Wonder of Central Asia

Itinerary title: Wonder of Central Asia
Days of tour: 7

Day 1: Dushabe – Hissor – Dushanbe
Our driver will meet you in the airport and accompany to Dushanbe to start your “Wonder of Central Asia” tour in Tajikistan. Today we will drive 35 km to visit Hisor fortress dating back to VII–XVII centuries. This historical site has fortified areas and citadel. The fortress used to be the residence of the delegate of the Emir of Bukhara; it was located on a high hill and was well defended with 1-meter thick walls and loopholes for guns and cannons. Inside there was a pool and a garden and across from the fortress there was a busy market square with a caravan serai and shops. Apart from the entrance gate with its two imposing towers, not much has survived of the fortress. Other interesting sites in Hisar include: the recently restored monuments of “Madrasa I Kuhna”, mosque; the mausoleum of “Mahdumi Azam”. After coming back to Dushanbe, we will have lunch. Then we will visit Botanical garden and Victory Park with a panorama view on the city. Night will be in a hotel.

Day 2: Dushanbe – Ramit – Dushanbe
The second day of the tour will start from the visit of the state natural reserve "Ramit" organized by the Government of the Tajik SSR in 1959. It is more than 80 kilometers from the city of Dushanbe and located in the picturesque Ramit gorge, near the town of Vahdat. The territory of the reserve is at an altitude of 1176–3195 meters above sea level.  This is a very unique and magical place. There is trout fish in the Ramit river in this gorge. There is a rich flora, where there are several names of medicinal herbs in the mountainous area. There it is possible to see mountain goats, wild boars, and other species of animals and birds. One of the important achievements of the reserve is the creation of an artificial population of Bukhara deer.

Day 3: Dushanbe – Iskanderkul Lake
Today’s day is devoted to the trip to Iskanderkul. It is high Mountain lake located at an altitude of 2 255 meters above sea level in the famous Fann Mountains. This astonishing place is considered as one of the best places of Central Asia.  We will go to the lake through Anzob pass that is 3 372 meters high. It has an amazing panorama view. Upon arrival to the lake you will have time for walk along the beach and 40 minutes of hiking to see a waterfall. Tajikistan takes the second place among the CIS countries for volume of water resources. There are more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers in the country. After spending great time near the lake, we will return to Dushanbe and have our dinner at 8 p.m. You will spend the night in a homestay.

Day 4: Iskanderkul Lake
Today we will hike at famous Fann Mountains. In the past it was known as "Kuhistan", which means "Mountainous Country". There are more than 30 pure and variegated lakes in Fanns. They are in different size and shape.  Nowadays Fann Mountains are popular among both tourists and locals being a great trekking and climbing destination, also a weekend spot.  This is a place where you will spend a wonderful time and enjoy the tour. Today you will sleep in a homestay.

Day 5: Iskanderkul Lake – Seven Lakes
Today’s excursion will be to the Fann Mountains over pass Shahriston that is 3 378 meters high. They are one of the most famous hiking areas in Central Asia. About 60 km south of Panjakent, you will do a trip to the Seven Lakes or Marquzor Lakes. At this place we will have time to go for short hiking.  The road goes along a wonderful gorge where seven lakes are located.  They have different colors and they are situated on different altitudes. Also, you will be able to see and observe the life of local people at this area and will spend the night in a homestay.

Day 6: Seven Lakes – Penjakent
We will start out tour driving to Penjakent. The name of the city means five villages. And it is located in Khujand area of Tajikistan in a picturesque Zeravshan river valley. This amazing city was originated in the 5th-8th centuries AD and these five villages started the history of it.  Penjakent was the significant cultural and crafts centers of Sogd and was also named "Central Asian Pompeii". It was a superbly fortified well-organized city with a ruler's palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses decorated with numerous paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods. Only in the last century the ruins of this ancient city were found.  You will be able to see the remains of dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshipers church.  Today you will spend the night in a hotel.                                                                                                                 

Day 7: Jartepo border
In the morning you will have a transfer to uzbek border where your tour in Tajikistan will come to the end.