Navrouz Tour

Nawrouz - one of the most joyful, light and beautiful holidays in Tajikistan. Nawrouz - orientally - is celebrated new year on March 21 - 22, in day of the vernal equinox and is directly connected with long-awaited arrival of spring. It is a huge celebration for which everybody gets one week off and it is celebrated across the country. You will explore the experience of the Nawrouz Holiday during your journey to Tajikistan. You will find out many interesting things during the tour. There are different traditional shows, games and festivals with local singers and dancers in the parks and streets. There will be a very popular traditional horse game of Buzkashi which takes part in Hissar, Panjakent and Istarawshan cities. Depending on the exact schedule we will make sure to visit it in one of these cities. Additionally during this tour you will explore Tajikistan through amazing sceneries of the capital, mountains, lakes and mosques. During the tour you will visit the ancient cities with rich history you are surprised to genuine hospitality of the Tajik people. Moreover, you will be able to be directly involved in festive action: preparation of Sumalak and pilaf - traditional dishes that are prepared since ancient times during the celebration of Nawrouz.

                                    HIGHLIGHTS
                                      Navrouz festival in Dushanbe streets 
   Buzkashi 
   Fann Mountains

Itinerary

Day 1: Dushanbe city tour

Our guide will meet you in the airport and accompany to the hotel, where you can take a shower, have a short rest and take breakfast. After breakfast we will drive 35 km to visit Hisor fortress (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 m thick walls and loopholes for guns and cannons. Other interesting sites in Hisar include: the recently restored monuments of “Madrasa I Kuhna” (new school of 16th-17th centuries), mosque; the mausoleum of “Mahdumi Azam” (16th century). After that we will drive to Dushanbe and we visit Rudake Park, National library, White House, National state seal, House of parliament and etc. After it we will walk in National park to make photos of Ministry of Inner Affairs and the second biggest National Flag in the world – 165 m high pole, 30 m wide, 60 m long. After excursion in Central Museum you will have lunch. After that you will have a short excursion in the biggest “Tea House” in the world - “Navrouz Palace”. To feel real life you should visit Asian bazar. It has colorful goods, fruits and vegetables. We will see today the main highlights of Dushanbe and you will find out many interesting facts about Tajik people. Dinner will be in a traditional restaurant where you try Tajik food. During welcome dinner you can get acquainted with your travel companions and guide and the guide will have a lecture about history and culture of Tajikistan, and of course he will provide some information about holiday Navrouz. You can then ask all your burning questions. Night is in a hotel.

Day 2: Dushanbe city tour part 2

In the morning we will see the color of celebration of Nawrouz in the streets. Then we will join the official Navrouz celebration in the capital’s stadium. There will be a big concert and colorful show. Celebrations of Navrouz holiday are very much encouraged by the government, probably as part of nation building process. You will be surprised how big of an event this holiday is! Back in the city there is a lot of Tajik food on display and everybody is outside enjoying the hliday. You will also be able to watch wedding ceremonies of locals in Dushanbe that day. You might wonder why so many brides are walking around in White – this is very traditional ceremony whereby yound ladies dressed in white symbolize Spring and if you’re lucky you can spot even a Miss Navrouz dressed in green. When the ladies in white arrive, people say or sing: “Bahar amad!” (Spring has arrived). After having celebrated with locals a bit and soaked in the atmosphere, we head to the museum of antiquities where you can see the biggest Buddha in Nirvana in Central Asia and visit the Botanical Garden. In the middle of the garden you can see traditional houses with handmade wood decoration from different part of Tajikistan. Dinner is in restaurant. Night is in a hotel.

Day 3: Navrouz Celebration Event

Today we will be lucky to join a full day Navrouz celebration event. In a private house, especially for us we will enjoy a traditional Navrouz celebration. You can take part in preparation of a national dish Sumalak which prepares only on the holiday Nowruz. Traditions which you will be able to observe are connected with its preparation (before preparation all women of a family, neighbors have to read a prayer, all night long stirring slowly Sumalak in a copper, sing songs, dance, read verses). Then you will have an opportunity to participate in the Tajik feast, you can watch traditional Tajik folklore music and listen to songs and learn some Tajik dance moves. You will learn a lot about this important holiday and the customs and traditions associated with it on that day and spend the full day. After this overwhelming day and dinner with the locals you will have a good rest in the hotel.

Day 4: Dushanbe – Panjakent

In the morning we will drive to Penjakent via pass Anzob (3 372 m). The city of Penjakent ("five villages") is located in Sughd area of Tajikistan in a picturesque Zeravshan river valley. Quite possibly the five villages started the history of this remarkable city which originated in the 5th-8th centuries AD. Penjikent of that time was one of the most important cultural and crafts centers of Sogd. It was even named "Central Asian Pompeii". Today we will see the celebration of Nawrouz Holiday in Panjaken as well. Your guide will take you to the square where playing national games (national wrestling “Gushtingiri”), (pulling of a rope, cockfights, archery), etc. And you will have an opportunity not only to observe, but also to participate in these actions. Today for dinner you will have the famous traditional dish – “Panjakent Plov”.

