ARRIVAL DAY: DUSHANBE - PANJAKENT - ISTARAVSHAN

08:00 – welcome tourists from the hotel in territory of Dushanbe, departure to Khujand, driving through the Hissor and Fann mountains range

10:00 – the same time it is thinkable to pick up tourists from Panjakent/Samarqand border (Jarteppa Checkpoint border)

12:00 – arriving Panjakent and have a lunch to a national restaurant

13:00 – starting the sightseeing of the tourism objects of Panjakent

Sarazm

Sarazm – is the first World Heritage Monument in Tajikistan. This is the oldest settlement (IV—II millennium BC) located 15 km west of the district center of Penjikent, on the left bank of the Zeravshan River. Well-preserved palace and religious buildings, public and residential buildings are of great historical and cultural value. Metal and stone products were found at the excavation site, as well as numerous jewelries made of precious stones and processed seashells. The settlement is located within the Bactrian-Margian Archaeological Complex. The destruction of the settlement coincides with the invasion of this territory by nomadic Indo-Iranian tribes. The name "Sarazm" comes from the ancient Tajik word "sari zamin" (the beginning of the earth).

Penjikent

Penjikent is an administrative center in the Sughd region of the Republic of Tajikistan. Penjikent is located in the valley of the Zarafshan River east of the city of Samarkand, at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level. The city is rich in its sights, architectural monuments, a beautiful recreation area on the banks of the Zarafshan River

Rudaki Mausoleum

Rudaki Mausoleum is the mausoleum of the famous poet, writer and scientist, the founder of Tajik—Persian literature-Rudaki (858-941). The mausoleum is located inside a small park with green spaces, the entrance to which is marked by a large brick arch of Persian style, with massive decorated wooden gates. The mausoleum itself is located in the center of the square, on a small hill, which is reached by a long staircase surrounded on both sides by trees. The mausoleum building is a polyhedron in plan, topped with a hemispherical dome resting on a drum.  ABU ABDULLAH JAFAR RUDAKI is the founder of Persian and Tajik classical literature, the first of the famous Persian poets who began composing poems in the New Persian language. He is considered the "Father of Persian poetry", who stood at the origins of literature in this language.

17:00 – continue our trip, departure to Istaravshan

19:00 – arriving Istaravshan, accommodation to hotel and dinner in the national restaurant

ISTARAVSHAN - KHUJAND

09:00 – After breakfast Istaravshan sightseeing

ISTARAVSHAN

Istaravshan is a museum city and an ancient center of trade and crafts. It is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, with a history dating back 2,500 years. It is known that from the sixth to the fourth centuries BC, as crafts and trade developed in settled Asian regions, large urban-type settlements emerged. One such example is Istaravshan, formerly Kyropolis (Kurushkada), named after the founder of the Persian Empire, Kira the Great (529-559 BC). By the time Alexander the Great conquered Central Asia in the 4th century BC, Kurushkada had already grown into a substantial, well-fortified city.

MONUMENT TO VLADIMIR LENIN

The Lenin Monument is a significant heritage site in the Central Asian region, representing a unique architectural and historical landmark in the region. The monument to Lenin was opened in honor of the launch of the Katta-soy reservoir in 1965. The monument is accessible via a staircase comprising 365 steps, a design intended to represent the year long dedication to the project. The number 365 steps symbolizes the year-round dedication to the legacy of Lenin. The area surrounding the monument is adorned with evergreen trees, and the green hills and reservoir enhance the aesthetic appeal of the surroundings. Vladimir Ilyich Lenin - creator of the first socialist movement in world history states, Russian revolutionary, creator of the Bolsheviks, leader of the October Revolution of 1917 in Russia, first Chairman of the USSR.

HAZRATI SHOH COMPLEX

The historical-architectural complex known as Hazrati-Shoh is located in the old part of the city of Istravshan. It consists of three cultural constructions: the mausoleum of Hazrati-Shoh, the mausoleum of Khudoer Valami, and the mosque of Hazrati-Shoh. Each of these constructions was erected at a different time and has a unique history of its own.

13:00 – lunch in the Istaravshan restaurant

KOK-GUMBAZ

The Kok-Gumbaz madrasah, located in the western part of the city, was constructed in the 16th century under the direction of Abdulatif Sultan, the son of the renowned astronomer and philosopher Ulugbek and grandson of Tamerlane. According to a local legend, Abdulatif, who had a disagreement with his father, left his parents' home to work for an elderly Dehkan, digging a ditch for irrigation. He was expected to receive 100 tenge for his labor. However, the father learned of this arrangement and, instead of returning the money to his son, used it to build a madrasah. This madrasah continued to educate students for centuries, even into the 19th century.

MUG CASTLE

The Fortress, located on Mount Mug and along the banks of the Zeravshan river, is an site dating back to the 7-8 centuries. In 1933, an archaeological expedition unearthed a significant cache of documents: 74 in Sogdian, one in Arabic, and several in Chinese. The site also yielded a variety of household items, including silk, cotton, and woolen fabrics, as well as leather shoes and wooden utensils. Among the notable artifacts were weapons and coins, offering further insights into the historical significance of the site. Of particular interest is a wooden leather-covered shield bearing the image of a Sogdian warrior.

HANDICRAFT AVENUE

One of the most notable attractions of Istaravshan is the craftsmanship of its local residents and Tajik artisans. From the main market, a street of pavilions with open doors stretches across the city, where a wide variety of handmade folk crafts are presented. The street of artisans (Rastai Hunarmandon) features a wide array of handmade products, including knives, spoons, earrings, bags, and belts, each of which serves as an essential accessory for daily life. The Artisans Street offers a unique opportunity to purchase these products.

