A guide for traveling to Tajikistan (Tips + 3-week itinerary)

The ex-Soviet Republic of Tajikistan is a in reality wild nation that you just don’t wish to leave out for your Silk Highway adventure.

House to the Pamir differ, one in every of easiest mountain levels on the planet, the mountains of Tajikistan draw in essentially the most adventurous vacationers, particularly the ones short of to power the M-41, or Pamir Freeway, an excellent street and architectural masterpiece that is going via probably the most remotest and most lovely mountain surroundings in Central Asia.

With tourism expanding 12 months by way of 12 months, the rustic is day-to-day changing into extra ready to obtain global vacationers and, after spending 1 month within the nation, I’ve compiled this information that accommodates the entire pointers wanted for touring to Tajikistan, plus a compelling 3-week itinerary.

The way to get a visa for visiting Tajikistan

UPDATE January 2022

Tajikistan has carried out a free-visa coverage for as much as 52 international locations

The loose visa for Tajikistan is legitimate for each airport and land border, and those international locations come with:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States

The remainder of nationalities may be able to practice for an e-visa

And you’ll practice via the reputable portal, additionally legitimate for any port of access.

The visa prices 50USD, is legitimate for 60 days, unmarried access and takes 1 or 2 running days.

Double-entry visa for Tajikistan

For the e-visa, it’s after all conceivable to shop for a multiple-entry vacationer visa for Tajikistan.

GBAO Allow

The Gorno-Badakhshan Self sustaining Area (GBAO) is the area situated within the east of Tajikistan, the place the Pamir Freeway and Wakhan Valley are. 

If you wish to talk over with it, you should tick the GBAO checkbox within the utility type of the e-visa, and it prices an extra 20USD.

Now that Tajikistan offered the loose visa on arrival, it’s no longer transparent whether or not you’ll talk over with the GBAO with the loose visa.

Easiest time to talk over with Tajikistan

For those who plan to do a little trekking in japanese Tajikistan, you must are available in summer time.

I keep in mind being in Alichur, a small village within the Pamir Freeway and one of the crucial coldest puts in Central Asia, and, within the morning, all over August, it was once -5ºC and there was once a freezing, robust wind, so it felt even less warm. 

Believe the elements there all over the remainder of the 12 months.

However, the Pamir Freeway is open throughout the year so, if you’re self-driving, you’ll power it at any time.

In fact, my buddy Joao Leitao from Nomad Revelations drove it in wintry weather.

However, the Fann Mountains in west Tajikistan are at decrease altitude, therefore hotter, so they may be able to be visited all over spring and fall. 

I did the 7 lakes trek in September and it was once in particular scorching!

The rustic, the folks and its tradition

After the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991, Tajikistan went via a dismal duration of Civil Conflict that lasted just about till 1997 and it was once no longer best in 1999, that they shaped a real, strong executive, even supposing Emomali Rahmon, who remains to be as of late President of Tajikistan as of late, had already been ruling from 1994.

It was once one of the crucial international locations maximum suffering from the Soviet Union’s breakdown, as all their economic system and construction depended at the Russians so, once you have their independence, the rustic went to damage.

That disaster can nonetheless be noticed as of late, as that is obviously the least evolved of the entire Stans (no longer counting Turkmenistan), a rustic with prime charges of unemployment, and the truth that maximum in their infrastructure remains to be from the Soviet Union instances.

It’s also the least Westernized nation, additionally because of the truth they’re a long way from Russia so, not like Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, their cultural affect isn’t that visual, therefore they’ve much less global publicity.

In fact, after having some conversations with fairly a couple of extremely skilled Tajiks in Dushanbe, I felt that they don’t in reality know anything else about what’s going on within the outdoor global.

They had been other folks with only a few Western values and no obvious ambition who requested me time and again why I’d ever wish to go back and forth to Tajikistan.

Additionally, Tajikistan is a kind of pretend democracies the place elections are celebrated however there is just one political birthday celebration, so the similar President has been ruling since 1994.

