• Overall

  This tour starts in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. From here, we'll follow the route of the historical M41 Pamir Highway and head down south to the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan along the Wakhan Valley.

  Traversing high passes and past beautiful lakes and snow-capped mountains, staying in small towns and villages along the way, this journey will take you to some of this region’s most remote but rewarding destinations, to ultimately arrive back in Dushanbe — Tajikistan’s lovely, laid back capital.

  This tour will be led by one of our most experienced tour leaders, Rich Beal. Rich has led tours all over the world since 2004 and has personally designed and researched all our Tajikistan tours. Because of his close connection to the country, his fellow Tajik guides and friends like to joke the country is his second home (Mongolia being first )!

  Highlights

  • M41 Pamir Highway road trip of a life-time 
  • Tajikistan, drive next to the Afghanistan border
  • Wakhan Valley and the Tajik-Afghan Cross-Border Market

   

  click image to expand

• Itinerary

  Day 1 of 11

  1. Saturday 20th August

     Arrive into Dushanbe

     After arrival in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, all travellers will be met at the International Airport in the capital for transfer to the hotel.

     After some time to relax in our local hotel, the whole tour group will meet for a pre-tour briefing where we’ll discuss the upcoming adventure as a group before allowing you some free time in Tajikistan’s laid-back capital, Dushanbe. Alternatively, you can take the afternoon to recover from any jet lag before our adventure begins early the following day.
      

     Accommodation: 3-4 Star Hotel

     Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  2. Sunday 21st August

     Dushanbe to Qal'ai Khumb

     This morning we’re up and out early as our journey into the heart of southern Tajikistan begins in earnest.
     Our first step will be the small town of Norak, home to the Norak Dam. Formerly the tallest dam in the world, it was completed in 1980 under the communist administration of the Tajik SSR. Today, it remains the second-largest man-made dam in the world, and a wonderful highlight for us as we trundle through the rural provinces south of Dushanbe.

     Following our dam visit, we’ll stop at the small town of Danghara, home to a fascinating local bazaar and an ancient fortress – we’ll stop first at the bazaar to mingle with local Tajiks and purchase all manner of goods, as well as any supplies we may need for our onward journey.
     Leaving the Danghara Bazaar, we’ll make our way to Khulbuk Fortress; this ancient fortress is seen by many as a symbol of ancient civilization in Tajikistan – formerly a palace for the local ruler, it has been heavily reconstructed to show visitors the original gradiosity which the palace once commanded.

     Departing Khulbuk, we’ll arrive at the town of Kulob where we’ll head straight to the local museum to learn about the history of the region, and the town itself. Following on from the museum, we’ll stop by a beautiful mosaic of Vladimir Lenin, harking back to the days of the Soviet Union, before we trundle onwards, leaving Kulob, destined for our overnight stop – the city of Qal’ai Khumb.

      

     Accommodation: Karon Palace Hotel

     Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Monday 22nd August

     Qal'ai Khumb to Khorogh

     This morning we’ll say goodbye to Qal’ai Khumb, although don’t worry, we’ll pass back through this regional centre on our return to Dushanbe. However, today we’re venturing further into the mountainous heart of Tajikistan as we shadow the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan on our way to the city of Khorogh.

     On the way, we’ll visit the village of Rushon where we’ll have the chance to visit local family homes and see how locals live in this far flung corner of Central Asia. Local people across this region are very friendly and welcoming. We will not be there to exoticise them but to interact, and hear what their lives are like, to learn and experience even in brief moments a little bit of commonality – you’ll see when we are there what a treat this can be!

     Following our visit to Rushon, we’ll make a stop at Khorogh Airport – famed locally for its difficult approach and requirement for special training for pilots landing at this airport.

      

     Accommodation: Hotel Zafar

     Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Tuesday 23rd August

     Drive to Langar

     This morning, we’ll set out along the internationally-famed M41 Pamir Highway. This ribbon of tarmac stretches from the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, through the mountains of eastern Tajikistan and the Pamiri region, finally ending in Tajikistan’s northern neighbour, Kyrgyzstan.

     We’ll traverse mountain passes and deep valleys to reach our destination today. Langar.
     Not to be confused with the village of the same name just across the border in Afghanistan, we’ll spend the night peering over the Afghan border – marked by the Panj River, which will be our guide through this part of Tajikistan in the coming days.

