Chimgan Mountains and Charvak Reservoir

Within two hours of Tashkent the Western Tian Shan rises above 3,000 metres, and for the city's residents "Chimgan" means the whole mountain area of the Bostanliq district: the village and peak of Chimgan, the Charvak reservoir at their feet and the valleys of the Ugam-Chatkal National Park beyond. After days of brick, tile and city heat, it shows a completely different Uzbekistan: snowy summits, juniper and walnut slopes and fast mountain streams.

Charvak, the lake in the mountains

The Charvak reservoir was created by a 168-metre dam across the Chirchiq river, completed in 1970. The Pskem, Chatkal and Koksu rivers flow into it, and on a clear day the water turns a vivid blue-green against the bare slopes of the Ugam and Pskem ranges. The viewpoint above the dam gives the classic panorama; Yusufkhona on the north shore is the busiest resort area, while Burchmulla and Bogiston at the upper end are quieter. Swimming is possible roughly from June to early September at the developed beaches. The dam is a strategic site: do not photograph it at close range or fly a drone without permission.

Chimgan, Amirsoy and Beldersay

• Big Chimgan (Katta Chimyon), 3,309 metres, defines the skyline. The meadows below the village, at around 1,600 metres, are good for easy walks and horse rides; the summit is a long, steep mountain day for experienced walkers with a guide, from about May to October.
• Amirsoy, opened in 2019, is the country's modern mountain resort. Its gondolas climb to about 2,290 metres on the Kumbel ridge, with views over Big Chimgan and down to Charvak, and run in summer as well as in the ski season.
• Beldersay, the neighbouring valley, keeps a Soviet-era chairlift towards Kumbel and an old-school charm.
• The Gulkam gorge, above the reservoir, is the area's best-known canyon walk, with waterfalls and pools, for fit walkers with a guide in the dry months.

Seasons and practicalities

Winter (December to March) brings skiing at Amirsoy and Beldersay; April and May bring green slopes, wild tulips and blossom; summer is the season for the lake, when Tashkent swelters above 35°C; October colours the poplars and walnut trees gold. A private car takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way via Chirchiq and Gazalkent, and a full day is enough for the viewpoint, the gondolas and a lakeside lunch. Avoid summer weekends if you can. Carry your passport, layers of clothing and cash in som; the roadside stalls near Gazalkent sell honey, dried fruit and tandoor bread for the drive home.