There is not any freedom of speech and I keep in mind when my Australian buddy, Sam, was once chatting with a neighborhood guy for roughly part an hour on the primary sq. in Dushanbe, a person in a swimsuit got here to invite what was once happening and invited him to depart.

Which means, nonetheless as of late, the Executive doesn’t like their electorate to get global publicity.

The Tajiks – Tajiks are a Persian ethnic workforce who reside principally in Tajikistan and Afghanistan, but additionally in Xinjiang (China) and Uzbekistan.

In fact, just about part of the entire Tajik inhabitants reside in Afghanistan.

However, you must know that, like the entire Stans, Tajikistan is ethnically blended and, in fact, most people residing within the Pamirs are Kyrgyz, while the ones within the Wakhan Valley are Wakhis, so if you wish to meet the true Tajiks when you’re touring to Tajikistan, you’ll have to discover Dushanbe and the western a part of the rustic.

Language – Tajik, which is a dialect of Persian (the language spoken in Iran and Afghanistan) is the reputable language. Russian is, after all, extensively spoken amongst the general public. English has a tendency to be an issue throughout the entire nation. I like to recommend you be informed some elementary Russian sooner than you talk over with Tajikistan. 

Faith – Tajiks are Suni Muslims however, like in all Central Asia, faith isn’t an excessively giant deal. Then again, I felt that Tajiks had been essentially the most spiritual other folks in all Central Asia, particularly the ones from the Fann Mountains. I understand that the boys there by no means mentioned hi or shook arms with my female friend.

The way to go back and forth to Tajikistan

Trip to Tajikistan by way of air

Touring to Tajikistan by way of air is so easy, as there are lots of global flights connecting Dushanbe with Europe.

For those who intend to go back and forth the Pamir Freeway, many of us fly into Osh, the biggest town in southern Kyrgyzstan and the start of the M-41 at the Kyrgyz facet.

Trip to Tajikistan by way of land

Additionally, if you wish to go back and forth to Tajikistan by way of land, know that it stocks a border with 4 international locations and maximum of them have a number of border crossings. 

Kyrgyzstan – There are 6 border crossings and four of them are open to foreigners. The obvious is the Kyzyl Artwork border crossing, which is the person who follows the Pamir Freeway. For more info, learn the newest Caravanistan updates.

Uzbekistan – There are 5 border crossings with Uzbekistan and they all appear to be open. I individually crossed the only at Konibodom, that hyperlinks Khujand with the Fergana Valley, however when you don’t plan to talk over with that area, it’s not very handy. The Oybek border crossing is the person who connects Khujand with Tashkent and Penjakent is the person who connects the Fann Mountains with Samarkand. For more info, take a look at the newest updates on Caravanistan.

Afghanistan – You’ll go at Ishkashim, the gate to the Wakhan Hall and an excessively protected a part of Afghanistan; or the border crossing south of Dushanbe, which could also be open however ends up in Kunduz, a no longer very protected a part of Afghanistan. Each borders are open however, when you plan to go back and forth again to Tajikistan, keep in mind to have a double access visa.

China – It sounds as if, Kulma Go is open now, so long as you’ve got a legitimate revealed visa to your passport. For more info, take a look at the newest updates on Caravanistan.

Kulma Go leads immediately to the Karakoram Freeway that connects Kashgar with Islamabad in Pakistan. Learn right here the whole information.

Is it protected to go back and forth to Tajikistan?

In summer time 2018, 4 cyclists touring throughout Tajikistan had been murdered in Danghara, a space quite with reference to Dushanbe. ISIS claimed the assault.

That twist of fate prompted a large worry amongst many vacationers and the Tajiks are involved that it could impact their tourism negatively.

This unlucky tournament, then again, has been a one-off factor and I individually assume that it shouldn’t impact your resolution to go back and forth to Tajikistan. A an identical case took place in Morocco in December 2018 when 2 Scandinavian women had been killed and, thus far, it doesn’t appear that tourism has been affected.

Excluding that, Tajikistan is a protected nation with very low crime charges.

