+99 888 1664000 info@uzbekistan1.com

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login
+99 888 1664000 info@uzbekistan1.com

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login

Unveiling Ancient Kesh

(3 Reviews)
Price
From$600
Price
From$600
Full Name*
Email Address*
Your Enquiry*
* I agree with Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step
Save To Wish List

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

575

Why Book With Us?

  • No-hassle best price guarantee
  • Customer care available 24/7
  • Hand-picked Tours & Activities
  • 20+ years on the market

Got a Question?

Do not hesitage to email, or give us a call via Skype, Telegram or landline. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.

+99 888 1664000

+99 888 1664000

info@uzbekistan1.com

6 days / 5 nights
Availability : March to November
Tashkent
Samarkand - Urgut - Demon Plateau - Katta-Lyangar - ‘Maydanak’ observatory
Min Age : 14
Max People : 10
Tour Details

Route in brief:

Tashkent - Urgut - Kitab - Tashkent 

Nestled in the southern expanse of Uzbekistan lies the mysterious and ancient land of Kesh—a realm where rugged landscapes, ancient plateaus, and mystical caves tell tales of civilizations long past. Join us on a 6-day expedition that transcends the ordinary, offering a profound exploration of the untamed beauty and cultural richness of this lesser-known gem.

Unlocking the Secrets of Ancient Kesh: Embark on a 6-day odyssey into the heart of Southern Uzbekistan, where the lands of ancient Kesh unfold in a tapestry of natural wonders and historical marvels. This expedition isn’t just a tour; it’s an immersive experience that takes you beyond the realms of time and terrain, revealing the hidden treasures of a region seldom explored.

Untamed Beauty and Cultural Richness: From the enigmatic Demon Plateau to the celestial wonders at the ‘Maydanak’ Observatory, each day promises a new adventure. Traverse karst landscapes, witness cascading waterfalls, and delve into the depths of ancient caves—the journey is a symphony of untamed beauty and cultural richness.

Expert Guides and Authentic Encounters: Our experienced guides, well-versed in the intricacies of Southern Uzbekistan, will accompany you on this journey. Their wealth of knowledge will transform each site into a living story, connecting you to the ancient tales etched into the landscapes. Engage with locals, witness age-old customs, and savor the flavors of traditional cuisine for an authentic encounter.

Join Us in Ancient Kesh

This 6-day expedition beckons the intrepid traveler to uncover the secrets of ancient Kesh. Engage with history, marvel at nature’s grandeur, and immerse yourself in the cultural richness of Southern Uzbekistan. Beyond a tour, this journey promises an exploration into the heart of a land steeped in mystery and untamed beauty. Ancient Kesh awaits—where every step is a discovery, and every moment is an encounter with the past.

Tour Price
Price Includes
Price Excludes
          Number of pax               Price per person    
  1 person $ 1600
  2 persons $ 850
  3 persons $ 600
  4 persons $ 500
  Guided sightseeing tour
  Accommodation (camp)
  Air & train tickets
  All transportation throughout the tour
  Any Private Expenses
  Lunches, Dinners
What to Expect
  1. Demon Plateau’s Enigma:

    • Begin your journey in Urgut and ascend to the Demon Plateau, a mystical expanse shrouded in legends and ancient tales.
  2. Katta-Lyangar’s Majestic Views:

    • Explore the panoramic vistas from Katta-Lyangar, a vantage point that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.
  3. ‘Maydanak’ Observatory’s Celestial Wonders:

    • Immerse yourself in the night sky at the ‘Maydanak’ Observatory, where celestial wonders unfold against the backdrop of Southern Uzbekistan.
  4. Karst Mingchukur Plateau Adventure:

    • Venture into the karst landscapes of Mingchukur Plateau, a geological wonder that captivates with its unique rock formations.
  5. Kala Mozor Falls’ Natural Symphony:

    • Discover the mesmerizing Kala Mozor Falls, where cascading waters create a natural symphony amid the tranquil surroundings.
  6. Zarmas Canyon’s Serene Beauty:

    • Navigate through Zarmas Canyon, where the serenity of nature intertwines with the rugged grandeur of the Uzbekistani landscape.
  7. Kaptarkhona Cave Speleo-Tour:

    • Embark on a speleo-tour through the ancient Kaptarkhona Cave, an underground realm that whispers echoes of history.
  8. Kyzyl Gaza Pass’s Majestic Passage:

