Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, we leave capital and drive to the northern Khujand city. Drive across Anzob and Shakhristan passes (thru the tunnels). Photo stops on the way near the mountain landscapes.

80 km before Khujand we will visit ancient city Istaravshan.
Old Town
Kok Gumbaz medrese (16) until present days
Mug teppa fortress (reconstructed fortress, museum and excavation)
Mug teppa hill (with panorama view of Istaravshan)
local central Bazar

Blacksmith workshops of local craftsmen making daggers and knives Continue trip to the Khujand. Upon arrival accommodation in hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we will spend the day in the Khujand city and area, Khujand is second largest city in Tajikistan and not official (North capital). In different ages Khujand has different names, It Was Alexandria Eskhata in times of Alexander the great, During Soviet period it was Leninabad (city of Lenin) and after 1991 new government return old name of the city.

Visits:
City centre.
Riverside side of Syrdaria river, monuments of the kings of Khujand in different period.
Museum of Antiquity name of “Timur Malik”.
Khujand fortress (New reconstructed touristic complex since 2024)
Panjshanbe market.
Mosque and mausoleum of Sheikh Moslekhiddin.
Palace of Culture "Arbob". (Out from Khujand)
Kairakkum water reserve (Out from Khujand).

Night in Khujand.

After breakfast, we leave Khujand. We will drive to the Penjikent city across Shakhristan pass (thru the modern tunnel) and along beautiful Zeravshan valley.

Penjikent is an ancient city with many excavations. Apparently, people have been living here since ancient times, first excavation starting from 4 thousand years BC.

Visits in Penjikent:
Sarazm excavation. (4-2 mil. BC) UNESCO Heritage.
Museum of Sarazm.
Ancient Penjikent excavation (12-16 century).
Museum of Ancient Penjikent.
Central Bazar.
Museum of Archaeology name of the writer Abdullo Rudaki.
City centre.

***If we don't have time or possibility to visit any of these locations, we can find time to do it tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Night in Penjikent.

In the morning, we will spend all day in Marguzor lakes area, which is located in the Fann Mountains southern from Penjikent. It is interesting and beautiful place. Natural cascade of 7 lakes that are connected by rivers and ground waters. According to the weather at that day, we can make walking trip around the lakes and thru the mountain villages. Optional (additional) lunch in the house of local family, which works like Guesthouse for the tourists. After day trip around Marguzor lakes and villages, we will come back to Penjikent city. Overnight in Penjikent.

After breakfast we leave the city. We go back to the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe city along Zeravshan valley and across Anzob mountain pass (through a tunnel). The highlight of this day will be a visit of the beautiful Iskander Kul Lake. Iskander Kul is in the eastern part of the Fan Mountains, 25 kilometres from the main road on altitude of 2200 meters above sea level. According to many legends, this lake is named after Alexander the Great (After all, Alexander was called Iskander in Central Asia region of those times). Your guide will tell you all the legends of ancient times regarding this interesting and beautiful place. We will drive you along the shore of the lake to find the best view, walk along the shore on the rocky beach, and we will have the opportunity to take a short walking trip to the Waterfall Iskander River (nicknamed “Tajik Niagara” by foreign tourists) Few hours after we will continue our trip to the capital. Upon arrival accommodation in hotel and rest before the night flight.

Breakfast at the hotel. At 10:00 we will drive to the Hissar. Town with the old history. Hissar was favourite residence of Bukhara Emirs 16-18 centuries. Visit reconstructed Hissar fortress, Medrese, and museum of history of Hissar. Optional tourists can buy short horse-riding attraction inside the fortress (if they work and that day) Visit central market in the centre of Hissar. Returning to Dushanbe. 14:30-15:00 Ending of the excursion, rest before flight (Can be night flight).

Transfer to the airport. Departure.