Pamir-Alai is a mountain system located in Central Asia, in its southeastern part. The former republics of the Soviet Union - Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan - these are the locations of this mountain system.
On the territory of one of these countries, namely Tajikistan, are the Fan Mountains, which are part of the Pamir-Alai mountain system.
Some data
They are located in the area of Zerpovshansky (“Giving Gold”, here and now there are many gold-bearing mines) and the Gissar ranges. The Fan Mountains in 2006 were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The reason is the amazing beauty of the snow-capped peaks, among which there are seven "five-thousandths", many unique lakes and natural phenomena.
These mountains are the mecca of climbers and climbers. There are an amazing variety of routes of varying difficulty. In any article about them, the fact is noted that the described mountains are sung by Yuri Vizbor. This is in the song that he wanders heartless in the plains, because the Fan Mountains have taken his heart.
Five thousandths
The borders of this fabulous country are the ranges mentioned above that surround it: from the south - Gissar, from the north - Zerafshan. The Fan-Darya River is the eastern border; Archimaidan carries its waters from the west. The pride of the area is mountains exceeding five kilometers in height. The highest is Chimtarga, reaching 5489 meters. Further in descending order are Bodhona, reaching 5132 m, the Bolshaya and Malaya Gonza mountains, respectively, 5306 and 5031 meters high. They are followed by the peaks of Mirali (5132 m), Energy (5120), Castle (5070) and Chapdara (5050).
Natural phenomenon
Speaking about this unique mountainous country, one cannot but say about minerals. Here, the largest Fan-Yagnob coal deposit is underdeveloped due to inaccessibility. But it is known primarily for thousands of years by its underground coal fire, described by Pliny the Elder, who lived in the first century AD.
About gold mines was said above. This is an amazing, amazing country with its unusual beauty, a mountainous country, rightly considered the pearl of Tajikistan. It is located just 120 kilometers from another legendary place, the city of Samarkand, from where most of the tourist routes begin.
God-given attractions
A special place is occupied by the lakes of the Fan Mountains. They are a placer (up to 40 pieces) of beautiful reservoirs, the color of which varies from pale turquoise to emerald green and even purple.
They are framed by peaks covered with snow, and the slopes of the mountains, wrapped in juniper forests. The inhabitants of these places call archa all species of coniferous trees and juniper bushes, of which there are 21 of the 60 species existing in nature. A feature of these massifs is that they are located in the Fan Mountains at an altitude of 2200-3200 meters above sea level.
The origin of the lakes
Such an accumulation of completely different water bodies in a relatively small place is unique. Located at different heights, small and large, deep and shallow, covered in legends and hidden in inaccessible gorges, they are the main wealth of the mountainous country, whose name is the Fan Mountains. The map attached above demonstrates how two enormous mountain ranges intersect fantastically, how beautiful lakes scattered across the territory of the region formed in moraines resulting from centuries-old melting and sliding of glaciers, and in mountain glacial circuses. Kar, or a crest, or a circus is a natural bowl-shaped depression located most often in the upper part of the mountain.
Fairy Tale Lakes
The vast majority of mountain water bodies are formed as a result of landslides and stone landslides that blocked the path of mountain rivers. There are dozens of lakes, as mentioned above, among them there are very beautiful and especially visited, which are popular. These are Kulikalon and Alaudin, Chapdara and Mutnoye, Piala and Iskanderkul (the largest in the whole Pamir-Alai), Big Allo (or “Solitary”, which is the youngest in the Zindon gorge, formed in 1916) and Zierat, Chukurak and Marguzor lakes .
Most Popular
The Fann Mountains are famous for their colorful ponds, each of which can be talked about endlessly. Dozens of photos show how good they are. But there are special and for these places water pearls, which are famous for the Fan Mountains. Alaudin lakes located in the Chapdara river valley are chosen by climbers. Here is the famous Vertical Alaudin camp, lying on the path of several routes. This place is remarkable for rivers flowing from stones, and after some distance leaving them, and many lakes of very different sizes and colors - from the largest to the size of a puddle.
The largest of all is the Big Alaudin Lake. The second largest - the more secluded, lying somewhat away from climbing paths, "East". A river flows from the Big Lake, which bifurcates a little later and flows into the Middle Lake with one sleeve and the Lower into the other. The water in them is all crystal clear. It should be noted that there are no fish in these lakes.
The "sports" part of the mountains
There are quite a few places in these mountains where the climber’s foot has not gone before. But the vast part, limited from the west by Marguzor lakes, from the east - the road Dushanbe-Samarkand, from the north - the level of Kulikalon-Alaudin lakes and from the south - the legendary Iskanderkul lake, is, so to speak, inhabited and sporting. True, after the collapse of the Union, some mountain camps, such as Varzob, ceased to exist, and there was no breakthrough in attracting tourists. But the Fan Mountains are still attractive. Hiking and sightseeing tours are carried out systematically, since the climate here is warm at any time of the year.
Trodden road
Trekking, or hiking, is very popular in these places. Widely described in detail are traditional tours, of which there are dozens. The number of people in the group, directions, equipment, the time for which this route is designed, you can decide on everything without leaving your home. And on the spot already add "unforeseen." As mentioned above, the starting point is initially Samarkand. If the beginning of the route is not there, then we love to get to the border of Tajikistan with local transport, and there, behind the barrier, after changing to Tajik means of transportation, tourists get to the point of Pedzhikent with a large market, focused on the arriving conquerors of the Fan Mountains.