Dark Star

The Dark Star cave network extends through 17 kilometers of passages beneath the limestone cliffs, reaching depths of approximately 3,000 feet below ground level.

Russian explorers discovered the cave entrance in 1984, followed by British cavers who first entered the system in 1990 and named it after a science fiction film.

Eight international expeditions have contributed to mapping the underground passages, fostering collaboration between scientists and cavers from multiple nations since its discovery.

Accessing the cave requires a journey from Tashkent by bus and truck, followed by a two-day hike with donkeys carrying equipment through mountain terrain.

The cave features the Lunar Path, an 820-foot-long corridor containing mineral deposits that provide detailed records of regional climate patterns over thousands of years.

GPS coordinates: 38.39639,67.28694

Latest update: December 11, 2025 21:49