Useful information about Tajikistan

Tajikistan is a country in Central Asia that impresses with its beauty and originality. Located in the foothills of the Pamir and Tien Shan mountains, it attracts tourists with majestic mountains, picturesque lakes and rivers.

Imagine: you are standing on the edge of a gorge, the air is saturated with the aroma of mountain herbs, and in front of you there is a panorama of snow-covered peaks touching the sky. This is Pamir - the “Roof of the World”, where time flows slowly and nature charms with its untouched beauty.

Tajikistan is not only mountain landscapes. Here you can relax on the shores of turquoise Lake Iskanderkul, feel the warmth of the sun in the Karakum desert or walk along the historic streets of Dushanbe, the capital of the country.

Here you are sure to meet friendly people who will gladly share their culture with you. You will be able to taste delicious pilaf cooked according to ancient recipes, listen to melodious Tajik songs and see colorful national dances.

Already inspired to travel to the country with majestic sights and rich history? Then it's time to prepare documents for a visa to Tajikistan.

The history of Tajikistan is a fascinating tale of great civilizations, powerful empires, turning points and relentless struggle for independence. The ancient Sogdian civilization (8th century BC - 8th century AD), known for its trade routes, crafts and culture, flourished on the territory of the modern state. The cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khojent were centers of trade and prosperity. After the conquest of Alexander the Great (4th century BC), the territory became part of his empire, and afterward of the Persian Empire, which left an indelible mark on the culture and language of the people. In the 7th century, the Arabs conquered the land and Islam came to the country and became the main religion.

IX-X centuries - the time of prosperity of the Samanid dynasty, which created a powerful empire that united most of Central Asia. In XIII century Mongols under the leadership of Genghis Khan came to the lands of Tajikistan. In the XIV century the state became part of the empire of Timur. In the XIX century Tajikistan became part of the Russian Empire. In 1924, the Tajik SSR was formed as part of the USSR. During this period there was a significant development of infrastructure, education and industry.

In 1991 Tajikistan gained independence from the USSR, but went through a difficult period of civil war (1992-1997). Today Tajikistan is an independent state that is developing its economy, culture and relations with other countries.

Tajikistan's political system is a presidential republic, where the head of state and the highest official is the president (Emomali Rahmon has served as head of state since 1994). The Supreme Soviet (parliament) consists of two chambers: Majlisi Milli (upper house) and Majlisi Namoyandagon (lower house).

The country has a multi-party system, but the People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT) is dominant. Tajikistan has declared neutrality in its foreign policy, while developing cooperation with various countries, including Russia, China, the United States and other states. In addition, the country actively participates in regional organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Tajikistan has a population of about just over 10 million people (as of 2024). The official language of Tajikistan is Tajik. Islam is the predominant religion in the country. The population is young, with a predominance of young people under the age of 30. About 35% of the population lives in urban areas. Due to the lack of jobs and economic problems, many Tajiks migrate to Russia and other countries in search of work. The literacy rate in Tajikistan is high.

Tajikistan is a mountainous country located in Central Asia, occupying part of the Pamir Plateau. The state borders China to the east, Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, and Kyrgyzstan to the north.

Much of it is occupied by mountains, including the Pamirs, called the “Roof of the World”. It is home to some of the world's highest peaks, including Ismail Samani Peak (7,495 meters), which is the highest point in the country. This place is rich in beautiful mountain lakes such as Iskanderkul, Karakul and Sarez Lake. Besides, there are many rivers, including Vakhsh, Panj and Zeravshan.

Climate: continental with cold winters and hot summers. Due to the mountainous relief in Tajikistan there are four altitude belts: lowland, foothill, mountain and alpine. The country is rich in water resources, which are used for hydroelectric power generation, as well as deposits of ore, coal, oil and gas.

The state is located in a seismically active region, and the mountainous terrain makes Tajikistan vulnerable to landslides.

The official currency of Tajikistan is the Tajik Somoni (TJS). The national monetary unit was put into circulation on October 30, 2000. The National Bank of the country is responsible for issuance and control of circulation.

