Tajikistan Silk Road add-on adventure (including pre tour night in Tashkent)
Kyrgyzstan
From
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Packing list
Entry Level
Cultural
Transfers
4 Nights
4 - 12
Group size
Leaders
Highlights
- Visit the stunning Iskanderkul Lake
- Explore the bazars in the capital Dushambe
- Discover Alexander the Great's city of Khujand
- Take in incredible mountain views
Continue your Central Asian adventure along the Silk Road in spectacular Tajikistan!
Tajikistan encompasses the smallest amount of land among the five Central Asian states, but in terms of elevation it surpasses them all, enclosing more and higher mountains than any other country in the region.
Tajik culture has existed for more than two thousand years, during which time it has absorbed many ideas from Zoroastrianism and Islam. Close ties with Persia have also left a deep mark on the literature and arts of the country.
The real question is - is the plov better in Tajikistan or Uzbekistan?
*Please note that the price of this add-on adventure includes the cost of you extra night in Tashkent on day 16*
DAY 17: Arrival in Dushanbe.
Flights
Transfer
Dinner
4 star hotel
09:00 Land at Dushanbe international airport, meet guide at 10:00 – 10:30, and set off on the city tour (you will check in to your hotel after the tour).
Today we will spend the day exploring the capital city of Dushanbe (which means 'Monday') is a relatively new city that was formed in 1925 on the site of a small village Dushanbe, place of the large bazaar on Mondays. During the Soviet period, the city was called Stalinabad (1929-1961) Political, Cultural, Educational and Financial Center of the Republic of Tajikistan.
You will explore Ismoil Somoni Monument, Dusti square, New Parliament, Rudaki Park; The National museum of Tajikistan; Flagpole (165m); Hissar fortress (30km out from Dushanbe); Hissar museum in old medrese (16c); New central mosque & New central market “Mohrgon”
Overnight in Dushanbe. Dinner in city restaurant.
Accommodation: Rumi Hotel & Residence or similar
DAY 18: Dushanbe – ancient Istaravshan city - Khujand city. 330km
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
4 star hotel
Leave Dushnabe in the morning and departure to the northern Khujand city along Varzob gorge and across Anzob and Shakkhristan passes through mountain tunnels with plenty of photo stops in the beautiful mountain area.
80km before Khujand we will visit ancient city Istaravshan including the Old Town; Kok Gumbaz medrese; Mug teppa fortress (reconstructed fortress ,museum and excavation); Mug teppa hill (with panorama view of Istaravshan); the local central Bazar & Blacksmith workshops of local craftsmen making daggers and knives.
We then continue trip to the Khujand for the evening meal in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Parliament Palace or similar
DAY 19: Khujand and surrounding area
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
4 star hotel
Today we will spend the day in the Khujand city and area, Khujand is second largest city in Tajikistan and the country's unofficial northern capital. Among the oldest cities of Central Asia founded back in 6th to 7th Century due to its being located in the favourable geopolitical location along the Silk Road route, it was fortified town of Alexander the Great who conquered, rebuilt, fortified, and annexed it to his region and renamed it Alexandria Eskhata. Today, it is an important city of Tajikistan for industrial, scientific, cultural, and administrative purposes.
In different ages Khujand has had different names - known as Alexandria Eskhata in times of Alexander the Great, During the Soviet period it was Leninobad (City of Lenin) and after 1991 under the independent government a return to the original ancient name of the city.
Visits include the Sirdaria river; Monuments of the Kings of Khujand; Khujand fortress; Timurmalik Museum of Antiquity; Panjshanbe bazar; Mosque and mausoleum of Sheikh Moslekhiddin; a drive to the Palace of Culture 10km outside of Khujand on the way to the scenic Kairakkum water reserve (25 km from Khujand) before heading back to the hotel for some rest and a relaxing dinner in the city.
Accommodation: Parliament Palace or similar
DAY 20: Khujand –Iskanderkul Lake – Dushanbe city, 350km.
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
4 star hotel
We will drive back to the capital of Tajikistan by the same way which we did before, across Anzob and Shakhristan mountain passes (through a tunnels). The highlight of this day will be a visit to the beautiful Iskanderkul Lake. Iskanderkul is located in the eastern part of the Fan Mountains, 25 km from the main road on altitude of 2200 meters above sea level. According to general consensus this lake is named after Alexander the Great (as Alexander was called Iskander in Central Asia region of those times).
Your guide will tell you all the legends of ancient times regarding this interesting and beautiful place. We will drive along the shore of the lake to find the best view, walk along the shore on the rocky beach, and have the opportunity (Optional) to take a short walking trip to the Waterfall Iskander River (nicknamed “Tajik Niagara” by foreign tourists) 1,5 hr. (Walks can be skipped).
Continue our trip to the capital (130km and across the 1 pass) for the final group dinner!
Accommodation: Rumi Hotel & Residence or similar
DAY 21: Flight from Dushanbe city.
Transfer
Breakfast
(Check out until 11:00) Transfer to the airport for your flight home after your unforgettable and rewarding adventure along the path less travelled.
Adventure Optional Extras
Single Supplement
Single rooms may not be possible when in guesthouses or in yurts.
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
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Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
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