Zaamin National Park

Zaamin covers the northern slopes of the Turkestan range in the south of Jizzakh region, protecting one of the larger stands of archa, the Central Asian juniper, at between two and three thousand metres. The air is thin and cool and the country is alpine meadow above the tree line, which is why sanatoriums were built here in the Soviet period and why Uzbeks come up from the plains in summer. Trails run up the valleys towards the ridge.

The landscape

• The juniper forest - one of the larger archa stands, at two to three thousand metres.
• The alpine meadows - open ground above the tree line on the ridges.
• The cool air - summer temperatures far below the plains below.
• The valley trails - the walking routes running up towards the range.

When to go

May to September is the season when the road is open and the meadows are green. Snow closes the higher road in winter. Summer weekends bring domestic crowds.

What to expect

Accommodation is dated Soviet-era sanatoriums rather than lodges. The mountain road is steep and rough in places. Summer weekends fill it with domestic visitors.

Nearby

Jizzakh is north, and Sentob is northwest.

Key facts