Trip description
This tour is specially designed for climbing fans, trek and hike amateurs. We combined city tour with trekking and climbing of the most interesting routes with sport and trad styles. The main attraction of the tour is visit of National park Shirkent “barrier” – a place famous by unique in the world footprints of Dinosaurs. Shirkent Valley has been established, as a nature Reserve in 1991, followed by the discovery of rare three sites of dinosaur footprints from various eras containing more than 400 trails. The first location of these giant, ancient reptiles is located in one of the right bank of Shirkent River, slightly above a village with the same name. Two lines of pterodactyl footprints were seen here on the surface of Erinaceous limestone. The length of the footprints is 0,5m on the average, the width up to 30cm, and the step length about 75cm. Since there are no footprints known elsewhere like those in Shirkent, the animal that left them was placed in a new species of dinosaurs, which are a suborder of Theropoda, and was given the name Macropodosaurs Gravis. The second group of dinosaurs’ footprints is approximately 5km from the mouth of Shirkent river, near the watershed on its left side. The third group of footprints is near Pashmi Kuna village and has the footprints of only Tridactylous, but it was a real giant. The length of its feet exceed 70cm, the width 60cm, and the depth of ground depression under its footprints is up to 10cm.
You will also visit one of the top beautiful places of Tajikistan – Siama River valley, and do some climbing here in “Bastion” granite rock.
Highlights
- Trekking in Shirkent National Park “barrier” area with footprints of Dinosaurs
- Rock climbing in Shafti Mizhgon rock wall: Sport and Trad climbing of IV-VI by UIAA
- Trekking in Siama valley – one the most beautiful gorges of Tajikistan
- Rock climbing in “Bastion” rock wall: Routes “Nice try” and “Try harder” VI-VII+ by UIAA
Itinerary
Your guide and driver meet you at the airport, transfer to hotel and rest till lunch. After lunch drive to Varzob gorge, to Shafti Mizhgon natural rock wall. Sport climbing of the route “Dependence day” IV – V by UIAA. Transfer to Dushanbe overnight in Hotel.
3-4 h climbing
Altitude: 800m↑
Arriving in Shirkent after 1,5 hours drive from Dushanbe, we start hiking along the stream towards the Dinosaurs’ foot prints. The nature around is breathtaking, juniper trees and rough mountains with green meadows. We hike up to the place called “Shirkent 2” We st up a camp near the rock massif and have lunch. After lunch we go to see the foot prints of Dinosaurs dated back to 165 million years ago. Overnight in tents near the massif.
110km 1.5 h
Altitude: 1000m↑
Today, we continue hiking to the second group of Dinosaurs footprints. We hike 5km from the mouth of Shirkent River to the waterfall. After lunch drive back to Dushanbe. Overnight in hotel.
4-5 h
Altitude: 1000m↑
Today, we drive to Varzob gorge. After 1,5 hours we reach Varzob Mountaineering camp “Alplager”.Climbing the routes: “Egomaniak” V by UIAA and “Correct” VI by UIAA. Trad and sport styles. Overnight in tents.
4-6 h
Altitude: 1050m↑
After breakfast, we start trek to Siama Valley, along the river. After 2 hours we reach the 120m high granite rock wall called “Bastion” We set up the camp and start exploring the climbing routes here. Overnight in the bottom of the massif in tents.
3-4 h
Altitude: 1200m↑
We climb the routes “Nice try” and “Try harder” VI+ by UIAA. After lunch descent to the valley of Siama River and drive back to Dushanbe. Farewell dinner in restaurant. Overnight in hotel. Our service ends with transfer to airport.
4-5 h
Altitude: 3800m↑
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Availability | 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 and more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your dates - Private group | All year round | US $800 | US $600 | US $400 | upon request |
What’s included
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
- Accommodation in 3* Hotel single/twin share rooms in Dushanbe
- Guesthouse and Homestay accommodations en route
- Twin share tents on trek
- All private transportation
- English speaking local mountain guide
- All park entrance fees and trekking permits
- Camp cook and climbing guide service during the treks
- All required permits
- All group camping equipment
- All group climbing gear
What’s not included
- Sleeping bags and mats are not provided but can be hired locally
- Personal climbing shoes
- International airfares
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol, etc
- Tips and gratuities
Important notes
- The vehicles are all 4x4 – type of Mitsubishi Pajero or Toyota LC. 3-4 people in one vehicle ONLY.
- The average temperature during the trekking is +10 to +5°C, so warm clothes are recommended
- The average altitude during the tour is over 4000m, sun cream and sun glasses are recommended
- The experienced guide from our company will follow the group during the tour.