5 Day Best of West Tajikistan Tour

5 Day Best of West Tajikistan Tour Itinerary

5 Day Best of West Tajikistan Tour Day 1: Dushanbe

Welcome to Tajikistan! You will begin your first day by exploring the Tajik capital of Dushanbe. After breakfast, we’ll head out to explore what the city has to offer.

Highlights include Rudaki Park, the Ismoil Somoni statue, Kokhi Navruz, and nearby Hisor Fortress.

In the evening we’ll have a traditional dinner in a popular Dushanbe restaurant.

*Note that the price of the tour includes the night before the start of day 1 in the total price.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

5 Day Best of West Tajikistan Tour Day 2: Iskandkerkul

Getting an early start we load up into vehicles and head north toward Iskanderkul, Alexander’s famous lake. You’ll most likely be glued to the window all day as the scenery as we depart Dushanbe and begin to journey into the mountains are absolutely jaw-dropping.

At the village of Sarvoda, we veer off the main highway and onto a road that eventually turns to gravel and winds up a spectacular canyon where impossibly turquoise Iskanderkul comes into view. Spend the remainder of the day exploring around the lake, with a lovely walk along Iskanderkul, a nice stroll to Snake Lake, a brief hike to a waterfall, or just relax on the lakeside.

Tonight we stay in a homestay-style accommodation run by a local family who will also prepare a traditional Tajik dinner.

Drive time: ~4 hours
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

5 Day Best of West Tajikistan Tour Day 3: Istaravshan

Don’t miss the sunrise over Iskandarkul this morning with the opportunity for perfect reflections of the Fann Mountains in its calm waters. After we have breakfast, we will make way toward the Tajik Fergana Valley city of Istaravshan.

A few kilometers before we reach Istaravshan we will make a stop at Kattasoy Reservoir to see what may be the largest Lenin bust in the world. The giant Lenin is at the top of 365 steps with an arm extended and his back to the reservoir. After your quick Soviet-era photo op, we’ll continue into Istarvshan to explore the small city.

We’ll start our exploration of Istavshan from the lively central bazaar. Other highlights include the Sary Mazor Complex, Houz i Sangin Mosque, Kok Gumbez, Hazrat i Shoh Mosque, and Mug Teppe. Tonight we’ll be staying in a basic hotel.

Drive time: ~4 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

5 Day Best of West Tajikistan Tour Day 4: Khujand

After breakfast, make way for Tajikistan’s second-largest city of Khujand. Much like Istarvshan, we’ll start exploring the city from the Panjshanbe Bazaar which sits right next door to the Masjid i Jami and Sheikh Musil Complex. We will also take the time to explore the Khujand Citadel and the neighboring Kamoli Khujandi Park.

Drive time: ~2 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

5 Day Best of West Tajikistan Tour Day 5: Secret Cities & Bulok Salt Flat

For the final day of the best of west Tajikistan tour we make a day trip from Khujand to visit the secret cities of Taboshar (now Istiklol), Sovietobad (now Ghafurov), and Chkalovsk (now Buston). These three cities were constructed for the mining of uranium and were shrouded in mystery, totally closed off for many years.

After we’ve explored these secret towns, we will head east to visit the giant Bulok Salt Flat (sometimes called Asht or Akhkon Salt Flat). You’ll have the opportunity to take a spa in the mineral-laden mud beneath the salty crust before sitting in saltwater-filled pools (many people believe the mud here has healing and health-boosting properties). We can even do a short walk up to a great viewpoint with sweeping aerial views of the salt flat.

In the early evening, we will make the drive back to Khujand where we’ll have our goodbye dinner tonight in a lovely restaurant serving excellent traditional Tajik dishes.

We will arrange transfers to the Khujand Airport the following day for those flying out from here. If leaving elsewhere we can help you arrange transport back to Dushanbe or toward the Uzbek border, etc.

Drive time: ~6 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Arriving/departing: If flying in, it is recommended to arrive at least one day before the start of the trip and depart the day after (or later) the trip concludes.
• Accommodation: This expedition includes 6 nights of accommodation.
• Cost: $1,000 USD per person. Additional $160 charge for those wanting single supplement.

What’s Included?

Single Supplement

Single supplement will cost an additional $160, however, single supplement cannot be guaranteed for the night in Iskanderkul as we will be in a homestay.

Please give advance notice if you’d like a single supplement.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory in order to participate in all Tajikistan Expeditions/Safar Expeditions tours. You will need to submit proof of travel insurance prior to the trip departure. It is your responsibility to make sure that the travel insurance you choose provides adequate coverage.

All passengers on our trips must have a travel insurance policy that covers international medical expenses. It’s also recommended to choose a plan that covers international airfare (ie: in the event of trip cancelation).

Terms & Conditions

Itinerary changes: Itineraries are subject to changes, especially in Tajikistan. Causes can range from inclement weather, poor or deteriorated road conditions, political unrest, and many other things that are completely out of our control. Changes to an itinerary are not subject to a refund.

Booking: A 30% deposit is required to reserve a spot on this departure. Reservations are on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Deposits: Deposits are refundable up to 30 days after the date the deposit was received. After the 30 day mark, they are no longer refundable.

Final payment: Final payment is due at least 30 days prior to the trip date.

Payments: Payments can be made by Paypal.

Airfare: Airfare is not included in the price of the trip.

Travel insurance: Travel insurance is required in order to join this trip. The policy must cover international medical treatment, trip cancellation, and reimbursement of the tour cost if the tour is canceled.

Cancellations (by passenger): Cancellation of the trip by you is not refundable. In some situations, we can apply the trip fee (minus deposit) toward a future departure of your choosing.

Cancellations (by us): If we have to, unfortunately, cancel a trip you will be refunded your money paid to us, however other expenditures outside of the expedition will need to be settled with your travel insurance (ie: airfare, hotel bookings outside the tour, etc).

Dietary restrictions: We can and do try to accommodate meal requirements for passengers. Please let us know well in advance of any dietary restrictions and/or allergies so that we can plan for you.

Accommodations: On this trip, we will have access to electricity almost every evening and shower facilities.