State Reserve "Gissar"
2025-05-01 00:00:00 / Nature reserves
The reserve is located in the southwest parts of the Pamir-Alai mountain range, in the middle and high mountain belts of the Aloy mountain range. It is situated in the basins of the Oxus, Tankhozdarya, and Kyzylsuv rivers, at altitudes ranging from 1800 to 4421 meters above sea level, within the territories of the Shakhrisabz, Yakkabog, and Kamashin districts of the Kashkadarya region. It borders Tajikistan to the east and Surkhandarya region to the southeast. The total area of the reserve is 80,986.1 hectares, including a buffer zone of 13,231.1 hectares.
The reserve features ecotourism and cultural heritage sites that attract both foreign and domestic tourists.
Natural Conditions: The mountain formations frequently consist of Paleozoic rocks. The mountain peaks reach heights of up to 4421 meters, including Hodge Kirshawor - 4303 meters, Tortkuluk - 4366 meters, Hazrat Sultan mountain - 4367 meters, and Bibi Ulmas - 4487 meters. The eternal glaciers of these mountains give rise to Topalangdarya and Aksudarya. The Batirbay glacier covers an area of 1600 hectares. Most of the rivers within the reserve originate from the Severtsev and Botirboy glaciers, covering an area of 3155 hectares. The largest rivers in the reserve are Aksuv, Tankhoz, and Kyzyl-Darya. Their valleys are home to large and small waterfalls. The region's highest waterfall is "Suvdushar". Standing at 84 meters tall, "Suvdushar" is one of the tallest waterfalls in the country.
There are around 10 large and small lakes within the reserve's territory.
Flora: The reserve is home to 71 families of plants and 1298 species.
Fauna: The Gissar Reserve boasts 276 species of vertebrate animals, including 32 species of mammals (snow leopard, brown bear, Turkestan lynx, Central Asian beaver, red sable, wild boar, Siberian mountain goat, hedgehog, marten, badger, etc.), 225 species of birds, 17 species of reptiles, 2 species of amphibians, and 17 species of rare animals and birds listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Ecotourism Sites: The Hazrat Sultan plateau, Suvdushar waterfall, dinosaur trails, and Amir Temur cave are protected areas. Construction of pilgrimage tourism facilities (campgrounds, shelters, catering facilities, selfie spots, development of parking lots, etc.) is underway in the Gelan buffer zone of the reserve, particularly around the Hazrat Sultan plateau. Additionally, an ecotourism center has been constructed around the Suvdushar waterfall in the buffer area called "Miraki".
Major settlements near the reserve include the Pendjikent district of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Uzun and Saryosiy districts of the Surkhandarya region, as well as villages such as Kol, Gelon, Sarchashma, Hisorak, Tamshush, Suvdushar, Sayod, Bashkab, Ommogan, Kitay, Almaty, and others.
There are no hotels near the reserve, but modern guesthouses can be found in the village of Gelon in the Shakhrisabz district.
The reserve is located 170-200 km from the district center of Karshi.
Visit time:
Weekdays from 12:00 to 20:00 in summer (until 17:00 in winter) Weekends and holidays from 09:00 to 21:00 (until 17:00 in winter)
Address: Ipak Yoli street, 140, Shakhrisabz city, Kashkadarya region, Republic of Uzbekistan.
website: www.natureareas.uz