{"id":3782,"date":"2018-01-25T17:38:13","date_gmt":"2018-01-25T11:38:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geotianshan.org\/?page_id=3782"},"modified":"2025-01-12T20:00:49","modified_gmt":"2025-01-12T14:00:49","slug":"%d0%b3%d0%b5%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b3%d0%b8%d1%87%d0%b5%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b8%d0%b9-%d1%82%d1%83%d1%80-%d0%ba%d0%b0%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%bd%d0%be%d0%b5-%d1%87%d1%83%d0%b4%d0%be-%d1%82%d0%b0%d0%b4%d0%b6","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.geotianshan.org\/en\/geotourism\/%d0%b3%d0%b5%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b3%d0%b8%d1%87%d0%b5%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b8%d0%b9-%d1%82%d1%83%d1%80-%d0%ba%d0%b0%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%bd%d0%be%d0%b5-%d1%87%d1%83%d0%b4%d0%be-%d1%82%d0%b0%d0%b4%d0%b6\/","title":{"rendered":"Geological Tour &#8211; &#8220;Stone Miracle of Tajikistan&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Geological Tour &#8211; &#8220;Stone Miracle of Tajikistan&#8221;. Geology of the Pamirs\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This geological tour starts and ends in Kyrgyzstan. Such a program allows you to see how the Southern Tian-Shan and Pamir are articulated. It is also convenient in terms of logistics.<\/p>\n<p>In the western and southern parts of Tajikistan, Mesozoic rock complexes are widespread, which create amazing landscapes and magnificent landforms, which, of course, are a geological heritage of International Importance. The Pamir mountain systems are famous for their minerals. Here you can find semi-precious and precious minerals: beryl, corundum, topaz, quartz, tourmaline, fluorite, celestite, spinel. Mineralogy of Tajikistan is associated with igneous and metamorphic formations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Topics of this geological tour<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8211; Tectonic evolution and structure of the earth&#8217;s crust of the Pamirs and adjacent areas of the Central Asian folded belt;<br \/>\n&#8211; Geodynamics and seismicity of Tajikistan;<br \/>\n&#8211; Geomorphology and Quaternary geology of Tajikistan.<br \/>\n&#8211; Mineral deposits of Tajikistan;<br \/>\n&#8211; Geological threats;<br \/>\n&#8211; Natural resources and ecosystems.<br \/>\n&#8211; Hydrothermal resources of Tajikistan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The geology of Tajikistan cannot be understood in one trip. In the tour program, we will try to explore and understand the main issues of the origin of the great Pamir mountain system. We will consider the basics of its geological structure, see the natural processes occurring in dynamic mountainous conditions, and also get acquainted with people living in Tajikistan and, especially in its mountainous part &#8211; in the Pamirs.<\/p>\n<p>Pamir, this geological region, which can be explored indefinitely. During our trip, we will see how the articulation or interaction (contact) of the two great mountain systems, Pamir and Tian-Shan, takes place.<\/p>\n<p>Program of Geological trip: This program describes only 50 geolocations. But, during our journey, we will make about 80-85 stops and get acquainted with various geological formations, tectonics, landscapes and geological processes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Route<\/strong>: Osh &#8211; Kyzyl-Art pass &#8211; Murgab &#8211; Bulunkul &#8211; Ishkashim &#8211; Khorog &#8211; Darvaz &#8211; Kulyab &#8211; Dushanbe &#8211; Aini &#8211; Khujand &#8211; Batken &#8211; Osh.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/geotianshan.org\/en\/diversity-of-geological-landscapes-in-tajikistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Diversity of geological landscapes in Tajikistan<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0PROGRAM<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 1. Arrival in Osh<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The most expedient option is to arrive in Osh city (the southern capital of Kyrgyzstan). Meeting at the airport. Hotel accommodation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 2. Osh<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After breakfast,\u00a0briefing at a hotel &#8211; presentation of the programme. A brief essay on the geology of the South Tian-Shan and the Pamirs. The geological boundary between the Tian-Shan and the Pamirs. After the briefing, excursion to the geological museum.<\/p>\n<p>After lunch, excursions to UNESCO cultural heritage site, the famous mountain Sulaiman-Too. Further &#8211; free time. We recommend visiting one of the oldest markets (bazaar) in Central Asia. Overnight at the hotel.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 3. Osh &#8211; Achik-Tash (Pamir)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the morning &#8211; departure to the Pamirs, to its northern border &#8211; the detached Zaalai ridge (another name is Chon-Alai ridge). The route passes through the famous Pamir Highway, which was built by the USSR military forces, in order to defend the southern borders of the country.