Tajikistan

Tajikistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. A stunning country with a rich Persian heritage and history dating back to the times of Alexander the Great and the Silk Road. Tajikistan is a very mountainous country that offers a wide variety of inspiring natural landscapes, with one of the most scenic routes in the world, alpine meadows, and clear lakes. Furthermore, Tajikistan also features modern cities and ancient ruins that were once part of lost civilizations.

Highlights

Pamir highway

Pamir highway - Tajikistan
Pamir highway
Pamir highway - Tajikistan
Pamir highway

Trekking

Fan Mountains - Tajikistan
Fan Mountains

Шухрат Саъдиев, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Valley of Iskander Darya - Tajikistan
Valley of Iskander Darya

Valleys and their ethnic groups

Panj river, Wakhan valley, border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan - Tajikistan
Panj river, Wakhan valley, border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan

Ninara, Attribution (CC BY 2.0)

Yaghnob river north of Rufigar - Tajikistan
Yaghnob river north of Rufigar

Bertramz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ancient fortresses

Hissar Fortress, Dushanbe - Tajikistan
Hissar Fortress, Dushanbe

Ninara, Attribution (CC BY 2.0)

Ancient Khulbuk Town and Hulbuk Fortress
Ancient Khulbuk Town and Hulbuk Fortress

Ninara, Attribution (CC BY 2.0)

Natural lakes

Kara-Kul Lake, Tajik National Park - Tajikistan
Kara-Kul Lake, Tajik National Park

Ninara, Attribution (CC BY 2.0)

Iskanderkul Lake - Tajikistan
Iskanderkul Lake

Archaeological sites

Ruins of Ayaz Kala, it was an important city of the Kushan empire, originally formed in the 1st century AD - Tajikistan
Ruins of Ayaz Kala, it was an important city of the Kushan empire, originally formed in the 1st century AD

oktopuzz (CC BY 2.0)

The Archeological area of Sarazm, dates back to nealry 4000BC, located near Sohibnazar, close to Uzbekistan border - Tajikistan
The Archeological area of Sarazm, dates back to nealry 4000BC, located near Sohibnazar, close to Uzbekistan border

Bertramz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When to go

The best moment to visit Tajikistan is between May until late September, outside of that period it is potentially snowbound and inaccessible. The climate of Tajikistan is continental and dry across most of the country. During this period, the weather is warm, and there is little to no rainfall. The main reason why people visit Tajikistan is the Pamir Highway and the challenging mountain treks, and this is the only season in which it is possible for you to explore those rugged terrains. For those who wish to explore Tajikistan’s urban life in cities like Dushanbe or Khorog, April and May are also a good time to visit. You will be able to explore the beautiful museums and experience the culture of the cities without suffering the heat of summer.

Birdwatching: during the month of June, offer a promising opportunity for sightings.

Wildlife spotting: the Pamirs, and particularly the border area with Afghanistan, is home to populations of Marco Polo sheep, snow leopards, bears, ibex, markhors. In summer, snow leopards keep a low profile at altitudes above 5000m, and your chances of seeing one are slim. Winter is a much better time.

Snow activities: the snow season is usually from November to March and you can either visit the local ski resort or arrange an organised ski adventure tour.

Pamir highway: the best time to take a Pamir Highway Road trip is during the summer months (June-August), when the weather is the warmest and the roads are generally free of snow and ice.

Practical information

Currency

The Somoni is the official currency. The exchange rate approximately is 1 Euro is between 10,60 – 12 Somonis. 1 UD Dollar is between 9,32 – 11 Somonis.

Language

Tajik is the official language and is derived from Persian. Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Region has different Pamir dialects as well as Kyrgyz as a minority language in the Eastern part of the Pamir. People will understand Russian mostly in larger cities. In Tajikistan very few people understand or speak English.

Visa

The Tajikistan visa policy requires that almost everyone who intends to enter the country must apply for a visa prior to travelling. Theoretically, Tajikistan has a 30-day visa-free policy for passport holders of 52 countries since 2022. The policy is valid at land borders and at airports, but, at this time, travellers have some problems, and if you try to get an E-visa, that is also not easy, with many people being refused, asked for new documents, or the application stuck in the system.