1 somoni is equal to 100 dirams. There are banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 somoni and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dirams in circulation. Please note that currency can be used only in Tajikistan, so it is forbidden to take it out of the country, which means that you must exchange somoni for foreign currency when leaving the country.

Currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices and some hotels. Note that credit cards are accepted in major cities and hotels, but in the provinces there may be problems, so it is better to have cash.

Tajikistan's climate is a vivid contrast between sunny days and cold winter nights. The state is located in a continental climate zone with hot summers and cold winters. The air temperature and precipitation vary considerably depending on the altitude of the mountainous terrain.

A good time to travel is spring (April-May). At this time in the country is warm and sunny, nature is blooming, but in the mountains there may still be snow. The air temperature reaches +20 (up to +10 in the mountains) during the day and 5-10 degrees at night (in the mountains it drops to +5). The best time to visit Tajikistan is summer (June-September), when it is warm and sunny. In this time you can enjoy mountain hikes, vacations on lakes and excursions. During the daytime on the plain the air warms up to +35 degrees, at night it is not colder than +15 degrees. In the mountains the temperature during the day is up to 20 degrees, at night on average from +5 to +10.

Autumn (October-November) is colorful, with a bright palette of leaves, but the air temperature becomes colder and snow begins to fall in the mountains. Precipitation in Tajikistan can be unpredictable, especially in the mountainous areas. The average air temperature during the day is 10-15 degrees Celsius, and at night it drops to 0. In the mountains, however, the night air temperature can be negative - up to -5 degrees Celsius.

In winter, it is relatively warm - no less than -5 degrees during the day and no less than -10 degrees at night. At the same time in the mountains the night can cool down to -20.

Islam is the predominant religion in Tajikistan, having a great influence on traditions, customs and ways of life.

Tea for the locals is not just a beverage, but an important part of the culture. Tea ceremony is a ritual that accompanies many events and is gladly offered to guests.

The country has a unique national dress, which is characterized by bright colors and patterns. Tajik music and dances are part of the country's cultural heritage. Folk songs and dances reflect the life and traditions of the Tajik people.

Be polite and respectful to local people.

When meeting, use the greeting “Salom” (hello). Avoid topics that may be considered offensive or inappropriate (e.g. politics or religion). Tajikistan has traditional norms of behavior towards women. Avoid obscene behavior or inappropriate comments.

In the cities, people dress in modern clothes, but in rural areas traditional dress is more common. Dress modestly when visiting mosques or other religious places. Remove your shoes when entering homes and some public places. Behave quietly and respectfully in mosques and other religious places.

In Tajikistan, it is considered disrespectful to touch the heads of children. Alcohol is not very popular in the country, so avoid drinking it in public places.

Learn a few phrases in Tajik to show your respect for the local culture and to help you socialize.

Both public and private medical institutions prevail in the country. There is free medical care, while there is no compulsory health insurance. Rural residents often face problems with access to medical care, because in villages there are 1-2 doctors and the only hospital in the district. It is easier for urban patients, they can independently choose a medical institution and even a doctor.

In terms of private medicine, the country is actively developing. If in 2012 there were about 500 private clinics in the country, then according to the data for 2024 there are already more than 800. In private clinics, foreigners have less chance of encountering language barriers compared to state institutions.

Before traveling to Tajikistan, be sure to take out a medical insurance policy, which guarantees you the possibility of receiving medical care, including emergency care. The policy will also help you recover the costs of treatment and, if necessary, transportation to your home country. When choosing an insurance company, pay attention to the risks that will be covered and in what diseases, accidents and other.

At the same time, do not forget to take with you a first aid kit with medicines for your illness, as well as medicines in case of deterioration of health (antipyretics, cold remedies, painkillers, etc.).

There is a high risk of HIV infection in the country, so do not forget about reasonable prevention. When visiting establishments, such as a manicure or tattoo salon, as well as private medical organizations, make sure that they are safe and have preventive measures in place.