Scams and corruption when visiting Tajikistan

I nonetheless keep in mind being within the automotive with a homestay proprietor, on our option to Khujand, when he gave some cash to a policeman after preventing at one checkpoint.

Why did you give him cash? – I mentioned

Oh, that is simply the usual bribing process. If we don’t pay him, then he would attempt to discover a explanation why to positive or arrest us. 

The corruption in Tajikistan is a well known reality and a few of these cops additionally attempt to rip off foreigners however happily, as vacationers, there isn’t a lot they may be able to do to you until you might be credulous and imagine their lies.

Commonplace scams come with policemen telling you that there’s a downside together with your Tajik visa or making you pay an front price to a spot that, clearly, doesn’t require an front price.

Dude, simply assume:

How the hell there’s going to be one thing flawed together with your visa?
And likewise, the place have you ever been the place you wish to have to buy an access price ticket from a policeman?

Simply say no and proceed with your enterprise.

Cash while you go back and forth in Tajikistan

The reputable foreign money is the Tajik Somoni and, in 2022, 1USD = 12,50SOM

ATMs and bank cards – You’ll in finding ATM’s within the giant towns (no longer within the Pamir Freeway).

How a lot does it value to go back and forth to Tajikistan

It in reality will depend on the place you move and, in the long run, the way you go back and forth the Pamir Freeway.

Most often, foods value one thing between 1 and 3USD and funds homestays round 10-15USD, which has a tendency to incorporate dinner and breakfast.

In Dushanbe, you’ll in finding dorms for 3-4USD and the native transportation levels from 2 to 10USD, relying on the place you move.

For all prices referred to the Pamir Freeway, learn my information.

Meals and alcohol when visiting Tajikistan.

Heads-up.

Like in all Central Asia, the meals gained’t be the spotlight of your talk over with in Tajikistan. 

Within the Pamirs and other homestays, you might be prone to devour shorpo for each meal, which is a meat broth.

In native eating places, you’ll simply in finding such things as shahslik, meat skewers; lagman, a noodle soup; manti, fatty meat dumplings; or plov, rice fried in lamb fats.

As consistent with alcohol, as in all ex-Soviet international locations, beer and particularly vodka are discovered in every single place.

Transportation while you go back and forth round Tajikistan

The underneath knowledge refers to varieties of transportation in western Tajikistan, no longer the Pamir Freeway. For this, learn my information to the Pamir Freeway.

Marshrutkas – Marshrutkas is what former Soviet international locations name their public minivans. They’re in reality reasonable and go back and forth between maximum cities and towns.

Native shared taxis – In fact, we used extra native shared taxis than marshrutkas and, so far as I may see, they’re essentially the most most well-liked possibility amongst locals.

Hitchhiking – Extremely potential and simple! We in fact had one in every of our maximum loopy hitchhiking studies, once we spent greater than 48 hours in a truck, on our method from Khorog to Dushanbe.

Books for touring to Tajikistan

Tajikistan Trip Information by way of Bradt – Probably the most complete go back and forth information to Tajikistan. I purchased the entire Bradt guides to Central Asia (e-E book layout). They’re, by way of a long way, essentially the most insightful guides I’ve ever learn lately.

CLICOk HERE TO CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON

Central Asia Trip Information by way of Lonely Planet – I’m really not partial to this information, however if you’re touring to the entire Stans and wish to purchase only one ebook, this is a good selection as smartly.

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Web and cell when touring in Tajikistan

Wi-Fi – From Murghab to Khujand and Dushanbe, the Wi-Fi connection when you’re touring in Tajikistan is among the worst I’ve ever noticed. In Dushanbe, the Wi-Fi in my hostel was once in particular unhealthy after which each day I’d move paintings to a complicated café and the web was once down once in a while. Within the Pamir Freeway and the Wakhan Valley, Wi-Fi doesn’t exist.

SIM Card – 3G was once simply OK any place outdoor of the Pamir Freeway. I purchased MegaFon and, for a couple of Somonis, I were given quite a few GBs.

