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 the northern border at Penjikent/Samarkand.

SARAZM is Tajikistan’s first World Heritage Monument. This ancient settlement, dating back to the IV—II millennium BC, is situated 15 km west of Penjikent’s district center, on the left bank of the Zeravshan River. The site boasts well-preserved palatial and religious structures, as well as public and residential buildings of significant historical and cultural importance. Excavations have uncovered metal and stone artifacts, along with numerous pieces of jewelry crafted from precious stones and processed seashells. Sarazm is part of the Bactrian-Margian Archaeological Complex. The settlement’s decline coincided with the invasion by nomadic Indo-Iranian tribes. The name “Sarazm” is derived from the ancient Tajik term “sari zamin” (the beginning of the earth).

Mausoleum of Abu Abdollah Rudaki - The MAUSOLEUM / MUSEUM OF RUDAKI is located in the village of Panjrud, approximately 60 km east of Penjikent, and is one of Tajikistan’s most renowned landmarks. The mausoleum was constructed for Abuabdullo Rudaki, the founder of Persian-Tajik literature, who lived in the late IX – X centuries during the Samanid dynasty. Rudaki was a celebrated poet, writer, singer, and musician. He penned his famous works in the Dari language using the Arabic script. The mausoleum was built in 1958, following a 1940 study by two prominent archaeologists who pinpointed 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 and leader of the Samanid state in the VIII – IX centuries. The monument stands 11.5 meters tall, with a 40-meter arch symbolizing the Eastern state.

National Library of Tajikistan - The NATIONAL LIBRARY is the country’s primary library, dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Tajikistan’s peoples. Originally established in 1933 and named after 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, housing more than 6 million books, newspapers, magazines, and other printed, audiovisual, and electronic materials.

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

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

The NATIONAL MUSEUM is also situated in central Dushanbe, comprising 22 exhibition halls dedicated to nature, antiquity, the Middle Ages, modern history, and fine and applied arts. The museum’s exhibition space covers 15,000 m2, showcasing items of material heritage, flora, and fauna from across the country. The collection includes over 50,000 exhibits.

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 spans 70 hectares, mostly occupied by modern structures. It includes remnants of a settlement, a medieval fortress, and a palace. The site is linked to the ancient city of Hishttepa, the capital of the Khuttal (Khatlon) region during the Ghaznavid empire. In the 9th-13th centuries, Hulbuk served as the governors’ residence. Hishttepa (Brick Hill) is named for the abundance of ceramic products, glass, metal slag, and bricks found there. Excavations in the 1950s and 1960s confirmed its identity as the city of governors, uncovering over 5,000 artifacts. Today, Hulbuk is a historical museum-reserve covering 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, within a memorial complex dedicated to the XIV-century poet, philosopher, and thinker. His son Muhammad, numerous relatives, and the mausoleum’s former caretaker, Sheikh Shohi Tolikoni, are also interred here. The mausoleum is a traditional medieval structure, originally featuring three portal entrances and a domed hall adorned with carved decor, dating back to the late XIV century.

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

Kalaikhum - THE ANCIENT CITY OF KARON, whose name means “a place located at an altitude” in Middle Persian, is situated east of Kalai Khumb in the historical Darvaz region, along the ancient caravan route to Khorog. It lies at 2000 meters above sea level, in the highlands above the Panj River, near the Tajik-Afghan border, covering 100 hectares. Discovered in 2012 by archaeologist Yusufsho Yakubov, Karon is believed to have been founded 4,000 years ago. Archaeologists from Russia, Iran, France, and Belgium have participated in excavations. Until the tenth century, Zoroastrianism was practiced in Karon, with a temple of fire altar, ritual pool, and a stone stand for the holy book “Avesta” found in the central square. Islam arrived in the XII—XIII centuries.

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 – Departure to Dushanbe
Destinations: Kalai Khumb – Dushanbe
13:00 – Lunch in Kulyab (national cuisine)
16:00 – Arrival in Dushanbe, hotel check-in
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 modern building with 12 unique halls, each designed in a distinct national style, accommodating up to 3,200 guests. Local artisans have adorned the halls with wood carvings, Florentine mosaics of local semi-precious stones, colored mirror mosaics, and painted ceilings. The walls feature scenes from ancient legends, while the ceilings display traditional wood patterns. Navruz Palace is a symbol of grandeur and modern luxury, hosting significant political events and international meetings, including the 14th SCO Summit.

Independence and Freedom Monument - ISTIQLOL (INDEPENDENCE) SQUARE AND MONUMENT were inaugurated on September 8, 2022. The Istiqlol complex stands 121 meters tall, with the 30-meter lower section symbolizing the 30th anniversary of state independence, and the 91-meter upper section representing independence in 1991. The complex covers 11,900 square meters, with a construction area of 4,761 square meters. An 8-meter titanium crown adorns the top, symbolizing statehood, independence, development, civilization, and the ancient Tajik people’s history. The complex’s base is an octagonal pyramid with seven entrances. The design incorporates the “Tree of Life” symbol, representing broad ideas.

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

DEPARTURE DAY

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

• Private transportation
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• All Fees and Taxes

• 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.