• Overall

  Incredible, yet relatively unknown, Tajikistan is one of the most unique countries in the world. Sitting in Central Asia, it not only has a fascinating history as a former Soviet bloc country but the friendliest people you will ever meet and the most incredible breathtaking scenery.

  This tour will not only get you there to experience all of this, but to also join in the local Tajik celebrations for their 'Day of the City' running in the 2019 Dushanbe International Half Marathon - an AIMS certified race. Learn more about the marathon and Tajikistan at www.rundushanbe.com

  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 basically his third home (China and Mongolia being first and second)!

  Highlights

  • Participate in the little known Dushanbe half marathon, as the streets are lined with locals cheering you on
  • Get a massage at the surreal Soviet health spa of Khoja Obi Garm, which looks like something straight from a movie
  • A tour designed for those on a shorter time frame who would still like to scratch the surface of this beautiful country

  click image to expand

• Itinerary

  Day 1 of 5

  1. Thursday April 16th

     AM

     • The tour group meets at 13.30 in the hotel reception for an orientation & introduction meeting.

     PM

     • Afternoon drive to Hissar Fortress. This large and impressive site is said to date back to the days of Cyrus the Great (around 600BC) and to have been captured 21 times by invading forces – making one question how effective a fortress it is!. Much of this area has been restored over the years and there is a lovely museum offering a nice introduction to the country and history- a great chance to learn about the country's history and catch up with local people who also visit the site.

      

     • Upon our return to Dushanbe we will stop by a local school to photograph an interesting statue of Lenin, a soviet remnant, and learn a bit about the educational system too

     Meals: Lunch, dinner

     Overnight: Hotel Vatan – newly built and with an excellent location. This comfortable hotel has beautiful rooms located on a designated floor with free laundry facilities, kitchen area, and reading room. Breakfast provided buffet style in the main restaurant area.

  2. Friday, April 17th

     AM

     • We begin with a half-day walking tour of the sleepy capital of Dushanbe, including Victory Park, Rudaki Street, Central Park, Monument of Ismaili Somoni. We will also follow the route of the Dushanbe Marathon. Along this route, we will learn about the development of the city over the years. From its ancient origins to the Soviet-era (when it was called Frunze), to modern-day Dushanbe.

     PM

     • This afternoon is free for further exploration or for training for tomorrow’s big event, we have secured the use of Dushanbe’s premier gym should you wish to work out and get ready for the adventure ahead!

     Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

     Overnight: Hotel Vatan, Dushanbe

  3. Saturday, April 18th

      

     AM

      

     • Today is our main event! We make an early start for this unique opportunity; The Dushanbe International Half Marathon! Running with local athletes and amateurs, winding through the city, a life-changing experience – medals and prizes for finishers and winners!

     PM

     • After the morning’s exertions, you deserve some rest! Therefore the afternoon will be free for relaxation or for further exploration with your tour leader visiting the nearby local market for some local flavours and experiences.
     • We also expect celebrations in some local parks to mark the City Day Holiday. So we will find them and join in, the most welcoming people in the world will definitely show you a good time on this occasion – be ready for some socializing and great photo opportunities too! Be prepared for Dancing and horse racing.  
     • Tonight we have a special invite to the City day celebrations to enjoy a show, dress smartly as there will be important guests.

     Meals: Breakfast and dinner

     Overnight: Hotel Vatan, Dushanbe

  4. Sunday, April 19th 

      

      

     AM

     • The tour continues as we depart Dushanbe and follow the Varzob river into the mountains, driving up through the Varzob Gorge where we will stop on the way for photos of this scenic area. Our goal for this morning is the small village of Takob. Upon arrival, we will hike for 30 minutes through this hamlet where we will be rewarded by a visit to a local family whose home has amazing views of the surrounding area

     PM

     • We will have lunch given to us in the local Tajik way; sitting on the floor. You will lose count of the number of courses!
     • We continue our drive through the mountains until we reach our destination;  the Khoja Obi Garm Spa, a vast sanatorium built into the side of a mountain above natural hot springs – like a James Bond villain’s lair meets the hotel from The Shining! A true relic of the USSR days.
     • A full range of ‘treatments’ can be enjoyed here, from radon baths to massages, leeches to swimming, or simply explore and relax. This is one of those great Soviet-era buildings that are hard to find these days, you will love this experience!
     • After dinner, you will be taken back to Dushanbe ready for your final night.

