Tajikistan used to be a popular tourist destination within the Soviet Union because of the dramatic mountains, beautiful lakes, hot springs and winter skiing.
The cold shower of perestroika followed in rapid succession by independence and the ensuing civil war of the early 1990s virtually destroyed the economy and put a halt to travel. What remains of the soviet era are some tour bases and sanatoria in various states of repair.
Hamsafar specialises in adventure travel and Tajikistan is a country in which travel is often an adventure in its own right – you don’t need to look too far to find it. Please do not expect western standards of accommodation or travel. Tajikistan is a developing country and infrastructure such as roads and utilities are the subject of major investment. The Tajik attitude to time is more relaxed than in the West. A sense of humour and a willingness to be flexible will be helpful.
Hamsafar operates a modern fleet of western (well, Japanese!) standard 4WD vehicles and has extensive experience in seeking out the cleanest and most suitable places to stay. We aim to equip our guides with everything to keep your journey as safe as possible without losing contact with the fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) real world of central asia that you will encounter.
Accommodation – We have our own guest house in Dushanbe (see logistics and accommodation) but if you want something more luxurious, we can book you into an hotel. Outside the larger cities, there is a very limited choice of accommodation. We often stay in private houses in the villages through which we pass. We have developed relationships with families in many villages and do all we can to ensure a basic standard of cleanliness and hygiene. The latrine will usually be the hole in the ground variety. We try to choose places to stay with washing facilities whenever possible (hot shower or sometimes hot springs!) However, you should be aware that in some remote locations, there may be only a bucket of water available.
Staying with local families, experiencing genuine hospitality, and getting a view of the life and culture of Tajikistan that would be impossible from a hotel room provides one of the great rewards of central asian travel. If you wish, you can upgrade to hotel accommodation when staying in cities such as Dushanbe, Istarafshan and Khorog.
Security and Safety - Your safety is our first responsibility. Tajikistan has been politically calm and stable since the late 1990s, and to date we have not had a problem with security. Our guides are well informed of local conditions and if we felt there was any risk security we would recommend a change to your itinerary.
It is a condition of booking with us that you have appropriate travel insurance, so that in case of accident or illness you can be treated and if necessary, evacuated to a medical facility in your own country.
If you have any concerns about security or safety, please contact us.