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Quintessential Tajikistan
Untouched, wild and virtually uncharted territory, with towering mountains, Tajikistan is as revered by the intrepid spirits for its nature as much as it is for its heritage of which Alexander the Great and the Persians have left their mark. Welcome to a land of epic experiences!
HIGHLIGHTS
Uncover the best of Tajikistan's most iconic sites
Stay in charming hotels and guesthouses
Sample the most palettable traditional Tajik cuisine
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE DUSHANBE
Arrive Dushanbe Intl Airport where you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Hyatt Regency Dushanbe. Thereafter, embark on a fascinating city tour of Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s leafy capital. Highlights of the city include the magnificent gold Somoni Monument, the world’s second-tallest flag pole, Rudaki Park, parliament, Hissar Fort, and the Navruz Hall.
Overnight: Hyatt Regency, Dushanbe
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
DAY 2: DUSHANBE / PENJIKENT
We leave Dushanbe in the morning towards Penjikent (name translates as “the city of five villages”) dating from the 5th Century. Penjikent was a thriving regional hub, a city as cosmopolitan as they came. In Penjikent you will have traditional plov for lunch which is considered as the best place to have plov in Tajikistan. Afterwards we will visit a museum in Penjikent and the Sarazm settlement, a UNESCO World Heritage site dated between the 5th - 6th Century BC and the famous Penjikent bazaar.
Overnight: Guest house in Penjikent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3: PENJIKENT / ISTARAVSHAN / KHUJAND
From Penjikent we drive up to Khujand through Istaravshan. On the way to Istaravshan you will cross through Shahriston Pass which is very scenery where you will have for a lunch a famous smocked meat. Afterwards you drive to Istaravshan which was founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th Century BC and recently celebrated its 2500th anniversary. Today, Istaravshan is well known in Tajikistan for its blacksmiths, hand-crafting knives of high quality. We will visit the workshops of the blacksmiths near the entrance of the market. We will also meet a famous wood carving master, who will tell you more about his work and passion. We will also visit the Hazrati Shoh Mosque and Mugtepa Fortress. Finally, we will arrive to Khujand in the evening.
Overnight: Grand Hotel, Khujand
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4: KHUJAND
We enjoy a full day in the ancient city of Khujand with a history dating back to Cyrus the Great of Persia and Alexander the Great. Today it is the second largest city in Tajikistan with Tajikistan’s biggest market – Panjshanbe Bazaar. Our city tour of Khujand includes the bazaar and the adjacent Maslihaddin Mosque, the historical Museum of Khujand, and Arbob Palace. In the evening, we will have a walk around Kmaoli Khujand Park and see the Lenin statue.
Overnight: Grand Hotel, Khujand
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5: KHUJAND / ISKANDERKUL LAKE
Today, we drive all the way back to Saratog village on a long and scenic ride on the same road that we took before. Along the way, you will stop to see the magnificent Iskanderkul (Alexander’s Lake) and a picturesque waterfall. At the guesthouse this evening you will have the opportunity to take a traditional Russian sauna.
Overnight: Guest house in Iskanderkul Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6: ISKANDERKUL LAKE / DUSHANBE
On the final day you will transfer by road to Dushanbe and check in to the Hyatt Regency Dushanbe. Your farewell dinner will be served at an authentic Tajk restaurant, accompanied by live music and dance.
Overnight: Hyatt Regency, Dushanbe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: DEPART DUSHANBE
Transfer to the airport today for your onward journey home or continue your adventures in Central Asia.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Located in the city centre, on the grounds of City Park and adjacent to Lake Komsomol, Hyatt Regency Dushanbe reflects the distinctive flavour of Tajikistan in the design of its generously sized rooms and suites.
The Grand Hotel Khujand is situated in the center of the town and honored to be the best for its modern design, after received positive feedback and appreciations which were given by thousand of visitors in different languages as. Russian, Chinese, English, Arabic and ets. In 2012 the hotel was awarded the special prize: The best quality of service in Tajikistan.
Through a well-established network of local guest houses and homestays in Tajikistan, we offer the best and most well-furnished environments in selected guest houses with the local immersion program and experience to understand the daily lives of locals.
Guest Houses in Penjikent & Iskanderkul Lake
