Tajikistan Travel

Tajikistan Travel is an ascent to the Roof of the World in the Pamirs, counted among the world’s tallest and most grandiose mountain chains. Yet this age-old land also has roots as deep and as ancient as time itself. Hints of antiquity are sensed among temple ruins, heard in the obscure tongue of secluded communities and seen in rich cultural overtones preserved among a persevering people who take pride in their land.

And rightfully so, for while Tajikistan may be small, it sets some lofty records in Soviet Union territory. Somoni Peak in the Pamir Mountains is the tallest summit in the entire region, while the town of Murghab is the highest city in the former USSR. Bulunkul Lake sees the coldest temps in this huge swath of land, and the 13-meter-high Buddha statue discovered near Bokhtar (ex Kurgan Tube) is Central Asia’s tallest Buddha by far. Beautiful Nurek Dam is one of the largest of its kind in the world, while traces of the region’s oldest language can still be heard in the Yagnob Valley. Welcome to Tajikistan, land of record-breaking discoveries!

Is Tajikistan Worth Visiting?

Despite having all but flung its doors wide open to the outside world in recent years, many travelers remain unaware that the joys of Tajikistan are not limited to tenacious backpackers alone. Amateur anthropologists and history buffs, nature lovers and curious globetrotters alike will appreciate the land’s finer qualities:

• Tajikistan is authentic, free by and large from manufactured tourism and still deeply rooted to its intrinsic culture. Anyone desiring to see the world from a different angle will find new perspective on the roof of the world as they come ready to learn from an ancient society.
• Tajikistan is rustic, offering lakes, mountain ranges, waterfalls, remote villages, lush valleys and winding backways to anyone longing to step away from the hectic pace of life and rediscover true beauty.
• Tajikistan is exciting, and while this may sound trite, there really is an air of anticipating the unknown in this land. Come prepared to expect the unexpected and soak up every minute of your journey!

Your Dream Vacation

Hike in the footsteps of Alexander the Great. 4WD your way along one of the highest mountain arteries on earth. Bring the pages of history to life among city ruins dating back thousands of years. Trace the spread of Zoroastrian, Buddhist and Islamic thought through forgotten byways and valleys. Learn from village families as you share a local meal under the starry sky.

The country abounds in opportunities too numerous to list, but we’ve done out best by highlighting some of our favorites to consider as you plan your Tajikistan itinerary:

Cross the Pamir Highway’s famed Ak-Baital Pass

Hike to Gusgarf Waterfall in Varzob Valley

Picnic at the exquisite Iskanderkul Lake

Step back in time in ancient Sarazm

Explore the ruins of Hissar Fortress

See the giant Buddha statue at Dushanbe’s National Museum of Tajikistan

Lose yourself in Khujand’s Payshanba Bazaar

Overnight at a Pamiri Homestay

Mingle with villagers at Seven Lakes near Penjikent

Visa Matters

Easy-to-obtain Tajikistan visas are just one more reason to add this nation’s stamp to your passport. Citizens of over 20 Asian and East European nations can receive 30-90 day visa-free entry, while passport holders of most other countries are eligible to obtain a visa upon arrival or a simple electronic visa, valid for up to 45 days. Tourists who do require a Letter of Invitation may receive visa support through Advantour or other locally-based travel agencies.

• Tajikistan Visa

Is Tajikistan Safe for Travel?

Tajikistan’s government places a high priority on the safety of its tourists, a sentiment shared by the majority of its population. Most people you meet during your travels will be eager to welcome you to their homeland or provide you with needed assistance. In fact, many tourists count the Tajiks’ warmth among the highlights of their travels. Violent crime involving foreigners remains low, and an awareness of high-altitude weather conditions, local customs and basic safety measures will go a long way in enhancing your travel experience.

Choose Your Transport

Tajikistan’s accessibility has grown exponentially in the past decade, and today direct flights link capital city Dushanbe with some of the world’s busiest hubs, including Frankfurt, Istanbul, Moscow, Dubai and Saint Petersburg. National carrier Tajik Air is by far the foremost provider, although well-known companies including Turkish Airlines, FlyDubai and Kazakhstan-based Air Astana also offer regular routes.

Thanks to its high-altitude terrain and developing transportation system, Tajikistan’s land border crossings and in-country transport via taxi or bus will doubtless provide an element of adventure to your travels. For those less keen on developing their aptitude for patience and flexibility, pre-arranging private transport is the most advisable, and comfortable, option.

Tajikistan Travel Seasons

If you wish to tour Central Asia but have an aversion to deserts, Tajikistan is a good fit for you! The wettest country in the region, it joins neighboring Kyrgyzstan in claiming summer, not spring, as peak tourist season. Yet each time of year holds unique charm in Tajikistan:

• Tajikistan Climate and Weather
• When is the best time to visit Tajikistan?

