You’ve landed at Dushanbe International Airport, conveniently located just 5.5 kilometers from the city center. There are several options to get to the heart of Dushanbe:
Trolleybus No. 4
Buses No. 2, 8, 12
Minibuses (marshrutkas) No. 1, 7, 8, 14, 16, 33
Taxi: Taxis are readily available outside the airport or can be ordered through apps like Rakhsh Taxi, Yak Taxi, Olu4a Taxi Client, Somon Taxi, or Maxim. A daytime fare costs between 10-15 somoni (~$1-1.50), payable in cash or by card.
Currency Information: Tajikistan’s currency is the somoni (TJS), divided into dirams (1 somoni = 100 dirams). 1 USD roughly equals 10-12 somoni.
Public Transport: Buses and trolleybuses operate from 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM with a 10-15 minute interval.
Bus fares: 1.8 somoni with a travel card, 2.5 somoni in cash.
Trolleybus fares: 1.5 somoni with a travel card, 2 somoni in cash.
Minibuses: 3 somoni (cash only). Hand your fare to the conductor or driver upon entry.
To get a travel card, use kiosks or terminals near the airport. You’ll need a local Tajik phone number to register it, and the minimum top-up is 7 somoni. SIM cards are available at the airport with major operators like MegaFon, Babilon-Mobile, or Tcell.
Navigation Tip: Use Google Maps or Yandex Maps for directions. You can search in English, Russian, or Tajik.
After a long journey, food is a priority! Start with Chaykhana Rohat (Rudaki Avenue, 84), one of Dushanbe’s cultural gems. Its luxurious interior features intricate Eastern patterns, and the name “Rohat”, meaning “pleasure” or “rest”, perfectly suits the ambiance.
Dushanbe offers a variety of dining options, from traditional Tajik dishes to European and international cuisines.
Coffee Spots: Cafe Moose, Mazza Cafe, Caf
Dining Recommendations: Taj Plov, BUNDES BAR, Public Pub, Traktir, MERVE (Turkish cuisine).
Plov: A hearty, aromatic rice dish cooked with beef or lamb, carrots, onions, garlic, and spices. Traditionally eaten by hand, though forks and spoons are acceptable.
Qurutob: One of Tajikistan’s oldest and most beloved dishes. It includes layered flatbread (fatir), chakka (similar to yogurt or sour cream), linseed oil, tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs.
Sambusa: Similar to samosas, these flaky pastries are filled with meat, pumpkin, or greens.
Shirchoy: A traditional milk tea served with butter, paired with flatbread, salt, and pepper.
Manty: Large dumplings steamed to perfection, filled with meat and served with chakka, greens, and salt.
Begin your exploration with Dushanbe’s iconic cultural landmarks.
Behind the monument, you’ll find a beautiful alley lined with fountains that are illuminated by vibrant lights in the evening – an enchanting spot for photos.
Nearby, you’ll spot significant landmarks such as the Radio House and the Palace of the Nation, which add to the grandeur of the area.
Next is the Rudaki Garden (literally, “Rudaki Park”), built in the 1930s. Initially, a statue of V. I. Lenin was installed in the center of the park, and it was called the “Park of Culture and Rest named after V. I. Lenin.” However, it was reconstructed in 2007. Today, in the center of the park stands a statue of Abu Abdullah Rudaki, the poet and founder of Persian literature. In the shade of the green trees, visitors can not only rest during the heat but also take plenty of beautiful photographs!
Our journey continues to the Tajik State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after Sadriddin Ayni (Rudaki Avenue, 28). It was built in 1936 as the Tajik Musical Theater, where young performers played on stage. Later, in 1954, it was renamed in honor of Sadriddin Ayni, a Tajik Soviet writer and founder of Soviet Tajik literature.
The theater hosts performances, ballet (“Swan Lake,” “Don Quixote”), opera (“Tahir and Zuhra”), operettas (“The Bat”), and children’s productions (“The Nutcracker,” “The Snow Queen,” “Little Red Riding Hood”). The repertoire can be found on the website or on posters near the entrance. Tickets can be purchased with cash at the box office. On average, an adult ticket costs about 20-30 somoni, while a children’s ticket costs 15-20 somoni.
