7 Day Fann Mountains Expedition

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 7 Day Fann Mountains Expedition will begin and end in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. 

This 7 Day Fann Mountains expedition is rated as difficult and rugged. This means that we will be tent camping for much of this expedition, sleeping in primitive camps, and will be trekking for long hours at higher altitudes. We will have several nights without access to showers, so it can be a bit uncomfortable for some.

You can expect long days of trekking, up to 18 kilometers | 11 miles (7-10 hours) at the longest. As mentioned in the itinerary, we will trek over high mountain passes, the highest just over 3800 meters. We will have pack animal support for the trek to carry food and tents, but you should still expect to carry a pack with roughly 5-10 kg of weight each day. 

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 will handle this process for you after you've checked into the hotel on the first day.

To join any Safar Expeditions departure you will need to carry an active travel insurance plan. Be aware that the remote nature of the Fann Mountains poses very real challenges in the event of medical emergencies and serious illnesses and injuries. Because of this, it is recommended to select an insurance plan that covers both medical care and evacuation. 

We recommend using IATI travel insurance for medical coverage and an evacuation plan from Global Rescue. 

Prescriptions and over-the-counter meds are usually possible to find in Dushanbe, but we still recommend to make sure to bring any meds you need or may need with you. 

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 Fann Mountains 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. Once the trek begins we will have a cook with us who serves up some delicious meals as we make our way through the mountains. 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. 

Once we begin our trek in the Fanns, we won't have access to the internet from Sarytag to Artuch, where we'll have Wi-Fi (for a fee) for the evening at the base camp. Again we won't have any internet access until we depart Lake Alovaddin back toward Dushanbe. 

Once we begin the trek we will not have access to regular electricity. I highly recommend purchasing a solar charger and external batteries to bring with you to keep your electronics charged out here. You can expect to have electricity to charge items on the nights in Dushanbe, Sarytag, Vin, and Artuch.

Yes, a minimum of 2 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.