    • Traverse the Kyzyl Gaza Pass, a mountainous passage that leads to an encampment nestled in the heart of the Southern Uzbekistan wilderness.
  9. Cave of Amir Temur’s Historical Reverie:

    • Explore the Cave of Amir Temur, a site with historical significance that connects to the legacy of the ancient ruler.
  10. Khodja Karaul Mountain’s Summit Ascent:

    • Conclude your journey with an exhilarating ascent to the summit of Khodja Karaul Mountain (3720 m), offering unrivaled panoramic views of the Western Hissar mountains.
Itinerary

Day 1Tashkent - Urgut - Demon Plateau - Katta-Lyangar - ‘Maydanak’ Observatory

  • Early departure. For a snack we will stop in the Samarkand region, in a cafe, which is famous for its very tasty dish called Nohat-Shurak (a wonderful national dish – boiled peas with fragrant and softest pieces of lamb that just melt in your mouth).
  • Arrival in Urgut – visit the Sufi Chor-Chinor garden. The garden is located in the foothill hollow, completely hidden under the shade of thousand-year-old trees. Here you can see the giant Oriental plane trees. Inside one of them there is the equipped room, once upon a time there was a school of the Sufi order. In the garden there is a very beautiful pond with sacred fish. According to one legend, when it dries, the end of the world will come.
  • Visiting the Demon Plateau – it is the unique natural object, which appeared due to the weathering of the rock. But it became famous thanks to the book “Patrol” of Sergei Lukyanenko. In the “Last Patrol” it is this plateau which is mentioned where Geser told Anton Gorodetsky about the great battle between good and evil. Once there was a grand battle between the forces of Light and Darkness. There were more dark ones and they won. Then the great magician Rustam used a terrible spell, curtailed layers of space and time. Enemies turned to stone, but remained alive, devoid of movement, touch, sight, hearing for thousands of years. The place of this fictional battle is the plateau of demons, with its bizarre stones that have stiffened in the form of various animals and monsters. Their sizes reach 10 meters and more. It is very picturesque and mystical place.
  • Arrival to KitabLunch
  • Departure to mountain area. Visiting the Lyangar canyon. It is a beautiful canyon surrounding sai with the same name.
  • Visiting the Shrine of Katta-Lyangar. Architectural ensemble Katta-Lyangar – unusual for mountain areas of Uzbekistan, is situated 60 kilometers to the south from Shahrisabz. It was built in the middle of narrow gorge Kok-Su in Lyangar-cai valley and consists of a mosque and Lyangar-ata mausoleum. The two constructions were built on neighbouring hills at the beginning of the 16th century under the Sheybanids. 

Standing on a high hill, Lyangar-ata mausoleum is visible from everywhere and looks like an unearthly ‘space’ object. Mehrab of Katta-Lyangar mosque faces the mausoleum. In the mausoleum there were buried sheikhs from very influential (in 15th – 16th) Sufi community ‘Ishkiya’. There are stone steles with sheikhs’ epitaphs: by Muhammad Sodik (died in 1543), called Lyangar-ata (from ‘lyangar’ – anchor, stop), by his father and son.

The internal dome of the mausoleum is decorated with thin ornamental carving on color ganch. Lyangar community of ‘Ishkiya’ kept a unique list of ‘Usman’s Koran’ and legendary Khirka (raincoat) of Prophet Muhammad. The khirka was taken away when Afghans invaded the city in the middle of the 18th century and was kept in mausoleum of Ahmad-shah Durrani in Kandahar. Several pages from Lyangar list of ‘Usman’s Koran’ are being kept in Tashkent and Petersburg.

Sufi Shrine located on the top of the mountain.  To get to it you need to go through the steps to the top of the mountain, surrounded by ancient graves of Sufis from the 16th century on the one hand, and by large orchard and cliff on the other side.

  • Visiting the salt mines, where still salt is produced by the old-fashioned way. Mines are represented by pits 15-30 meters deep, usually round in shape. Inside you can see how the local “miners” extract salt, taste it and take clean and transparent crystals of salt as a souvenir.
  • Transition to the high-mountain ‘Maydanak’ observatory
  • Dinner. Overnight.

