Tajikistan Tours

You will be met by your guide at the airport who will transfer you with your group to the hotel, where you can have a rest before breakfast.

Your full day of sightseeing includes visits to:

• Tajikistan United Museum, which includes the exhibits on history, natural history and art, Buddha in Nirvana is one of the valuable exhibits of museum. (closed on Mondays).
• Botanical garden - a very beautiful garden with many old trees, which is the favorite place of Tajiks.
• Bazaar - an oriental market which is the most crowded place in the city and a great place for shopping.
• Hissar fortress, which is the remains of an 18th century fortress, occupied until 1924. It is located 30 km west of Dushanbe. Beside the fortress are two plain Madrassah, one dating from the 18th century and the other 19th, and beyond them is the mausoleum of 16th century.

Return to the hotel and overnight in Dushanbe.

After breakfast, you will drive to Khodjent (170 miles, 5-6 hours)

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. During the day, you will visit the following places:

• Mug Tepa, which is situated in Ura-Tube, is one of the most ancient settlements in Tajikistan. It is said the city was found by Kir in the north-east boundary of the empire.
• The Khazrati Shoh architectural complex, which consists of the Khazrati Shoh mausoleum - the grave of the brother of Kusam ibn Abbas. Also, the Khudayar Valami mausoleum and mosque Namozgoh. The city also had a cemetery and Medresse too. All these buildings belong to the 19th century.
• A visit to the Bazaar, which is an oriental market where you can find many local handicrafts and souvenirs.

On arrival in Khodjent, your sightseeing of the city will include:

• The Oriental Bazaar – one of the biggest bazaars of Central Asia is Payshanba bazaar, which is one of the most interesting places in Khodjent, attracting people with its various sounds and tastes.
• Museum of Archeology and Fortification – in the middle of northern part of the city there is fortress of the 7-8th century. The territory of the fortress is 1,000x650 ft. The city was surrounded with walls. It was destroyed several times during different conquers and the last reconstruction was in 18th century. The museum is found inside the fortress.

Dinner at local restaurant before heading to your hotel. Overnight in Khodjent.

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by sightseeing in Khodjent, including visits to the following tourist locations:

• Shikh Muslihiddin mosque and mausoleum (17-19th century)
• Arbob palace, which was named after S. Urunhodlaev (20th century)
• A city tour, taking you to the monument to Lenin, and the monument to a poet called Khudjandi.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll continue the tour with a visit to the Kairakkum water reservoir. Dinner will be taken at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Khodjent.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel, after which you will drive to Penjikent via Istaravshan (160 miles 5-6 hours). Your sightseeing on the fourth day includes visits to:

• The Museum of Rudaki – As Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian Poetry, there is a museum there which is dedicated to his life.
• Ancient Penjikent, where you can see the ruins of the old Sogdian town, which was founded in 5th the century and abandoned in the 8th century by the Arabs. Foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples and city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins.

Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Penjikent.

After breakfast you will drive to the Seven Lakes and Sarazm ruins (50 miles + 50 miles, round trip). Sarazm one of the earliest ancient settlements in Central Asia, with around 5500 years of civilization. In 2010, Sarazm was added to the list of Human heritage sites by UNESCO. Haft Kul is the name given to seven lakes of different colors in mountains of Tajikistan, which make up 120 miles of watery beauty. Ranging in colour from azure to turquoise, they are of outstanding natural beauty.

The lakes are called: Mijgon, Soya, Hushyor , Nophin lakes (7,000 feet above sea level), Khurdak, Marguzor, Hazorchashma lakes (7,800 feet above sea level) Enjoy a picnic at the lakeside before your drive back to Penjikent. Overnight in Penjikent.

Following breakfast, you will drive to Sary Tag village via the Iskanderkul Lake (150 miles – app. 6-7 hours drive). Iskanderkul is known as a lake of Alexander the Great, due to the Persian pronunciation of Alexander. The area of the lake is 115 square miles, and is said to be one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the former Soviet Union. This place has a connection with him, as Alexander and his army had a rest on the shore after each campaign they fought. Arrival and accommodation at a local house. Dinner and overnight at the Cottage.

Breakfast followed by the drive to Dushanbe (100 miles, 3-4 hours).

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Dushanbe.

Departure to the airport at 5:10am.