Travelling to Tajikistan
Tajikistan is easy to visit by air - the International Airport in Dushanbe, as well as through neighboring countries: from the east through the Kizil art BP from Kyrgyzstan and from the west side via the Oibek BP from Uzbekistan. The most convenient way to visit the country – is by plane. Thus, you will be able to visit not only the capital, you will find yourself in the center of the country with easy to choose: to visit the legendary Pamirs or Fann mountains.
Thanks to the diplomatic efforts of both sides, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have now developed good neighborly relations, which have had a positive impact on the development of tourism in these countries. Now the air border is also open, once a week the regular flights between Tashkent and Dushanbe are carried out, also the land borders are open now for locals and foreigners.
This is a great news for those who are interested in visiting the ancient cities of antique Persia - Samarkand and Bukhara in Uzbekistan and Sarazm and Penjikent in Tajikistan. The ancient settlement of Sarazm (IV-II millennium BC) included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and famous as one of the main attractions for tourists and scientists.
Another popular route, used to log in Tajikistan and especially the Pamirs (GBAO) - is along the famous Pamir Highway from Osh (Kyrgyzstan) via the Kyzyl art. Border Pass. This route is particularly suitable for those, who want to make the ascent of Mount Avicenna 7135m (former Lenin peak) or planning to conquer the ridges of Eastern and Central Pamirs, or just want to pass on the Pamir Highway.
Another reason of popularity of this route - it saves some money, as kyrgyz drivers always offer to carry tourists on the Pamir highway for a lesser amount, in compare to service providers from Tajikistan. However, this seemingly "good deal" then completes with full disappointment of the visitors, and sometimes even ends with scandal and bad reviews on the net, which creates a big negative factor for the tourism development in Tajikistan.
So, if you want to see the beautiful alpine landscapes and lakes, supremely epic peaks of 6000 meters, enjoy the thermal springs, combining all this beauty with visit of ancient Wakhan fortresses as Kaahka – (III century BC) and Yamchun, (about IV-I centuries BC).. You will plunge into the world of various legends and mysteries of Zoroastrianism and other ancient cults and religions, visit holy shrines with thousand-year history, make a deep glance inside the rich cultural heritage of Ariana, observe the philosophy of Pamir house..
Pamir Trips strongly recommends you to use the services of local operators and service providers rather than uncertain drivers from the street. Locals always have better knowledge about their country, and can show you the things, which outsiders cannot understand.
Transportation during the trip
During our tours, especially in Pamirs and in the Afghan Wakhan, we usually use 4x4 SUVs such as Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, or Mitsubishi Pajero with very experienced drivers. These vehicles make it possible to travel to distant places out of the road, and thus, help to save time and visit more attractions.
We well understand the value of comfort during off-road drive and try our best to make your trip enjoyable. Therefore, we put no more than 4 people in one car (including the driver.)
During the treks and the expeditions, for luggage transportation, we hire the pack animals (donkeys, horses or yaks) along with local porters. In longer trekking, especially in the Wakhan of Afghanistan, we often change pack animals to new ones in the villages, as the animals get tired crossing the passes and lose strength.
For the treks around the Fedchenko Glacier, to carry the luggage from the last village of the Vanj Valley to the Glacier, we use the service of big army truck, this is the only reliable and enough powerful machine for crossing the fast flow rivers, mud and snow.
All our drivers and pack animals stuff have extensive experience working with tourists and try to make your stay enjoyable and memorable.