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

The ex-Soviet Republic of Tajikistan is a really wild nation that you just don’t wish to miss in your Silk Highway journey.

Residence to the Pamir vary, certainly one of highest mountain ranges on the earth, the mountains of Tajikistan entice probably the most adventurous vacationers, particularly these eager to drive the M-41, or Pamir Freeway, a formidable highway and architectural masterpiece that goes by means of a few of the remotest and most stunning mountain surroundings in Central Asia.

With tourism growing yr by yr, the nation is each day turning into extra ready to obtain worldwide vacationers and, after spending 1 month within the nation, I’ve compiled this information that incorporates all the guidelines wanted for touring to Tajikistan, plus a compelling 3-week itinerary.

Easy methods to get a visa for visiting Tajikistan

In 2022, Tajikistan applied a free-visa coverage for as much as 52 nations

The free visa for Tajikistan is legitimate for each airport and land borders, and these nations embrace:

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

Drawback > GBAO Allow

The Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) is the area positioned within the east of Tajikistan, the place the Pamir Highway and Wakhan Valley are. 

If you wish to go to it, you’ll should get an additional allow.

Easy methods to get a GBAO allow:

• By making use of for an e-visa and ticking the GBAO checkbox within the software type of the e-visa. That prices 20USD. Whereas this might sound a handy choice, it makes the free VOA develop into completely ineffective.
• On the Tajikistan Embassy.
• On the Migration Police Workplace (OVIR) in Dushanbe, find the location here. This prices 20 Somoni.

The remainder of the nationalities would possibly have the ability to apply for an e-visa

And you may apply by means of the official portal, additionally legitimate for any port of entry.

The visa prices 50USD, is legitimate for 60 days, is single entry, and takes 1 or 2 working days.

Double-entry visa for Tajikistan

For the e-visa, it’s lastly attainable to purchase a multiple-entry vacationer visa for Tajikistan.

Greatest time to go to Tajikistan

Should you plan to do some trekking in japanese Tajikistan, it’s best to are available summer season.

I bear in mind being in Alichur, a small village within the Pamir Highway and one of many coldest locations in Central Asia, and, within the morning, throughout August, it was -5ºC and there was a freezing, robust wind, so it felt even colder. 

Think about the climate there throughout the remainder of the yr.

Nonetheless, the Pamir Freeway is open all yr lengthy so, if you’re self-driving, you may drive it at any time.

Really, my pal Joao Leitao from Nomad Revelations drove it in winter.

However, the Fann Mountains in west Tajikistan are at decrease altitude, therefore hotter, to allow them to be visited throughout spring and fall. 

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

The nation, the individuals and its tradition

After the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991, Tajikistan went by means of a darkish interval of Civil Battle that lasted just about till 1997 and it was not solely in 1999, that they shaped an precise, secure authorities, despite the fact that Emomali Rahmon, who remains to be at present President of Tajikistan at present, had already been ruling from 1994.

It was one of many nations most affected by the Soviet Union’s breakdown, as all their economic system and improvement relied on the Russians so, after getting their independence, the nation went to break.

That disaster can nonetheless be seen at present, as that is clearly the least developed of all of the Stans (not counting Turkmenistan), a rustic with excessive charges of unemployment, and the truth that most of their infrastructure remains to be from the Soviet Union occasions.

It is usually the least Westernized nation, additionally as a result of truth they’re removed from Russia so, in contrast to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, their cultural affect will not be that seen, therefore they’ve much less worldwide publicity.

Really, after having some conversations with fairly a couple of extremely educated Tajiks in Dushanbe, I felt that they don’t actually know something about what’s going on within the exterior world.

They have been individuals with only a few Western values and no obvious ambition who requested me many occasions why I’d ever wish to journey to Tajikistan.

Furthermore, Tajikistan is a type of faux democracies the place elections are celebrated however there is just one political social gathering, so the identical President has been ruling since 1994.

There isn’t any freedom of speech and I bear in mind when my Australian pal, Sam, was speaking to an area man for about half an hour on the major sq. in Dushanbe, a person in a go well with got here to ask what was happening and invited him to depart.

Which means that, nonetheless at present, the Authorities doesn’t like their residents to get worldwide publicity.

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

Really, almost half of the overall Tajik inhabitants reside in Afghanistan.

Nonetheless, it’s best to know that, like all of the Stans, Tajikistan is ethnically blended and, truly, the general public dwelling within the Pamirs are Kyrgyz, whereas these within the Wakhan Valley are Wakhis, so if you wish to meet the true Tajiks if you end up touring to Tajikistan, you’ll have to discover Dushanbe and the western a part of the nation.