This is not the only place named after the great Tajik writer. Let’s take a walk through the Sadriddin Ayni Culture and Recreation Park. The park was established in 1958 and is filled with alleys, terraces, gazebos, benches, and fountains, with various types of trees and vineyards planted throughout. The central alley leads to the opposite exit of the park and ends with the mausoleum of Sadriddin Ayni. At the center of the park, there is a memorial dedicated to prominent figures of the Republic of Tajikistan. Entrance to the park is ticketed, with tickets available at the box office near the main entrance.
In the evening, I recommend a stroll along Ayni Street. The lights of the roads and skyscrapers create a special atmosphere.
How can one visit the country without seeing its natural beauty? Our journey takes us to the mountain village of Penjikent. It is popular among tourists and history enthusiasts. On the outskirts of the village lies an archaeological site – an ancient settlement with well-preserved houses. Looking at the wall paintings, one is involuntarily transported to the past, imagining people walking up these stairs and artists painting on the walls 15-18 centuries ago.
It’s best to leave for Penjikent early in the morning; the taxi ride from Dushanbe takes about 3.5 hours. One-way costs range from 390 to 480 somoni. The town offers many hotels and guesthouses.
The final highlight of our trip will be the Seven Lakes! Located in western Tajikistan, in the Fann Mountains, in the gorge of the Shing River, each lake has its own name: Mijgon, Soya, Gushor, Nofin, Khurdak, and the two largest – Marguzor and Hazorchashma. The area is surrounded by wild nature and small settlements.
You can reach the Seven Lakes by car in about an hour. Many visitors bring tents to camp, but if you prefer comfort, there are guesthouses along the lakeshores. Alternatively, you can enjoy the scenery in just 6 hours with stops for photos and rest.
By the way, you can travel directly to the Seven Lakes from Dushanbe, but the journey by car will take around 5 hours.
So, the first lake to greet us is Mijgon, which translates from Tajik as “eyelashes.” It is situated at an altitude of 1640 meters above sea level, with a depth of up to 20 meters. Its waters shimmer in different colors depending on the season.
If you climb further up a steep serpentine road, you will reach the second lake – Soya. “Soya” translates as “shadow” because it is located in the shade of two cliffs at an altitude of 1701 meters above sea level.
400 meters from Soya lies the third lake, Gushor (1771 meters above sea level), which translates as “vigilant.” During the Soviet era, the Marghuzor Lakes tourist base was located on its shore.
The fourth lake, Nofin, is located next to Soya. Its name means “umbilical cord.” Among the Seven Lakes, it stands out for its elongated shape. It is over 2.5 km long, with an average width of 200 meters, and lies at an altitude of 1820 meters above sea level.
Khurdak is the smallest of the Seven Lakes. It is located 1.5 km from Nofin and its name translates as “baby.” It sits at an altitude of 1870 meters.
The sixth and largest of the Seven Lakes is Marguzor. To reach it, you need to drive about 2 km along a serpentine road, climbing to an altitude of 2140 meters. Marguzor is 2.7 km long, with a maximum depth of 45 meters. Petroglyphs of primitive people were found on its shores, and semi-precious stones were mined nearby during the Middle Ages. Marguzor is considered the most beautiful of the lakes thanks to the incredible surrounding landscape.
The final and highest lake of the Seven Lakes system is Hazorchashma, which is 2 km long. “Hazorchashma” translates as “thousand springs,” as the lake is fed by two rivers and numerous streams. While slightly smaller than Marguzor, it marks the end of the settlements, as beyond Hazorchashma lies the wild nature of the Fann Mountains.
Our journey comes to an end… Now it’s time for souvenirs!
Jurabs – warm, long knitted socks with bright patterns made of goat or sheep wool. They will warm you up not only with memories of the trip but also literally in winter.
Toki – round or square-shaped skullcaps with various protective patterns. A trendy accessory for celebrations.
Handmade jewelry crafted from semi-precious Pamir stones.
Atlas – one of the most famous, bright, and beautiful souvenirs. It can be brought as fabric or ready-made items like clothing, bags, or scarves.
Magnets featuring donkeys and grandfathers in national costumes.
Handmade dolls dressed in national atlas attire.
Clothing featuring images of landmarks.
