TAJIKISTAN TOUR

Day 1   Panjakent (80-80 km)

Early morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border crossing at Jartepa (50 km, 1 h) from your hotel in Samarkand. Customs and passport control on both sides, cross the border, meet Tajik local guide and driver and drive to Panjikent (20 km, 20 min). Sightseeing in Panjakent: Rudaki Museum – Panjakent is a birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian Poetry. Lunch, drive to Seven Lakes (80 km). Visit Haf Kul - seven lakes of different colors in mountains of Tajikistan: 1. Mijgon, 2. Soya, 3. Hushyor, 4. Nophin lakes (2139m a.s.l.), Khurdak, 6.Marguzor, 7.Hazorchashma lakes (2400m a.s.l.).
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 2  Panjakent – Iskanderkul (160 km)

Breakfast.Visit ancient Panjakent - ruins of old Sogdian town, founded in the 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century by Arabs. Foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples and city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins. Depart Panjakent and drive to Dushanbe (220 km, 4-5 h.). The mountain road goes via picturesque Anzob pass (3300 m above sea level). After transfer to Iskanderkul. Iskandarkul-known as a lake of Alexander the Great was established on 1969. The area of the lake is 30000 ha, which means Alexander. This place is connecting with him. He with his army had a rest on the lakeshore after each campaign. Excursion to waterfall where Iskandarya river falling from 24 m height, Panjchashma.
Overnight in cottage.

Day 3  Iskanderkul - Dushanbe (165 km)

Breakfast, drive to Dushanbe. Full day S/S of Dushanbe:
Tajikistan United Museum includes the exhibits on history, natural history and art, Buddha in Nirvana is one of the valuable exhibits of museum.
Bazaar- an oriental market is the most crowded place in the city
Ismail Samani square
PM. Lunch at local restaurant. 
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.
Overnight in Dushanbe. Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 4  Dushanbe – Khudand (280 km)

Breakfast, drive to –Khujand.
PM. Lunch at local restaurant.
Sightseeing of Khujand.
Oriental Bazaar – the biggest bazaars of Central Asia is Payshanba bazaar, one of the interesting places in Khujand. attracting people with various sounds and tastes.
Museum of archeology and fortification – in the middle of northern part of the city there is fortress of 7-8th c. The territory of the fortress-300x200m. The city was surrounded with wall. It was destroyed several times during different conquers and last reconstruction was in 18th c. The museum was found inside the fortress.
Dinner at local restaurant.
O/n at «Parlament»4*.

Day 5 Khujand. -Tashkent border (280 km)

Breakfast. Drive to Tajik–Uzbek border crossing "Oibek". Border formalities. End of Tajikistan section.