Name of tour: Ancient Tajikistan 

Length: 5 days 

Places of interest: Dushanbe, Seven Lakes, Penjakent, Hisor

Day 1: Dushanbe
Our driver and guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the capital city of Tajikistan – Dushanbe. The sightseeing tour will start from visit of Rudake Park, National library, White House, National state seal, and House of parliament. Then we will go to the National Park, where the Ministry of Inner Affairs and the biggest National Flag are located. The flag is 165 meters high, 30 meters wide and 60 meters long. You will get acquainted with the history of Tajikistan in the Central Museum and learn about traditional musical instruments in Gurminj Museum.  This will be followed by a visit to Asian Bazaar. It is a perfect place to feel the local atmosphere! Today you will visit the prominent sites of Dushanbe and you will be introduced to the main aspects of Tajik culture. The overnight stay will be organized in the hotel. 

Day 2: Dushanbe – Seven Lakes
Today we will travel to the Fannsky Gory (Fann Mountains). On the way we will overcome amazing pass Shariton, located at an altitude of 3378 meters above sea level. You will discover the wonderful Seven Lakes (Marquzor Lakes), which are about 60 km from Panjakent. This area is very popular for hiking. The road lies along the gorge where all lakes are situated. They are located on different altitudes and have different colors. Here you will also have an opportunity to meet and talk with local people. Thus you will learn about their traditions, customs and lifestyle. You will spend the night in a homestay. 

Day 3: Seven Lakes – Penjakent
After breakfast we will head to the city of Penjakent (“five villages”). It is situated in Khujand area in a beautiful Zaravshan river valley. It is thought that 5 villages formed that city in the 5^th-8^th centuries AD. In ancient times Penjakent was a major center of culture and crafts of Sogd. It was also known as “Central Asian Pompeii”. It was a prosperous city with ruler’s palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses. There are many fantastic paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods. The ruins of Penjakent were investigated in the 20^th century. Nowadays it is a popular tourist destination. During the guided tour you will see the remains of ancient buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen and fire worshiper’s church. At the end of the day you will check into the hotel.

Day 4: Penjakent – Dushanbe – Hisor
In the morning we will start driving to Dushanbe. On the way we will see the famous Anzob pass (3 372 m) and tunnel of Isticlol. You will have a chance to take many pictures of the majestic mountains. After lunch we will visit the Hisor fortress (7^th-17^th centuries), which is located 35 kilometers from the capital city. It consists of the fortified areas and a citadel. The fortress served as the residence of the delegate of the Bukhara Emir. Besides a good location on a hill, it was protected by 1m thick walls and loopholes for guns and cannons. On the territory there a pool and a garden, on the opposite side of the fortress there was a market square with different shops and caravanserai. The entrance gate with 2 big towers are the largest of the surviving remains of the city. Today you will also visit other attractions of Hisor such as the recently restored monuments of “Madrasa I Kuhna” (16th-17th centuries), mosque and the mausoleum of “Mahdumi Azam” (16th century). You will spend the night in the hotel.

Day 5: Flight
After breakfast the transfer will take you 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 – 675 $
04 pax – 430 $
06 pax – 440 $
08 pax – 365 $
10 pax – 385 $
Single – 85 $

Early check-in – 30 $
Single early check-in – 50 $ 

Half board – 60 $
Full board – 120 $ 

English speaking guide – 420 $ per group      

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
      Dushanbe – “Meridians” Hotel 3*
      Seven Lakes – Home stays
      Penjakent – “Umariyon” 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