     Overnight: Hotel Vatan, Dushanbe

  5. Monday April 20th

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

      

     Extensions are possible – please speak to your Tour Manager to discuss options.

• What is / is not included?

  INCLUDED

  • Airport pick up and drop off to and from Vatan, Dushanbe
  • Hotel accommodation
  • A Koryo Tours leader, Tajiki tour guides and a driver per group
  • Marathon Entry Fee
  • Warm-up in Dushanbe's no 1 Gym pre-marathon
  • All transportation in the country
  • All entry fees for attractions and sights
  • Meals where listed

  NOT INCLUDED

  • Flights to Tajikistan Single room supplement (unless otherwise specified, US $50 per night)
  • Spending money for drinks and souvenirs Tajikistan visa (visa fees vary at different embassies)
  • Tip for the guides, drivers, porters and local crew ( US $ 70 for the tour)
  • We occasionally have the opportunity to visit a performance - this is to be paid on the spot

Please apply by 30th March, 2020.

• Overall

  Incredible, yet relatively unknown, Tajikistan is one of the most unique countries in the world.

  Sitting in Central Asia, it not only has fascinating history as a former Soviet bloc country, but the friendliest people you will ever meet and the most incredible breathtaking scenery.

  This tour will not only get you there to experience all of this, but to also join in the local Tajik celebrations for their 'Day of the City' running in the 2020 Dushanbe International Half Marathon - an AIMS certified race. Learn more about the marathon and Tajikistan at www.rundushanbe.com

  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 basically his third home (China and Mongolia being first and second)!

  Highlights

  • Participate in the little known Dushanbe half marathon, as the streets are lined with locals cheering you on
  • Explore the UNESCO-listed ruins of ancient Panjikent Journey across the beautiful snow-capped Fan mountains
  • Camp on the shores of stunning glacial Lake Alexander 

  click image to expand

• Itinerary

  Day 1 of 8

  1. Thursday April 16th

     AM

     • The tour group meets at 13.30 in the hotel reception for an orientation & introduction meeting.

     PM

     • Afternoon drive to Hissar Fortress. This large and impressive site is said to date back to the days of Cyrus the Great (around 600BC) and to have been captured 21 times by invading forces – making one question how effective a fortress it is!. Much of this area has been restored over the years and there is a lovely museum offering a nice introduction to the country and history- a great chance to learn about the country's history and catch up with local people who also visit the site.
        
     • Upon our return to Dushanbe, we will stop by a local school to photograph an interesting statue of Lenin, a soviet remnant, and learn a bit about the educational system too.

     Overnight | Hotel Vatan – newly built and with an excellent location. This comfortable hotel has beautiful rooms located on a designated floor with free laundry facilities, kitchen area, and reading room. Breakfast provided buffet style in the main restaurant area.

  2. Friday April 17th

     AM

     • We begin with a half-day walking tour of the sleepy capital of Dushanbe, including Victory Park, Rudaki Street, Central Park, Monument of Ismaili Somoni. We will also follow the route of the Dushanbe Marathon. Along this route, we will learn about the development of the city over the years. From its ancient origins to the Soviet-era (when it was called Frunze), to modern-day Dushanbe

     PM

     • This afternoon is free for further exploration or for training for tomorrow’s big event, we have secured the use of Dushanbe’s premier gym should you wish to work out and get ready for the adventure ahead!

     Overnight: Hotel Vatan, Dushanbe

  3. Saturday April 18th

     AM

      

      

     • Today is our main event! We make an early start for this unique opportunity; The Dushanbe International Half Marathon! Running with local athletes and amateurs, winding through the city, a life-changing experience – medals and prizes for finishers and winners!