      

     Accommodation: Local Guesthouse

     Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Wednesday 24th August

     Langar to Ishkashim

     We’re up bright and early this morning as we venture out along the Panj River, the border between the Republic of Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
     As we trundle along the road, stopping for photos of the mysterious land beyond the river, we’ll stop at Vrang village – a small settlement near the border, home to the Buddhist Stupa. Thought to have been constructed in the 6th century, the stupa is a sign that Buddhist civilisations thrived in this part of Central Asia many centuries ago. We’ll also stop to visit the hand-carved caves used by Buddhist monks to pray all those years ago.

     We’ll visit shrines built by the Zoroastrians, an ancient religion which originates in Persia, modern-day Iran. After a final visit to Osorkhonai Abdullo Ansori Museum, dedicated to the region and its colourful history, we’ll set off to our final destination for today – Ishkashim.

      

     Accommodation: Local Accommodation

     Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Thursday 25th August

     Ishkashim to Khorogh

     Today we’ll complete our loop through the mighty Pamir region of southern Tajikistan as we’ll return for an extended stay at the city of Khorogh.
     However, before we arrive in the city, there’s still plenty to do. Our day begins with a visit to the Ishkashim Bazaar where we’ll have a chance to mingle with locals as we venture into the local bazaar where Tajiks trade various goods with one another, creating a buzz of activity in this far flung corner of Tajikistan.

     In case you’ve not bought enough local goods, we’ll make our way to the Afghan-Tajik cross-border market where Tajiks and Afghans buy and sell across the border with remarkably little restriction. So, if you’re looking to tick Afghanistan off your list, this may be the place to do it!
     Next up, is the ancient Kakha Fortress. These huge defensive complex ruins sit on the side of a mountain overlooking the Panj river. The area has been used as a defensive settlement since the 2nd Century BCE; some theorized that the fortress was built to defend caravans traversing the vital silk road which passed through this region for centuries.

     Our final stop before Khorogh is the calcium-filled Garm Chashma Hot Spa. This natural spring is made up of numerous pools, all stained light blue by the high calcium content. After exploring this natural wonder, we’ll depart and make our way, once again, to the city of Khorogh where we’ll check in to our hotel to get some rest before exploring the city tomorrow.

      

     Accommodation: Hotel Zafar

     Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Friday 26th August

     Khorogh City Tour

     Today we have a welcome change to our adventure as we’ll set out on foot to explore the beautiful city in which we spent the night. The city of Khorogh.
     Today it's off to a more leisurely pace with a visit to Khorogh Bazaar. The bazaar is a typical Central Asian market crammed with fresh fruit, vegetables, milk products and various other wares. Not commonly visited by tourists, we may be as much a spectacle to the locals as the colourful traders are to us.
     Following our market visit, we’ll call at the Ismaili Jamatkhana Centre not only an architectural delight but the centre for Isma’ilism in the region. Once inside the Ismaili Centre, we will learn a little more about this fascinating sub-sect of Shia Islam. We’ll also have the unique opportunity to ask their opinion on the recent political change in Afghanistan, clearly visible from the ornate terraced grounds around us.

     We head out of the city centre and climb higher as we drive high above Khorogh to visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens. A little unkempt, the Khorogh Botanical Gardens were begun in the 1940s as a project of the Soviet Union to observe the survival rate of plants at altitude and the associated climatic conditions. Not only do the gardens now boast of over 2,300 species of trees and plants and a beautiful residence fit for a president, but they also afford mesmerising views over the city.

     From the gardens, we make sure to stop for a spot of lunch but not before visiting Victory Park and its Soviet monuments harking back to a different era in history.

     Following lunch you have the choice of staying to relax in Khorogh, exploring a little more of the city or enjoying a drink by the river. If, however, you have the energy there is the option of an afternoon hike in some of the surrounding countryside. It is very mountainous, but the views over the surrounding valleys are reward enough.

      

     Accommodation: Hotel Zafar

     Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Saturday 27th August

     Drive to Qal’ai Khumb

     As we continue to trace the Panj River, we eventually bid farewell to the Pamir territory and enter Khatlon Province - located in the country's Southeast and one of the least visited parts of Tajikistan.

     During the Soviet period, this was also one of the country's poorest regions. We will stop to view towns and cities along the way while looking out for the Soviet architecture dotted around this area. One of these towns is Shurobod, where very few changes have taken place since independence was achieved in 1991. Here we will stop here to see impressive mosaics of Lenin that remain on the side of the buildings.
     We will also stop at Kulyab, the centre of Khatlon province and the fourth-biggest town in Tajikistan. Kulyab has a history stretching back over 2500 years and borders Afghanistan. We will walk around the city, stop in at the local museum, and visit the market (one of the best ways to mix with the locals and their culture).