Language – Tajik, which is a dialect of Persian (the language spoken in Iran and Afghanistan) is the official language. Russian is, after all, extensively spoken amongst most individuals. English tends to be an issue throughout all of the nation. I like to recommend you study some fundamental Russian earlier than you go to Tajikistan. 

Faith – Tajiks are Suni Muslims however, like in all Central Asia, faith will not be a really massive deal. Nonetheless, I felt that Tajiks have been probably the most non secular individuals in all Central Asia, particularly these from the Fann Mountains. I do not forget that the boys there by no means mentioned hi there or shook fingers with my girlfriend.

Easy methods to journey to Tajikistan

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Journey to Tajikistan by air

Touring to Tajikistan by air could be very straightforward, as there are various worldwide flights connecting Dushanbe with Europe.

Should you intend to journey the Pamir Freeway, many individuals fly into Osh, the most important metropolis in southern Kyrgyzstan and the start of the M-41 on the Kyrgyz facet.

Journey to Tajikistan by land

Furthermore, if you wish to journey to Tajikistan by land, know that it shares a border with 4 nations and most of them have a number of border crossings. 

Kyrgyzstan – There are 6 border crossings and 4 of them are open to foreigners. The obvious is the Kyzyl Art border crossing, which is the one which follows the Pamir Freeway. For extra data, learn the latest Caravanistan updates.

Uzbekistan – There are 5 border crossings with Uzbekistan and all of them appear to be open. I personally crossed the one at Konibodom, that hyperlinks Khujand with the Fergana Valley, however should you don’t plan to go to that area, it’s not very handy. The Oybek border crossing is the one which connects Khujand with Tashkent and Penjakent is the one which connects the Fann Mountains with Samarkand. For extra data, verify the latest updates on Caravanistan.

Afghanistan – You may cross at Ishkashim, the gate to the Wakhan Hall and a really protected a part of Afghanistan; or the border crossing south of Dushanbe, which can be open however results in Kunduz, a not very protected a part of Afghanistan. Each borders are open however, should you plan to journey again to Tajikistan, bear in mind to have a double entry visa.

China – Apparently, Kulma Go is open now, so long as you will have a sound printed visa in your passport. For extra data, verify the latest updates on Caravanistan.

Kulma Go leads on to the Karakoram Freeway that connects Kashgar with Islamabad in Pakistan. Read here the full guide.

Is it protected to journey to Tajikistan?

In summer season 2018, 4 cyclists touring throughout Tajikistan were murdered in Danghara, an space comparatively near Dushanbe. ISIS claimed the assault.

That accident triggered a giant concern amongst many vacationers and the Tajiks are involved that it’d have an effect on their tourism negatively.

This unlucky occasion, nevertheless, has been a one-off factor and I personally suppose that it shouldn’t have an effect on your resolution to journey to Tajikistan. The same case occurred in Morocco in December 2018 when 2 Scandinavian girls were killed and, up to now, it doesn’t appear that tourism has been affected.

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

Scams and corruption when visiting Tajikistan

I nonetheless bear in mind being within the automotive with a homestay proprietor, on our technique to Khujand, when he gave some cash to a policeman after stopping 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 cause to high quality or arrest us. 

The corruption in Tajikistan is a well known truth and a few of these cops additionally attempt to rip off foreigners however fortunately, as vacationers, there may be not a lot they will do to you except you might be credulous and consider their lies.

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

Dude, simply suppose:

How the hell there may be going to be one thing mistaken together with your visa?
And in addition, the place have you ever been the place that you must buy an entry ticket from a policeman?

Simply say no and proceed with what you are promoting.

Web and connectivity in Tajikistan

Wi-Fi – From Murghab to Khujand and Dushanbe, the Wi-Fi connection if you end up touring in Tajikistan is among the worst I’ve ever seen. In Dushanbe, the Wi-Fi in my hostel was significantly unhealthy after which each day I’d go work to a flowery café and the web was down every so often. Within the Pamir Freeway and the Wakhan Valley, Wi-Fi doesn’t exist.

SIM Card – 3G was simply OK anyplace exterior of the Pamir Freeway. I purchased MegaFon and, for a couple of Somonis, I obtained loads of GBs.

Cash while you journey in Tajikistan

The official foreign money is the Tajik Somoni and roughly:

1 USD = 10.84 TJS

ATMs and bank cards – You will discover ATM’s within the massive cities (not within the Pamir Freeway).

How a lot does it price to journey to Tajikistan

It actually depends upon the place you go and, finally, the way you journey the Pamir Freeway.

Sometimes, meals price one thing between 1 and 3USD and price range homestays round 10-15USD, which tends to incorporate dinner and breakfast.