<\/p>\n<p>Along the way, we cross alpine meadows, overcome high passes of the Alai Range, view impressive landslides near the area of \u200b\u200b highland town Gulcha, and drive along depressions composed of Mesozoic sediments. There we make a\u00a0<strong>stopover 1<\/strong>\u00a0to see interaction of the Paleozoic (PZ) basement and geological layers of the Mesozoic age (MZ). Then we reach high mountain valley Alai (2500 m) which is an outcome of the interaction between the great mountain systems of the Tian-Shan and the Pamirs. Alai valley is a junction place of the Pamirs and Alai. There we make the\u00a0<strong>stopover 2<\/strong>\u00a0in order to view and discuss the border between the Pamirs and the Tian-Shan. Then, we stop at the climbers base camp (3500) under the Lenin peak (7134 m), at a zone of glaciers and moraines. The journey proceeds through the Hercynian region of the Tian-Shan. Therefore, we try to understand the interaction between the Pamirs and the Tian-Shan. Define the basic tectonic mechanism of modern geological structure formations.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, along the Pamir Highway, we move to the fundamentally different geological and geographical ambience of Central Asia. Overnight at the base camp is the\u00a0<strong>stopover 3<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 4. Achik-Tash &#8211; Pamir (Murghab)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After breakfast, the path leads to the pass Kyzyl-Art (4280 m). After the pass, we find ourselves in the North Pamirs. The further route to a highland village Murghab is about 135 km long. The path passes through the highest mountain desert on Earth &#8211; Marcansu. The route road runs from north to south through Akbaital pass (4655 m) crossing tectonic zones of the Northern and Central Pamirs.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 4<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; we explore the Uybulak massif of triassic (T3) granites.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 5<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; the region at an altitude 4000 m. There is the highest mountain lake in the world, lake Karakul. There we learn about the origin of the lake, and see life of local people in harsh conditions.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 6<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Akbaytal structure of scaly thrusts.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 7<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; the Precambrian (PR) metamorphic complex. At\u00a0<strong>Stopover 8<\/strong>\u00a0we explore Pshart-type Jurassic (J) granites.\u00a0Overnight in Murghab (3600 m).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 5. Murghab \u2013 Bulunkul<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The further route length from Murghab to Lake Bulunkul is 155 km. It is the East and Southeast Pamirs. Next,\u00a0<strong>stopover 9\u00a0<\/strong>is to explore Beshgumbes ophiolite window. Next\u00a0<strong>stopover 10<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0is to see Alichur granite massif. Next,\u00a0<strong>stopover 11\u00a0<\/strong>is near the lakes Sysykkul and Shorkul. Then,\u00a0<strong>stopover 12<\/strong>\u00a0is in the area of Lake Bulunkul-Yashylkul (3700 m). There we see Cretaceous quartz latites (K). Overnight at a hostel in Bulunkul village (3500 m).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 6. Way to the South-Western Pamir (Langar village)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The further route leads us to the Southwest Pamir. The way from Bulunkul village to Lyangar village is 125 km. We go through the Khargush mountain pass (4320 m), and see Khargush Lake and the Pamir River.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 13\u00a0<\/strong>is to see Pamir metamorphites. Next\u00a0<strong>stopover 14<\/strong>\u00a0is to study granites with rare metals.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 15<\/strong>\u00a0is on the right bank of the Pamir River to explore Precambrian (PR) gneisses, amphibolites, and migmatites. We can see ancient petroglyphs in the area of \u200b\u200b Lyangar village.\u00a0Overnight at a hostel in Hisor village (2500 m).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 7. Langar \u2013 Ishkashim<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The further route from the Lyangar village to the Ishkashim village is 150 km. The Panj River originates there. The route path lies along the Panj River. On the left bank of the river is Afghanistan. There are to be several stopovers. At\u00a0<strong>Stopover 16<\/strong>\u00a0we see again Pamir metamorphites.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 17<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; we visit Bibi Fotima thermal spring. During\u00a0<strong>stopover 18<\/strong>, we see ruins of ancient fortresses Yamchun (Kafir-Kala) and Kakh-Kakh (III century BC).\u00a0<strong>Stopover 19<\/strong>\u00a0is in granite area with rare-metal (Nb, Ta, Li) Cretaceous pegmatites (K).\u00a0\u00a0Overnight at a hotel in Ishkashim village (2550 m).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 8. Ishkashim \u2013 Khorog<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After breakfast, the way from Ishkashim to Khorog is 110 km. long. The road meanders along the Panj River.