     Finally, we’ll arrive in Qal’ai Khumb.

      

     Accommodation: Karon Palace Hotel

     Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Sunday 28th August

     Drive to Roghun

     Today we have a fascinating drive lined up. Leaving Qal’ai Khumb, we’ll head north, on the true M41, peeling away from the Afghan border. The road we take is tough, on a route closed for much of the year. As the winter snow and spring rain makes the route unpassable. The driving will still be challenging and complex, but the scenery is astonishing. Along the way, we will pass over the 3,852-metre high Khaburabot Pass. The Russians say unless you take the M41 over the Khaburabot Pass, then you haven’t truly travelled the Pamir Highway. We will regularly stop to admire and photograph this most rugged region of Tajikistan.

     This route used to be the only way to reach Tajikistan’s western region. Built during the Soviet period, the road was almost destroyed during Tajikistan's bloody civil war when Western rebels tried to cut this vital link. As we take the central route, we will pass through some of Tajikistan’s poorest regions, but the villages are still lovely, the scenery beautiful, and the local people no less friendly. Journeying along the Obikhingou River we’ll pass Tavildara, home of the first Tajiks.

     Our final visit for the day will be the in-construction Roghun Dam. Originally started by the Soviets, construction had been halted until 2017 when construction restarted. We may even get the chance to venture inside this beheamoth, depending on permission.
     Finally, we’ll arrive at our final accommodation before Dushanbe where we’ll get some rest before returning to the capital city.

      

     Accommodation: Local Accommodation

     Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Monday 29th August

      Return to Dushanbe

      This morning we’ll roll back into Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, ending our Pamir Highway adventure, although today we have a jam-packed itinerary to hit all the highlights this city has to offer.

      We will visit Victory Park on the hills above Dushanbe where we'll have great views of the city. We will then stop on Rudaki Street to walk to Dushanbe's Central Park, stopping for photos at the Monument of Ismaili Somoni that is situated on the site of the old Lenin statue. Passing Rudaki Park, we will then walk on to the entrance of the National Museum, where we will learn a little more about the beautiful country we have been visiting.

      After lunch, we will drive to the Victory tank monument ("Oslinie Ushi" — "The donkey ears", the local name for this monument), and visit the botanical gardens, before finishing our day with a visit to the world's largest tea house with its amazingly decadent interior.

      There will be some free time in the afternoon where you are welcome to join your tour leader on a walking tour of Dushanbe catching a few of the hidden Soviet Gems as well as other historical spots. Those who don't wish to join can enjoy a spot of last-minute shopping, a welcome coffee or an afternoon relax.

       

      Accommodation: Hotel Vatan

      Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Tuesday 30th August

      Departure day!

      Airport transfers are provided for everyone regardless of the time of flight or where you are going.

      There is also the option of extending your room until a later date – contact us to discuss this.

       

      Included Meals: Breakfast

      End of Tour

• What is / is not included?

  INCLUDED

  • Airport pick up and drop at the start and end of tour
  • Hotel accommodation
  • Tajiki tour guides A driver per group
  • A member or Koryo Tours
  • All transportation in the country
  • All entry fees for attractions and sights

  NOT INCLUDED

  • Flights to Tajikistan Single room supplement unless otherwise specified (US $50 per night)
  • Spending money for drinks and souvenirs
  • Tajikistan visa fees this must include GBAO travel permit
  • Tip for the guides (approx. US $10 per day)
  • Not all meals are covered but we will make recommendations if needed
  • We occasionally have the opportunity to visit a performance which is extra

Please apply by 1st August, 2022.

• Overall

  Travel to Tajikistan over the Nowruz Persian New Year and experience Buzkashi ('goat-pulling' on horseback sport), ancient history, and breathtaking scenery.

  As a crossroads of Central Asia and the Silk Road, Tajikistan has a rich and vibrant culture bringing together Persian, Greek, Turkic, Mongol, Russian, and Soviet culture throughout the ages. Beginning from the capital Dushanbe, the centre of modern Tajik culture, we'll explore southern Tajikistan and set out across the countryside to find Buzkashi - goat pulling. Watch as hundreds of horse riders work in teams and as individuals to pull a goat carcass through a goal. Dubbed the 'world's most dangerous sport', Buzkashi is a sight to behold!