Tajikistan government has implemented an application process, enabling most nationalities to get a visa online. Citizens of the following countries can stay in Tajikistan visa-free: Belarus (Unlimited), Georgia (Unlimited), Kazakhstan (Unlimited), Kyrgyzstan (Unlimited), Moldova (Unlimited), Russia (Unlimited), Armenia (Up to 90 days), Azerbaijan (Up to 90 days), Ukraine (Up to 90 days), Uzbekistan (Up to 30 days).

You can apply for a Tajikistan visa in one of the following ways: online, through the official Tajikistan eVisa portal or at an Embassy or Consulate. Applying for a Tajikistan eVisa, this is a simplified process, wherein you must: complete the online application form, pay the Tajikistan eVisa fee, (fees are non-refundable) and wait for the visa to be processed. This takes about two working days. You will receive the Tajikistan eVisa on your email, and print out the visa and bring it with you when you travel.

The Tajikistan eVisa fee is USD 50. If you want to travel in the Pamir region, you need to get a GBAO permit. This will be checked on various military checkpoints along the Pamir Highway. Permit duration is maximum 45 days. If also applying for a GBAO permit, the cost is about USD 70. The GBAO Permit allows the holder entry to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region. Where to get a GBAO permit: online when applying for the e-visa (20$), at most embassies also when you do not need a Tajik visa, in Dushanbe or Khujand at the Migration Police (OVIR), or in advance through a tour operator. If you do not need a visa, you cannot apply for the GBAO permit online. You will need to go to an embassy or do it in Dushanbe or Khujand, or through a tour operator.

The Tajikistan eVisa allows the holder to stay in the country for up to 60 days. The visa is single-entry and valid for 90 after it is issued. There is a lot of conflicting information online regarding the Tajikistan Visa on Arrival. While the IATA and previous travellers claim that such a visa is available at Dushanbe Airport, there is really no mention of it on any of the official Tajiki websites. If you do decide to apply for a visa on arrival, then consult with an Embassy before you travel.

Registration is not necessary for travellers on a tourist (e-)visa or visa on arrival staying up to 45 days. All other visas must register with the Migration Police (OVIR) if staying more than 10 days, including visa-free travellers.

ATM & credit card

In the capital Dushanbe there are a few ATMs that you will find in shopping malls, supermarkets, or on the main streets, but most of them accept only Visa cards. Outside of Dushanbe, we do not recommend relying on ATMs as there are only a few of them and they may run out of money. It can be difficult to find an ATM that accepts Mastercard Tajikistan is a cash economy, so we recommend bringing cash. Paying by credit card or travellers’ cheque will be possible only in high-end hotels. There are many exchange offices, some working 24/7. Both US dollar and Euro are widely accepted in Tajikistan. In smaller places without official currency exchange, people might be more willing to take dollar than euro.

 

Opening times

Opening times in bazaars, shops and restaurants can vary from town to town. Bazaars from 8am to 4 or 5pm, cafes and restaurants from 8am to 11pm and shops from 9am to 8pm.

Time: GMT+ 5 hours

Main airports

Dushanbe International Airport (is an airport in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. The distance from the airport to the centre of Dushanbe 7 is kilometres. By car, it takes 9 minutes to get to the centre.

Bokhtar International Airport (is an international airport located in the northeast of the city of Bokhtar. The distance from the airport to the centre of Bokhtar is 8,5 kilometres. By car, it takes 11 minutes to get to the centre.

Khujand International Airport (is an airport serving Khujand, the second-largest city in Tajikistan. The distance from the airport to the centre of Khujand is 13,4 kilometres. By car, it takes 14 minutes to get to the centre.

 

Public transport

Tajikistan has a lack of regional public transport system. There are no easy bus or train connections for an easy transfer to the nature outside the city limits. If you want to travel large distances, you rather need to find a shared car or use your own transport. Public transport in Dushanbe (the capital), busses, and white vans (marshrutkas) with line numbers are running to most places. Although it can be hard to figure out the different lines, it is certainly the cheapest, and slowest, means to make your way around town. Tell the driver to stop as the required destination approaches.

Buses can often be very crowded and there have been reports of frequent breakdowns. Tickets can be booked at bus stations.

Tajikistan by train, the slow development of the railway greatly depends on the difficult and versatile landscapes. About railways in Tajikistan, there are two separate networks that are not connected to each other. The northern network joins Khujand with Uzbekistan, and a southern network spreads from Dushanbe to Kulob, Qurgonteppa, to southern Uzbekistan and to the border with Afghanistan at Nizhnij Pyanj. You can check the timetable and different routes here. As well, you can buy tickets at the train station in central Dushanbe that sells rail and air tickets. Online, you can try Tutu.ru, the price is likely to be higher than what you pay offline.