Day 2Karst Mingchukur Plateau - Kala Mozor Falls - Zarmas Canyon

  • Breakfast.
  • Visiting the karst Mingchukur plateau. Karst Mingchukur plateau (thousand pits) is located at an altitude of 2500 meters in the spurs of the Hissar range. The surface of the plateau is rocky and waterless, but almost all of its surface is densely vegetated with trees and shrubs, where numerous sinkholes and caves hide. The depth of the caves can reach up to 50 meters. Every year, the underground and aboveground appearance of the plateau changes slightly; due to the ‘soft’ limestone frequent collapses and the birth of new washouts and sink holes occur.
  • Transfer to the ancient foundries of Amir Temur. Walk through the unique canyon, which has preserved the traces of ancient excavations and foundries.
  • Visiting the Kala Mozor Falls.
  • Visiting the Zarmas canyon. One of the largest canyons of Uzbekistan has a length of more than 14 km and a width of 800 m, the height of the canyon walls in some places exceeds 500 m.
  • Return to “Maydanak” observatory.
  • Dinner. Overnight.

Day 3Speleo-Tour to Kaptarkhona Cave - Kyzyl Gaza Pass - Encampment

This and the next days the speleo-tours are waiting for us.

  • Transition to the Kaptarkhona caveSpeleo-tour.  Kaptarkhona is a cave in the gypseous limestone, with a length of about 1 km. It is the world with its own sounds, unique locations and its indescribable beauty.  People come here to listen to the eternal silence and to know themselves in this greatness of the huge mountain halls.
  • Transition to the Kyzyl Gaza Pass. Encampment.
  • Dinner. Overnight.

Day 4Kalla-i-Shiron gorge - Cave of Amir Temur - base camp

  • Track to the Kalla-i-Shiron gorge and visiting the Cave of Amir Temur. Amir Temur Cave is located in Kalla-i-Shiron tract, that is translated as the lion’s fortress. If you look at the gorge from above, it becomes clear why the gorge has such a name. The natural fortress, formed by 200 meters vertical walls of the gorge has only one descending path; the second obstacle on the way to the cave is a powerful sai, especially in the spring. There is a legend that in this cave Tamerlane gathered his troops in the period when he fell into disfavour of the Shahrisabz ruler. It was from here that he went to Shakhrisabz and then to Samarkand and conquered them.
  • Returning to the Camp.
  • Dinner. Overnight.

Day 5Ascent to the top of Khodja Karaul mountain (3720 m) in Western Hissar mountains

  • Ascent to the top of Khodja Karaul mountain 3720 m. You have a great opportunity to climb one of the peaks of the Western Hissar and see the hidden karst plateau.

The Hissars of Kashkadarya region are abound in Holy places. Most of them are located on the tops of mountains, above 3500 meters, closer to God. On top of the Khodja Karaul mountain (3765 m) there are stone shrines.  The views from this peak are very beautiful and informative, especially towards Surkhandarya area. You can see the whole Baysuntau range, Chulbair mountain, Chimbay and many four-thousand meters mountains. On top there are 7 stacked stone pyramids (tours) – pyramids are directed to the side of the Khodja-Akhchaburun mountain (3855 m), where, according to legend, the remains of the Saint are buried.

  • Returning to the Camp.
  • Dinner. Overnight.

Day 6Departure to Tashkent

Departure to Tashkent by ground transport.

Map
Photos
3 Reviews
Sort By:RatingDate

Ellis Meade

Group Traveller

Climbing to the summit of Khodja Karaul Mountain was a triumph, offering breathtaking views of the Western Hissar mountains. The journey through Kalla-i-Shiron Gorge and the Kyzyl Gaza Pass added a touch of adventure. The base camp provided a serene retreat after a day of exploration. Ancient Kesh is a testament to Uzbekistan’s diverse landscapes and rich history—a journey I’ll cherish forever.

29.09.2023

Christopher Allen

Group Traveller

The 6-day journey through Ancient Kesh was a symphony of nature’s wonders. From the karst landscapes of Mingchukur Plateau to the serenity of Zarmas Canyon, each location felt like a chapter in a storybook. The speleo-tour to Kaptarkhona Cave and the historical Cave of Amir Temur added cultural depth. Kesh is a hidden gem waiting to be explored, and this expedition was the perfect discovery.

16.05.2023

Ian Riddell

Group Traveller

Embarking on the Ancient Kesh expedition was like stepping into a realm beyond imagination. Each day unfolded with new wonders—the Demon Plateau, celestial spectacles at ‘Maydanak’ Observatory, and the thrilling ascent to Khodja Karaul Mountain. The guides’ knowledge and the warmth of local encounters added a personal touch. Ancient Kesh is not just a tour; it’s a magical odyssey through time and terrain.

12.04.2023