  We'll then head north over the beautiful and rugged Fann Mountains in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and Babur, the first Mughal emperor, on the way stopping at the large Khoja Obi Garm Soviet sanatorium - a gigantic Bond villain-like hideout - and the crystal clear waters of Lake Alexander. You'll then pass through the 5 km long Anzob tunnel before reaching the Sughd region, once ancient Sogdia at the mouth of the Fergana Valley.

  This tour will be led by expert tour leader Rich Beal, who has extensive experience planning and leading tours throughout Tajikistan and Central Asia. Because of Rich's close connection to the country, his fellow Tajik guides and friends like to joke that Tajikistan is his third home (China and Mongolia being first and second)!

  Looking to travel the Pamir Highway? See Koryo Tours' Pamir Highway Mountain Crossroads Tour in August from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Dushanbe, Tajikistan on the M41 Highway through the Pamir Mountains.

  Please see below for the Buzkashi and Persian New Year Tour highlights, itinerary, and additional information.

  Highlights

  • Travel north across the stunning landscape of the Fann Mountains
  • Experience Buzkashi (goat-pulling), Central Asia's most dangerous sport
  • Explore the ancient Sogdian culture and the history of the Fergana Valley, crossroads of the world and once the farthest outpost in Alexander the Great’s empire

  click image to expand

• Itinerary

  Day 1 of 10

  1. Thursday 16th March

     Arrival day in Dushanbe
     
     AM

     • This morning is a free morning for settling in, exploring and acclimatising while we wait for the whole tour group to arrive on different flights.

     PM

     • After our initial pre-tour meeting and briefing, we drive to the Hissar fortress. This massive fort is said to date back to Cyrus the Great (600BC) and to have been captured 21 times by invading forces. The restoration may be a little excessive, but it has a lovely museum that offers a gentle introduction to this fascinating country - a great chance to learn about the country's history and catch up with local people.
        
     • Upon our return to Dushanbe, we will stop by a local school to photograph an impressive statue of Lenin. 

     Meals | Lunch and Dinner.
     
     Overnight | Hotel Vatan, Dushanbe. A new hotel located within 5 minutes walk of the central city. This comfortable hotel has beautiful rooms located on a designated floor with free laundry facilities, kitchen area and reading room. Breakfast provided a buffet-style in the main restaurant area.

  2. Friday 17th March

     Dushanbe City Tour

     AM

     • We begin our day with a morning tour of Dushanbe both by car and by foot, visiting the following locations: 
        
     • Victory Park | Built-in 1975 commemorating the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, this Soviet-built monument offers excellent views of Dushanbe. 
     • Rudaki & Somoni Avenues | are two main streets in Dushanbe which were formally known as Lenin street and Putovskiy street. These grand avenues were renamed in the early 1990s after the poet Rudaki and the ancient king Ismail Somoni, lined with a mixture of past Soviet architecture and modern Tajik grand buildings.
     • Rudaki Park | is a beautifully laid out park with a grand statue of the poet Rudaki, located opposite the brilliant national library building. 
     • Ismaili Somoni Monument | This fantastic statue of the ancient king stands on the former site of Lenin. Somoni's crown atop this impressive monument contains 10 kilograms of Tajik gold making it even more attractive. 
     • Mehrgon market building | With many of the cities old market places now closed in Dushanbe's drive for modernization we visit one of the new areas where local people travel to buy fruit and vegetables as well as other necessities. 

     PM

     • National Museum of Antiquities | this museum gives us a more in-depth look at the complicated history of Tajikistan and the surrounding countries.
     • Botanical Gardens | Popular for wedding groups as well as housing a vast range of Central Asian flora.
     • National Tea house | For end-of-day relaxation, this was once the largest tea house in the world, now been remodelled as an entertainment facility for local people. it houses a cinema, bowling alleys and various shops. We can still visit to view the amazingly intricate work carried out in its construction.  

     Meals | Breakfast and Lunch.
     
     Overnight |  Hotel Vatan, Dushanbe. 

  3. Saturday 18th March

     Anzob Village and the Varzob Valley

     AM

     • After breakfast, we drive out of Dushanbe following the Varzob River north to the stunning Varzob Valley along the way we pass scenic lakes, stunning geological formations, and bizarre palatial residences of the Tajik elite. 
     • Our destination for the morning is the small village of Anzob, where we join our friends for some traditional Tajik hospitality at their home. For those who wish to, we can hike into the mountains for amazing views of the surrounding valley.

