Day Trip from Tashkent: Chimgan Mountains, Charvak Lake & Amirsoy Resort
If you’re visiting Tashkent and love nature as much as we do, a day trip to the nearby mountains is non-negotiable, even if you only have a day or two to spare. While the capital offers stunning Soviet architecture and bustling bazaars, the true magic lies just a couple of hours away: in the snowy peaks of the Chimgan Mountains, the turquoise waters of Charvak Lake and the modern slopes of Amirsoy Resort.
Whether you’re travelling in summer or winter, this region offers something for everyone – hiking, skiing, lake views, or simply a peaceful escape from city life. In this guide, we’ll break down how to plan the perfect day trip and share our own spontaneous adventure that made us fall in love with Uzbekistan all over again.
1. Chimgan Mountains: Alpine Beauty Just 2 Hours Away
Distance from Tashkent: ~85 km (2 hours by car)
Best For: Hiking, snow views (in winter), fresh air, peaceful mountain vibes
Often dubbed the “Switzerland of Uzbekistan,” the Chimgan Mountains are part of the Western Tien Shan range and offer a dramatic contrast to the urban landscape of Tashkent. In winter, snow-capped peaks dominate the skyline. In spring and summer, green rolling hills invite hikers and nature lovers.
The valley sits at 1,200–1,600 metres above sea level and is part of the Ugam-Chatkal National Park, one of Uzbekistan’s most ecologically protected areas. Towered over by Greater Chimgan Peak (3,309 m), the region is known for its relict fir forests, fragrant wild herbs, and alpine rivers called sai. Once a retreat for Russian officers, it has long been prized for its clean air and healing atmosphere.
While serious trekkers might spend days here, a day trip is perfect for anyone wanting to breathe in crisp mountain air and soak up the views.
Things to Do in Chimgan:
- Take a scenic chairlift ride up the mountain (check seasonal availability)
- Hike short trails or simply enjoy a walk surrounded by alpine scenery
- Dine in traditional Uzbek teahouses with panoramic views
2. Charvak Lake: Uzbekistan’s Favourite Summer Escape
Distance from Tashkent: ~60–70 km (1.5–2 hours by car)
Best For: Swimming, paddle boats, lakeside cafés, summer picnics
Charvak Lake is a beautiful artificial lake surrounded by green hills and charming dachas (holiday homes). In summer, it’s the go-to destination for locals looking to swim, sunbathe, and relax. The lake’s turquoise hue is most stunning when viewed from above, especially as you descend from Chimgan. The most comfortable place to unwind is the Charvak Oromgokhi complex, where you can sunbathe on sandy beaches, go boating, or ride a water scooter. It’s a favourite with both locals and tourists for its accessibility and facilities.
Things to Do in Charvak:
- Rent a paddle boat or go for a swim (in summer)
- Savour local fish dishes at lakeside cafés
- Drive or hike to hilltop viewpoints for panoramic photos
- Combine with Chimgan or Amirsoy for a complete day circuit
3. Amirsoy Resort: Skiing, Cable Cars & Winter Magic
Distance from Tashkent: ~60–70 km (1.5–2 hours by car)
Best For: Winter sports, mountain views, cozy cafes and modern facilities
Amirsoy is Uzbekistan’s most modern ski resort and if you’re visiting in winter, it’s an absolute must. The resort has ski slopes for all levels, plus non-skiers can take the cable car up for the views, go tubing, or just sip hot tea surrounded by snow-covered peaks, which is what we did.
In summer, Amirsoy remains open for scenic rides, hiking, and relaxing in the fresh mountain air. The cable car ride lasts about 50 minutes round trip, covering two stops each leading to a higher spot, with breathtaking views. We were pleasantly surprised by how inexpensive everything was here—much cheaper than similar experiences in other countries. The cafés at the summit served tea, samsa at a Russian café, and even a hotdog sandwich for prices comparable to Tashkent city. While restaurants may charge slightly above aver, it was similar to what you’d pay at a nice place in the city if not cheaper and it felt entirely reasonable given the surreal views of the mountain resort setting.
And as a tourist, especially if you’re from Dubai and used to tourist spot prices, it’s incomparable and an absolute bargain.
Things to Do in Amirsoy:
- Take the cable-car to the top for breathtaking views There are even chairlifts.
- Ski or snowboard in winter (rentals available on-site). If you are doing this, you’d be using the cable car anyways to get to the top.
- Enjoy lunch, tea or even wine with panoramic mountain views
How to Get There: Tour, Taxi or DIY?