Day 5: Panjakent – Istravshan – Khujand

Today we will drive to Khujand via pass Shahriston (3 378 m). On the way to Khujand you will visit Istravshan an ancient center of trade and craft as well as one of the ancient cities in Central Asia. It is really a museum city with its history dating back to II-VI cc BC. In Persian literature the city was known as Kurukuda, In Sogdian ancient notes as Kurushkuda while modern scholars identify it with Cyruspol or Cyrus Eskhata founded in VI century BC by Cyrus the Great. We will visit Mugtepa, the fifteenth century Kuk Gumbaz Mosque and local bazaar. There is possibility to visit “Buzkashi” Game in Istarawshan as well. You will find yourselves in the atmosphere of colorful oriental bazaars, visit majestic fortresses, and enjoy special architecture of mosques and mausoleums. After sightseeing you will drive to Khujand city. Dinner is in restaurant.

Day 6: Khujand city tour

Today you have city tour in Khujand city. Khujand is the second largest city of Tajikistan. It is situated on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley. The population of the city is 149,000. It is also the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan, now called Sughd. You will visit the Cultural Palace of Arbob. At this place the first president of Tajikistan was chosen. Also we will go to see Central Mosque and Panjshanbe bazar that is situated in the middle of the city. We will visit the museum and city park of Khujand. Lunch is in the traditional restaurant. In the afternoon we will drive to see the Qairoqum water reservoir called the “Tajik Sea”.

Day 7: Khujand – Dushanbe

In the morning is drive to Dushanbe via Shahriston and Anzob pass and tunnel of Isticlol. The road will go over a mountain passes and you will have many photo stops. Dushanbe is the capital and largest city of Tajikistan. Dushanbe means "Monday" in the Tajik language, and the name reflects the fact that the city grew on the site of a village that originally was a popular Monday market place. As of 2012, Dushanbe has a population of 1 000 000 people.

Day 8: Dushanbe - Airport

In the morning is transfer to the airport.

Inclusions

Transport

Minivan, bus

Meals

7 breakfast, 7 lunches, 7 dinners

Accommodation

Hotels (7 nights)

Included Activities

Navrouz festival
visiting the Buzkashi Game

Date and price

You can choose to join a small group on a guaranteed departure or book a private tour on the date of your choice

PRIVATE TOUR

Flexibla departures / Customizable itinerary

PRICE UPON
REQUEST

SMALL GROUP TOUR

Fixed and garanteed departures

Trip Starting Price

700

Dollars

8

Days

Single supplement available for $150

Deposit: $300

Price per pax:

Departures

Departing	Finishing	Status	Booking
March 19, 2020	March 26, 2020	+ Places Available

Price includes

Transport
Full board
Accommodation
English or Farsi speaking guide
Entrances to all museums
Mineral water during the tour

Price does not include

Single rooms
Early check-in
Travel insurance
Visa

Important notes

Information

Money & costs

Safety

Entry & exit

Best Time to Go

Health

MONEY & COSTS:

The Tajik currency is called the Somoni (TJS). In the capital Dushanbe there are a few ATMs that you’ll find in shopping centres, supermarkets or on the main streets, but most of them accept only Visa cards. Outside of Dushanbe we don’t recommend relying on ATMs as there are only a few of them and they may run out of money.
We recommend bringing cash in new USD bank notes of denominations of at least 20 USD. There are many exchange offices, some working 24/7. Small and old-looking bank notes are harder to exchange. Paying directly with credit card is still not possible at most places, except for few high-end restaurants and hotels. An emergency fund of around 500 USD in cash is always good to have during guided trips to Central Asia.

SAFETY:

The political situation in the country has been calm in recent years and there are no indications of upcoming tensions. The border area with Afghanistan is safe as well, but we do not recommend crossing the border for a trip into Afghanistan. Guests and locals are treated with respect and Tajikistan can be regarded as safe destination for travelers. That being said, you are advised to wear a money belt, watch your belongings, avoid dark streets at night and only take official taxi rides. Your safety is our first priority at Kalpak Travel; we know and regularly assess all our Tajik partners and we closely monitor political events.

ENTRY & EXIT:

Citizens of almost every country can obtain an e-Visa online for stays of up to 45 days in Tajikistan. All you need to do is enter the requested information then pay a fee of 50 USD by credit card and you will receive almost immediately the eVisa by email. You can print it out and use it just like an ordinary visa to enter the country. Please note, if you are planning to visit Pamir region, you need a GBAO permit, which you can purchase online, together with the eVisa, for an additional fee of USD 20.
As soon as we receive the deposit payment for your tour, we will confirm your booking and send you an email with important pre-departure information. Please read it carefully as it contains important information on customs regulations for Tajikistan.

BEST TIME TO GO:

The climate of Tajikistan is continental and dry across most of the country, including the largest cities. In regions situated at relatively low altitude, such as the capital Dushanbe, the south of Tajikistan around Kulob and the Khujand region, summers are very hot with day temperatures between 30° and 40° Celsius. However, most of the country is situated at high altitudes, where temperatures are in the mid 20s or less during the summer. If you visit the Fann or Pamir Mountains, make sure to bring some warm clothes, as it can get very cold at night at elevations of more than 3000 metres. The best season to visit is during summer.

HEALTH:

Do not drink water, unless it is bottled, filtered or boiled. Do not use tap water for brushing teeth or making ice either. Do not eat ice cream. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. If you follow these basic rules, you are likely to avoid any health issues like traveler’s diarrhea. Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus are recommended vaccinations for Tajikistan. Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. Medical services in Tajikistan are basic at best. Please note: there is a small risk of malaria in the south of Tajikistan by the borders with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. None of our tours visit this region.

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HIGHLIGHTS