Evening Dushanbe - a Waterfall, Singing Fountains, Ismaili Somoni Square

It so happened that I don't usually walk around the city in the evenings, although it does happen, but rarely. And for a long time after arriving in Dushanbe, I couldn't see such attractions as the man-made waterfall and singing fountains in Dushanbe. And yet, I often passed by them, but either in the morning or during the day when they are not operational. I decided to correct this regrettable omission and one evening specifically went to see all of this.

Hiking to Kabanye Gorge in Odjuk, Varzob, mountains of Tajikistan

The Odjuk Gorge seems familiar and nearby, but in reality, it is very large with many branches leading to small gorges in different directions. Among these small gorges, there are many unusual and beautiful ones, and today I am introducing one of them to you - the Kabanye Gorge. I do not know why it is called "Kabanye," perhaps because wild boars roam around, but I am not a hunter and cannot say anything on this matter. The Kabanye Gorge is also called the "Jacuzzi" Gorge due to the many indentations in the rocks along the river that flows through it, which really resemble Jacuzzis.

How to Choose a Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad, and Bivy for a Hike

Quality sleep is the foundation of your strength and well-being on the trail. Sleep deprivation quickly depletes your body's resources, which is why it's crucial to create comfortable conditions for a night's rest: warmth, dryness, and comfort. Three key pieces of gear will help you achieve this: a sleeping bag, an insulated sleeping pad, and a bivy sack.

Hiking-Quest - Waterfall in Gusgarf, Varzob Gorge, Mountains of Tajikistan

Last weekend, I decided to go to the Gusgarf waterfall, which is located near the village of the same name. It was not just a hike, but a quest to find the Gusgarf waterfall. The thing is, I didn't know the roads, didn't find any companions, and still decided to go alone, which some might say was a big mistake. But I will say, it was a very cool adventure. It took about three hours to walk to the waterfall, but I walked for seven hours, turned onto the wrong trail, realized it too late, decided to go straight, ended up on rocks, loose soil, and thorny bushes - in short, I entertained myself as best I could....

Hiking to Timur-dara Lake, Karatag Gorge, Mountains of Tajikistan

Timur-dara Lake is a very beautiful mountain lake of the avalanche type, located at an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level. In the area of Timur-dara Lake, as well as another lake called Payron which is located slightly further away, people were searching for the Yeti, observing UFOs, and other anomalies in the 80s and 90s. This is the so-called "Gissar anomalous zone". However, as the craze for all this mysticism faded away, it turned out that most of the stories and supposed evidence in the form of footprints, etc. were invented and made up by local shepherds.

Overnight Shelter in the Wild: Tents, Tarps, and Bivouacs

While clothing is your first line of defense against the elements, any trek lasting more than a day requires reliable shelter for rest. This means considering more substantial protection, such as tents, tarps, bivouac sacks, or other improvised structures.

Rudaki Park in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

This morning, I decided to take a walk in Rudaki Park, located on Rudaki Avenue in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The park was renovated in 2007-08, previously known as Lenin Park. I cannot judge whether the park has become better or worse, as I am biased - I grew up here, near this park, and all my memories are associated with childhood, so it is difficult to be objective. However, this will not prevent me from enjoying a walk and contemplating this wonderful place...

Hike to the Fanfarok waterfall at the 21st km of the Varzob gorge, mountains of Tajikistan

Our previous hike in the 21-kilometer section of the Varzob Gorge was in winter, and we made it up to the poplar grove where we set up camp and ended our journey. With the arrival of spring, we can now hike further in a day, for example, to the waterfall. That's what we'll do on this hike, we'll reach the waterfall in the 21st kilometer of the Varzob Gorge.

How to Choose a Backpack for Hiking and Pack It Correctly

Choosing a backpack for a hike is not a simple task. The range is vast: from compact 20-liter models to substantial expedition versions with a capacity of 100 liters or more. The key selection criterion is the duration of your trip. It's clear that for a one-day outing, you will need significantly fewer things than for a ten-day route. A mistake in choosing the size (for example, a backpack that's too large) often leads to overpacking, as the temptation to take extra items arises, which contradicts the main rule of a hiker: take only what is necessary.

National Flag Park in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

This morning I decided to take a walk to the National Flag Park, which is located in Dushanbe, Tajikistan (for those who don't know). To breathe in the fresh air, take some photos - it was cloudy, but still great, refreshing...