How to Find Hotels in Tajikistan

Once a major stop along the silk road, Tajikistan is beginning to come into its own now. After independence from the Soviet Union and a bitter civil war, Tajikistan has held elections and has begun to embrace its past as a meeting ground between East and West. Follow these steps to start planning your trip.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access in order to book accommodations online
• Valid passport from your nation of origin and all appropriate visas (only available at embassies)

Choose a Location and Class of Hotel in Tajikistan

1. Book accommodations in Taijikistan by calling the Permanent Mission of Tajikistan in New York at 212-472-7645.
2. Find affordable accommodations close to the airport in Dushanbe. Rooms are commonly sold for less than $80 per night.
3. Look for an international chain hotel near Vahdat Palace, one of the more prominent tourist attractions in the city. Rates range between $60 and $150 per night, depending on the level of amenities desired (tourist-class hotel vs. luxury accommodations).
4. Stay at accommodations in Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital as well as its most prominent destination. You have the best chance of finding accommodations here rather than in cities like Khorugh or Garm.

Prepare for Your Hotel Stay in Tajikistan

5. Arrive in Tajikistan by taking a flight from Domodedovo Airport in Moscow. There are no other direct commercial flights into the country save those from Moscow.
6. Take a private car from nearby Kyrgyzstan. Private cars leave Osh several times a day. They cost less than $20 per person.
7. Charter flights from Dushanbe to the outlying regions of the country. Few land transports are available, particularly for foreigners.

Get to Know Local Laws and Customs in Tajikistan

8. Wear appropriate dress wherever you go in Tajikistan. Ideas of decency are far stricter here, particularly for women.
9. Bring a Russian phrasebook while you're in Tajikistan. There's little-to-no English spoken, except by the staff at well-known international hotels.
10. Take a trip along the Wakhan Corridor. It was one of the main arteries of the Silk Road. Now it's popular for its incredible views of the mountains that fill Tajikistan.
11. See the Zoroastrian ruins that dot the countryside. Many are historical sites that draw scientists and anthropologists from around the world.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful when venturing into Dushanbe after dark. The city features a number of seedy neighborhoods that shouldn't be traveled without a guide.
• You'll need a letter of invitation to Tajikistan before you arrive, or you will not be permitted to enter the country.
• There is no English language booking Web site for Tajikistan.
• International visitors should be aware of fighting known to occur sporadically along the border with Afghanistan. Western visitors should be particularly cautious along the borders, where army personnel are known to be highly suspicious.
• Make sure you've bought the appropriate visas from the Tajikistan embassy before you take off. (See Resources for the embassy's Web site). Visa problems can be difficult to fix once you land.