Tajikistan

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Quick Facts

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Capital

Dushanbe

Population

6,864,000

Government

Republic

Religions

Islam

Languages

Tajik

Calling Code

+992

Nationality

Tajik

Local name

Tojikiston

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Introduction

Alaudin Lake # 3

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Tajikistan (Тоҷикистон) is an ill-conceived child of the Soviet demise in 1991: as the Soviets retreated and the country announced its independence, brutal civil war erupted. It took till 1997 to reach some form of an internal peace agreement, by which time the war had created half a million refugees. Even now, the tension sits uncomfortably high.

Obviously, Tajikistan is not ideal for a family holiday. Great care must be taken: don't go wandering the streets of Dushanbe late at night. But the spectacular heights of the Pamirs and the Tian Shan range provide some excellent hiking opportunities; if care is taken to avoid trouble spots, you could be in for some of the most outstanding scenery you'll ever see. Tajikistan boasts a number of peaks over 7000 metres, putting it high on the list of the world's most impressive visual treats.

Brief History

Geography

Regions/Provinces

• Sughd Province is located in the northwest, bordering Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
• The Region of Republican Subordination (formerly known as Karotegin Province) is located in the centre of Tajikistan and borders the Caspian Sea in the west and Uzbekistan in the east.
• Khatlon Province is located in the country's southwest, bordering Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
• Gorno-Badakhshan Province is an autonomous province in the country's east.

Cities

• Dushanbe
• Khujand
• Khorog
• Qurghonteppa
• Kulob
• Uroteppa
• Panj

Sights and Activities

Ismoil Somoni Peak

Located in the northwestern Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Rergion, Ismoil Somoni Peak is the tallest mountain in all of Tajikistan. This amazing mountain is 7,495 m (24,590 ft) tall and is covered in snow year round. Named after an ancestor from the great Samanid dynasty, which was a dynasty during the persian empire (819 AD to 999 AD), this mountain is stunning. Only deemed the tallest mountain in 1928 and climbed for the first time by a Soviet mountaineer in 1933, one can truly explore this remote peak. The climb is very technical and requires lots of ice climbing. There are also several other peaks nearby like Ibn Sina Peak (Lenin Peak), Korzhenevskaya Peak and Qullai Istiqlol (Independence Peak).

Kyzylart Pass

Kyzylart Pass is a stunning mountain pass located in the Trans-Alay Range. This pass reaches a breath taking altitude of 4,280 m (14,042 ft). Located on the border of Kyrgyzstan the view from the pass is jaw dropping. Remember that the weather can brutal year round on this pass.

Lake Zorkul

Lake Zorkul is a stunning mountain lake located on the border of Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The lake runs from east to west for about 25 km. The northern half lies within the borders of Tajikistan and the clear blue waters are stunning. To all of sides of the lake one can see the stunning Pamir Mountains. 15 km south of the lake is the stunning Concord Peak, which is 5,469 m (17,943 ft) tall. On the eastern shore of the lake is the small settlement of Qarabolaq.

Other Sights and Activities

• Bazaar - Visit these colourful weekly markets in major cities and small towns across the country.
• Hiking - Go explore the mountains and lakes of this remote country on day hikes or intense multi week exhibitions.
• Monument to Samn Khuda - Visit this stunning monument in Dushanbe to the great ancestor of the Samanids and is a major source for Tajik nationalism.
• Statue of the Persian-Tajik Poet Rudaki - Located in Panjakent, get a taste of how important poetry is in Tajikistan by visiting this statue.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Tajikistan has a continental climate with generally dry weather, hot summers and cold winters, especially in the higher regions. Conditions in the lowlands, for example in the capita Dushanbe, are less extreme in winter, but can be very hot in summer. Generally temperatures are around 30 degrees in summer and around or slightly above zero in winter, during the day. At night, it normally freezes in winters but summernights are pleasant. Summers are drier than winters, when more rain and some snowfall (especially in the mountains) is more common.
Late spring (May/June) and early autumn (September) are good times for visiting most of the country.