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 20<\/strong>\u00a0at Kuhi-Lal noble spinel deposit. At\u00a0<strong>stopover 21<\/strong>\u00a0we see travertines of Garmchashma thermal spring.\u00a0In Khorog we make an excursion to the famous Alpine Botanical Garden named after Professor A.V. Gursky of Pamir Biological Institute of Tajikistan Academy of Sciences. The altitude of the Botanical Garden is 2300 m. Overnight at a hotel in Khorog (2000 m).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 9. Khorog \u2013 Darvaz<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We proceed to the Western Pamirs. The way length from Khorog to the center of Darvaz district is 240 km.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 22<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; first 60 kilometers from Khorog, we observe geological formations of black schists of the Permian-Triassic age (PT), which break through Late Cretaceous (K2) granitoids.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 23<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; we study Cretaceous-Paleogene volcanics (KP) of Bartang volcanotectonic deflection. At\u00a0<strong>Stopover 24<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; we visit Rushan gneiss dome.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 25<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; we make a visit to Dashtak marble deposit.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 26<\/strong>\u00a0at Kurghavat Precambrian (PR) tonalite-gneiss dome. Further the way we see suture zone ophiolites of the Darvaz Paleo-Ocean (C1). Overnight at a hotel in Darvaz village (1500 m).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 10. Darvaz \u2013 Kulab<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After breakfast, the journey continues from Darvaz to Kulob town. The path is 170 km long, and most of the road runs along the Pyanj River. When crossing the southwestern spurs of the Darvaz Range, we fall into the South Tajik Depression.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 27<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; from Kulyab we go to Childukhtaron (translated from Tajik means \u201cForty Girls\u201d) to contemplate the world of amazing landscapes of mountain forms. Return to a hotel in Kulyab.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 11. Kulyab \u2013 Dushanbe<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The journey from Kulyab to Dushanbe passes through the South Tajik Depression. Stopover 28 at \u00a0Khoja Mumin salt dome.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 29<\/strong>\u00a0is at ancient city- fortress Khulbuk (2700 years).\u00a0<strong>Stopover 30\u00a0<\/strong>at the reservoir of the Nurek hydropower station, which has the highest stone-filling dam in the world &#8211; 300 m. Distance from Kulob to Dushanbe is 200 km long. Overnight at a hotel in Dushanbe.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 12. Dushanbe &#8211; the capital of Tajikistan<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Dushanbe city is the capital of Tajikistan. It is a very beautiful city with hospitable residents. After breakfast a visit to the Shirkent Natural History Park, located on the southern slope of the Hissar Range. At\u00a0<strong>Stopover 31\u00a0<\/strong>there are numerous traces of Jurassic dinosaurs in the area. Distance from Dushanbe to Shirkent is 90 km. After returning from Shirkent to Dushanbe, visit to the National Museum of History, Oriental Market &#8220;Mehrgon&#8221;, a Gemstone Gift Shop. Further &#8211; free time, sightseeing of local attractions. Relaxation. Overnight at a hotel.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 13. Dushanbe \u2013 Aini<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After breakfast, the way goes from Dushanbe to Aini village, which is 130 km long. We cross the Gissar Range through a tunnel named Istiklol, whose length is 5040 m.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 32<\/strong>\u00a0at the tunnel at an altitude of 2650 m. Then we cross the Zeravshan Range. Thus, moving from south to north, we get into the South Tian-Shan. In the South Gissar zone we can observe the junction of the South Tian-Shan and the South Tajik Depression.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 33<\/strong>\u00a0is to see spherical basalts of ophiolite association, the Gissar Paleo-Ocean, C1-2. Next\u00a0<strong>Stopover 34<\/strong>\u00a0is the place where we can study granitoids of the Hissar batholith.<\/p>\n<p>The journey continues through the Zeravshan-Gissar zone. To see Fan-Yagnob coal deposit is\u00a0<strong>Stopover 35<\/strong>. Next,\u00a0<strong>stopover 36<\/strong>\u00a0is at an antimony deposit.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 37<\/strong>\u00a0is at a unique place where there is an interminable underground coal fire in Kukhi-Malik hole.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 38<\/strong>\u00a0at the Lake Iskanderkul.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 39<\/strong>\u00a0at the famous granite intrusion (C2-3). After a few kilometers is\u00a0<strong>Stopover 40\u00a0<\/strong>at the Zeravshan intramountain depression. By the evening we reach Aini village, where we spend night at a campsite on the shore of Iskandarkul Lake.