Tajikistan has a strong connection to ancient Persian civilizations. Mountains cover 90% of the land with beautiful high-altitude landscapes and deeply blue lakes. Dushanbe is a lovely capital city of rose gardens and monumental buildings.

ADVENTURES

Voru Village

Visit the ancient village of Voru in a remote canyon in the Fann Mountains

Iskanderkul Waterfall

Iskanderkul is a scenic alpine lake by a waterfall on the Darya River

Murgobi Lake

From the village of Ghazza, hike up the mountainside to Murgobi Lake

MUST SEES

Somoni Monument

Amidst a construction boom, Dushanbe still remembers its heritage. The Somoni Monument is a massive statue of Ismail Samani, a heroic 10th century Samanid Empire ruler. He ruled Tranoxiana and conquered northern Iran. 

Dushanbe: Rudaki

The statue of Rudaki (the beloved poet) is surrounded by rose gardens and a blue astronomical mosaic arch. Rudaki was the first poet who wrote in New Persian and was the father of Tajik literature.

National Museum of Ethnography

The museum has displays of archaeological finds from visitors traveling along the Silk Road. It has paintings of Bactrian camels and Greek art. There is also a giant reclining Buddha from a Turkic settlement.

Fann Mountains

When you drive up and over the Fann Mountains, the views are superb. At one stop, you can see the deep valleys below and the white peaks at the end.

Khujand

Khujand was a critical waypoint on the Silk Road dating 2,500 years. Many empires passed through. The museum has a statue of Timur Malik and an assortment of Iranian relics. There are also mosaics of Alexander the Great’s life.

Khujand Citadel

This is the furthest that Alexander the Great’s forces ever reached. At the citadel, the Ummayad Empire conquered Khujand. Much later, Timur Malik died in an unsuccessful and heroic defense against Genghis Khan’s Mongol invasion. 

Khujand: Sheikh Muslihiddin Mosque

The mosque has a glittering emerald dome. The giant plaza is filled with both pigeons and vendors vying for your attention. Next door is a bustling bazaar.

Istaravshan: Mug Teppe Fortress

Mug Teppe fortress has seen better days. It now has a rebuilt wall and an amphitheater. Both Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan invaded this site.

Ghazza

The remote village is at the end of a long dirt road in the Fanns. The homes are by a mountain stream surrounded by hills, lakes, and mountains. Ghazza has a population of 300 people.

FOOD

Plov

Tajik Plov might just be the best plov around. The rice is nice and firm. The cubes of beef are extremely tender and flavorful. If you’re lucky, you might get a piece on the bone. The rice also has carrots, yellow bell peppers, and raisins.

Freshly Baked Bread

In the Fann Mountains, there is a bakery where the bread is cooked on the side of an oven. The hot bread is so soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Each round is 25 cents. It’s really great with local honey.

 

RECOMMENDED LODGINGS

Dushanbe: Atlas Hotel

This is one of the best hotels in Central Asia. The rooms are elegant and comfortable. The restaurant has a quality breakfast. Ice cold teas and beverages are always available in the lobby free of charge.

Ghazza: Меҳмонхонаи Ғазза

This is a newly built homestay in Ghazza village. The family is very friendly and hospitable. You can enjoy views of the mountains and the stars from the rooftop deck.

Khujand: Sugdiyon Hotel

The hotel has a great location by the river in the center of Khujand.

Other Stans

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