Lodging in Tajikistan

Homestays – At the Pamir Freeway, homestays are methods to move. I like to recommend you keep in random homestays, no longer in the preferred ones. This fashion, the advantages will likely be unfold extra similarly plus random homestays are less expensive.

Hostels – Hostels are fashionable, from Khorog to Dushanbe and Khujand.

Click on right here to test the entire to be had hostels in Tajikistan!

Resorts – In Khorog, Dushanbe, and Khujand you’ll in finding lodge choices for mid-range vacationers.

Click on right here to test the entire to be had motels in Tajikistan!

Yurts – Within the Pamirs, you’ll additionally in finding nomadic yurt camps the place Kyrgyz nomads reside.

Touring to Tajikistan – 3-week Itinerary

I traveled to Tajikistan from Kyrgyzstan by means of Kyzyl Artwork Go and left via Uzbekistan at Konibodom, so this Tajikistan itinerary displays the path I took.

Map of the Tajikistan itinerary

Issues to do in Tajikistan – Pamir Freeway (8-9 days) 

Constructed by way of the Soviets in 1930, the Pamir Freeway is an architectural masterpiece that is going via probably the most remotest landscapes you’ll ever consider.

Formally, it begins in Osh (Kyrgyzstan) and leads to Afghanistan however the easiest and most lovely a part of it lies in Tajikistan.

What number of days are wanted for the Pamir Freeway?

Smartly, it’s in reality laborious to mention. We spent greater than 2 weeks between the Pamir Freeway and the Wakhan Valley however this is as a result of we stopped in lots of puts plus we additionally did a 3-day trek.

Most often, the general public take a 5 or 7-day excursion (ranging from Osh), which additionally contains the Wakhan Valley, however, to be very fair, it’s not sufficient to discover the facet valleys, which is the place essentially the most surprising landscapes are.

For those who don’t have the time, I am getting it however, when you do, listed below are the entire puts you wish to have to prevent at:

Karakul (1 night time) – The primary giant agreement coming from Kyrgyzstan, Karakul has an excessively giant lake and with some beautiful cool snow-capped mountains on the background.

Murghab (2-3 nights) – Murghab is the principle the city at the M-41 and a base for visiting different puts and valleys. We first stayed 2 nights as a result of we waited for a pageant after which we stayed a third night time after getting back from the trek.

Gumbezkul Go trek (2-3 nights) – When you have your individual automotive, you’ll do that trek in 1 day however we did it in 3, reason we walked the entire method from Murghab and spent one superb night time with some actual nomads in the midst of nowhere.

Alichur  (1 night time) – Very cool landscapes, yaks, trekking and Marco Polo sheep safaris.

Bulunkul (Stopover) – The coldest position in Central Asia is house to a wonderful lake. The trek from Alichur to right here is a well-liked one. You’ll in finding a couple of homestays.

For many vacationers, the Pamir Freeway is, unquestionably, one of the crucial best possible issues to do in Tajikistan.

Puts to talk over with in Tajikistan – Wakhan Valley (3-4 days)

Many vacationers generally tend to categorise the Wakhan Valley as a part of the Pamir Freeway (M-41), which is totally flawed as a result of they’re 2 other puts.

In fact, to succeed in the Wakhan Valley you wish to have to depart the street and power against Afghanistan for a number of kilometers.

Anyhow. The Wakhan Valley is one in every of my maximum favourite puts in whole Central Asia and my maximum favourite position in my Tajikistan itinerary.

And the reason being that, but even so being house to intriguing and jaw-dropping landscapes, the Wakhan is of significant ancient significance as the traditional border between North Asia and South Asia and at the exceptional Silk Highway direction, which will also be noticed within the many fortresses and different websites of cultural heritage there.

Additionally, within the twentieth century, the Wakhan Valley marked the border between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan and the Soviet tanks got here via right here to invade Afghanistan within the 70s.

Nowadays, the river you’ll move alongside all over all your adventure, whose different facet is in Afghanistan, is the principle access level for smuggling merchandise, particularly heroin, and, from the window of your automotive, you’ll wave and say hi on the many Afghans around the river, from whom you might be separated by way of best a few meters.

