As seen on
Romit Valley Research Expedition
Tajikistan
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Packing list
Grade:
Challenging
Type:
Wildlife
Transfers
Duration:
13 Nights
3 - 3
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Research expedition in the Romit Valley
- Confirm evidence that the Caspian Tiger continues to survive in Tajikistan
- Look for evidence of the Asian 'Bigfoot'
- Hike the valley of the Sorbo/Kaniz
Explore this remote region of Tajikistan on this exciting research expedition
This expedition is twofold: to confirm evidence suggesting the survival of the Caspian Tiger, long believed extinct, and to search for signs of the elusive Asian 'Bigfoot', known locally as the gul.
The project will focus on the Romit Valley, a region teeming with rugged beauty and untamed wilderness.
Upon arrival, you will establish a base camp, equipped with tents provided for comfort and shelter. From this vantage point, you will be able to conduct thorough investigations, utilising specialised equipment and techniques to gather evidence of the Caspian Tiger's continued existence and the elusive presence of the gul.
This trip represents a unique opportunity to delve into the unknown and unravel the mysteries of Tajikistan's wilderness, where every step brings you closer to unlocking nature's most closely guarded secrets.
Day 1: Dushanbe - Romit Valley
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
4 star hotel
Camping
Upon our early morning arrival via Turkish Airlines flight TK 254 in Dushanbe, you will take a brief rest at the hotel before embarking on an afternoon drive to Romit. Upon reaching the Romit Valley, you will set up camp and spend the night under the stars in our tents.
Hotel: Atlas B&B Guest House
Day 2: Expedition in Romit
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Research Day
Overnight in tents
Day 3: Expedition in Romit
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Research Day
Overnight in tents
Day 4: Expedition in Romit
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Research Day
Overnight in tents
Day 5: Expedition in Romit
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Research Day
Overnight in tents
Day 6: Expedition in Romit
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Research Day
Overnight in tents
Day 7: Expedition in Romit
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Research Day
Overnight in tents
Day 8: Expedition in Romit
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Yurt
Research Day
Overnight in tents
Day 9: Expedition in Romit
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Research Day
Overnight in tents
Day 10: Expedition in Romit
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Research Day
Overnight in tents
Day 11: Expedition in Romit
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Research Day
Overnight in tents
Day 12: Expedition in Romit
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Research Day
Overnight in tents
Day 13: Romit Valley - Dushanbe
Transfer
Breakfast
4 star hotel
You will have breakfast at the camp before embarking on the scenic drive back to Dushanbe, where you will check into the hotel for a restful overnight stay.
Hotel: Atlas B&B Guest House
Day 14: Departure Day
Transfer
Breakfast
Early transfer to the airport.
Adventure Optional Extras
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.
Not Included
- Flights & airport taxes
- Insurance (compulsory)
- Meals for the group and staff - being bought locally by group
- Tips
- Alcoholic drinks & snacks
- Petrol for 2nd Jeep from Day 2 to Day 12 (petrol cans can be provided)
- Soft drinks and alcohol beverages
- Sleeping Bags & Mats
- Visa fee to Tajikistan/Registration for visa-free countries
- Transfers out of program
Contents
Included
- 2 Jeeps (Jeep #1 for day 1 and day 14 only), (Jeep #2 for 14 days, included petrol only on day 1, day 13 & day 14).
- Accommodation in hotel/guesthouse (twin basis)
- Tents (Single base)
- Meals: 2 breakfasts
- English speaking guide/assistant with driving skills
- Cook with driving skills
- Still water 2 liter/pax/day (on day 1 & day 14)
- Dining tent and kitchen tent
- Cooking equipment
- Toilet tent
- Fee to National Park area (Romit area)
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice, Responsible Tourism, using hotels run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a a great trip.
We choose hotels based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, and in modern buildings and or in towns. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available.
An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which is exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.
This is adventure travel and on occasion the advertised services at a hotel , guest house or camp (eg wifi, or hot showers!) may not be functional on our arrival.
