Desert Castles of Uzbekistan & the Seven Lakes of Tajikistan
Tashkent → Khiva → Desert fortresses of Khorezm → Bukhara → Samarkand → Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) → Shakhrisabz
From €1,155 per personView tour
The roof of the world
Tajikistan travel guide
The Pamir Highway, the Fann Mountains and the Seven Lakes.
More than nine-tenths of Tajikistan is mountains. The Pamir Highway crosses the "roof of the world" at over 4,600 m, following the Panj river along the Afghan border through the Wakhan Valley before climbing to the high plateau of Murghab and Karakul lake.
In the north, the Fann Mountains are a compact range of turquoise lakes and jagged peaks, reachable in a day from Samarkand. The Seven Lakes of the Shing valley and Iskanderkul are the classic introductions. Tajik culture is Persian in language and tradition, and hospitality in the Pamiri villages is legendary.
- Capital
- Dushanbe
- Currency
- Somoni (TJS)
- Languages
- Tajik; Russian is widely understood
- Time zone
- GMT+5
- Ideal length
- 7–14 days (Pamir Highway 10+)
- Best months
- June–September
- Entry
- E-visa for most visitors; GBAO permit for the Pamirs
- Gateways
- Dushanbe and Khujand airports; land border from Samarkand
Why visit Tajikistan
The Pamir Highway
One of the great road journeys on earth, from Dushanbe to Osh over high passes and plateaus.
Fann Mountains
Turquoise lakes and treks, a short drive from Samarkand and Penjikent.
Wakhan Valley
Ancient fortresses, hot springs and views across the Panj to the Hindu Kush.
Persian heritage
Sogdian Penjikent, the proto-urban site of Sarazm, and the poetry of Rudaki.
Top destinations
Where to go in Tajikistan
Tours
Tajikistan tours & itineraries
Combine Tajikistan with its neighbours
Central Asia grand tour: five countries in 21 days
Ashgabat → Darvaza gas crater → Kunya-Urgench → Khiva → Bukhara → Samarkand → Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) → Tashkent → Margilan → Osh → Bishkek → Song-Kul → Issyk-Kul → Almaty
From €2,935 per personView tour
The Pamir Highway: Dushanbe to Osh, 12 days
Dushanbe → The Pamirs → Wakhan Valley → Pamir Highway → Osh
From €1,795 per personView tour
Things to do
Experiences in Tajikistan
Season
When to visit Tajikistan
Best months: June–September.
October: Good
Early snow possible on high passes. Lower routes still good.
Plan a trip for this monthIdeal Good Challenging
Culture
Tajiks speak a variety of Persian, and Persian poetry, music and the celebration of Navruz are central to national life. In the Pamirs, the Ismaili communities have their own languages and a distinctive house, the chid, with a five-pillared roof and a skylight. A guest is given the best place on the raised platform and more tea and bread than they can manage.
History
Northern Tajikistan was part of Sogdiana, the land of the Silk Road's master traders; Penjikent's ruined Sogdian city and nearby Sarazm, one of the earliest proto-urban settlements in Central Asia, show how old that story is. Alexander the Great founded a city at Khujand. The region later fell under the Samanids, whose founder Ismail Somoni is the national hero, and much later became part of the USSR. Tajikistan became independent in 1991.
Nature
The Pamirs hold Ismoil Somoni Peak (7,495 m), the highest point of the former Soviet Union, and the Fedchenko glacier, one of the longest outside the polar regions. The Fann Mountains in the north rise to more than 5,400 m around turquoise lakes like Alauddin, Kulikalon and Iskanderkul.
Food
What to eat in Tajikistan
Qurutob
The national dish, torn flatbread soaked in a sauce of dried yoghurt (qurut), topped with onions and herbs.
Oshi palav
Tajik plov, cooked for celebrations and Thursday gatherings.
Sambusa
Baked pastries with meat and onion.
Shirchoy
Salty milk tea with butter, served in the Pamirs.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tajikistan
- 2010Proto-urban site of Sarazm
- 2013Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs)
- 2023Silk Roads – Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor (shared with Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan)
Visas
Most visitors apply online for a Tajik e-visa; some nationalities can enter visa-free. To travel in the Pamirs (Gorno-Badakhshan, GBAO) you also need a permit, which can be requested together with the e-visa. Check the official e-visa portal before booking, as rules change.
Getting around
Travel is by 4×4 or minivan with a driver. The Pamir Highway is paved in sections and rough in others; allow at least ten days to do it justice. From Samarkand, the Penjikent border crossing makes the Seven Lakes reachable in a day.
Travel tips
- Altitude matters on the Pamir Highway. Plan gradual ascents and drink plenty of water.
- Cash is essential outside Dushanbe and Khujand; ATMs are rare in the Pamirs.
- Expect simple homestays with shared bathrooms in remote villages.
Travel guide
Planning a trip to Tajikistan
Tajikistan: frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for the Pamir Highway?
Yes. Travel in Gorno-Badakhshan requires a GBAO permit in addition to your visa or e-visa. It can be requested with the e-visa application.
How many days does the Pamir Highway take?
At least ten days from Dushanbe to Osh to include the Wakhan Valley without rushing. Two weeks lets you add hikes and rest days.
Can I visit Tajikistan from Samarkand?
Yes. The Seven Lakes of the Fann Mountains are a long day trip from Samarkand via the Penjikent border crossing.
Plan your journey in Tajikistan
Answer a few questions and a planner in Khiva will send a day-by-day route and a price. Free, with no obligation.