TAJIKISTAN NATURE AND CULTURE TOUR

DAY 1  SAMARKAND – border – 7 LAKES – PANJAKENT

08:00 - transfer with driver to Uzbek/Tajik border point “Jartepa” (40 km, 1 h drive). 
After passport/customs clearance, meet with local Tajik team on the Tajik side.
Today we will have a detour to the main road and drive to Seven Lakes, aka Marguzor Lakes, a group of breathtaking turquoise lakes. There is a folktale that the seven lakes formed from the tears of seven grieving daughters who lost their father. The vivid turquoise color of the lakes is because of the mineral salts that have dissolved in the water. The lakes are known locally as Marguzor, Hazorchashma, Nofin, Mizhgon, Soya, Gushor, and Khurdak.  Lunch at the lake or local house (depending on weather).
We continue our voyage towards the “Pompei of Central Asia”- ancient Penjikent (80 km). Upon arrival transfer to hotel PENJIKENT PLAZA for accommodation. 
Highlight of the day: dinner at hotel with folk show.
Overnight at hotel.  

DAY 2 PENJIKENT – ISTARAFSHAN – KHUDJAND

Breakfast at hotel.
Short SS tour of Panjakent: Museum of Rudaki – As Panjakent is a birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian Poetry. Visit of Rudaki’s mausoleum.
Continue our way to Khudjand via the small town Istarafshan. Visit the Mugh-Teppa hill fortress with Khazrati Shoh architectural complex consists of Khazrati Shoh mausoleum-the grave of brother of Kusam ibn Abbas, Khudayar Valami mausoleum and mosque Namozgoh. There were city cemetery and Madrassa too. All these buildings belong to 19th c. Visit local bazaar.
Lunch during the road.
Arrive in Khujand. Accommodation at the hotel Parliament Palace 4*
Overnight at hotel.

DAY 3 KHUDJAND – DUSHANBE

Breakfast at hotel.
We visit the Historical Museum of Sughd and walk in the Kamoli Khujandi Square and enjoy the atmosphere around. After we continue our journey to the vibrant Panjshanbe Bazaar where we experience the charm of oriental markets and then visit the Mausoleum of the 12th century ruller - Sheikh Muslihiddin.  Lunch at local restaurant.
Drive to Dushanbe. The road goes through Istiklol tunnel (2630m) and Anzob tunnel (3372m) with amazing panoramic views.
Arrive in the capital of Tajikistan. Transfer to hotel Dushanbe Serena 5* for accommodation. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 4  DUSHANBE

Breakfast at hotel.
Full day SS of: Tajikistan United Museum including the exhibits on history, natural history and art, with Buddha in Nirvana as one of the valuable exhibits of museum (closed on Mondays). Stroll in Botanical garden with many old trees – a favorite place of Tajiks; local bazaar - as a rule, the most crowded place in the city. Panoramic city tour including President Residence (not possible to stop nearby), Friendship Square, National Library. 
Transfer to Hissar fortress the remains of an 18th century fortress, occupied until 1924 is located in 30 km west of Dushanbe. Beside the fortress are two plain Madrassah, one dating from the 18th century and the other 19th, and beyond them is the mausoleum of 16th century. After come back to Dushanbe. 
Lunch at local restaurant during the visits. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 5 DUSHANBE - IST

Transfer with driver to airport for international flight
flight  – Dushanbe – Istanbul