Tajikistan Silk Road add-on adventure
Uzbekistan
From
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Packing list
Entry Level
Cultural
Transfers
5 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?
Day 18: Arrive in Dushanbe
Transfer
4 star hotel
09:00 Land at Dushanbe international airport and transfer to your hotel. Today is a free day at leisure to relax before your add-on adventure begins tomorrow!
Accommodation: Rumi Hotel & Residence or similar
DAY 19: Dushanbe City Tour
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
4 star hotel
Today, spend the day exploring Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. The city takes its name from the Tajik word for Monday, when a large bazaar was traditionally held here. Although Dushanbe is a relatively young city, established in 1925 on the site of a small village, it has played an important role in Tajikistan’s political, cultural and economic life. During the Soviet period, it was known as Stalinabad from 1929 to 1961.
Your city tour will take in some of Dushanbe’s most notable sights, including the Ismoil Somoni Monument, Dusti Square, Rudaki Park and the impressive new Parliament building. You will also visit the National Museum of Tajikistan and see the 165 metre flagpole, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
Later, travel around 30 kilometres outside the city to visit Hissar Fortress, a historic site that once formed part of an important trading centre. Nearby, visit the 16th century madrasa, now home to the Hissar Museum, before returning to Dushanbe.
The day will also include a visit to the new Central Mosque and the lively Mohrgon Central Market, offering an opportunity to see another side of everyday life in the capital.
This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Dushanbe.
Accommodation: Rumi Hotel & Residence or similar
DAY 20: Dushanbe – ancient Istaravshan city - Khujand city. 330km
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
4 star hotel
Leave Dushanbe this morning and travel north towards Khujand, following the spectacular Varzob Gorge and crossing the Anzob and Shakhristan Passes. The route takes you through dramatic mountain scenery and tunnels, with plenty of opportunities to stop along the way and take in the views.
Around 80 kilometres before reaching Khujand, visit the ancient city of Istaravshan, one of Tajikistan’s oldest settlements. Explore the Old Town, the Kok Gumbaz Madrasa and Mug Teppa Fortress, where you can see the reconstructed fortress, museum and archaeological excavations. From Mug Teppa Hill, enjoy panoramic views across Istaravshan.
You will also have time to explore the local central bazaar and visit traditional blacksmith workshops, where local craftsmen continue the centuries old tradition of making handmade daggers and knives.
Continue to Khujand, arriving in time for dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Khujand.
Accommodation: Parliament Palace or similar
DAY 21: Khujand and surrounding area
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
4 star hotel
Today, spend the day exploring Khujand and its surroundings. As Tajikistan’s second largest city and unofficial northern capital, Khujand is one of Central Asia’s oldest cities, with a history dating back to the 6th or 7th century BC. Its strategic position along the Silk Road made it an important trading centre and, after being conquered and rebuilt by Alexander the Great, it became known as Alexandria Eschate.
The city has been known by several names throughout its history, including Leninabad during the Soviet period, before returning to its ancient name following Tajikistan’s independence in 1991. Today, Khujand remains an important centre for industry, science, culture and administration.
Begin with a visit to the Syr Darya River before exploring Khujand Fortress and the Timurmalik Museum of Antiquities. Continue to Panjshanbe Bazaar, one of the city’s liveliest places, before visiting the Mosque and Mausoleum of Sheikh Moslehiddin.
Later, take a short drive outside the city to the Palace of Culture and continue towards the scenic Kairakkum Reservoir, around 25 kilometres from Khujand. Enjoy the views across the water before returning to the city.
There will be some time to relax at the hotel before enjoying a leisurely dinner in Khujand.
Overnight in Khujand.
Accommodation: Parliament Palace or similar
DAY 22: Khujand –Iskanderkul Lake – Dushanbe city, 350km.
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
4 star hotel
This morning, leave Khujand and begin the journey back towards Dushanbe, retracing the scenic route across the Anzob and Shakhristan mountain passes and through the mountain tunnels.
The highlight of the day is a visit to beautiful Iskanderkul Lake, set amongst the dramatic scenery of the Fan Mountains at around 2,200 metres above sea level. The lake lies around 25 kilometres from the main road and is traditionally believed to have been named after Alexander the Great, known as Iskander in this part of Central Asia.
Your guide will share some of the legends and stories associated with this fascinating place as you explore the area. Drive along the shore of the lake, stopping to enjoy some of the best views, and take a leisurely walk along the rocky shoreline.
For those who would like to explore a little further, there is also the option to walk to the nearby Iskander River Waterfall, known by some visitors as the ‘Tajik Niagara’. The walk takes around an hour and a half and is entirely optional.
Continue the journey to Dushanbe, crossing one final mountain pass before arriving in the capital.
This evening, come together for a final group dinner.
Overnight in Dushanbe.
Accommodation: Rumi Hotel & Residence or similar
DAY 23: Flight from Dushanbe city.
Transfer
Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed final morning in Dushanbe, with check out by 11:00.
When it is time, transfer to the airport for your flight home, bringing to an end your journey through Tajikistan.
We hope you return home with a deeper appreciation of Tajikistan, its landscapes, history and people, along with plenty of memories from a truly memorable adventure!
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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Add-Ons are an optional way of customising & extending your adventure, and making those travel miles more worthwhile. They can not be purchased separately. To select an Add-On, please visit the relevant adventure and add it to your enquiry or booking. The adventures which offer this particular Add-On can be found below:
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Booking Process
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You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
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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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