Undiscovered Tajikistan
Example Itinerary
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Overview
Mountainous and landlocked, Tajikistan is the smallest of the five ‘Stans’ of Central Asia. Though its lands may not spread wide, they certainly grow tall as more than half of the ‘roof of the world’ – as its frequently referred to – sits at altitudes above 3,000 metres. This breathtaking journey begins in the Tajik capital and descends deep into the heart of one of the region’...
Mountainous and landlocked, Tajikistan is the smallest of the five ‘Stans’ of Central Asia. Though its lands may not spread wide, they certainly grow tall as more than half of the ‘roof of the world’ – as its frequently referred to – sits at altitudes above 3,000 metres. This breathtaking journey begins in the Tajik capital and descends deep into the heart of one of the region’s most hauntingly beautiful landscapes filled with majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes and wide-open valleys.
After the opportunity to explore Tajikistan’s modern capital, you’ll then head towards the towering peaks of the Pamirs. Against a backdrop of spectacular mountain scenery, the drive passes through valleys, gorges and villages, skirting the Afghan border before taking the famous Pamir Highway deep into Tajikistan’s solitary south.
Take in lively Afghan markets and the deep blue waters of lake Yashikul, drive into the fertile Wakhan Valley and gaze across to the immense grandeur of the Afghan Hindu Kush. The history of Central Asia is etched deep into the soul of this landscape, from its Stone Age petroglyphs and abandoned fortresses to its captivating mountain villages and the distant camel caravans that still ply their trade across these timeless panoramas.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
How Tailor-Made Works
Discuss your initial ideas with one of our experts, the types of things you want to see and do.
Your expert will start designing your perfect trip. Within a day or two we'll send a suggested itinerary.
At this stage you can still tweak anything from accommodation to experiences and dates, using our expert advice.
Time to prepare for your trip, safe in the knowledge you'll be in the expert hands of local guides and drivers throughout.
Relax and enjoy...through our partners you'll have support on the ground as well as 24-hour emergency assistance in the UK.
Example Itinerary
This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 Arrive Dushanbe: City Tour
Upon arrival into the Tajik capital early this morning, you will be met and driven to check into your hotel and recuperate from the flight. Later in the day you can enjoy a sightseeing tour of Tajikistan’s modern capital visiting the blue-domed mosque, mausoleum and madrasah complex of Mawlana Yakubi Charki, a 15th-century Sufi teacher. Also visit Dushanbe's Museum of Archaeology which now holds the largest surviving Buddha in Central Asia. This evening, you’ll be taken out to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 Dushanbe - Khaburabad Pass - Kalaikhumb
The journey deep into Tajikistan’s famous mountain scenery begins as you leave Dushanbe for the Pamirs this morning, via Tawildara and the Khaburabad Pass (3,252m). A change in both the scenery and the people is noticeable as you make for today’s destination of Kalaikhumb located on the Panj River, a major tributary of the famous Amu Darya (Oxus) river.
Day 3 Kalaikhumb – Khorog: Tracing the Amu Darya
Following the Amu Darya river that outlines the border with Afghanistan, you’ll make your way over to the town of Khorog which marks the beginning of the Pamirs. Today’s full-day drive cuts through gorges and villages, providing the rare opportunity to compare differences between those on the Tajik and Afghan sides.
Day 4 Khorog - Bulunkul Village (Yashikul Lake): Into the Pamirs
Taking the legendary Pamir Highway, the formidable peaks of the Pamirs engulf your car from all sides as you get lost deeper into Tajikistan’s wild southern mountain plateau. The spectacular drive eventually turns off the highway down a wide valley strewn with immense boulders to the tiny village of Bulunkul. The village is home to just 30 families that make a living fishing in the nearby Yashikul lake. Settle into your homestay for the afternoon.
Day 5 Bulunkul Village (Yashikul Lake) – Murgab: Homestay by the Lake
Pull up a pillow and sit down to a homemade breakfast this morning before walking down to the lake to see its brilliantly blue glacial water reflecting an image of the encircling snow-capped mountains. Saying goodbye to your host family, this afternoon you’ll advance towards Murgab with a stop in the valley to visit an old Soviet observatory from which, on a clear day, the western peaks of China can be seen.
Day 6 Murgab: Pamiri Town & Madiyan Valley
The small town of Murgab is the largest in the Pamirs, and the highest in Central Asia, dramatically located at the foot of a mountain. At the heart of the village is a market made from containers, which you’ll take a walk around with your guide. Later, drive to the nearby flower filled Madiyan Valley dotted with hot springs for a scenic afternoon walk. Return for dinner back in town.
Day 7 Murgab - Langar (Wakhan Valley)
A long, scenic drive back across the Pamirs and into the fertile Wakhan Valley brings you to the village of Langar, one of the largest in this remote corner of the country. As you pass along the river gorge separating the two countries of the Wakhan, Afghanistan feels so close you could touch it; camel caravans of traders can often be seen on the paths on the opposite bank.
Day 8 Langar - Yamg
A steep climb to the top of the village this morning takes you to some petroglyphs. These largely ignored etchings chronicle the history of those passing through the region from the Stone Age to early Islamic texts and Russian soldiers. Then, drive on to the village of Yamg, once home to a Sufi poet whose ancestors you will stay with tonight. There is the possibility of stopping off en route for a hike up to see isolated Buddhist relics above the villages.
Day 9 Yamg - Ishkashim - Khorog
The long day’s drive passes through the border town of Ishkashim today where a lively Afghan market is held on Saturdays. The road clings to the river and the Afghan side becomes more and more populated with small houses and villages before arriving back to your hotel in Khorog, this time for a couple of nights.
