Itinerary

1. Day 1 - Arrival in Dushanbe

   • Arrive at Dushanbe airport, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel for check-in. 

   Overnight in the hotel.

2. Day 2 - Dushanbe - Panjakent

   • Cross the Uzbekistan - Tajikistan border (takes approximately 1 hour in the morning ). After crossing the border, transfer to the hotel.
   • Visit Panjakent, which was once the capital of the Sogdian Empire, a Zoroastrian civilization well predating Islam in the region. There are several ancient sites in the area worth visiting on your way to the mountains.

   Places to visit around Panjakent:

   • Sarazm: A stone’s throw away from the border crossing is the UNESCO-listed ruins of Sarazm. A remarkably tall human skeleton, dubbed the “Princess of Sarazm”, was found here with some of her ornaments. Archaeologists also found artifacts indicating ancient trading routes stretching as far as modern-day Iran and Pakistan.
   • Panjakent Bazaar: This bazaar has a beautiful central building ringed by brick archways. It’s a good place to buy trekking snacks like nuts and dried fruits. Get your first taste of Tajik hospitality.
   • Old Panjakent: The 1,500+-year-old ruins of ancient Panjakent outside the city, accessible by taxi or hitchhiking. The hilltop site spans several kilometres; roam through it at your leisure. Here archaeologists found remarkably well-preserved frescoes. They’ve been relocated to the Rudaki Museum in Panjakent, the National Museum in Dushanbe, and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. You can see copies in the small museum at the Old Panjakent entrance. 

   Overnight in a hotel.

3. Day 3 - Panjakent - Seven Lakes

   • See how seven small lakes make up the Haft Kul, “ lakes”, in northwest Tajikistan. Legend says they are the tears of the daughters of a missing man. Science says they were created after earthquakes altered the Shing River’s course. The Haft Kul road is one of Tajikistan’s most accessible treks; the perfect introduction to Tajikistan’s natural beauty.
   • Getting to the Haft Kul can be as easy or as strenuous as you like—you decide how far to trek. Other than the azure lakes, there are plenty of villages to wander through, with many kind locals happy to invite travellers for tea. 

   Overnight in Homestay.

4. Day 4 - Seven Lakes - Voru Village

   • After having breakfast, drive to Voru village. This village, located at an altitude of more than 3000m above sea level, is considered one of the most ancient villages in Tajikistan and Central Asia. The main thing which amazes every visitor is the location of the houses. Voru differs from other villages for its strange and various traditions and cultures. It seems like a grandiose multistorey in the heart of skyscraper mountains. 

   Dinner and overnight in a traditional Guesthouse.

5. Day 5 - Voru village - Mountain village of Khumorigun - Ruknobod

   • Have breakfast and continue to Khumorigung village. Be surprised not to find any foreign footprints here. See the population, the living condition of these people and their homes that seem more like caves.
   • In the afternoon, continue towards Ruknobod. Have a good opportunity to rest and try some Tajik national meals.

   Overnight in a traditional house.

6. Day 6 - Ruknobod - Iskandarkul

   • Visit Iskanderkul, which is a mountain lake of glacial origin in Tajikistan's Sughd Province. It lies at an altitude of 2,195 metres (7,201 ft) on the northern slopes of the Gissar Range in the Fann Mountains. Triangular in shape, it has a surface area of 3.4 square kilometres (1.3 sq mi) and is up to 72 metres (236 ft) deep. 
   • Have lunch at the traditional homestay "Dilovar". Stroll around the lake and explore five springs and Zmeinoe (Snake) Lake. Walk to a 38m high waterfall called Fanskaya Niagara (Niagara of Fann) that local people compare with Niagara. 

   Overnight in Homestay.

7. Day 7 - Iskandarkul- Margheb

   • Transfer from Iskandarkul to Yagnob -Margeb village. 
   • After arriving in Margeb, feel the real smell of natural odours. Walking around the village and meet guides & porters. 

   Lunch & Dinner at the homestay. Overnight at the homestay.

