We are here with our Tajikistan Travel Guide article to help you to plan and fine-tune your upcoming tour to this beautiful Central Asian country. So, after going through this Tajikistan Travel Guide you will be able to get the initial information about Tajikistan and its top attractions.

Tajikistan is a country in Central Asia. It shares its borders with Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Tajikistan is a landlocked country, known for rugged mountains and popular for hiking and climbing. Moreover, Tajikistan’s landscape is dominated by the Pamir and Alay mountains. Its largest body of water is Karakul lake, located in the Tajik National Park in Pamir Mountain’s region. Dushanbe is its capital, the most important and well-established city. Other important cities are Khujand, Istaravshan, Kulob, Kurgan-Tube, Khorog, Qurghonteppa, and Vahdat.

• Official Name: Republic of Tajikistan
• Capital: Dushanbe
• Population: 9.7M in 2021
• Currency: Somoni, 1 US$= 11.4
• Official Language: Tajiki
• Visa Requirements: Tajikistan offers a simplified online e-visa system for tourists planning a short single trip to the country. It allows travelers to apply online without needing to visit a Tajik embassy or consulate. Tajikistan offers two types of e-visas. A single entry and multiple entries. Visas are issued for a period of 90 days and are valid for stays up to 60 days. Nowadays, the e-visa system is not actively responsive and adds a lot of delays. So, alternatively, you can use THIS SITE to take a visa from the consulate. I have also added a blog post about getting the Tajikistan visa Here
• Best Time to Visit: from June to mid-September is considered a good time to visit Tajikistan. It has a continental climate which means summers are hot and winters are cold.

Although Dushanbe is safe with a moderate level of criminal activity. Furthermore, the incidents are not usually violent, but muggings, and pick-pocketing do occur. Police do not provide adequate or immediate assistance. Although Dushanbe is quite safe in daylight, however, it has a potential risk during the night. So, don’t walk through Victory Park or Children’s Park at night. Conclusively, yes it is safe to travel. Besides, with a low crime rate, a growing range of home-stay accommodations, a friendly population, and a vast landscape, Tajikistan is keen to push forward and welcome travelers. As a result, it is now easier to get around.

Regarding health, diarrhea is very common for travelers in the Pamirs. While going off the beaten track, you should take more precautions to prevent cholera, malaria, and Lyme disease.

In Dushanbe and other large cities such as Khujand, you can find buses, minibusses, and taxis. The most convenient way is Shared taxis (marshrutkas) or minibusses that ply on certain routes. These are like Dushanbe to Khujand, Penjikent, and east to Khorog. Here is a short description of these transportation types

• Marshrutka is a super cheap and convenient way. However, it takes a little time to fill the available slots in the vehicle.
• Shared Taxis are the most preferred option among locals.
• Bus/Minibus network is limited, though the new Asia Express bus company is slowly expanding.

• Yandex taxi and its app is a good option to travel within cities and is most convenient and economical too. In addition, you can get metered/non-metered taxis everywhere in Dushanbe and big cities. Please confirm the fare before riding to any non-meter taxi and do it twice for safer sides. However, you can get a taxi within a city for 1~3 $.

Tajikistan has a minimal tourist infrastructure and choices are limited. The better option is to opt for a homestay with a Tajik family or a stay in a mountain yurt. In addition, Couchsurfing is another good choice. Dushanbe has plentiful options than other Tajikistan regions. Hostels are popular, from Khorog, Dushanbe to Khujand. During my visit to Tajikistan, I stayed in City Hostel in Dushanbe and a Mehmankhana in Khorog

All types of accommodation starting from budgeting about $10 to high end are available easily. The best sites to plan and choose your accommodations are Booking.com, Agoda, and Hostel World.

However, when you’re looking for a hostel, do your research, read reviews to get a feel for the place. Finally, book at somewhere that suits you

Meat dishes and soup are the most common dishes in Tajikistan. In addition, salads of diced cucumber and tomato are also common. You can also try the following local dishes

• Shurbo is a thick and hearty soup.
• Mantu is a steamed meat dumpling.
• Sambusa is a street food like Samosa.
• Qurutob is the national dish of Tajikistan.
• Lagman is a soupy dish of noodles, meat, and vegetables.
• Mushkichiri is a hearty bean stew served in Tajikistan.