Those are the entire puts we stopped at:

Langar (1 night time) – The primary giant agreement you in finding is Langar.

We individually didn’t like Langar, as it’s the best position within the Wakhan the place the locals are very pushy in seeking to advertise their homestays, plus it’s in fact a long way from the river.

I like to recommend you proceed for a couple of kilometers to Hisor, a extra authentic village and with nicer perspectives to precise Afghanistan.

Vrang (forestall) – Vrang is any other previous village that has an historic Buddhist temple. It’s value preventing for a couple of hours.

Yamchun (1 night time) – Probably the most placing fort within the Wakhan, which stands with the Afghan Hindu Kush on its background.

It additionally has some well-known scorching springs known as Child Fatima which are believed to have some fertility advantages.

Namadgut (1 night time) – There may be not anything specifically to look right here however vacationers don’t generally tend to prevent right here, so it’s fairly untouched. For this reason right here we had the most productive cultural enjoy with a neighborhood girl who blessed us along with her hospitality.

Kaakha Fort – The second one most famed fort after Yamchun has additionally nice perspectives to Afghanistan.

Ishkashim (1 night time) – The principle the city within the Wakhan Valley. It used to carry the Afghan marketplace in no guy’s land however it’s briefly closed. It’s also the border to Afghanistan for the ones desirous about doing the Afghan Wakhan hall.

Tajikistan itinerary – Khorog (2 days)

After just about two weeks of showering with buckets, the usage of holes and trees as bogs, solely consuming shorpo and with out a web in any respect, attending to Khorog felt in particular just right.

It isn’t an excessively giant the city but it surely has a just right native marketplace the place you’ll purchase many meals pieces that weren’t to be had within the Pamir Freeway, like cheese, and supermarkets with chilly beer.

There could also be an Indian eating place that has a tendency to be full of vacationers and a in reality just right Tajik eating place by way of the river, serving top quality grilled meat and different stuff.

Rather than this, Khorog is a spot to only relax, the place we spent 4 days simply catching up with paintings and filling our bellies with respectable meals.

Through the best way, the well-known Afghan marketplace takes position on Saturday.

The place to stick in Khorog

Backpacker Hostel – Pamir Resort – All proper, this is a cool position and there’s a pleasant environment. Then again, the hostel has the capability for just about 100 other folks and it best has two bogs and two showers, so after I got here in August, it was once very tough to seek out them empty, except for being fairly grimy after all.

Backpacker Hostel – Hostel Do Nazarbayg – A substitute for Pamir hotel. You’ll in finding fewer backpackers however the location is far better and it’s not that busy.

Click on right here to look the newest costs

Visitor Area – Riverside – A quieter, extra homestay-style position.

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The adventure to Dushanbe – 1 day

The street to Dushanbe is an excessively great distance.

Shared taxis take round 12 hours and price 30USD. They depart from close to the marketplace however you wish to have to be there early, 7am at maximum.

We arrived sooner than 8am and there weren’t any marshrutkas or taxis left, so we determined to hitchhike and it took us 3 days, spending greater than 48 hours in a truck.

The space is best 518km however the street is in reality unhealthy however stunning and fascinating as, once more, it is going alongside the Afghan border for essentially the most a part of it.

Issues to do in Tajikistan – Dushanbe (2 days)

The capital of Tajikistan is any other position to cool for a couple of days whilst you accumulate some visas, just like the Uzbek or Turkmen visas.

Smartly, no longer the Uzbek visa anymore, as from February 2019, they began issuing visas on arrival. Test my Uzbekistan go back and forth information for more info.

Dushanbe has cafés with actual espresso, quite a lot of eating places and a couple of pubs the place to hang around at night time.

What I appreciated about Dushanbe is that it was once my first creation to the true Tajikistan, as the general public you meet within the japanese phase are Kyrgyz, Wakhis or Pamir, so you’ll see a vital distinction with the folks residing right here, particularly in the best way ladies get dressed.