By Car: Renting a private taxi/car gives you the most flexibility, especially if you want to combine all three locations in one day. It is cheaper to just get a private taxi as opposed to renting a car and then driving yourself.
By Tour: Many local agencies offer day tours that include transport and stops at Chimgan, Charvak, and Amirsoy.
By Taxi (Yandex): Yandex is cheap and easy to use in Uzbekistan. A round trip from Tashkent costs under $50. For longer trips, make sure to communicate clearly with your driver.
Our Experience: A Spontaneous Day That Became a Trip Highlight
We hadn’t planned to visit the mountains that day at all, as we’d originally intended to go for a couple of days visiting all the places above coupled with a hike and a guest house stay. But, as often happens, our plans changed, and we found ourselves with an unexpected free day in Tashkent. Rather than mope about it, we decided to switch up our itinerary and be spontaneous – and within minutes, we’d booked a Yandex cab to the Amirsoy Resort instead.
We usually rent a car for more control over our schedule. However, with cab prices being so affordable, driving ourselves simply didn’t make financial sense, nor did we have time to arrange a private driver for the day. And since Yandex had proven so cost-effective, we thought, ‘Why not?’ To our surprise, a driver accepted the ride almost instantly – even though it was a two-hour journey into the mountains.
The driver, a middle-aged man, didn’t speak a single word of English. As we drove, he acted as our gestural tour guide, pointing at places, asking about India, and even miming Bollywood dance moves to connect with us. We didn’t speak the same language, but we laughed and “chatted” through gestures the entire way.
Once we reached Amirsoy, we asked him if he would like to wait for head back. It was a long wait but he agreed to wait for us so we simply agreed on a fare for the return journey. He simply asked us to send him a message on Telegram once we were ready to head back.
All of this cost us just 150 AED (around $40 USD) for the entire day – up and down the mountains. That’s less than what someone might pay for a peak-hour cab ride in Dubai. And including the travel, cable car ride and our snacks it was less than a Ski Dubai ticket for one person. And here we were, surrounded by actual snow-capped peaks, sipping hot tea with views of the Western Tien Shan. It was, hands down, the best day of the our Uzbekistan Trip.
There are a few small cafés and restaurants up there for lunch options or alcoholic beverages. We sat at the highest cafe, where you can enjoy the views, and tried their mango berry tea which was around 35K for the pot. There’s also a cosy Russian café tucked away, where we sat by the fireplace enjoying some some snacks.
Final Thoughts
On the drive, we saw Lake Charvak and the Chimgan Mountains in all their glory. Ideally, we would have loved to do what we did in Georgia (Kazbegi) or Azerbaijan (Khinaliq), an overnight stay in a cosy mountain guesthouse, waking up to fresh air and heading out for a morning hike before returning. But plans change, and sometimes, adapting leads to the best stories.
After days of exploring ancient cities, a mountain break is the perfect change of pace. The Chimgan Mountains, Charvak Lake, and Amirsoy Resort are ideal for just that. If you’re in Tashkent, do not skip the mountains, especially if you’re craving nature, snow, or a taste of spontaneous magic.
And while we would have loved to spend another night there, we discovered that there were fewer properties outside Tashkent that had the expected quality for their lower price range for such a spontaneous trip. This was a notable difference from Georgia, which offers comparable views with beautiful homestays and hotels at affordable prices amidst beautiful mountain views. Read more about it here.
Bonus Places to Consider
- Gulkam Canyon: Just off the Chimgan route, this stunning narrow gorge carved over a million years ago by the Gulkamsay River features towering cliffs, a waterfall, and natural pools. It’s a popular spot for hikers seeking adventure near Chimgan, with a trail offering views from the Pesochniy Pass. While parts of the canyon are challenging and require ropes or climbing skills, there’s also an alternative route for those who prefer a less intense trek but still want to experience the canyon’s highlights. Check weather conditions before you go, as the canyon can be dangerous during rainy seasons.
- Beldersay: A smaller mountain area near Chimgan known for hiking, horseback riding, and winter sports. Located 5 km from Chimgan, Beldersay has the longest alpine ski track in Uzbekistan and a 3-km-long cableway. You can also see petroglyphs and ancient rock paintings in the upper reaches of the Beldersay Gorge.
- Yangiabad: While not part of the usual Chimgan day trip, Yangiabad is another beautiful mountain town with caves and historical mining sites. A great option for a quiet day out.
