I Climbed Uzbek Mountain with 16 Others

Central Asia is a region of breathtaking diversity, where dramatic landscapes, ancient cities, and rich cultures come together to offer unforgettable experiences. From the bustling Silk Road cities to the towering peaks and pristine lakes, each of the five Central Asian “Stans” offers something unique for travelers.

I moved to Uzbekistan September 2024. I was really excited about this opportunity. As much as I am sad that there’s no sea in this country, I love the mountains and the great outdoor. I was already planning the hikes in my head and I was really eager to start exploring the mountains right away!

However, after 2 months living in Tashkent, I started to realize that the mountains seem a little bit far away. A little bit out of reach. You will need a car (which I didn’t have one at that time), you will to drive at least an hour and a half to get close to the mountains and there is very little information available on the internet for a foreigner like me. On top of that, friends who have been on a hike here told me that trails in Uzbekistan are not well developed enough and facilities are very limited.

So you can imagine my excitement when I found a local hiking group on Telegram called GO ON FOOT. I followed the channel for a while before I decided to join a hike. The channel is run by a guy called Yusuf. On the channel, he posts information on hikes for the following weekend. People can sign up and pay between 20-30 dollars for a day hike, which includes transportation, and guides.

On the 24th of November 2024, I joined Yusuf and 14 other people on a hike to Mount Kungurbuka in the Tashkent region, near to Lake Charvak.

This is the story of our journey.

Descending - After spending almost 2 hours on the summit enjoying the black lemon tea that Yusuf prepared for us, we started to descend at about 2.30 pm in the afternoon.

The plan is to reach a spot close to the starting point so we could watch the sunset. We didn’t quite manage to do that because our group was split into several mini groups. Everyone was exhausted and some took longer than the others in descending.

The colors of the sky were beautiful and we witnessed the hustle bustle of the city from far. It was a magical feeling standing on the slope when it was all dark and quiet , watching millions lights blinking in front of our eyes. I immediately feel blessed.

I am thankful that the mountains are near. I am thankful that my body is still strong enough to push me forward. I am thankful that I found my hiking tribe here and I am always thankful for the good people and good moments in life. I can’t wait to explore another mountain region in Uzbekistan.

If you are interested to book a trip with Yusuf, send him a message on Instagram @go_on_foot_uz

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