Tajikistan Travel Map

Use the Tajikistan map to locate the country’s major destinations and find out what each one has to offer:

At Your Service

Tajikistan can be a tricky land to navigate, as a well-coordinated system of in-country travel is not yet established in the Pamirs and other rural areas. We at Advantour are happy to assist you in any way needed, from answering initial visa inquiries and pre-booking train and airline tickets to providing airport pickup and full-length tours.

Our Tajikistan travel services include:

Visa Support

Learn the visa requirements for your passport country as well as guidelines on how to obtain a permit to Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).

Ground Transportation

Train tickets, airport pickups and land transfers may be booked through us directly.

Hotel Reservations

Browse and book hotels in Tajikistan’s major cities.

Group Tour Arrangements

Join a Tajikistan small-group tour with fixed departure dates.

Personalized Planning

Book a private tour or contact us to design a unique itinerary.

Tajikistan Holidays and Festivals

Tajikistan’s community-centered, ever-hospitable culture reaches its full display of grandeur during the nation’s most beloved holidays. Joining all of Central Asia in extravagant celebrations of Persian New Year (Navroz) and independence from the Soviet Union, Tajikistan also hosts some truly unique festivals which could just become the highlight of your stay:

Navroz (March 21) – Horse races, kite-flying, splendid performances, lighthearted games and special holiday foods are celebrated by joyful crowds in national dress.
Best place to celebrate: Dushanbe, Hissar or Khujand

Sayri Guli Lola Tulip Festival (late April, date varies) – The full-on arrival of mountain tulips is celebrated with two days of dancing, parades, traditional wrestling contests and feasts of plov and homegrown produce.
Best place to celebrate: towns and villages across northern Tajikistan

Roof of the World Festival (July, date varies) – Pamiri culture and customs are brought to the spotlight through a huge festival of song, dance, crafts, poems and food, while musical guests from around the world strum international tunes in shows of solidarity.
Best place to celebrate: Khorog

At-Chabysh Festival (early August) – Also known as the Buzkashi-Kozladrani Festival, this spinoff of Roof of the World Festival celebrates Pamiri Kyrgyz culture with national horse races, arts and crafts, Kyrgyz yurt displays and culinary treats.
Best place to celebrate: Murghab

Independence Day (September 9) – Tajikistan remembers its hard-earned independence through traditional and pop concerts, fireworks and street carnivals designed to entertain young and old alike.
Best place to celebrate: Dushanbe

Curious about Tajik Cuisine?

Tajik culture has absorbed elements of Persian, Turkic and Russian culture over the centuries, and local cookery is no exception. From fast foods to filling home-cooked specialties, be sure to taste-test these local favorites:

• Qurutob – Salty yogurt is poured over bread and topped with onions and veggies in this national dish
• Osh – Perfectly seasoned rice and beef simmered with yellow carrots, raisins, chickpeas and garlic
• Mastoba – Hearty local soup of meat, rice and vegetables topped off with yogurt and herbs
• Belyash – Melt-in-your-mouth fried dough patties stuffed with potatoes or various meats
• Sambusa – Pockets of flakey dough perfected with flavorful fillings of meat, pumpkin or potato
• Halvaitar – Flour and sugar are dissolved and flavored with nuts and vanilla in this irresistible dessert
• Kaurmo Shurbo – Satisfying soup filled with tender chunks of meat, boiled potatoes and vegetables
• Katlama – This flaky layered dough, fried and served in round loaves, goes great with soup or yogurt
• Chaka – Scrumptious sour yogurt sauce poured over dishes and scooped up with warm slices of bread

Read on for a more in-depth look into Tajikistan cuisine.

• Tajikistan’s National Dishes

Dos and Don’ts in Tajikistan

Tajikistan does not have strict laws in terms of dress code or religion, but knowing a bit of cultural etiquette can make your trip more enjoyable, both for you and the Tajiks! Use our friendly Tajikistan travel advice as a starting point, and when in doubt, ask your guide or travel coordinator for further tips along the way:

Speak the Language

Tajik, a Persian language most closely related to Dari and Farsi, is the only official language of Tajikistan. Russian, although spoken by fewer Tajiks now than in the 20th century, can still prove useful in the capital and among the older population.

Virtual Travel Guide to Tajikistan: Further Reading

• Tajikistan Travel Tips
• Tajikistan Tours Pages

Did You Know That...

• Tajikistan is almost completely mountainous, with 93% of its land dominated by peaks.
• Tajikistan is the smallest of the Central Asian nations, measuring just over 143 thousand square kilometers.
• Tajik is the only language in Central Asia which is Persian and not Turkic-based.
• Nurek Dam in western Tajikistan is the second-tallest dam in the world.
• Over one-third of the nation’s income is derived from the wages of Tajiks who work abroad and send their salary back to locally-based family members.
• Traces of Sogdian, the Silk Road lingua franca, can still be heard in the language of the Yagnobi people of the Yagnob Valley.