Tajikistan travel guide
Wedged between Central Asia, China and Afghanistan, Tajikistan is a mountainous land with outstanding trekking and one of the world's great road trips
Sandwiched between Afghanistan and China, this former Persian settlement is made up of a mêlée of clans. It has a long and swashbuckling history; it is the land where Alexander the Great battled the Scythians, where Russian and British spies played cat and mouse and, most recently, where civil war raged.
But despite being the poorest of all the former Soviet countries, it is rich in travel experiences, offering striking scenery and gargantuan peaks (a staggering 93% of the country is mountainous).
Perfect for those who like adventure with a capital A, this is a wild, rugged region where you’ll find yurt-dwelling farmers, gleaming lakes and the Pamir Highway, one of Asia’s greatest road trips.
Wanderlust recommends
- Take the high road – drive along the Pamir Highway where you’ll be treated to dazzling alpine views at every twist and turn
- Snuggle up in a yurt amidst scenic pastureland
- Explore the Silk Road relics and natural beauty of the Wakhan Corridor
- Saddle up to see the Pamir plateau on horseback
- Go hiking in the Fan Mountains, where you can wander among Tajik herders, lakes and wild goats
Wanderlust tips
Keep your documents handy as the military in all towns will be eager to vet your papers; there are numerous checkpoints, too. Arrive armed with small gifts to repay the Tajik hospitality you will undoubtedly encounter. Take a good first aid kit as you could find yourself a long way from medical facilities. A satellite phone is a must if you plan to head off into rural areas alone.