     PM

     • After the morning’s exertions you deserve some rest! Therefore the afternoon will be free for relaxation or for further exploration with your tour leader visiting the nearby local market for some local flavours and experiences.
     • We also expect celebrations in some local parks to mark the City Day Holiday. So we will find them and join in, the most welcoming people in the world will definitely show you a good time on this occasion – be ready for some socializing and great photo opportunities too!

     Overnight: Hotel Vatan, Dushanbe

  4. Sunday April 19th

     AM

      

      

     • The tour continues as we depart Dushanbe and follow the Varzob river into the mountains, driving up through the Varzob Gorge where we will stop on the way for photos of this scenic area. Our goal for this morning is the small village of Takob. Upon arrival we will hike for 30 minutes through this hamlet where we will be rewarded by a visit to a local family whose home has amazing views of the surrounding area

     PM

     • We will have lunch given to us in the local Tajik way; sitting on the floor. You will lose count of the number of courses!
     • We continue our drive through the mountains until we reach our destination;  the Khoja Obi Garm Spa, a vast sanatorium built into the side of a mountain above natural hot springs – like a James Bond villain’s lair meets the hotel from The Shining! A true relic of the USSR days.
     • A full range of ‘treatments’ can be enjoyed here, from radon baths to massages, leeches to swimming, or simply explore and relax. This is one of those great Soviet-era buildings that are hard to find these days, you will love this experience!

     Overnight | Khoja Obi Garm Spa - the rooms in this Soviet monster are a little more basic and older, although warm and comfortable. Use of many of the health facilities is included whilst also giving us to opportunity to explore this surreal complex late into the evening (if you’re brave enough.)

  5. Monday April 20th

     AM

      

      

     • We begin with a long drive from the health resort over mountain roads out across the Fan Mountains working our way up through the ‘Tunnel of Death’ – an Iranian-built long road tunnel burrowing under he mountains, the nickname overstates the danger but it can be nerve-wracking although it is very safe in reality. We stop along the way from breathtaking shots of this beautiful mountain range. Our destination is Panjikent. 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 historical 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.

     Overnight | Sugd Hotel - 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.

  6. Tuesday April 21st

     AM

      

      

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

      PM

     • We drive along small mountain roads past local villages, abandoned factories, and scenic and stunning views. Eventually arriving at the remote and secluded Iskanderkul (Alexander Lake – named for Alexander the Great). We have the option of hiking or relaxing by its beautiful shores. The lake sits at an altitude of 2195 metres; a stunning alpine body of water.

     Overnight | Alexander Lake Chalets - we stay in small holiday cabins on the shores of this amazing lake, for those who wish to you may watch sunset and sunrise (recommended!)

  7. Wednesday April 22nd
     
     AM

     • After a relaxing morning for photos, further hiking or sleeping, we return over the mountain pass to Dushanbe.

     PM

     • We should arrive at the capital mid-afternoon. 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.

     Overnight: Hotel Vatan, Dushanbe

      

  8. Thursday April 23rd

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

      

     Extensions are possible – please speak to your Tour Manager to discuss options.

• Extras

  • Insurance (7 to 9 nights)

    We're unable to take you on one of our tours if you do not have medical insurance that covers the destination in question. Issues of isolation and infrastructure where we go mean it would be irresponsible of us to do so. We can provide this if you do not have it — or you can use your own.

• What is / is not included?

  INCLUDED

  • Airport pick up and drop off to and from Vatan, Dushanbe
  • Hotel accommodation
  • A Koryo Tours leader, Tajiki tour guides and a driver per group
  • Warm-up in Dushanbe's no 1 Gym pre-marathon
  • All transportation in the country All entry fees for attractions and sights
  • All meals on the tour

  NOT INCLUDED

  • Flights to Tajikistan
  • Single room supplement (unless otherwise specified, US $50 per night)
  • Spending money for drinks and souvenirs Tajikistan visa (visa fees vary at different embassies)
  • Tip for the guides (approx. US $15 per day)
  • We occasionally have the opportunity to visit a performance - this is to be paid on the spot

Please apply by 1st April, 2020.