Paltau is the collective name for a fascinating tourist destination in the Bostanlyk district of the Tashkent region. The area is located in the valley of the small Paltau River, a tributary of the Chatkal River, 100 km from Tashkent and 3 km from the famous village of Brichmulla (Burchmulla), celebrated in song by the bard Sergey Nikitin.
In addition to the aesthetic pleasure of the river views and the surrounding Chatkal and Ugam mountain ranges, tourists visit the Paleolithic site of ancient humans in the Obirakhmat Grotto. Numerous stone tools were discovered here, as well as skull fragments of a teenage boy who possessed traits of both Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon man.
Near the grotto, within the same rock massif, lies a small but intriguing karst cave featuring a massive hall at the bottom. Descending into the cave requires safety gear for a 4-meter vertical ledge. It is not recommended to enter the cave without an experienced guide.
The most captivating highlight of the region is the spectacular and powerful waterfall, which plunges from a 30-meter rocky cliff.
Above the waterfall is a birch grove, an ideal spot to stop for a picnic. From the Paltau valley, one can cross over into the neighboring Kulosya River canyon, which features a cascade of waterfalls. Tourists can also visit another striking waterfall on the Chukuraksay River, known as the "Bride’s Veil."
Travel Essentials
• Best Time to Visit: Mid-March to mid-June. In April, the riverbanks are covered in Kaufman tulips.
• Logistics: You must register and pay an environmental fee of 21,000 UZS (just under $2) at the forestry and border checkpoint.
• Distance: 13 km round trip (from the checkpoint to the waterfall/grotto and back).
• Elevation: Ranges from 1,000 m (checkpoint) to 1,280 m (waterfall).
• Duration: 4 to 6 hours