Day 10 Khorog: City Tour
Spending a day in the city provides the opportunity to visit the local history museum and explore the market. You could also spend the afternoon sat drinking tea in the park cafes relaxing by the ice-cold river that cuts through the town.
Day 11 Khorog - Bartang Valley
A short drive north brings you to the Bartang Valley. The road through this narrow valley winds through green and fertile villages decorated with pretty flowers and fruit trees. Take a walk through some of the nearby villages along the valley this afternoon where the local irrigation systems provide every house with their own stream giving rise to the beautiful, lush gardens you see before you.
Day 12 Bartang Valley - Kalaikhumb
Backtracking onto the main road, the return journey towards the capital begins with a stop in Kalaikhumb this evening, where the valley scenery and protruding peaks are no less majestic.
Day 13 Kalaikhumb - Dushanbe
Exiting the incredible peaks of the past days, the feeling of isolation starts to leave you as you make your way through larger towns and small cities to arrive to Dushanbe for your final night.
Day 14 Depart Dushanbe
A good night’s sleep at one of the city’s higher-end hotels is followed by breakfast and check out before you’re transferred to the international airport in time for your flight back home, concluding your magical adventure into the Pamirs.
EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
Traditional Guesthouse, Bartang Valley
As with all guesthouses in the Pamirs, rooms and facilities are basic but visitors come for the experience not the luxury. Beds are comfortable and you will be made to feel at home by the warm and welcoming family who run the property. As well as being conveniently located for exploring the Bartang Valley, you will also enjoy home cooked meals on your return.
Rumi Hotel, Dushanbe
Rumi Hotel is a welcome addition to Dushanbe's higher end offerings. Guests can expect chic, modern interiors and facilities found at any international four-star hotel. Rooms, as with the communal areas, are designed with sophisticated, contemporary decor. The restaurant offers a range of local and international dishes as well as a substantial breakfast. Located just off the central avenue, this is a great option for those looking for a higher standard of service with easy access to the city.
Karon Palace Hotel, Kalaikhumb
The four-star Karon Palace Hotel opened in the summer of 2015, largely aimed at business clients. The 22 rooms are opulently dressed with decadent beige, gold and crimson coloured carpets and upholstery, and rich wooden interior. All rooms have views of the surrounding natural landscapes and come equipped with mod-cons such as air conditioning and flat-screen TVs. Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, fitness centre, bar, lounge, garden and bikes for guests’ use.
LAL Hotel, Khorog
The LAL Hotel in Khorog is a charming little guesthouse which, in addition to a comfortable place for guests to rest, offers a small restaurant and dining area, a modest bar and a delightful garden and outdoor area. Rooms at the boutique accommodation have a simple, modern and clean look with local tapestries, carpets and textiles found throughout the building. There is Wi-Fi in all areas of the hotel and evening entertainment is provided on some nights.
Langar Guesthouse, Langar
Owned by one of the village elders and his family, this guesthouse is spread over a couple of buildings with traditionally decorated rooms and a shower room. The garden is set up with day beds overlooking the river and a separate dining room also serves as a small shop. There is also a good chance you'll be treated to traditional songs (and your host's wonderful singing voice) after dinner.
Murgab Pamir Guesthouse, Murgab
Located in the centre of town, this guesthouse occupies a two-storey building that once served as a Soviet hotel. Taken over and now run by a local family, there are five double or twin ensuite rooms and around 10 further rooms with shared bathroom facilities that can accommodate single, twin or triple occupancy. During the colder months, meals are taken in the indoor dining room, whilst the summer seasons sees guests making use of the garden and outdoor dining space for mealtimes.
Yamg Guest House, Yamg
Yamg Guest House is home to a large local family who opened their doors to be able to share their way of life with those passing through. They take pride in tending their own garden, where produce is grown for the excellent homecooked meals provided to their guests. There is a lovely outdoor seating area, perfect for tea and biscuits in the afternoon, and a traditionally decorated room indoors where meals are taken. As with the other guesthouses and homestays in the region's smaller villages, rooms and facilities are simple but clean and cosy.
Yashikul Guest House, Yashikul
In this tiny, remote village, you'll have the chance to meet your incredibly welcoming hosts at this homestay. Having converted part of their home to a guest house, they offer a handful of rooms furnished with colourful rugs, comfortable mattresses and cosy blankets to accommodate tourists in the chilly mountain climate. Although the facilities in region are simple, this homestay provides a great opportunity to understand life in the country's underdeveloped south and to be able to explore areas rarely visited by travellers. Homecooked meals are served three times a day, with lunch or dinner often featuring locally caught fish.
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Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
MEALS
TRANSPORT
ENTRANCE FEES
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
Making a Difference
Community Tourism
People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.
Conservation and Climate Action
As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.
Wild Frontiers Foundation
The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.
START PLANNING YOUR TRIP
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WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
Expert travel consultants
Up-to-date knowledge and advice from our experienced consultants on the best places to stay, things to do and regions to visit to make your holiday the trip of a lifetime.
EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDES
We use experienced local guides to help bring the sights to life, introduce you to local characters and ensure you get under the skin of your destination.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATION
Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
24-HOUR SUPPORT
Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.Meet the expert, Natalie
Natalie is our Central Asia expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Natalie by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
OTHER ITINERARIES IN TAJIKISTAN
Check out our group tours in Tajikistan
As well as private tailor-made trips, we also offer small group tours (max size 12) to Tajikistan. Led by an experienced tour leader, travel with a group of like-minded people on one of our award-winning group tours.
View Group Tours in Tajikistan