Getting there

By Plane

The main international airport is at the capital Dushanbe and the national airline is Tajik Air. Tajik Air has flights mainly throughout the Central Asian region and Russia. It also has flights from Munich via Istanbul to the capital. Other airlines serving Tajikistan are limited to airlines from the former Sovjet Union, except flights with China Airlines from Ürümqi.

By Car

You can drive across many borders with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan, though the one with China is closed for now. Have your visa and car documentation (green card, driving permit etc.) in order and expect some long waiting times across the some borders. The ones to Afghanistan are not really recommended but crossing to and from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan is better than it has ever been.

By Bus

Most cross border transport needs to be done in stages, that is taking a taxi/bus/minibus to the border, walk across the border and take onward transport from there.
To Afghanistan, you can travel between Dushanbe and Kunduz in a day, with a very early start you might make it to Kabul, but there is enough to see across the border already so need to do that. The main and easiest crossing is at Panj-e-Payon. To get to Panj-e-Payon take a shared taxi otherwise even a minibus to Dusti from Dushanbe or Kurgonteppa follwed by a taxiride to the border. There is also a crossing at Ishkashim but that one is easiest when you are heading for Afghanistan. To Tajikistan you will need to show a permit and those are technically only available inside Tajikistan though you might get on at the Tajik embassy in Kabul (don't count on it though).
For know, the new road between Tajikistan and China is not yet open for citizens other than those countries.
There are a couple of ways to get to/from Kyrgyzstan. From the Pamir Alay Valley you can cross into Tajikistan just north of the Kyzyl-Art Pass. From Khojand you need to get to Isfara and then take a shared taxi or bus to Batken in Kyrgyzstan. From there, transport to Osh normally travels through the Uzbek enclave of Sokh so you need a multiple entry visa for both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. If you are headed directly to Osh from Khojand and have an Uzbek multiple entry visa it is best to take taxis through the Uzbek Fergana Valley to Kokand, Andijon and the border at Dostyk.
To/from Uzbekistan, the main border crossing is 55 kilometers west of Dushanbe, near Tursanzade/Regar, crossing to Denau. Taxis and buses go thre from. At the border, minibuses run to Denau town, where you may find a shared taxi direct to Samarkand. From Khojand there are two main border crossings. Oybek in the northwest for Tashkent, and Kanibadam in the northeast for Kokand and the Fergana Valley. It is best to get transport to the border, walk across and take onward transport again. Finally, it is easy to travel between Samarkand and Penjikent as well.

Getting Around

By Plane

Tajik Air has a number of domestic flights. Routes include Dushanbe to and from Khorog, Khojand and Kulyab.

By Train

There are three main railway lines in Tajikistan. There is one leading south from Dushanbe through Kurgan-Tyube and Shaartuz. Another one leads south from Dushanbe, through Kurgan-Tyube to Tugul on the Afghan border. A third one is located in the northern region which runs from Samarkand, through Khojand to the Fergana Valley. A branch from Kulyab to Kurgan-Tyube is currently under construction.

By Car

Self drive cars are not available right now, but you can rent one with a driver. Some main roads are in an acceptable condition, but most are not and are full of potholes. Maintenance of vehicles and roads is just regular at best. In winter, most of the main roads are closed due to severe snow. The road from Khorog to Osh in Kyrgyzstan is kept open year round and is one of the most beautiful routes anywhere in the world, running through the Pamir Mountain Range.

By Bus

From Dushanbe, buses go south to Kurgan-Tyrube and Kulyab and as far down as Pyanj and Ayvadaz. Buses to the east reach only around 100 kilometers, as far as Komsomolabad. If you want to travel further, you will need to arrange a car or be on a tour.

By Boat

There are no boat services in the country.

Red Tape

Nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia and Ukraine do not need a visa for visits up to 90 days. All other nationals do need a visa and you don't have to register at OVIR anymore for visits under 30 days. Most people now can get a visa at Dushanbe airport. No Letter of Invitation is necessary anymore as well. Note that crossing to Tajikistan over land requires you to obtain a visa before arrival.

Money

See also: Money Matters

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

See also: Travel Health

Safety

See also: Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

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