In Dushanbe, you’ll find dorms for 3-4USD and the native transportation ranges from 2 to 10USD, relying on the place you go.

For all prices referred to the Pamir Freeway, read my guide.

Meals and alcohol when visiting Tajikistan.

Heads-up.

Like in all Central Asia, the meals gained’t be the spotlight of your go to in Tajikistan. 

Within the Pamirs and totally different homestays, you might be more likely to eat shorpo for each meal, which is a meat broth.

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

As per alcohol, as in all ex-Soviet nations, beer and particularly vodka are discovered all over the place.

Transportation while you journey round Tajikistan

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The under data refers to sorts of transportation in western Tajikistan, not the Pamir Freeway. For this, learn my guide to the Pamir Highway.

Marshrutkas – Marshrutkas is what former Soviet nations name their public minivans. They’re actually low-cost and journey between most cities and cities.

Native shared taxis – Really, we used extra native shared taxis than marshrutkas and, so far as I might see, they’re probably the most most well-liked choice amongst locals.

Hitchhiking – Extremely doable and simple! We truly had certainly one of our most loopy hitchhiking experiences, once we spent greater than 48 hours in a truck, on our manner from Khorog to Dushanbe.

Touring to Tajikistan – 3-week Itinerary

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

Map of the Tajikistan itinerary

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

Constructed by the Soviets in 1930, the Pamir Freeway is an architectural masterpiece that goes by means of a few of the remotest landscapes you may ever think about.

Formally, it begins in Osh (Kyrgyzstan) and ends in Afghanistan however the highest and most stunning a part of it lies in Tajikistan.

What number of days are wanted for the Pamir Freeway?

Effectively, it’s actually laborious to say. We spent greater than 2 weeks between the Pamir Freeway and the Wakhan Valley however that’s as a result of we stopped in lots of locations plus we additionally did a 3-day trek.

Usually, most individuals take a 5 or 7-day tour (ranging from Osh), which additionally contains the Wakhan Valley, however, to be very sincere, it’s not sufficient to discover the facet valleys, which is the place probably the most beautiful landscapes are.

Should you don’t have the time, I get it however, should you do, listed below are all of the locations that you must cease at:

Karakul (1 night time) – The primary massive settlement coming from Kyrgyzstan, Karakul has a really massive lake and with some fairly cool snow-capped mountains on the background.

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

Gumbezkul Go trek (2-3 nights) – When you’ve got your individual automotive, you are able to do this trek in 1 day however we did it in 3, trigger we walked all the way in which from Murghab and spent one superb night time with some actual nomads in the course of nowhere.

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

Bulunkul (Stopover) – The coldest place in Central Asia is dwelling to a wonderful lake. The trek from Alichur to right here is a well-liked one. You will discover a couple of homestays.

For many vacationers, the Pamir Freeway is, undoubtedly, among the finest issues to do in Tajikistan.

Locations to go to in Tajikistan – Wakhan Valley (3-4 days)

Many vacationers are inclined to classify the Wakhan Valley as a part of the Pamir Freeway (M-41), which is totally mistaken as a result of they’re 2 totally different locations.

Really, to achieve the Wakhan Valley that you must depart the highway and drive in the direction of Afghanistan for a number of kilometers.

Anyhow. The Wakhan Valley is certainly one of my most favourite locations in complete Central Asia and my most favourite place in my Tajikistan itinerary.

And the reason being that, apart from being dwelling to intriguing and jaw-dropping landscapes, the Wakhan is of nice historic significance as the traditional border between North Asia and South Asia and on the exceptional Silk Highway route, which may be seen within the many fortresses and different websites of cultural heritage there.

Furthermore, within the twentieth century, the Wakhan Valley marked the border between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan and the Soviet tanks got here by means of right here to invade Afghanistan within the 70s.

As we speak, the river you’ll go alongside throughout your complete journey, whose different facet is in Afghanistan, is the principle entry level for smuggling merchandise, particularly heroin, and, from the window of your automotive, you may wave and say hi there on the many Afghans throughout the river, from whom you might be separated by solely a few meters.

These are all of the locations we stopped at:

Langar (1 night time) – The primary massive settlement you discover is Langar.

We personally didn’t like Langar, as it’s the solely place within the Wakhan the place the locals are very pushy in making an attempt to advertise their homestays, plus it’s truly removed from the river.

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

Vrang (cease) – Vrang is one other outdated village that has an historical Buddhist temple. It’s value stopping for a couple of hours.

Yamchun (1 night time) – Probably the most putting fortress 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 can be believed to have some fertility advantages.