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 14. Aini \u2013 Khujand<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After breakfast, the journey continues north to Khujand city. The drive takes about 170 km. The Turkestan ridge is to be crossed through a tunnel named Shahristan, its length is 5253 m. The tunnel is at an altitude 2765 m., where there is the\u00a0<strong>Stopover 41<\/strong>\u00a0in the Turkestan-Alai zone. There we can see geological formations of the Cambrian (530-520 million years). At\u00a0<strong>Stopover 42<\/strong>\u00a0we visit unique juniper forests of Shahristan. At\u00a0<strong>Stopover 43<\/strong>\u00a0to the north, at the foot of the Turkestan ridge we study the Shakhristan Silurian (S) gabbro-diabase belt. At\u00a0<strong>Stopover 44<\/strong>\u00a0we move to ophiolite melange of Kukh ridges.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 45<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; we end the day with a visit to an ancient city Ustrushan &#8211; 2500 years. Arrival in Khujand city &#8211; the northern cultural capital of Tajikistan. Overnight at a hotel.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 15. Khujand City<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We visit the sights of the city and its environs. The city situated on the Syr-Darya River.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 46<\/strong>\u00a0is at the Kairakum reservoir &#8211; \u201cTajik Sea\u201d.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 47<\/strong>\u00a0at Hydropower station \u201cFriendship of Nations\u201d. Collision shoshoneites, latites and monzonitoids of a skarn tungsten ore field, (C3-P1). Return to Khujand.<strong>\u00a0Stopover 48<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; an excursion to the history museum.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 49<\/strong>\u00a0at East Market Panjshanbe.\u00a0<strong>Stopover 50<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; drive to the Arbob architectural complex. Further &#8211; free time. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Khujand.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 16. Khujand &#8211; Batken (Tajikistan &#8211; Kyrgyzstan)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After breakfast, we leave Tajikistan and set out to Kyrgyzstan going by a small town Isfara, located in the northern foothills of the Turkestan Range. The distance from Khujand to the border of Kyrgyzstan is 150 km. Further the route leads to Batken town. Overnight at a hotel in Batken town.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 17. Visit Madygen Geopark &#8211; an object of International Importance<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After breakfast we will visit the Madygen Geopark with unique landscapes composed of Mesozoic formations. The only paleontological finds in the world were found in the Triassic formations of Madygen. In Madygen you will enjoy outstanding landscapes and historical monuments. Return to Batken. Overnight at the hotel.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 18. Batken \u2013 Osh<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Distance Batken &#8211; Osh &#8211; 300 km. Overnight at a hotel in Osh city.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 19. Osh &#8211; Airport<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Transfer to the airport.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Geological Tour &#8211; &#8220;Stone Miracle of Tajikistan&#8221;. Geology of the Pamirs\u00a0 This geological tour starts and ends in Kyrgyzstan. Such a program allows you to see how the Southern Tian-Shan and Pamir are articulated. It is also convenient in terms of logistics. In the western and southern parts of Tajikistan, Mesozoic rock complexes are widespread, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3792,"parent":16,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"tourpage.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3782","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geotianshan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3782","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geotianshan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geotianshan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geotianshan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geotianshan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3782"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/www.geotianshan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3782\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3915,"href":"https:\/\/www.geotianshan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3782\/revisions\/3915"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geotianshan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geotianshan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3792"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geotianshan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3782"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}