     PM

     • Upon our return to Dushanbe, if there are any local events such as holiday wrestling, dancing or singing, we will stop making the most of our time.
     • Late afternoon is left to free time for your explorations and adventures in Dushanbe - holiday decorations would be up by now and a lively atmosphere on the weekend can be expected.

     Meals | Breakfast and Lunch.
     
     Overnight | Hotel Vatan, Dushanbe. 

  4. Sunday 19th March 

     The Buzkashi, Tajikistan and Central Asia's most exciting and dangerous sport

     AM

     • Today we go to see the most remarkable sporting event imaginable – Buzkashi! Is a flamboyantly violent and aggressive game played by hundreds of men on horseback, wrestling over a goat carcass to try to score goals with it. It merely has to be seen to be believed, the photos you will get will blow the mind of anyone you show them to! Please note that we may have a long drive as the location of this spectacular event does change from year to year. The aim is to arrive when the game is in the throes of setting up watching the competitors arrive. We will stay until the end to make the best use of our time for photography and enjoyment.

     PM

     • The day will be spent at the sports fields, in addition to Buzkashi, there may be wrestling and dancing giving us the opportunity for mingling and people-watching considered to be the friendliest people in all of Central Asia. Snacks and drinks are often available for sale as well as an incredible day is assured.

     Meals | Breakfast and Lunch.
     
     Overnight | Hotel Vatan, Dushanbe.

  5. Monday 20th March

     The Fann Mountains and the surreal Khoja Obi Garm Spa

     AM

     • After a later start today we will drive through the mountains until we reach our destination; the Khoja Obi Garm Spa, a massive sanatorium built into the mountainside above natural hot springs – like a James Bond villain’s lair meets the hotel from The Shining! An authentic relic of the USSR days.

     PM

     • Once settled in a full range of ‘treatments’ can be enjoyed here, from radon baths to massages, leeches to swimming, or simply explore and relax. One of those large Soviet-era buildings that are hard to find these days; you will love this experience!

     Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

     Overnight | Khoja Obi Garm Spa, Fann Mountains. The rooms in this Soviet monster are a little more basic and older, although warm and comfortable. Use of many of the health facilities included along with some free time to explore this surreal complex late into the evening (if you’re brave enough.)

  6. Tuesday 21st March 

     Drive to Khujand, farthest extent of Alexander the Great's empire

     AM

     • This morning we bid farewell to our villain's lair and drive onwards to the northern city of Khujand, passing over. Through the Hissar Mountains, the route itself is part of the adventure including a drive into the 5km long Iranian-built Anzob Tunnel. On the way, we will stop at Iskander Kul – Alexander Lake –where Alexander the Great himself stopped for lunch during his advance through Central Asia.

     PM

     • We continue and cross into the Fergana Valley – the ancient crossroads of cross-continental trade and home to some of the great cities of the Silk Road, Arriving in Khujand (previously known as Leninabad) we'll stop at a giant Lenin statue at a hydro-electric dam. Communism personified!

     Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.  

     Overnight | local hotel in the city.

  7. Wednesday 22nd March

     Explore Khujand

     AM

     • A day of exploration today as we first stop by the traditional Panjshanbe Market one of the largest in Central Asia. We immerse ourselves in local life while trying to pick up a bargain or two buying everything from local snacks to Soviet memorabilia.
     • Opposite the market sits the beautiful Sheikh Muslihiddin Mausoleum and Mosque. This complex erected on the Tomb of Muslihiddin Khudjandi the sixteenth-century building allows us to learn a little more about Islam in central Asia while also marvelling at the ancient carpentry from inside the main prayer hall.  
     • Before lunch, we have one more stop to visit the Khujand fortress, this Silk Road fortification has been in situ for over 2500 years in its many forms. Its current build includes a fascinating museum looking at the history of not only the area but the whole region.

     PM

     • After a local lunch, we continue the tour of the city by visiting the giant statue of Lenin (the biggest in Central Asia,) and on to the bizarre Arbob Cultural Palace originally housing the former headquarters of a Soviet collective farm. It was designed as a recreation of the St. Petersburg Winter Palace and built during the Soviet 1950s; is a fantastic local curiosity.

     Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. 
     
     Overnight | Local hotel.