Tajikistan by taxi/own car:  In Dushanbe, it is recommended that visitors take officially licensed taxis, which can be caught from a rank or hailed from the street. Across Tajikistan, taxis are often shared, with the price to the destination being per person. Before embarking on a journey, make sure the destination and price are clear and agreed.

Renting a private car or taxi is more expensive. It is advised to book a car months before the arrival. For renting a car can be difficult, as large international firms do no generally have a presence and the roads are in very poor condition in some areas. Due to the state of the roads, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. In the winter part of the remote regions are isolated and become hard to pass. In spring, the situation becomes worst due to rockslides and mudslides. The best season for driving in summer when all the regions are available.

If you want information about ride the Pamir Highway, you have a lot of information here.

Things to avoid

Tap water should be avoided; drink only bottled water

Plan to travel to the Pamir Mountains without a pre-arranged guide or vehicle

Giving gifts to small children

Shoes should be removed before entering all houses and homestays. Slippers are often provided even in hotels

Public displays of affection and impinging on personal space

Landmines are still a part of the landscape of Tajikistan after the Tajik civil war. Travelers doing the standard Pamir Highway itinerary should not be worried, but hikers in the Pamirs and along the Afghan border should inform themselves

 

 

 

Food

The nomadic way of life without the possibility to preserve food forced Tajiks to use exceptionally fresh products. The basis of Tajik dishes is meat, usually, it is horse meat, sheep, or goat, but they also use beef and poultry. As a Muslim country, pork is prohibited here. Tajik dishes are spiced up with seasonings and greens. The most frequently used spices are saffron, anise, zira, red pepper, barberry, from greens they use fennel, coriander, parsley, raikhon, mint and green onions.

There are some typical dishes in Tajikistan: “Plov” (is a traditional dish in all central Asian countries, yet each of them has its special recipe, Tajik pilaus are cooked with dried fruits, pea, quince, and garlic in a huge kazan on an open fire), “Kabob” (prepared from mutton. Minced meat is mixed with spices, onion and pepper and shaped into sausages. Meat sausages are floured and fried with onions and meat broth. Kabob is served with fresh greens and garlic), “Kaurmo shurbo” (is a thick Tajik soup consisting of a broth packed with meat and vegetables. It is typically prepared with chunks of meat, usually beef or mutton, which are first browned with onions, carrots, and tomatoes, and then simmered with vegetables such as potatoes and peppers, and various spices and herbs)

Electricity and plug types

For Tajikistan there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Tajikistan operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Health and insurance

Medical infrastructure and facilities in Tajikistan are well below normal western standards. The country continues to be one of the poorest countries. However, in recent years its economy has begun expanding rapidly. Tajikistan is making steady advancements in the healthcare sector as well. Most medical practitioners and staff working are professionals. However, the equipment available at most government-run hospitals is outdated or unavailable. The healthcare system in Tajikistan is no longer free. Those working in the country are expected to contribute to a common fund that helps make public healthcare accessible at subsidized costs for them as well as those who cannot afford treatment at all. We strongly recommend that you buy an international health insurance plan that helps you get the best possible treatment at affordable prices and carry a first aid kit and any medication that might be required on the trip. It is strongly advisable that travellers take precautionary vaccinations against cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis A, and B, and typhoid. Also, consult a doctor before departing about whether to get inoculated against rabies, poliomyelitis.

This country has either areas with high altitude (2400m or more) or/and areas with very high altitude (3658m or more). Travellers who may go into areas of high altitude should take care to avoid ill effects of being at altitude including Acute Mountain Sickness, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Other

Tipping is not necessary but small change is appreciated for good service. Top and midrrange restaurants: 10% is often added to the bill in Dushanbe, where this is not the case, and outside the capital, up to 10% is appropriate for good service. Drivers do not expect a tip

Bargaining is expected in the bazaars but not in shops, where fixed prices are the norm

Dress conservatively in rural areas out of respect for local customs

Bedbugs can be annoying in rural accomodation

Cyclists are especially vulnerable to dangerous drivers, and foreign cyclists get hit by cars