Tajikistan

Tajikistan is located at the the crossroads of Asia. It is the smallest of the five Central Asian states and shares borders with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in the north and west, China to the east and Afghanistan to the south. It has more, and higher mountains than any other country in the region - nine tenths of the country is mountainous and more than half of the country is over 3,000m.  The Pamir Mountains, Tajikstan’s most important feature, have been called the ‘Roof of the World’ – they are a meeting point of the highest mountains in Asia. Three great mountain ranges radiate from here, the Karakoram, the Hindu Kush, and the Tien Shan. The highest peaks in the Pamirs rise to over 7,000m, with the highest being Imeni Ismail Samani Peak at 7,495 metres. Although wild and remote the Pamirs have always been of great strategic importance. Important trade and pilgrimage routes passed through this area and historically these remote mountains attracted a special breed of explorer. Alexander the Great passed through here, as did Marco Polo, and more recently in the 19th century, secret agents such as Sir Francis Younghusband travelled through here during the ‘Great Game’ when Russia and England were vying for influence in the region. When Younghusband was expelled by the Russians in 1891 the region was effectively closed to the outside world for the next hundred years. 

The beautiful Fann Mountains in western Tajikistan are an extension of the Pamir-Alay range and although relatively unknown, these mountains are more accessible than the Pamirs, just a few hour’s drive from the capital Dushanbe and are known for excellent trekking. The mountains boast about a hundred peaks with several over 5,000m, including the highest peak Chimtarga peak (5,489m).  As well as numerous beautiful snowcapped peaks and glaciers, the Fann Mountains are famous for some stunningly beautiful lakes, including Iskanderkul Lake and the Haft Kul (literally Seven Lakes in Tajik). 

Join our Five Stans of Central Asia tour and you will get to spend a day exploring the peaks and lakes of the Fann Mountains.

•    Capital city: Dushanbe – from the Tajik for Monday after its Monday market
•    Population: 10,590,927
•    Size of country: 143,100 sq km
•    Currency: The somoni (TJS).
•    Power supply: 220 – 240 volts
•    Sockets: European two-pin round variety
•    Language: the two official languages are Russian and Tajik. Tajik is the state language – Tajik is similar to Farsi (Persian). 
•    Time difference: GMT + 5 hours
•    Visas: You must have a visa to enter or travel through Tajikistan. 
•    Religion: 96% Muslim (mainly Hanafi Sunni with a small population of Ismaili Shia).
•    Popular dishes: Qurutob is specifically Tajik – a mix of bread and onions in a yogurt/cheese sauce (with the occasional added meat and vegetables). 
•    Popular drinks: Tea is the national hot drink – called Chai, drunk from small bowls without handles.
•    Did you know: There have been frequent sightings of the Yeti reported in Tajikistan – the ‘snezhny chelavyek’. 
•    FCDO travel advice

When is the best time to travel to Tajikistan?

In Dushanbe, the summers are hot, arid, and clear and the winters are very cold, snowy, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -1°C to 36°C and is rarely below -7°C or above 39°C.

Our climate charts will give you an idea of the likely weather conditions on your Tajikistan holiday.