The renowned cave of Tamerlane (Amir Temur Guragani) is nestled in the majestic Gissar Mountains, near the village of Tashkurgan and the Kyzylgaza Pass, within the administrative boundaries of the Yakabagh district in the Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan. The enormous entrance to the cave is situated at the foot of the Eastern wall of a grand canyon, carved by a river through limestone formations.
Gaining access to the cave is no simple feat; a guide is essential. Adventurous souls may attempt to discover the inconspicuous trail that descends via stone steps into the canyon, plunging over 200 meters below. This picturesque canyon, stretching approximately 6 kilometers, evokes images of the famous adventure film “Gold of the MacKenna.” Surrounding you are whimsical rock towers that rise dramatically. Upon reaching the canyon floor, one finds themselves in a stony “bag” where sunlight barely penetrates in some areas. The canyon’s width fluctuates between a narrow 10-12 meters and a broad 50-60 meters, with vertical walls soaring to heights of 200-300 meters. By crossing to the right bank of the river and ascending a scree slope adorned with shrubs and junipers, one approaches the base of the rock wall, where the entrance to the cave unexpectedly reveals itself.
The cave’s entrance resembles an archway, standing up to 6 meters tall and 7 meters wide. Inside, a vast corridor extends, reaching heights of 10-15 meters. From the walls, peculiar calcite formations cascade like jellyfish and stalactites. In certain areas, the walls are adorned with natural torches. The main corridor, which delves deep into the mountain for about 400 meters, features few side passages, making it nearly impossible to get lost. As one ventures further, the walls and ceiling narrow, requiring crawling to proceed.
The gap between the floor and ceiling measures just 45-60 centimeters. It is advisable for larger tourists (clothing size no larger than 52) and those prone to claustrophobia or with fragile dispositions to refrain from navigating this passage.
By overcoming three narrow sections of 2-3 meters, interspersed with chambers where one can stand upright, visitors arrive at the far end of the cave, entering a vast collapse chamber measuring 60 by 30 meters. The most powerful flashlight barely illuminates the ceiling of this hall, which soars approximately 70 meters high. Here, the atmosphere is more humid, with the floor covered in large boulders and several branching paths. In the innermost chamber of the cave lies a small lake, formed by a 10-meter waterfall cascading from a crevice in the ceiling. The lake does not maintain a constant level and tends to disappear in September and October, seeping through the rubble stones. It is highly recommended to bring a bright flashlight to fully appreciate the enchanting sight of water streaming into the lake.
A visit to the cave typically lasts around 2-3 hours, depending on the group’s size and the participants’ enthusiasm. The cave is steeped in legend, believed to have provided refuge for the great Tamerlane (Amir Timur) and his companions as they prepared for military campaigns. This notion seems hard to believe, considering the difficulties of descending into the canyon on horseback, and the discomfort for horses to graze at the canyon’s depths and slopes. However, before the cave stands an ancient, skillfully constructed wall made of large stones, possibly erected by shepherds.
Numerous variations of the legend surrounding Timur’s cave exist, but the most captivating account comes from the writer Evgeny Berezikov in his book “Legends and Mysteries of Uzbekistan”:
“After five days of travel with a group of youths from the vicinity of Shakhrisabz, [Amir Timur] found himself in the mountains. Here, in one of the canyons, Timur discovered the cave pointed out by Hakkul-palvan. The landscape was astonishing, seemingly designed for secret preparations for future battles. The mountains shielded this area from the outside world, accessible only through secret passes known to local farmers. The nearest settlement was a full three days’ journey away. The cave, located at a junction of a multi-kilometer canyon, was exceptionally well-positioned. Its entrance was hidden from view, yet from within, the surroundings could be observed for miles. Inside, a large detachment could easily find shelter. For Timur, it became both a reliable fortress and a convenient home. In the distant stone voids, where the air temperature was notably cooler, there existed the potential to create storages for substantial food supplies.”
