ARRIVAL DAY: Dushanbe Airport or Penjikent / Samarkand, Tour to the Ancient City of Sarazm

Proto-urban Site of Sarazm - Begin the tour by welcoming tourists to Tajikistan, either from Dushanbe Airport or from the northern border at Penjikent/Samarkand.

SARAZM is the first World Heritage Monument in Tajikistan. It is the oldest settlement (IV—II millennium BC) located 15 km west of the district center of Penjikent, on the left bank of the Zeravshan River. The well-preserved palace, religious buildings, public, and residential structures hold significant historical and cultural value. Excavations have uncovered metal and stone artifacts, along with numerous pieces of jewelry made from precious stones and processed seashells. The settlement is part of the Bactrian-Margian Archaeological Complex. Its destruction coincides with the invasion by nomadic Indo-Iranian tribes. The name “Sarazm” is derived from the ancient Tajik word “sari zamin” (the beginning of the earth).

Mausoleum of Abu Abdollah Rudaki - The MAUSOLEUM / MUSEUM OF RUDAKI is situated in the village of Panjrud, about 60 km east of Penjikent, and is one of Tajikistan’s most renowned landmarks. The mausoleum was built for Abuabdullo Rudaki, the founder of Persian-Tajik literature, who lived in the late IX – X centuries during the Samanid dynasty. Rudaki was not only a great poet and writer but also a talented singer and musician. He wrote his famous works in the Dari language using the Arabic alphabet. The mausoleum was erected in 1958. In 1940, two prominent archaeologists conducted a scientific and historical study to determine the exact location of the poet’s burial.

Dushanbe Excursion: Ismoil Somoni Complex – National Library – Nation Palace – Navruzgoh Park – National Museum

Statue of Ismoil Somoni - The ISMOIL SOMONI MEMORIAL COMPLEX includes the Ismoil Somoni Monument and Dusti Square. The monument honors Ismail Somoni, the founder of Tajik statehood, who led the Samanid state in the VIII – IX centuries. The monument stands 11.5 meters tall, with an arch reaching 40 meters, symbolizing the Eastern state.

National Library of Tajikistan - The NATIONAL LIBRARY is the country’s main library, dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Tajikistan’s people. The original state library in Dushanbe was founded in 1933 and named after the Persian-Tajik writer Firdousi. The new National Library building opened in March 2012 with a new official name. It features 15 reading rooms and over 20 departments. The library’s collection includes more than 6 million books, newspapers, magazines, and other printed publications, as well as audiovisual and electronic materials.

Rudaki Park - The NATION PALACE is the official residence of the President of Tajikistan. Construction began in 2000. The Palace hosts all significant political events, including receptions for high-ranking political figures, such as heads of states, presidents, and ambassadors.
NAVRUZGOH PARK opened in 2014 to celebrate the international holiday of Navruz. It spans 146 square meters between the Nation Palace and Navruzgoh. The 15-hectare garden features various trees, including pine, viburnum, lilac, cedar, fir, juniper, magnolia, sycamore, chestnut, red maple, and others. Despite its proximity to the city center, the park offers a different atmosphere with abundant greenery, trees, and fountains, including a waterfall known as “Sharshara.”

National Museum of Tajikistan - FLAG SQUARE is located in central Dushanbe, to the left of the Nation Palace. This flagpole is recognized in the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest in the world, standing at 165 meters. The flagpole’s area is 1800 m2, with a width of 30 meters and a length of 60 meters.

The NATIONAL MUSEUM is situated in central Dushanbe. It comprises 22 large and small exhibition halls, covering departments of nature, antiquity, the Middle Ages, modern history, and fine and applied arts. The National Museum of Tajikistan’s exhibition area is 15 thousand m2. The new exhibition has gathered items of material heritage, flora, and fauna from all over the country. The number of exhibits exceeds 50 thousand items.

Bokhtar: Hill “Kurgan” – Museum Bibikhonum – Ajina-Teppe – Vose: Hulbuk Fortress

Vose - HULBUK is an archaeological complex in the Khatlon region, located in the village of Mehrobod in the Vosei district. The complex covers a settlement area of 70 hectares, mostly occupied by modern buildings. The settlement includes fragments of the settlement, a medieval fortress, and its own palace. It is identified with the ancient city of Hishttepa, the capital of the Khuttal (Khatlon) region in the Ghaznavid empire. In the 9th-13th centuries, Hulbuk was the governors’ residence. Hishttepa (Brick Hill) is named for the numerous ceramic products, glass, metal slag, and bricks scattered around it. Excavations in the 1950s and 1960s revealed it as the city of governors. Over 5 thousand artifacts were found. Today, Hulbuk is a historical museum-reserve spanning 16 hectares.

