Chimgan and the Charvak reservoir are Tashkent's mountains and lake, under two hours from the city. How to plan the day trip: Amirsoy cable cars, Big Chimgan hikes, Beldersay, Gulkam canyon, the Ugam-Chatkal National Park, seasons, transport and costs in 2026.
Facts, prices and schedules checked on November 4, 2026
A Chimgan and Charvak day trip from Tashkent is the easiest way to swap Silk Road domes for real mountains. Within two hours of the city, the Western Tian Shan rises to over 3,000 metres, and the turquoise Charvak reservoir sits at its feet. In winter Tashkent families come here to ski; in summer they come for cool air, the lake and walks in the hills.
This guide covers everything you need to plan the day as of November 2026: the Charvak reservoir, the Amirsoy cable cars, hikes around Big Chimgan, Beldersay, the Gulkam canyon and the Ugam-Chatkal National Park, plus the best season, how to get there and what it costs.
One note on names. Chimgan (Chimyon in Uzbek) is both a village and the mountain above it, while Charvak (Chorvoq) is the reservoir and the small town by its dam. Locals often use "Chimgan" for the whole mountain area of the Bostanliq district, and so do we.
Is a day trip to Chimgan and Charvak worth it?
Yes, especially if you have a spare day in Tashkent at the start or end of your trip. The cities of Uzbekistan are flat, hot in summer and built of brick and tile. Chimgan shows you the other side of the country: snowy peaks, walnut and juniper slopes, mountain streams and a lake the colour of the Registan's tiles.
- It is close. Chimgan is about 80 km from central Tashkent and Amirsoy about 65 km, so you spend roughly 1.5 to 2 hours in the car each way.
- It works all year. Skiing from December to March, wild tulips and green slopes in April and May, swimming and hiking in summer, golden colours in October.
- It suits everyone. You can ride a cable car and have lunch with a view, or climb a 3,309-metre peak.
What it is not: a wilderness. The road to Charvak is lined with resorts, dachas and roadside cafés, and on summer weekends the shore is busy. If you want solitude, go on a weekday or walk a little further up a side valley.
Charvak reservoir: the lake in the mountains
The Charvak reservoir was created when a 168-metre dam was built across the Chirchiq river, a project completed in 1970. The Pskem, Chatkal and Koksu rivers now flow straight into it, and the lake holds about 2 cubic kilometres of meltwater from the surrounding ranges. It supplies water and hydroelectric power to Tashkent and the region.
For visitors, Charvak is about colour and space. On a clear day the water is a vivid blue-green against the bare slopes of the Ugam and Pskem ranges. Good places to stop:
- The viewpoint above the dam at Charvak town, for the classic panorama.
- Yusufkhona, on the north shore, the busiest resort area and the base for tandem paragliding.
- Burchmulla and Bogiston, quieter villages towards the upper end of the lake, with chalet-style guesthouses and walks to small waterfalls.
Swimming is possible roughly from June to early September. Earlier in the year the water is cold and the level is low; the shoreline moves a long way as the reservoir fills and empties, so some beaches are a walk across gravel or silt. Use the developed beaches of the resorts, watch the drop-offs and do not swim near the dam. Note that drones need prior permission in Uzbekistan, and the dam is a strategic site: do not fly or photograph close to it.
Amirsoy cable cars in summer and winter
Amirsoy is Uzbekistan's modern mountain resort, opened in 2019 on the slopes above the Chimgan valley, about 65 km from Tashkent. For most day-trippers it is the easiest way to get high quickly, and it runs in summer too, not only in the ski season.
Two gondolas matter to visitors:
- Amirsoy Express, about 2.9 km long, runs from the lower car park by the main road up to the resort in around nine minutes. The lower car park is free.
- Prima climbs from the resort to the top station at about 2,290 metres on the Kumbel ridge, with views across to Big Chimgan and down to Charvak.