15:00 – continue our trip, departure to Khujand

17:00 – arriving Khujand, accommodation to a hotel

19:00 – dinner in the national restaurant

KHUJAND SIGHTSEEING

09:00 – After breakfast Khujand sightseeing

Khujand

One of the oldest cities in Central Asia is Khujand, which is located on the banks of the Syr Darya, below the Kayrakkum reservoir, in the Fergana Valley. Khujand is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, according to some sources, the foundation of the city falls on the VII-VI centuries BC. It was conquered by Alexander the Great, who rebuilt and strengthened it, calling Alexandria Eshata (Extreme).

Khujand Fortress

The Khujand Fortress was founded in the VI—V centuries BC. The city and the citadel — components of ancient Khujand, had separate fortress walls surrounded by a wide and deep moat filled with water. With the development of the economy, trade, government system and population, the city is growing. In the VI—VII centuries, a new fortress was built. Medieval Khujand consisted of three main parts: Citadel, Shahristan and Rabad. The citadel was located on the bank of the Syr Darya at the Rabad gate. The medieval Khujand fortress was considered one of the most fortified in Central Asia. During the invasion of Chinggis khan (1219-1220), a 25,000-strong army with 50,000 Central Asian solders was sent to besiege the city. The heroic defense of the Khujand fortress under the leadership of Temurmalik is one of the brightest pages in the history of the liberation struggle of the Tajik people. As a result of the Mongol invasion, the Khujand fortress was destroyed.

Arbob Cultural Palace

The Arbob Cultural Palace, a building in Khujand, Tajikistan, served as the headquarters of a Soviet collective farm during the 1950s. The south wing currently functions as a museum, showcasing the history of Arbob, collectivization, and the Soviet Empire in Tajikistan. The building holds historical significance, particularly in 1992 when it hosted the Tajik Soviet meeting that officially declared independence from the Soviet Union. It was also the site where the Tajik flag was chosen and where peace conferences following the Tajik civil war were held in the late 1990s.

Khujand Cableway

The 1 km-long cable car extends from the Kamoli Khujandi Culture and Recreation Park to the Ismoili Somoni Complex across the Syr Darya River. It is comprised of 47 four-seater cabins and seven cabins classified within the highest service category. The cable car's elevation is 35 meters above the Syr Darya River level.

Jami Mosque

The Jami Mosque is a complex of Sheikh Muslihiddin, a monument of folk architecture of the XVI century. The object is located on the western side of Panjshanbeh Square. The facade of the building faces Shark Street. The mosque was built in 1512-1513. The multi-column (30 columns) aivan adjoins the eastern wall of the winter hall, also multi-column (20 columns), and enters the courtyard of the mosque.

13:00 – lunch in the restaurant

Panjshanbe Bazar

Panjshanbe Bazar is one of the attractions of Khujand, is located in the center of Khujand, and opposite it stands the mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin. The bazar consists of the main pavilion and many shops, tents, and shops adjacent to it. It is always very noisy here, as not only residents of the city come to shop, but also guests from nearby villages. The main feature of the Panjshanbe Bazar is its unique architecture and decor. The bazaar building combines elements of classicism and Stalinist Empire style, and the decoration is harmoniously executed using Soviet and Oriental styles. A hemispherical portal decorated with bright paintings rises above the central entrance, and sculptures of a man and a woman are installed on the sides. If you go inside, you can see a long-vaulted hall with slender rows of columns. In Panjshanbe Bazar we have time for shopping.

Arbob Cultural Palace 

The Arbob Cultural Palace is a building in Khujand, Tajikistan, the former headquarters of a Soviet collective farm, built in the 1950s and modelled on the winter gardens of Peterhof, St Petersburg. The main building consists of three wings - with an ornate theatre seating 800 people in the main wing. The South wing currently houses a museum which tells the history of Arbob and of collectivization and the soviet empire in Tajikistan. The building had particular significance in 1992, when it was the site for the meeting of the Tajik Soviet which officially declared independence from the Soviet Union. It was the site where the Tajik flag was chosen. 

19:00 – dinner and accommodation to hotel

DEPARTURE DAY: TAJIK SEA

09:00 – After breakfast drive to Guliston (Qayruqqum) city 

10:00 – arriving Qayroqqum and sightseeing of itineraries 

Tajik Sea

The Qayroqqum reservoir, which was renamed the Tajik Sea in 2016, is located in the Fergana Valley on the Syrdarya River. An area spanning 1,150 square kilometers, encompassing the reservoir and its surroundings, has been designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. This designation is attributed to the area's significance in supporting substantial populations of various bird species, either as permanent residents, overwintering migrants, breeding birds, or those utilizing the area for seasonal migration. The reservoir's amenities include a beachfront area, suitable for leisure activities such as swimming and relaxation. Additionally, the seashore offers services for water sports and entertainment.

Bahoriston Sanatorium

Along the shore of the Tajik sea, lies the sanatorium "Bahoriston." The 22-hectare green area of this health resort is a testament to its commitment to environmental sustainability. The property's meticulous planning includes various infrastructures, including walkways with antique street lamps, manicured lawns, vibrant flower beds, and a summertime fountain display. The resort's healing factors, modern medical diagnostics, and experienced medical professionals allow for comprehensive treatment of various health profiles. In Bahoriston sanatorium we have time for relaxing, swimming and boating (at the request and expense of traveler).

11:00 – Cruise on yacht (at the request and expense of traveler (except of winter time)

13:00 – Lunch in the Bahoriston restaurant

14:00 – Back way, departure to Dushanbe or border Panjakent / Samarqand

19:00 – Arriving Dushanbe or border Panjakent/Samarqand, end of tour