This tends to occur in the smaller, more remote hotels. Very rarely a hotel lets us down and we are required to find alternative suitable accommodation that might not be our first choice.
This accommodation on this adventure involves hotel stays and wild camping in single base tents (sleeping bags and mats are not provided).
Accommodation in Dushanbe will be at Atlas B&B Guest House (or similar)
Accommodation in Romit Valley will be tents
Facilties
Unless you have booked a single room (where they are available) and paid the single room supplement for those nights, you will be sharing a twin room. Only 2 nights of this itinerary are based in hotels, where single rooms are possible. All other nights are in tents.
Guiding & Your Group
Accompanying your group will be an English speaking guide with driving skills and a cook with driving skills.
Travel & Arrival
Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Dushanbe. We understand that arriving into an unfamiliar airport can be very daunting, so we aim to give you as much information here as possible, to help you prepare.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights. We will send you a Flight Information Sheet with further pointers on which flights to book.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also receive notifications direct from the FCDO so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately, anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
YellowWood partners with battleface as a travel insurance provider. Click here for a quote.
battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
You must ensure the travel insurance you purchase provides you with suitable cover for the entirety of your trip. Your travel insurance must include cover in the event that you have to cancel for a reason outside your control prior to departure, for any medical expenses you may incur whilst away (including repatriation in the case of medical need) and for the activities which you may participate in during your trip.
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
Compulsory
- Passport & Insurance Documents
- US$ or £GB to exchange for local currency
- Debit/credit card for use at ATMs in towns
- First aid kit: paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tables, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape).
- Insect repellent
- Prescription medication & antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- Flannel & Towel (ideally quick drying travel towel)
- Washbag & usual contents - small travel bottles please! Biodegradable multi purpose soap can be used for washing clothes & self.
- Toilet kit: toilet roll, wet wipes & ziplock bags for carrying paper out. Biodegradable wet wipe brands: Canny Mum, Close Pop & Travel Buddy
Items for Camping & Hiking
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat: ideally lightweight inflatable insulated mat offers most comfort & warmth over multiple nights
- 20-30L rucksack with waist (& ideally chest) strap for hiking
- Rucksack or duffel bag for main luggage (no hard suitcases) so it can be strapped to horses for transportation during camp/hike.
- Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person
- Waterproof walking boots with ankle support - already broken in!
- Torch with spare batteries
- Waterproof stuff sacks & liners to keep kit dry. Esp. important for sleeping bags & spare clothes
Clothing
- General socks /underwear for city sections and for trekking
- Suitable clothes/pjs for sleeping in. Thermal base layers are ideal when camping & also useful if you get cold weather.
- Light clothes for day time - long & short sleeved tops. NB technical fabrics dry quickly in hot or wet weather when hiking.
- Waterproof jacket (GoreTex or similar quality)
- Warm jacket & fleece - even in the summer temperatures can be sub zero at night. Down or synthetic insulated jacket & light fleece recommended.
- Walking trousers for trekking / camping. Soft shell fabric is ideal.
- Shorts for warmer days
- Sandals or trainers for around camp
- Lightweight waterproof trousers
- Waterproof stuff sacks for small items
- Warm hat & gloves
- Sunglasses & high factor sun cream
- Sun hat or baseball cap
- Buff or neck gaiter for cold weather / sun protection.
Optional
- Silk or thermal sleeping bag liner if you feel the cold.
- Inflatable pillow, or pillowcase you can stuff with spare clothes - adds comfort to camping.
- Flask - if you like to have hot drinks regularly.
- Camera & charging cables / plug
- Phone & charging cables / plug
- 2 prong adaptor
- Purification tablets as alternative to Aquapure Traveller Water Purification Bottle.
- Spare ziplock bags for dirty clothes, waterproofing phones, rubbish & general organising
- Walking poles
- Money belt
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
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.
Get in touch
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