Ticket prices as of November 2026, from the resort's published price list, for adults:
- Prima round trip: 90,000 som on weekdays, 100,000 som at weekends
- Amirsoy Express round trip: 85,000 to 95,000 som
- Express and Prima together: 165,000 to 185,000 som (about US$14 to 16)
- Children under 4 ride free; children from 4 pay less
Pedestrian tickets are valid from 8:00 to 17:00, and the last ascent is earlier than closing time, so arrive by early afternoon. Lifts stop in high wind and storms. In summer the resort adds guided hikes, a rope park, quad bikes and mountain biking; in winter it is a ski resort with rental, ski school and snow tubing. Check the current timetable and prices on amirsoy.com before you go: they change with the season.
Big Chimgan and other hikes around Chimgan
Big Chimgan (Katta Chimyon), at 3,309 metres, is the mountain that defines the skyline. The village of Chimgan lies below it at roughly 1,600 metres, with open meadows that are pleasant for easy walks, horse rides and picnics.
Hiking options, from easy to serious:
- Chimgan meadows: short walks of one to two hours from the village along the foot of the mountain. Suitable for families. Local herders offer horse rides by the hour.
- Kumbel ridge from the Amirsoy top station: take the Prima gondola up and walk along the ridge for the views. Keep to clear paths; the slopes are steep.
- Big Chimgan summit: a full-day mountain climb, not a trail walk. The usual routes gain around 1,500 metres from the valley, with scree and rocky sections near the top. It is done from roughly May to October and should only be attempted with a mountain guide, good boots and an early start.
A practical rule: whatever you plan, start early. Afternoon cloud often builds over the peaks in summer, and thunderstorms are common in May and June. Carry water, sun protection and a warm layer, because temperatures at 2,000 metres are much lower than in Tashkent.
Beldersay: the old ski area and its chairlift
Beldersay is the next valley along from Chimgan, about 80 km from Tashkent. Before Amirsoy opened, it was where Tashkent learned to ski, and it still has a Soviet-era chairlift of about 2.5 km climbing towards Mount Kumbel, at around 2,200 metres. The ride is slower and simpler than Amirsoy's gondolas, with open chairs, and part of the charm is its old-school feel.
In winter Beldersay serves skiers, usually from December to March, sometimes into April. In summer the lift may run for walkers and sightseers, but its schedule is less predictable than Amirsoy's, and it does not run in strong wind. If the chairlift is the reason for your trip, ask us or your driver to confirm it is working that day. Tour operators typically quote a few US dollars per person for the ride.
The Beldersay valley itself is pretty in late spring, when the slopes are green and the river is full.
Gulkam canyon: the most adventurous day
The Gulkam gorge, on the slopes above the Charvak reservoir, is the area's best-known canyon walk. From the village of Gulkam a path leads into a narrowing gorge with waterfalls, the largest about 10 to 12 metres high, and pools where you can cool off in summer.
What to expect, based on routes run by local guides:
- Distance: roughly 5 to 10 km depending on the version, with 250 to 500 metres of climbing.
- Time: three to seven hours on foot, plus the drive.
- Terrain: river crossings, boulders, wet rock, and in the narrowest part walls only about six metres apart. Some sections need a fixed rope.
- Season: usually mid-May to mid-September, and only after a spell of dry weather, when the river is lower and the risk of mud and rockfall is smaller.
This is not a casual stroll. Go with an experienced guide who knows the gorge and carries a rope, wear shoes that grip on wet rock, and leave the canyon at once if rain starts. If you would like the scenery without the scrambling, there is a path that follows the gorge from above.
Ugam-Chatkal National Park and the Pskem valley
Almost everything in this article lies inside or next to the Ugam-Chatkal National Park, created in 1990 and covering about 574,600 hectares of the Western Tian Shan, according to the Uzbek government. Part of the area belongs to the Western Tien Shan UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2016 and shared with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
The park protects juniper forests, wild walnut, apple and almond trees, and wildlife such as ibex, bears and snow leopards, which you are very unlikely to see. Spring is the season for wild tulips and irises on the lower slopes.
For walkers, the most rewarding areas beyond Chimgan are:
- The Ugam valley, on the western side of Charvak.
- The Koksu valley, with its river and side gorges.
- The Pskem valley, the long, wild valley north-east of the reservoir.
The upper Pskem valley is close to the Kyrgyz border, and access to border areas can be restricted or require a permit. Ask us or a local guide before planning a trip there. These valleys are better as an overnight than a day trip, with a night in a guesthouse in Bogiston or Burchmulla.