Namadgut (1 night time) – There may be nothing particularly to see right here however vacationers don’t are inclined to cease right here, so it’s fairly untouched. That’s the reason right here we had the most effective cultural expertise with an area lady who blessed us together with her hospitality.

Kaakha Fortress – The second most well-known fortress after Yamchun has additionally nice views to Afghanistan.

Ishkashim (1 night time) – The principle city within the Wakhan Valley. It used to carry the Afghan market in no man’s land however it’s briefly closed. It is usually the border to Afghanistan for these fascinated with doing the Afghan Wakhan hall.

Tajikistan itinerary – Khorog (2 days)

After almost two weeks of showering with buckets, utilizing holes and bushes as bogs, completely consuming shorpo and with no web in any respect, attending to Khorog felt significantly good.

It isn’t a really massive city but it surely has an excellent native market the place you should purchase many meals objects that weren’t obtainable within the Pamir Freeway, like cheese, and supermarkets with chilly beer.

There may be additionally an Indian restaurant that tends to be full of vacationers and a very good Tajik restaurant by the river, serving prime quality grilled meat and different stuff.

Aside from this, Khorog is a spot to simply chill, the place we spent 4 days simply catching up with work and filling our bellies with first rate meals.

By the way in which, the well-known Afghan market takes place on Saturday.

The journey to Dushanbe – 1 day

The highway to Dushanbe is a really good distance.

Shared taxis take round 12 hours and value 30USD. They depart from close to the market however that you must be there early, 7am at most.

We arrived earlier 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 gap is barely 518km however the highway is absolutely unhealthy however stunning and fascinating as, once more, it goes alongside the Afghan border for probably the most a part of it.

Issues to do in Tajikistan – Dushanbe (2 days)

The capital of Tajikistan is one other place to sit back for a couple of days when you accumulate some visas, just like the Uzbek or Turkmen visas.

Effectively, not the Uzbek visa anymore, as from February 2019, they began issuing visas on arrival. Examine my Uzbekistan travel guide for extra data.

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

What I appreciated about Dushanbe is that it was my first introduction to the true Tajikistan, as most individuals you meet within the japanese half are Kyrgyz, Wakhis or Pamir, so you will notice a major distinction with the individuals dwelling right here, particularly in the way in which girls costume.

Don’t neglect to verify the principle bazaar and the Rudaki Park, which holds the second tallest flagpole on the earth

Hissor Fortress – Day journey from Dushanbe

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

All proper, the fortress itself was boring, because it was overly refurbished, however we at all times prefer to get out of city, take an area marshrutka and simply see different cities, so it was value it solely because of this. 

Easy methods to get to Hissor fortress

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

Locations to go to in Tajikistan – Penjakent and the Fann Mountains (3-4 days)

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

For all the data wanted, learn my guide to the Fann Mountains.

Whereas they aren’t as beautiful because the valleys across the Pamir Freeway, the Fann Mountains are additionally very fairly and their major benefit is that, in contrast to the Pamirs, they’re closely populated and full of a number of tiny villages the place precise Tajik individuals reside.

Due to this fact, visiting the Fann Mountains is a superb alternative to find the true Tajik rural life, so totally different from something you will have seen throughout your Tajikistan itinerary. 

Most individuals come to the Fann Mountains to go to Iskanderkul lake however I like to recommend going to the world round Penjakent and doing the 7 Lakes Trek.

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

However, the 7 Lakes trek begins in Penjakent and goes by means of a number of tiny villages the place you are able to do homestays.

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

That space is absolutely off the crushed observe, so the driving force himself invited us to remain at his place, free of charge, however we determined to present him a beneficiant tip as a result of he had been feeding us. 

Easy methods to get to Penjakent

First, take an area shared taxi from Dushanbe to Penjakent, which prices 70TJS (8USD). It’s a 230km journey.

In Penjakent, for just some somonis, we obtained within the UAZ-452 to Rachnapollon, from the place we began strolling on the subsequent day.

Keep in mind to verify my guide to the Fann Mountains

Locations to go to in Tajikistan – Khujand (2-3 days)

Khujand is the purest Tajikistan in its most real kind and one of many oldest cities in Central Asia (2,500 years outdated). 

It’s the second largest metropolis within the nation, a metropolis with little worldwide publicity that has saved its conventional values.

Most vacationers use it as a mere transit level, as it’s near the closest border with Tashkent, however I like to recommend spending right here two nights a minimum of.

Issues to do in Khujand

Don’t neglect to verify the standard bazaar, a type of conventional bazaars the place everyone asks for a photograph and provides you free stuff; and all of the mausoleums and historic buildings round the principle sq.. The Arbob Palace can be value trying out. 

Extra data for visiting Tajikistan

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