The Best Places to Visit in Tajikistan
As Central Asia becomes an increasingly more popular destination, Tajikistan remains one of the least visited countries within the region. It’s a country of nearly 11 million people, and nearly 90% of its territory is covered in mountains. The best thing about Tajikistan is the beautiful, turquoise colored lakes you can find all over the country. It makes for some awesome hikes and incredibly scenic stops. Tajikistan also contains part of the Pamir Highway, which stretches through various countries in Central Asia and is one of the most stunning roads in the world. Definitely add Tajikistan to your itinerary if you have time because the scenery is breathtaking.
Capital: Dushanbe
Currency: Tajikistani Somoni
Language: Tajiki, Russian
When to visit: April to May, August to October
1) Dushanbe
Dushanbe sits quietly in a wide valley in western Tajikistan, and is the country’s capital city and a big green space. Dushanbe is not packed with a bunch of major attractions and it doesn’t jump at you like Bishkek or Astana, however it’s probably going to be your gateway into Tajikistan and you can make use of some of the pleasant spaces before you head to the mountains.
Things to do:
The big long street which runs across the main part of the city is called Rudaki Avenue, and you can find many attractions along each end. To the west of the avenue is the massive green space called Rudaki Park. You should definitely spend some time walking through this, you can find the National Museum of Tajikistan and the big Flagpole of Tajikistan. Whereas at the southern end of the park is the incredible Monument of Ismail Samani, the Independence Monument, and the National Library too. The second best park is definitely Victory Park, which is very large and contains a WWII Memorial Monument. Next, visit Navruz Palace which was built to celebrate Tajik craftsmanship and heritage and has an intricate decorative design. And lastly, visit the Mehrgon Bazaar which is going to be your best shopping and market experience in Tajikistan, and a great place to find all kinds of exotic produce in the beautiful building.
How to get there:
Dushanbe International Airport (DYU) mainly has flights across Central Asia and the Middle East.
You can often take shared taxis or minibuses from cities in Uzbekistan.
2) Iskanderkul
Iskanderkul is one of Tajikistan’s most beautiful natural landmarks - a deep turquoise lake set high in the mountains about 130 kilometres north of Dushanbe. It’s not a gigantic lake, but on a sunny day the pristine water reflects in a charming way. The name is said mean “Lake of Alexander,” and local legend says it was named after Alexander the Great, who is believed to have passed through the region during his campaigns in Central Asia.
Things to do:
Iskanderkul is accessible by road, so no over the top hiking required. It’s the perfect place to relax in the sun. You can also rent a boat or book a boat trip from Turbaza Iskanderkul which sits on the northern shore. If you do want to do some walking, Snake Lake sits right behind the main viewpoints from the northern shore, and has more of a dark green color and it’s filled with snakes. If you continue walking from Snake Lake, you can find the Waterfall of the Fann Mountains, AKA Iskanderkul Waterfall. You can see the water crashing below for quite some time.
How to get there:
The most practical way if you don’t have a car is with a tour guide or booking a shared taxi.
3) Seven Lakes
The Seven Lakes are a chain of vivid alpine lakes tucked away in the western Fann Mountains in northern Tajikistan. They sit near the border with Uzbekistan, and make for one of the best options for nature in the country as each lake is very beautiful and different in its own way.
Things to do:
Most people base themselves in either Panjakent or Dushanbe for this experience, and you have essentially two options. The first is to take a guided 4x4 tour from either of the cities and explore all the lakes and the villages and guesthouses in between them, and your other option is to hike past all 7 lakes, but it’s not exactly the most rewarding as you’re just walking the road where the car would be anyway. If you do end up doing it (it’s still stunning), consider staying in a guesthouse around the mid point to break up the hike to two days. The best compromise overall is to walk from the 6th lake to the 7th lake, which offers the best views and the 7th lake is for sure the most beautiful.
How to get there:
Book your driver, taxi, or tour from Dushanbe or Panjakent.
4) Yaghnob Valley
Yaghnob Valley is a big valley up in northwestern Tajikistan, and the landscapes around it genuinely looks like it froze in time forever. It’s also not just a scenic destination, it is one of the last places where the ancient Yaghnobi language is still spoken. You’ll be able to see small stone villages and houses scattered across different parts of the incredible mountainous region, complete with farming areas and wildlife spaces. It’s a true historic Central Asian experience.
Things to do:
The Yaghnob Valley Loop Trek is one of the most rewarding multi day hikes in the country, usually starting near the village of Magrib. From there, you simply follow the Yaghnob River upstream. It’s usually around 45km for the main route, which takes you on a loop around the beauty of the valley, allowing you to stay at multiple lovely guesthouses at each night. Depending on your fitness, it should take between 4-7 days to go from Magrib and back. You’ll pass through all the local homes with cultivated patches of land and donkeys, and as the days progress the hike often gets harder as the landscape varies. Find good distances between your accommodation and set realistic routes allowing you to progress every day, and you’ll be able to enjoy this beautiful region over multiple days.
How to get there:
From Dushanbe, you’ll need a driver to take you to Magrib.
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