Best time to visit Chimgan and Charvak
Each season brings a different day out.
- Winter (December to March): skiing at Amirsoy and Beldersay, snow on the Chimgan meadows, clear frosty days. The roads are cleared, but carry warm clothes and expect snow chains or winter tyres on mountain cars.
- Spring (April to May): green slopes, wild tulips and fruit blossom, full rivers. The best time for photographs. Rain and occasional late snow are possible.
- Summer (June to August): the season for Charvak. Tashkent is often above 35°C, while Chimgan is much cooler. Lake swimming, paragliding, Gulkam and higher hikes.
- Autumn (September to October): stable weather, golden poplars and walnut trees, fewer people. Probably the best time for walking.
Avoid summer weekends and public holidays if you can. The road from Tashkent fills with traffic on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, and the resorts are at their busiest. For month-by-month temperatures in the cities, see our guide to the weather in Uzbekistan.
How to get to Chimgan and Charvak from Tashkent
There are three ways to get from Tashkent to Chimgan and Charvak.
By private car with driver. The simplest option, and the only practical one if you want to combine several stops in a day. The road runs through Chirchiq and Gazalkent, then climbs towards the reservoir and the Chimgan valley. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours each way without traffic.
By train and minibus. Uzbekistan Railways runs fast electric trains from Tashkent towards Khojikent, and in 2025 the line was extended to Chinorkent, closer to Charvak. At launch in December 2024 the journey to Khojikent took a little over an hour. From the station, minibuses and taxis continue to the resort area and Amirsoy. Check current times on railway.uz.
By taxi. Yandex Go works for the trip out from Tashkent, but finding a car back from the mountains in the evening can be harder. Agree a return with the same driver, or book a car for the whole day.
A typical day by car:
- 08:30 Leave Tashkent.
- 10:15 Viewpoint over the Charvak reservoir and the dam.
- 11:00 Amirsoy: gondolas to the Kumbel ridge, a walk, lunch with a view.
- 14:30 Chimgan meadows below Big Chimgan, an easy walk or a horse ride.
- 16:00 Stop at Yusufkhona or Burchmulla on the lake.
- 18:30 Back in Tashkent.
How much does a day trip to Chimgan cost? Prices and practical tips
Typical prices in 2026, per person unless stated:
- Private car and driver for the day from Tashkent: from roughly US$60 to 120 per car, depending on the vehicle and route. Guided private tours sold online often cost around US$75 to 120 per person.
- Amirsoy gondolas: about 165,000 to 185,000 som (US$14 to 16) for both lifts, less for one.
- Beldersay chairlift: usually a few dollars.
- Lunch at a mountain café or resort restaurant: about 100,000 to 300,000 som (US$8 to 25).
- Horse ride in the Chimgan meadows: agree the price before you start, typically by the hour.
- Tandem paragliding at Charvak: ask on site; prices vary with the season and the operator.
- Upper car park at Amirsoy, if you drive up: 150,000 som on weekdays and 200,000 som at weekends.
Bring cash in som. Cards are accepted at Amirsoy and the larger resorts, but often not at roadside cafés, horse stands or small lifts. For a wider picture of prices, see our guide to Uzbekistan travel costs.
Practical tips for the mountains:
- Dress in layers. Even in July it can be 15°C cooler at the Amirsoy top station than in Tashkent, and wind makes it feel colder.
- Sun protection matters at altitude: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, even in winter.
- Wear proper shoes. Trainers are fine for the meadows and the ridge; Gulkam and Big Chimgan need hiking boots with good grip.
- Carry your passport. You may need it at a police checkpoint on the road, at the resort or for a hotel.
- Mobile data works around Charvak and Amirsoy but fades in the side valleys. Download offline maps.
- Leave the drone at home unless you have permission.
- On the way back, the roadside stalls near Gazalkent sell honey, dried fruit and fresh bread from the tandoor.
Planning your mountain day with TourEast
We are based in Tashkent and arrange private Chimgan and Charvak days with a car, driver and, if you like, an English-speaking guide, from easy cable-car outings to guided hikes. A mountain day also fits well at the end of a small-group or private Uzbekistan itinerary, and in winter it is already part of our winter group tour.
