan. The word “Paltau” comes from the Turkic language. Originally it sounded off like Pulat Tau, which means “Iron Mountain”. Since ancient time, Paltau valley has been famous for producing ore rich in iron content. There are still some remains of smelting furnaces, dating back to the Iron Age.

There are various mountain landscapes along the route. At the beginning, the route passes through a canyon to Paltau waterfall, which cascades from the height of 25 meters. At hot summer day the splashes of the waterfall gives a welcome relief and refreshing hikers. The highest mark of the route is a birch grove located in a valley between high mountains. There, under the leafy shade a national styled picnic serves for riders. During the rest after the picnic the hikers can read the Red Book of flora and fauna of Chatkal Nature Reserve.

After the picnic and rest a trail passes through the upper side of the canyon. There appears a spectacular panorama of Paltau canyon, the river flowing along its bottom, as well as a mountain range between Mt.Kungyrbuka and Mt.Paltau. Next, the trail comes to a cave, which is the object for speleological researches. A beekeeper lives just in 100 meters before the cave. There is a possibility to taste the mountain honey there.

Obi-Rakhmat grotto – cave settlement of primitive people from the Paleolithic Age. On the place of excavations guide tells about the unique discoveries  of the archeological site.

   Tour program:

08:00-10:00 - transfer Tashkent - Ugam-Chatkal national park, Chatkal river (L=100 km, H=953 m);
Hiking upstream Paltau river. Sightseeing of Paltau waterfall (h=25 m). Visiting the birch grove (1430 m). Picnic and rest in the birch grove. Visiting a cave. Visiting the grotto "Obi Rakhmat", cave settlement of primitive people from the Paleolithic Era.
18:00-20:00 - transfer to Tashkent.

   Price per tourist:
Price depends from the quantity of tourists in a group and submits upon request.

Inclusions: 

• transfer Tashkent - Ugam-Chatkal national park - Tashkent 4WD NIVA LADA;
• ecological fees of Ugam-Chatkal national park;
• service of English speaking certified mountain guide;
• picnic (sandwiches, vegetables, fruits, sweets, tea, water).

Useful info:

• At summer time it is recommended to start the program one hour earlier;
• April month is the only season of tulips blooming;
• Summer is the season of archeological excavations in the grotto "Obi Rakhmat".

   Recommended outfit:
1. trekking boots;
2. trekking trousers;
3. windcheater.

   Recommended UV protection:
1. cap;
2. sun block cream;
3. sun glasses;
4. neckerchief.

Map of hiking route through Paltau valley

Photo reports by season:  *Here you can see the sights of the tour in different seasons.
Spring:	Summer:	Autumn:

2024 TOURS IN UGAM-CHATKAL NATIONAL PARK: 
April Tulips Watching Hiking
Hiking
Tours to Mountain Lakes
Horse Riding
Trekking
Rainbow Trout Fishing

Useful links:
Hiking/Trekking in Uzbekistan
Outdoor adventure in Uzbekistan
Homestay in the Guesthouse on Charvak lake in Ugam-Chatkal national park
Hotels on Charvak lake in Ugam-Chatkal national park
Hotels of Chimgan-Beldersay-Amirsoy ski resort in Ugam-Chatkal national park