Travel Guide Tajikistan
Even more than its Central Asian neighbours, the Republic of Tajikistan is a destination that is being rebuilt. Between the 1992-1997 civil war and the conflicts in the neighbouring Afghan mountains, the country was severely affected, but the situation is improving and stabilizing. So much so that breathtaking areas such as the Wakhan corridor and the Pamir Mountains, known by the Anglo-Saxons as the "Pamir Highway" - a must for thrill-seekers - are visited by many travellers by bicycle, motorcycle and even on foot. Tajikistan's tour guide will take you from its capital Dushanbe to the country's former sites, including Pendjikent and Hissar, but also to the lake region in the Fan Mountains, between Pendjikent and Samarkand. Visitors who have already travelled around Central Asia will also be delighted to meet the descendants of the region's Persian-speaking Persian populations, whose language and ways of life differ from the surrounding countries, but where we always find the same hospitality, the same smiles, the same curiosity of the other... the sumptuous setting of the rooftops of the world in addition !
What to visit Tajikistan?
When to go to Tajikistan?
When to go to Tajikistan ? The best time to go to Tajikistan, as for all the mountainous areas of Central Asia, is obviously in summer, when the passes are more or less passable. It is very difficult to travel in winter in Tajikistan, and spring, with the melting of snow, is not recommended. In autumn, some passes are already closed, and the night temperatures already drop significantly. So when to go to Tajikistan? Preferably between June and mid-September.
Weather at the moment
Tajikistan's weather depends on its continental and dry climate, and temperature differences are further accentuated by altitude. Thus, on the ,desert plateaus of Pamir, the thermometer can go down to -60°C in winter, while the Ferghana Valley experiences peaks in summer at over 40°C. In any case, even in summer, night temperatures are very cold in Tajikistan. However, it rains only slightly, and rainfall occurs mainly in March and April.
The somoni is the national currency in Tajikistan. To calculate the budget of your trip in Tajikistan, you will have to take into account the costs of travel in the mountains, in 4 x 4, on difficult tracks. However, they can be easily reduced if you have time to look for travel companions. On the other hand, the more you are numerous, the more the comfort decreases... It is a choice to make!
To travel to Tajikistan, you will need a visa. However, the country has set up an electronic visa that is very easy to obtain via the website www.evisa.tj. Remember to ask for GBAO authorization if you are going to the Murghab region.
Moving from one country to another in Central Asia. No visa allows you to visit all the countries of Central Asia. It will often be easier to move from one country to another and apply for a new visa for the country of origin in the second one rather than spending too much time justifying your desire to obtain a simple double or triple entry visa. The easiest way is to take a first visa for Uzbekistan. All other visas can be easily and quickly obtained in Tashkent, including for more distant destinations such as China or Iran.
No vaccinations are required to travel to Tajikistan. Nevertheless, and given the local health conditions, it is advisable to be up to date with vaccinations against diphtheria, polio, and hepatitis A and B. A rabies vaccine may be a good idea for those planning expeditions into the wilderness, whether in the steppes, mountains or deserts. Tap water is not drinkable everywhere in Tajikistan. Prefer bottled water.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Tajikistan? Our advice & tips
Tajikistan is not a very touristy country, but it is a destination that is covered by some Central Asia specialists who will be able to concoct you a tailor-made stay. According to the areas you wish to discover, they will propose you adapted solutions. Note that it is possible to plan a visit to several countries of the region, by preparing your trip well before departure, especially to obtain the necessary visas.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationA return ticket by plane from Europe will cost you around 1 000 €. Aeroflot, Turkish, Emirates and finally Lufthansa are possible companies. From Moscow, you can also reach Tajikistan by train. The trip is obviously long (at least three days), but it is generally charming (visas of the countries crossed necessary). Tajikistan is also accessible by car.
In Tajikistan, the altitude and the slopes make the roads impassable for buses other than in the Ferghana valley. It is possible to travel by rail, but the dilapidated state of the mountain rail network must be considered. Most travel agencies in the region offer car rentals with a driver (which can be a good solution in Tajikistan where it is difficult to find your way). In the capitals, cabs are very numerous and always cheap.
