Tajikistan · September 15 - 19 2024

5 Day Best of West Tajikistan Expedition

Experience Tajikistan\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Historic Cities

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Description

Overview

For those without much time and looking for a lighter journey in Tajikistan, this 5 day best of west Tajikistan tour will take you to visit some of Tajikistan’s best highlights without the extremely long journeys.
More than likely you’ve already begun your research into Tajikistan and have realized the long distances covered to reach the Pamir or the trekking involved to reach some of the country’s best mountains. So what this unique tour does is blend Tajikistan’s cities, and nature without the time commitments.

Highlights

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Fergana Valley Cities

Marvel at the architecture of the ancient Silk Road Fergana Valley cities of Khujand and Istaravshan.

Beautiful Iskanderkul Lake

Get out into nature and explore the shores of the Fann Mountains largest lake of Iskanderkul.

The Expansive Akhkon Salt Flat

Most have never heard of it, but Tajikistan's Fergana Valley features a massive salt flat. Take in the alien landscape and experience a mud bath.

Itinerary

Dushanbe & Hisor

Day 1: Get Acquainted with Dushanbe

Welcome to Tajikistan! You will begin your first day by exploring the Tajik capital of Dushanbe. After breakfast, we’ll head out to explore what the city has to offer.
Highlights include Rudaki Park, the Ismoil Somoni statue, Kokhi Navruz, and the nearby Hisor Fortress.
In the evening we’ll have a traditional dinner in a popular Dushanbe restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel

Included

Lunch

Dinner

Iskanderkul

Day 2: Explore the Fann Mountains

Getting an early start we load up into vehicles and head north toward Iskanderkul, Alexander’s famous lake. You’ll most likely be glued to the window all day as the scenery as we depart Dushanbe and begin to journey into the mountains is absolutely jaw-dropping.
At the village of Sarvoda, we veer off the main highway and onto a road that eventually turns to gravel and winds up a spectacular canyon where impossibly turquoise Iskanderkul comes into view. Spend the remainder of the day exploring around the lake, with a lovely walk along Iskanderkul, a nice stroll to Snake Lake, a brief hike to a waterfall, or just relaxing on the lakeside.
Tonight we stay in a homestay-style accommodation run by a local family who will also prepare a traditional Tajik dinner.
Drive time: ~4 hours
Accommodation: Homestay

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Kattasoy Dam & Istaravshan

Day 3: Welcome to the Fergana Valley

Don’t miss the sunrise over Iskandarkul this morning with the opportunity for perfect reflections of the Fann Mountains in its calm waters. After we have breakfast, we will make our way toward the Tajik Fergana Valley city of Istaravshan.
A few kilometers before we reach Istaravshan we will make a stop at Kattasoy Reservoir to see what may be the largest Lenin bust in the world. The giant Lenin is at the top of 365 steps with an arm extended and his back to the reservoir. After your quick Soviet-era photo op, we’ll continue into Istarvshan to explore the small city.
We’ll start our exploration of Istavshan from the lively central bazaar. Other highlights include the Sary Mazor Complex, Houz i Sangin Mosque, Kok Gumbez, Hazrat i Shoh Mosque, and Mug Teppe. Tonight we’ll be staying in a basic hotel.
Drive time: ~4 hours
Accommodation: Hotel

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Khujand

Day 4: Visit Tajikistan's Second Largest City

After breakfast, make way for Tajikistan’s second-largest city, Khujand. Much like Istarvshan, we’ll start exploring the city from the Panjshanbe Bazaar which sits right next door to the Masjid i Jami and Sheikh Musil Complex. We will also take the time to explore the Khujand Citadel and the neighboring Kamoli Khujandi Park.
Drive time: ~2 hours
Accommodation: Hotel

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Taboshar & Akhkon

Day 5: Secret Soviet Cities & Salt Falts

For the final day of the best of west Tajikistan tour, we make a day trip from Khujand to visit the secret cities of Taboshar (now Istiklol), Sovietobad (now Ghafurov), and Chkalovsk (now Buston). These three cities were constructed for the mining of uranium and were shrouded in mystery, totally closed off for many years.
After we’ve explored these secret towns, we will head east to visit the giant Bulok Salt Flat (sometimes called Asht or Akhkon Salt Flat). You’ll have the opportunity to take a spa in the mineral-laden mud beneath the salty crust before sitting in saltwater-filled pools (many people believe the mud here has healing and health-boosting properties). We can even do a short walk up to a great viewpoint with sweeping aerial views of the salt flat.
In the early evening, we will make the drive back to Khujand where we’ll have our goodbye dinner tonight in a lovely restaurant serving excellent traditional Tajik dishes.
We will arrange transfers to the Khujand Airport the following day for those flying out from here. If leaving elsewhere, we can help you arrange transport back to Dushanbe or toward the Uzbek border, etc.
Drive time: ~6 hours
Accommodation: Hotel

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What's included

  • All meals as indicated on the itinerary
  • English speaking guide
  • Transportation
  • Accommodation on twin room sharing basis
  • Tajikistan visa fee (if applicable)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips to local staff
  • International airfare to and from Tajikistan

FAQs

With a low crime rate and welcoming population Tajikistan is generally a safe country to visit. Visitors should exercise regular precautions they would anywhere in the world while traveling in Tajikistan.

The most common problems a traveler may face include corruption, altitude sickness, and stomach upset.

In terms of natural disasters, Tajikistan is prone to earthquakes.

This 5 Day West Tajikistan Expedition will begin in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in the early morning of September 15th, and end in Khujand, Tajikistan on the evening of September 19th.
This 5 day West Tajikistan expedition is rated as easy. We will be staying in hotels each night and in a homestay for one night in Iskanderkul. Each day you can expect to do some walking in the city while sightseeing and the day at Iskanderkul will feature light and easy hiking in the vicinity.

Most visitors from western countries can enter Tajikistan with either the Tajik e-visa, visa on arrival, or may enter visa-free.

Some nationalities will need to apply for a Tajik visa issued by an embassy or consulate to enter the country.

You can read an overview of Tajikistan’s visa policy here but it would still be wise to check with your nearest Tajik consulate or embassy as visa schemes are always subject to change.

Note that if you will be entering Tajikistan visa-free and you will be staying in the country for more than 10 business days, you must register with OVIR. We can provide guidance in obtaining the registration.

The Tajik Somoni (TJS) is the official currency of Tajikistan. The value of the Somoni fluctuates a little but seems to have steadily stayed around 10-12 TJS to $1 USD for the past few years.
Yes, we do provide a suggested packing list and preparation guide for our Best of West Tajikistan expedition that can be viewed here.

The food you’ll encounter during your time in Tajikistan will be simple and tasty. In the cities and towns, we will have the chance to try different Tajik and Central Asian dishes in local restaurants. You can expect flavorful soups and salads, plov (a traditional Central Asian take on fried rice), noodle dishes, and meat dishes. Of course, almost any meal in Tajikistan is accompanied by a hot glass of chai.

Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.

It is possible to purchase a Tajik SIM card in Dushanbe, with T-Cell and Megafone being the best local carriers.

We will be in areas with mobile reception and mobile internet for the majority of the expedition. Each night of the trip except in Iskanderkul we will have access to Wi-Fi. You can expect connectivity to be spotty when we are traveling between cities and towns.

There will be access to electricity each night as well.

Yes, a minimum of 3 passengers will need to be on this expedition in order to run. If the minimum isn’t reached, we will contact you about the potential to still operate the trip but at an additional charge or you will be given the option to cancel and your deposit/payment can either be returned to you or applied toward a different expedition of your choosing.