Tajikistan legend Tour 7

Tajikistan legend: Tour 7
Destination: Tajikistan
Duration: 6 days
Places to visit: Oibek - Khujand - Istravshan - Seven Lakes - Penjakent - Dushanbe

Day 1: Oibek - Khujand
Tajik driver will meet you on the border and transfer to Khujand city. It is defined to be the second largest city of Tajikistan located on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley. The population is 149,000. In past times it was the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan, nowadays Sughd. Then we will visit the Cultural Palace of Khujand where the first president of Tajikistan was chosen. We will go to see Central Mosque that is positioned in the middle of the city. Night is in a hotel.

Day 2: Khujand - Istravshan - Khujand 
In the morning we will drive to Istravshan. It is a past center of trade and. You will see a museum city with its history dating back to II-VI century BC. In Persian literature the city was known as Kurukuda, In Sogdian ancient notes as Kurushkuda where the contemporary academics 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, visit grandiose fortresses, and appreciate special architecture of mosques and mausoleums. Then you will drive back to Khujand. Rest is in a hotel.

Day 3: Khujand - Seven Lakes
This tour will start travel to the Fannsky Gory (Fann Mountains). You will pass Shahriston (3 378 m) considered to be popular hiking areas. Afterwards we will have a tour to the Seven Lakes (Marquzor Lakes), about 60 km south of Panjakent. Over here you will have a short hiking and see 7 lakes of different colors. Meet local people and find it interesting to see their way of life. Night is in a homestay.

Day 4: Seven Lakes - Penjakent
Today we will drive to Penjakent. The city of Penjakent ("five villages") is situated in Khujand area of Tajikistan in a wonderful Zeravshan river valley originated in the 5th-8th centuries AD. Penjikent was one of the most important cultural and crafts centers of Sogd named "Central Asian Pompeii". It was a well-organized city with a ruler's palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses decorated with paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods, but traces were found only in the last century. In addition, you will see the remains of dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshipers church. Rest is in a hotel.

Day 5: Penjakent - Dushanbe
On this day of tour, we will travel to Dushanbe and pass over Anzob pass (3 372 m) and tunnel of Isticlol. On the way we will have many photo stops where you can capture special moments. In the afternoon we will have a city tour and visit the Rudake Park, National library, White House, National state seal, House of parliament and Jomi theatre. The next destination is the National park and Ministry of Inner Affairs where we can see the biggest National Flag in the world - 165 m high pole, 30 m wide, 60 m long. Then we will visit the Central Museum, Archeological museum and Gurminj Museum of traditional musical instruments. Night is in a hotel.

Day 6: Flight
Morning transfer to the airport.

Transport:
02-04 pax - Hyundai Starex
06-08 pax - 2 cars: Hyundai Starex
10 pax - 3 cars: Hyundai Starex

Price per person:
02 pax - 825 $
04 pax - 515 $
06 pax - 545 $
08 pax - 455 $
10 pax - 485 $
Single - 100 $

Half board - 75 $
Full board - 150 $ 

English speaking guide - 590 $ per group

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Khujand - "Firuz" Hotel 4*
Marquzor - Homestay
Penjakent - "Umariyon" Hotel 3*
Dushanbe - "Meridians" Hotel 3*
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour                                            

Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- English speaking guide