Active vacation in Tajikistan - things to do, entertainment and nightlife

By taking a brief look at the map of Tajikistan, it might seem that a vacation here is only about mountain activities. It is easy to think so because mountains cover 93% of the country’s territory. However, it turns out that it is possible to enjoy beach recreation and water activities even in this mountain country. Many people think that Tajikistan is somewhat stuck in the past but a short stroll in the country’s capital, Dushanbe, is enough to understand that the country is developing. The city is clean and friendly. There are many parks, flowerbeds, and fountains here. Of course, just like any other capital, Dushanbe has nightlife. Mountains surrounding the Gissar Valley, where Dushanbe is nestled, only add charm to the urban landscape of the modern city.

There are more than 2,000 lakes in the country. Some of them are shallow and some are very deep, with the water of green and black color. Supplied by the water from glaciers, Iskanderkul Lake has blue water. There is a holiday camp near the lake, and tourists are allowed to install their tents. Excursions to lakes are a popular type of active recreation in Tajikistan. The Fann Mountains are one of the most interesting areas with multiple lakes. A trekking excursion in the mountains is better to start from the camp in Artuch or mountain camp Alaudin. As a rule, tourists plan trekking in the Fann Mountains as a separate journey because it takes 8-12 days to complete it.

Relatively flat passages among rocky peaks higher than 5,000m in the Fann Mountains are suitable for tourists who are not ready for alpinism. Local paths are comfortable for fans of active recreation who cannot see the mountains the way alpinists see them. Tajikistan offers many moderately complex trails such as the Fann Mountains and excursions to local lakes. An excursion in Pamir Highway (Kuhistani Badakhshan Autonomous Region) is suitable even for beginners because it is possible to use the car to get around. The Pamir Mountains are bigger than the Fann Mountains. They occupy half of the country’s territory. East Pamir has mostly relatively flat deserted areas at an elevation of 3,500m to 4,500m. West Pamir is the opposite – many fast mountain streams, deep ridges, and mountains higher than 6,000m. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Tajikistan is not deprived of interesting water routes. For example, rafting in the Shakhdara and Gunt rivers is suitable for professionals only because these are Grade 6 rivers in terms of difficulty (the most difficult). That is why tourists without proper training and equipment (life-jacket, helmet, wetsuit) should not try to such journeys. If you want to try rafting in Tajikistan, search for adventure clubs (many of them have groups in social networks) and book a journey with professional guides and modern equipment.

Nurek or Nurak is a city situated 70 kilometers to the south of Dushanbe. It is mostly famous because of its giant dam (Nurek Dam), the height of which is almost three hundred meters. The dam is a protected object, and so tourists who want to visit this place need to fill a registration form and input their passport information. Otherwise, it is not possible to enter. The dam itself looks impressive but it is hard to call it beautiful and admire it. Nurek Reservoir is more suitable for this. This is a popular recreation area in Tajikistan. The Nurek Reservoir is the location of an interesting resort area called AquaClub. Its floating guest houses and water activities are more suitable for a sea resort rather than a camping area in the mountains. Visitors can ride a water scooter or enjoy a banana boat ride here and then return to their houses that are also built above the water surface.

Not far from the city of Muminabad, tourists can see rocks of an unusual shape. Slender and tall rocks are reminiscent of the silhouettes of girls in the national costumes. This attraction has a poetic name – Childukhtaron or the Valley of Forty Girls. A car is the most comfortable means of transport to get to this place. Tourists can always rent a car in Tajikistan. There are no special requirements for this. Tourists need a passport, driving license, and bank card. It is better to rent a car in advance, before the actual arrival in Tajikistan. However, don’t forget that local roads are mostly a chain of mountain serpentines, so it is not easy to drive here.

Nightlife in Dushanbe. To feel the diversity of nightlife in the capital and find the venue you like the most, it is better to visit several establishments. Restaurant Shahrisabz (Rakhimova 17 Street, Mirzo Tursunzoda Street, close to Poitaht Shopping Center) offers exquisite oriental cuisine and a diverse cocktail menu. Regular music shows, soft cushions in the VIP area, there are several halls to choose from. Shahrisabz is a restaurant but it also offers an entertainment program in the evening. Here are some of the most popular nightclubs in Dushanbe: Royal Club (Samani 14/2) is open from 9 pm to 4 am, LOFT (Druzhby Narodov Street 106) is open from 6 pm to 5 am, Tokyo is a karaoke bar that is open from 6 pm to 6 am.

VIP Club (Bogoutdinova Street 7/1) is not only a popular nightclub but also a charming place with delicious cuisine and quality service. It opens after 9 pm and is recognized as one of the best nightclubs in the capital. In Khujand, visit Amnesia Club (Partisans Street) or the Golden Ball café and bar on Ismail Samani Avenue (opposite to the Stars of Khujand Park). This venue, which opened more than 10 years ago, has interesting dancing shows and karaoke. Smoking is allowed. The venue opened after restoration in 2019. On the opposite side of the Stars of Khujand Park lies Hvakanta Disco Club. Visitors can order music for a modest fee, and professional dancers can accompany them.