
🌎 Uzbekistan 🇺🇿
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📍 Гулькамские теснины. Gorge Gulkam
✈️ Tashkent International Airport (TAS)
🚗 103.4 KM
⏱️ 2 hours, 14 minutes
Gulkam Gorge, a stunning natural wonder in Uzbekistan's Ugam-Chatkal National Park, offers a challenging yet rewarding adventure. Accessibility involves a 4x4 journey to the trailhead followed by a strenuous hike through narrow canyons, requiring scrambling over rocks and wading through water that can be chest-deep; it is not suitable for individuals with mobility issues or young children. Guided visits are highly recommended for safety and navigation, especially for first-timers, while experienced hikers might attempt a solo visit after securing the mandatory park permit. The best time to visit is late spring (May-early June) or early autumn (September-early October) to avoid high water levels from snowmelt or summer heat, with winter being largely inaccessible. A day trip from Tashkent typically lasts 10-12 hours, with the gorge hike itself taking 3-6 hours. Costs can range from approximately $60-$100 for budget travelers (shared transport, self-guided with permit) to $150-$300+ for a guided tour including transport. Essential gear includes water shoes, clothes that can get wet, a dry bag for electronics, and plenty of water; good physical fitness and comfort in water are prerequisites for this exhilarating experience.