  8. Thursday 23rd March

     Drive to ancient Panjikent

     AM

     • Departing Khujand, we retrace some of our steps back over the Fann Mountains before following a stunning river valley on to the ancient city of Panjikent. The drive is a real treat as apricot blossoms dot the countryside our only other distraction as we’re dwarfed by the enormous geological features evident in this part of the world. 
     • We will make a detour en route to visit the tomb and Museum of Rudaki – (Panjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdullah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry)

     PM

     • This afternoon we have a historic tour of ancient Panjikent, viewing ruins of the Sogdian town founded in the 5th century and finally abandoned in the 8th century by the Arabs after their conquest of the region. Foundations of houses, a citadel city bazaar, and Zoroastrian fire temples are all visible as we walk around this UNESCO listed site. Dinner tonight will be a traditional style in a beautiful local home.

     Meals: | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

     Overnight | Sugd Hotel, Panjikent. This locally owned and run hotel is a small guest house with comfortable rooms, beds and warm showers. The owner is always happy to engage guests in conversation, often sharing the travel stories of his visits to Europe. 

  9. Friday 24th March

     Return to Dushanbe

     AM

     • This morning we bid farewell to Panjikent but not before a stop as its exciting and colourful local market. Driving out back to the Fann Mountains, we will visit an old Soviet Cognac factory, we have the opportunity to sample its produce and photograph this large partially abandoned site.

     PM

     • By mid-afternoon, we arrive back into Dushanbe where you can make the use of your free afternoon for some last-minute sightseeing into one of the history museums, local shopping or browsing one of the unique Soviet-era antique shops. 

     Meals: | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

     Overnight | Hotel Vatan, Dushanbe. 

  10. Saturday 25th March

      Departure day 

      • All group members will be taken to the airport for their flights as we bid each other a fond goodbye after this eventful epic journey!

      Extensions are possible to other regions of Tajikistan and beyond– please speak to your Tour Manager to discuss options.

      End of Tour

• What is / is not included?

  INCLUDED

  • Airport pick up and drop off to and from Hotel Vatan, Dushanbe
  • Hotel accommodation
  • Tajiki tour guides
  • A driver per group
  • A member of Koryo Tours
  • All transportation in the country
  • All entry fees for attractions and sights

  NOT INCLUDED

  • Flights to Tajikistan Single room supplement unless otherwise specified (US $50 per night)
  • Early check-in US $50 per night
  • Spending money for drinks and souvenirs
  • Tajikistan visa fees at other embassies vary
  • Tip for the guides (approx. US $15 per day)
  • Not all meals are covered but we will make recommendations if needed
  • We occasionally have the opportunity to visit a performance which is extra

• Notes

  **This tour will be accompanied by a western tour leader if there are over five passengers booked**

  VISA APPLICATION TO TAJIKISTAN

  It is now possible to purchase your visa online, which makes our visit to Tajikistan a lot easier. Please see the following link for more information: https://www.evisa.tj Upon booking we will help should any further information be required.

  IMPORTANT NOTE TO TOURISTS

  This tour is a group trip designed to have a good amount of free time. We will give you ideas if you want to go out exploring or just take it easy at a café. Please be on time and return to that the hotel in the evening. Please note we will be driving relatively long distances, and seats can be hard, so we suggest bringing a travel pillow/neck support – the view and experience more than make up for a little discomfort though. Khoja Obi Garm Spa - please note this is a Radon spa which has radioactive properties. There are various thoughts on whether this is good for you or not! - please read up beforehand and make your own decision. The different types of treatment with steam sauna and water jets, massage etc. It is in a beautiful mountain area and worthwhile even for those not taking the spa treatments. The Russians built the spa over a religious shrine – for those of you not taking a sauna go pop out and try and find it in this beautiful mountainscape. Massage is 60 somoni head body arms, just need to wear pants or towel provided (radon shower included if you want! ) Carry a colour photocopy of your passport with you at all times.

  USEFUL TIPS

  Taxis – In 2017 most journeys cost around 20-30 somoni but make sure you agree to a price beforehand. Segafroid Café in Dushanbe is a good place for internet, and Western food- open for billiards and ten pin bowling cost 120 somonis per hour. The Segafroid Café is about a 20 somoni taxi ride from the Hotel Lotus. Dushanbe has the world’s largest tea house open for billiards, and ten-pin bowling cost 120 per hour. Bring sun protection cream. Bring hand sanitiser and toilet paper.

  WEATHER

  Early Spring weather so bring a light jumper and jacket; however, we will be heading into the mountains so have some warm clothing also as there will be snow.

Please apply by 1st March, 2023.