Don’t overlook to test the principle bazaar and the Rudaki Park, which holds the second one tallest flagpole on the planet

The place to stick in Dushanbe

Backpacker Hostel – Inexperienced Area Hostel– We spent such a lot of days right here for the reason that hostel was once in reality relaxed. Comfortable beds, a large kitchen and a front room with superior couches.

Click on right here to look the newest costs

Funds Visitor Area – Hi Dushanbe – If you wish to have a much less backpacker-friendly position, Hi Dushanbe is also quite dearer however the amenities are nice. It has each non-public rooms and a dorm.

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Hissor Fort – Day shuttle from Dushanbe

If you’re bored to be in Dushanbe, we additionally did an afternoon shuttle to a fort named Hissor, which was once constructed by way of the Uzbeks within the 18th century, as this a part of Tajikistan used to belong to the Emirate of Bukhara. The north was once a part of the Russian empire. 

All proper, the fort itself was once dull, because it was once overly refurbished, however we at all times love to get out of the city, take a neighborhood marshrutka and simply see different cities, so it was once value it best because of this. 

The way to get to Hissor fort

From Dushanbe, you wish to have to take a marshrutka to a the city named Khisor. From there, take a taxi or hitchhike again to the fort which is 4 or 5km away.

Puts to talk over with in Tajikistan – Penjakent and the Fann Mountains (3-4 days)

As soon as once more, it is a small abstract.

For the entire knowledge wanted, learn my information to the Fann Mountains.

Whilst they don’t seem to be as surprising because the valleys across the Pamir Freeway, the Fann Mountains also are very beautiful and their primary benefit is that, not like the Pamirs, they’re closely populated and full of a number of tiny villages the place precise Tajik other folks reside.

Due to this fact, visiting the Fann Mountains is a brilliant alternative to find the true Tajik rural existence, so other from anything else you’ve got noticed all over your Tajikistan itinerary. 

The general public come to the Fann Mountains to talk over with Iskanderkul lake however I like to recommend going to the world round Penjakent and doing the 7 Lakes Trek.

The reason being that, even though Iskanderkul is a gorgeous lake, no other folks reside there plus it’s at all times busy with home vacationers, which isn’t a foul factor, however you gained’t see a lot of the native tradition. 

However, the 7 Lakes trek begins in Penjakent and is going via a number of tiny villages the place you’ll do homestays.

From Penjakent, we took a UAZ-452, the vintage Soviet mini-van, and drove to a village named Rachnapollon.

That space is in reality off the crushed monitor, so the driving force himself invited us to stick at his position, without spending a dime, however we determined to present him a beneficiant tip as a result of he have been feeding us. 

The way to get to Penjakent

First, take a neighborhood shared taxi from Dushanbe to Penjakent, which prices 70TJS (8USD). This is a 230km adventure.

In Penjakent, for only a few somonis, we were given within the UAZ-452 to Rachnapollon, from the place we began strolling on the following day.

Have in mind to test my information to the Fann Mountains

Puts to talk over with in Tajikistan – Khujand (2-3 days)

Khujand is the purest Tajikistan in its maximum authentic shape and one of the crucial oldest towns in Central Asia (2,500 years previous). 

It’s the second one greatest town within the nation, a town with little global publicity that has stored its conventional values.

Maximum vacationers use it as an insignificant transit level, as it’s with reference to the nearest border with Tashkent, however I like to recommend spending right here two nights a minimum of.

Issues to do in Khujand

Don’t overlook to test the normal bazaar, a kind of conventional bazaars the place everyone asks for a photograph and will give you loose stuff; and the entire mausoleums and ancient constructions round the principle sq.. The Arbob Palace could also be value testing. 

The place to stick in Khujand

Funds Hostel – Somoni Hostel – Your only option for backpackers and a in reality cool hostel.

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Funds Lodge – Golden Flats – The opposite to a backpacker hostel.

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Additional information for visiting Tajikistan

Right here you’ll in finding all my articles and go back and forth guides to Tajikistan

And right here all my guides to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.

Touring to Iran? In finding all my articles right here