Historical Tajikistan
Itinerary name: Historical Tajikistan
Day-by-day program:
Day 1: Dushanbe
Upon arrival to the airport, your guide will pick up you to the city Dushanbe. Full day of sightseeing in beautiful city will include public and administrative part. They are Rudake Park, National library, White House, National State Seal, and House of Parliament. Following the Ministry of Inner Affairs, you will visit the largest National Flag in the world. Its size reaches 165 m high pole, 30 m wide and 60 m long. Before lunch, there will be interesting and informative excursion in Central Museum. Later visit Gurminj Museum to learn about traditional musical instruments. You will also visit Asian Bazaar of Dushanbe. There are variety of things can be found there. In the evening, after you have been introduced to Tajikistan’s life, you will have traditional dinner. Night in a hotel
Day 2: Dushanbe – Hissor – Dushanbe
After having breakfast, transfer to Hissor fortress. It is 35 km far from Dushanbe. The history of the fortress dating back to VII–XVII centuries. There are remains of citadel. It was a fort of the representatives of Bukhara Emirate for many years. During middle ages, it was surrounded by high strong walls, reaching 1 m thickness and even has many holes for guns and barrels. Some archeological expeditions showed that there were a pool, a big garden and a busy market square with a caravanserai and shops in the limits of the fortress. However, today only two entrance towers were survived. Another attractive sites are “Madrasa I Kuhna” mosque, which was built back to 16th-17th centuries, the mausoleum of “Mahdumi Azam” from 16th century. Nevertheless, these monuments were reconstructed recently. Return to Dushanbe. Night in a hotel.
Day 3: Dushanbe – Khujand
In the morning, drive to the second biggest city of Tajikistan, Khujand. As many cities, Khujant located near the river Syr Darya and in the beginning of famous Fergana Valley. There are approximately 149,000 people live in the city. In addition, Khujant is the administrative center of one province named Soghd. There will be short city tour, including Cultural Palace of Khujand, where the first president of country was elected. Later beautiful Central Mosque will be another attraction. Overnight in a city hotel.
Day 4: Khudjand – Istaravshan – Khudjand
Today is devoted to day tour to Istaravshan. It is an old city located 100 km from Khujand. Ancient time Istaravshan was major center of trade and craft in Central Asia. It is possible to feel the atmosphere of the II-VI cc BC. According to Persian manuscripts, the name of the city was Kurukuda, in Sogdian literature, some scholars call it Cyruspol or Cyrus Eskhata, wich was established in VI century BC by the ruler Cyrpus Great. Here you will be lucky to explore Mugtepa, Kuk Gynbaz Mosque dating back to XV century and oriental local bazaar. Tour to Istaravsha will take you to the land of colorful, fast-moving bazaar, great and magnificent fortresses, unusual architecture of mosques and mausoleums. After enjoying the interesting trip, drive back to Khujand and have a rest in a hotel.
Day 5: Khujand – Penjakent
After breakfast, transfer to Penjakent (“five villages”), which is situated near the Khujant in the Valley of Zarevshan River. The road will go via Shahriston Pass, which reaches 3 378 m. The city started during the 5th-8th centuries AD. According to the name, the five villages served as a foundation. Panjakent was a remarkable craft and cultural center of Sogd in this area. Due to this reason sometimes it was called "Central Asian Pompeii". In the territory of ancient Penjakent there were a palace, two temples, bazaars, rich dwelling houses designed with several paintings, wooden and clay sculptures of ancient gods. Surprisingly the remains were found only in XX century, when the special expeditions were done. However, nowadays there are many remains available to see: for instance, dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of artisans, and fire worshiper’s church. Stay in a hotel.
Day 6: Penjakent – Dushanbe
Today you will drive back to Dushanbe via Anzob pass, reaching 3 372 m and tunnel of Isticlol. The way will be amazing landscape of mountains. You will make photo stops to capture the beauty of the nature. Overnight in a hotel in Dushanbe.
Day 7: Dushanbe – Airport
After having breakfast at the hotel, drive to airport.