Kulyab: Mir Said Aliya Hamadoni Mausoleum – Museum of the 2700th Anniversary of Kulyab

Mausoleum of Mir Said Ali Khamadoni - The MAUSOLEUM OF MIR SAYYID ALII HAMADONI is located in central Kulyab. It is a memorial complex for Mir Sayyid Alii Hamadoni, a poet, philosopher, and thinker of the XIV century. His son Muhammad, numerous relatives, and the former caretaker of the mausoleum and mosque, Sheikh Shohi Tolikoni, are also buried here. The mausoleum is a traditional medieval building with three portal entrances and a domed hall adorned with carved decor, dating back to the end of the XIV century.

Kalai Khumb – the Ancient City of Karon – Rushan – the Village of Barchidev

Barchidev Village – Sarez Lake

Sarez Lake

Sarez Lake – Barchidev Village

Barchidev Village – Rushan – Kalai Khumb

Kalai Khumb – Dushanbe

Dushanbe - 07:30 – Breakfast at the hostel
09:00 – Depart for Dushanbe
Destinations: Kalai Khumb – Dushanbe
13:00 – Lunch in Kulyab (national cuisine)
16:00 – Arrival in Dushanbe, hotel accommodation
Length: Transit – 350 km

Dushanbe Tour: Navruz–Independence Square–Iram Park-Yakubi Charkhi Mausoleum–Museum of Antiquities–Mehrgon Bazaar

Navruz Palace - KOHI (PALACE) NAVRUZ is a new building with 12 unique halls, each designed in a distinct national style. It can accommodate up to 3,200 guests. Local craftsmen have decorated the halls with wood carvings, Florentine mosaics made from local semi-precious stones, colored mirror mosaics, and painted ceilings. The walls feature scenes from ancient legends, and the ceilings display old-style wooden patterns. Navruz Palace is a splendid and modern luxury venue for important political events and international meetings. The 14th SCO Summit was held here.

Independence and Freedom Monument - ISTIQLOL (INDEPENDENCE) SQUARE AND MONUMENT were inaugurated on September 8, 2022. The 121-meter height of the Istiqlol complex is symbolic, with the 30-meter lower part representing the 30th anniversary of state independence, and the 91-meter upper part symbolizing independence in 1991. The total area of the “Istiklol” complex is 11,900 square meters, with the construction area covering 4,761 square meters. An 8-meter titanium crown sits atop the complex, symbolizing statehood, independence, development, civilization, and the ancient Tajik people’s history. The complex’s base is an octagonal pyramid with 7 entrances. The designer based the “Crown” symbol on the “Tree of Life,” representing broad ideas.

National Museum of Antiquities - The NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES was established in 1934, originating from an exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy and Expeditionary Research of the Tajik Base of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Initially, the museum housed only 530 exhibits. Its collection now includes unique finds, such as the “Queen Sarazm” artifact from Sarazm, Sughd region, near Penjikent, and a twelve-meter Buddha figure discovered by archaeologists in 1961 in Ajina-Teppa, southern Tajikistan, Khatlon region. These and other objects have been nominated by UNESCO for inclusion in the World Heritage List.

DEPARTURE DAY

Panjakent - • 07:30 – Breakfast at the hotel
• 09:00 – Depart for Penjikent (for tourists returning via Samkand/Uzbekistan)
• Destinations: Dushanbe – Penjikent (borders - Samkand/Uzbekistan)
• Length: Transit – 250 km
• Throughout the day – Departure of tourists from Dushanbe Airport

• Private transportation
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• All fees and taxes included

• Bicycle use
• Alcohol and other private services

Fabulosity of the East contains in its fairy possessions, which for thousands of years have lived in souls of peoples of the whole world and which have real parentage; however until now
— even in conditions of the development of science and technology
— they are still remain undisclosed, mysterious and mythical.
Hundreds of these legends have/had taken place on the territory today’s Tajikistan
— with the participation and contribution of the ancient Tajik nation.
Some of legends which have cultural, historical features visualize (covered) in this travel program.
WELCOME TO TAJIKISTAN, JOURNEY TO THE FAIRY LAND!

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.