Before traveling to Tajikistan, you should not only familiarize yourself with visa requirements and obtain a visa, but also take care of your own safety. In addition to medical insurance, take out travel insurance, which will cover unexpected expenses during the trip. Your flight is delayed until the next day, your luggage is lost, you often use rental cars, you like extreme sports - everywhere you can be in danger.

We cooperate with popular and reliable insurance companies, which offer a huge range of insurance types for any case of life. We told you more about insurance in the section “Travel insurance”.

Choose not only basic insurance, take care of extended terms and conditions. Such travel insurance for tourists to Tajikistan will help provide a wider range of risk coverage, so you can feel protected for any unforeseen events and focus on the pleasant moments. This is especially true if you are traveling with children, who are more susceptible to risks and illnesses when exploring the world around them.

Tajik cuisine is an amazing combination of tastes and flavors, reflecting the rich history and culture of the country.

Main dishes:

• Plov is the most famous dish, rich and nutritious. It is made of rice, meat (most often lamb), carrots and spices.
• Manty - tender dumplings with meat stuffing and spices, served with broth or sour cream.
• Shurpa is a thick and rich soup made of meat (beef, lamb or chicken), potatoes and vegetables.
• Oshi - traditional noodles made of dough with various fillings (meat, vegetables).
• Samsa is essentially the same patties, but made of puff pastry with meat or cheese filling.

An integral part of Tajik culture is black tea, which is brewed with sugar and served in bowls. Tea with milk is popular in the cold season. On hot days, compote of different berries is in demand.

Ayran is a traditional sour milk drink, which will appeal not only to adults but also to children. There are also many fruit drinks, such as pomegranate and melon juice.

Traveling through Tajikistan with your family is a great opportunity to discover an amazing country with a rich culture, beautiful scenery and hospitable people.

When planning, consider the age of the children, choosing activities and itineraries suitable for all members of the family. If you have young children, it may be worth foregoing challenging mountain treks and focusing on more relaxed walks and sightseeing.

Choose comfortable accommodation - from cozy guest houses to comfortable hotels. Tajikistan has many beautiful places where you can take walks in picturesque valleys or easy hikes in the mountains. Visit amazing blue lakes: Iskanderkul, Karakul, Sarez Lake. You can take a boat ride, swim, relax on the shore. Visit the capital - Dushanbe, where you can walk in beautiful parks, visit museums, see the architecture. At the same time, tell your child about proper behavior and the dangers that may be waiting for him on the way.

A solo traveler will have fun here too! Decide what you will be doing: mountains, history, culture, relaxation? This will help you plan your itinerary.

Research attractions, transportation features, visa requirements, security, etc. Hotels, hostels, guest houses - choose an option that suits your preferences and budget.

Tajikistan is a paradise for mountain tourism. Choose a route according to your physical fitness. There are travelers who go on the route on an off-road vehicle. That said, do not walk or drive alone. You need a guide who knows all the trails by heart and will find his way back with his eyes closed. Visit historical sites, forts, mosques, museums. Try horseback riding, take part in a master class on Tajik cuisine.

Souvenirs, gifts are a great way to take a piece of this amazing country away with you! Many traditional items can be purchased:

• Suzani - embroidered fabrics with brightly colored patterns used to decorate walls, pillows, etc.
• Carpets - Tajik carpets are handmade using natural materials and have unique patterns.
• Jewelry - silverjewelry with precious and semi-precious stones.
• Ceramics - pottery painted with bright colors and traditional patterns.
• Woodproducts - carved boxes, vases, souvenirs.

You can also buy products:

Tajik black tea is a great gift option for connoisseurs of real flavor.

Spices are a wonderful souvenir that will fill any dish with unusual flavor.

Mountain honey of Tajikistan is famous for its rich taste and aroma.

National clothing with traditional patterns will also become not only a reminder of the trip, but also a great gift.

All this can be purchased at local markets, and in the larger cities there are stores with souvenirs and traditional goods. In Tajikistan it is customary to bargain with sellers, and besides, it is a great opportunity to save on the budget and use the “proceeds” to buy something else.