8. Day 8 - Margheb – Bidev – Shovita

   • After breakfast, start trekking to Bidev – Shovita, in Yagnob; Hear the spoken Sogdian language in Bidev, located 22 km from Margheb. 
   • Walk along the Yangon River. The hike will lead to the west along Yagnob Gorge, till Shovita, where the remains of an old mill can be found. The hike is not technically difficult. 

   Breakfast at the homestay, Lunch – picnic, Dinner at the camp. 

   Overnight: Camping

9. Day 9 - Shovita - Piskon

   • Pass along the Yagnob River and come to Yagnob Gorge's heart – the settlements of Pscon and Naumetcan. 
   • Hike to Piskon and be in the heart of Yagnob Valley. It is supposed to be the core zone of the future ethnographical park, where no external impact is supposed to be allowed—trekking distance 12km; approx 5 – 6hrs. The hike is not technically difficult.

   Breakfast at the camp. Lunch – picnic. Dinner at the homestay.

   Overnight at the homestay.

10. Day 10 - Piskon - Istaravshan

    • Today is your last day in Yagnob valley. In the morning, drive towards istaravshan through the Shakhristan tunnel. 
    • Visit a local bazaar, Hazrati Shah architectural complex, consisting of Hazrat Shah Mausoleum, the grave of Kusam ibn Abbas, Khudayar Valami Mausoleum, and Namazgah mosque dating back to the 19th century. 
    • Continue to Mug teppe, one of the ancient settlements in Istaravshan. The city is believed to be founded by King Cyrus in the northeast boundary of his empire. 

    Overnight in the homestay.

11. Day 11 - Istaravshan - Khujand

    • Have breakfast at 10:00 and then go for a sightseeing tour in Khujand 
      • Republican Historical-Ethnographic Museum
      • Timur-Malik Fortress
      • Archaeological Museum, Mosque and Madrasah of Sheikh Muslihiddin
      • Payshanba Bazaar and other significant sights.

    Overnight in the hotel.

12. Day 12 - Khujand - Dushanbe

    Places to visit in Dushanbe (the capital of Tajikistan, considered to be one of the safest cities in Asia):

    • National Museum:  the museum has some interesting collections you will enjoy: some of the frescoes from Old Panjakent and an entire top floor with unique artworks from Tajik artists.
    • Rudaki Park: Dushanbe’s prettiest park next to the National Museum. Its tree-lined ways contain everything from the Palace of Nations (where the president works) to eccentricities like the second tallest flagpole in the world. 
    • Rohat Chaikhana: Massive teahouse on Rudaki Avenue. Beautifully decorated and a pleasant place to have an affordable nice lunch outside. You can sit in a columned open hall or an elaborate wooden interior.
    • Museum of Antiquities: contains the bones of the Princess of Sarazm and an impressive collection of ancient artifacts.
    • Mehrgon Bazaar: Grand bazaar in the north of the city where you can buy everything, from freshly diced carrots to stuffed dried dates.
    • Ayni Opera & Ballet Theatre: Here, you can see operas or ballets in a grand theatre.
    • Sim Sim Brewery: Tajikistan’s favourite beer is brewed here in Dushanbe. You can enjoy two varieties of local brew on its rooftop terrace or in the restaurant. 
    • Botanical Garden: Take a short walk from Chatr Café, stroll in this sprawling garden where couples and families come to spend some time. 

    Overnight in a hotel.

13. Day 13 - Dushanbe

    • After breakfast, drive to Dushanbe. 

    Places to visit : 

    • Kurutobhona Olim: Kurutob is one of the few Central Asian dishes that will excite you. Strips of bread, yoghurt, salad, and herbs make up this curious but delicious dish (one of the few decent vegetarian options in Tajikistan!). Visit Olim restaurant, outside the city center, which is a popular local lunch spot.
    • Navruz Palace: Kokhi Navruz is an attractive palace on the water converted to events and entertainment. Its grand halls overflow with woodwork, ceiling frescoes, and tiled mosaics. Visit its interior and/or dine at one of the teahouses by its entrance.
    • Chavonon Gardens: Lining a lake and beachfront behind Navruz Palace, these small gardens are a popular hangout spot in afternoons and evenings. There’s a small cafe on the water where you can sit and watch people.
    • Rest and enjoy this final day drinking some local beers. Drive to Airport for departure.