Tour description
Dushanbe is the vibrant capital of Tajikistan, a city of republican significance and the beating heart of the country. It is the largest scientific, cultural, political, economic, industrial, and administrative centre in the entire country! Dushanbe is home to the highest state authorities in Tajikistan, including the President's lavish Presidential Palace residence. The city is also home to the highest flag in the world, which has been included in the Guinness Book of Records! With a population of over a million, Dushanbe is a bustling metropolis.
The precise origin of the ancient settlement on the territory of the modern city is unclear. However, research conducted on the territory of Dushanbe has revealed the existence of various household items belonging to ancient people who lived here at the end of the Stone Age, in the Neolithic era, in the 4th-3rd millennium BC. These items are currently on display at the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan in the centre of the country.
Furthermore, the National Museum of Tajikistan stands on the site of Greco-Bactrian Kingdom settlements from the late 3rd century BC, while the Kushan period settlement is located on the left bank of the Dushanbe-Darya River. The city of Kushan was undoubtedly significant in size, as evidenced by the numerous traces of its rural district unearthed during the excavations of early medieval settlements such as Arki Mir (the territory of the botanical garden), Ispechaktepa (the residential area of Ispechak), Teppai Iskandar, and the settlement of Shishi Khona.
The capital of Tajikistan is called "Monday" in English. Its original name is Dushanbe, which has been in use since ancient times. From 1929 to 1961, the city was called Stalinabad in honour of the leader of the Soviet Union, I.V. Stalin. At the beginning of the 17th century, a village appeared at the crossroads of Asian roads. It was a thriving hub, where a bustling bazaar was held on Mondays. The village grew and soon became a district centre with busy markets. The name stuck. Dushanbe is first written about at the end of 1676.
Modern Dushanbe is a city where you can experience the vibrant energy of the East, and at the same time, it is the cultural, economic, and political centre of the country. The city boasts a monument to the founder of the Tajik state, Ismail Somoni, and a statue of the poet Rudaki, the founder of Tajik-Persian classical poetry. You simply have to see the wonderful fountains in Rudaki Park, illuminated beautifully at night. The city's Islamic architecture is exemplified by the mosque and madrasah of Haji Yakub.
Dushanbe underwent a radical transformation during the years of independence. In the past 30 years, the National Library, the National Museum of Tajikistan, the cultural complex "Kohi (Palace) Navruz", the "Istiqlol (Freedom) Monument", the "Siyoma Mall", the "Mehrgan Bazaar" and a number of other buildings have been constructed in our capital. These impressive structures have become the pride of the residents of the capital.
The capital of Tajikistan boasts a range of modern hotels, including the Serena, Hyatt Regency Dushanbe, Sheraton, Tajikistan, Kangurt and Rumi.
Our capital boasts a plethora of museums, including the National Museum of Tajikistan, the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan, the Museum of Ethnography, the Museum of Musical Instruments named after G. Zavkibekov, the House Museum of S. Aini, and the House Museum of M. Tursunzade.
The number of tourists wishing to see Tajikistan is increasing year on year. Last year, over one million foreign visitors came to the country. While previously the main flow was from CIS countries, now most of the travelers are residents of far-flung abroad, including the USA and Europe.
Availability: year-round
Direction: Dushanbe
Duration: 1 day(6 hours) 
Type of tour:group (6 or more persons)Program of the tour
DUSHANBE WELCOME YOU!
At 09:00, we will pick up tourists from their hotel in Dushanbe.
We have more places to your explore but the main itineraries will be: Memorial complex of Ismoil Somoni – National Library - Nation Palace – Rudaki Park – State Flag square – National Museum – National Gerb Square - Navruzgoh Park - Kokhi (Palace) Navruz – Eram Park – Istiqlol (Independence) Monument and Square – observation deck Istiqlol – Mehrgan Bazar
ISMOILI SOMONI COMPLEX
We're kicking off our tour with a visit to the incredible Ismoil Somoni complex! In this incredible complex, you'll find a magnificent monument to Ismoil Somoni, located in Dusti Square. This stunning monument was constructed in honour of the founder of the Tajik nation, Ismail Somoni. I. Somoni was the head of the Samanids State in the 8th-9th century, and this impressive monument stands at a whopping 11.5 metres tall! The arch is an impressive 40 metres high, making it a truly awe-inspiring symbol of the Eastern state.
NATIONAL LIBRARY
Next on our list is the incredible National Library, located in the Somoni complex. This is the country's main library, and it's got a very important job: to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the people of the Republic of Tajikistan. The original State Library in Dushanbe was founded in 1933 and named after the incredible Persian-Tajik author Ferdowsi. The new national library building opened in March 2012 and it's a sight to behold! The nine-storey building features 15 reading halls as well as over 20 departments.
FLAGPOLE
Next on our list is the incredible Rudaki Park and Flagpole! You'll find the STATE FLAG SQUARE right in the heart of Dushanbe, just to the left of the Nation Palace. This amazing flagpole has even made it into the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest flagpole in the world! It stands at a whopping 165 metres tall, spans 1800 square metres, is 30 metres wide and 60 metres long.
NATIONAL MUSEUM
We're in for another amazing experience at the National Museum, right in the heart of Dushanbe! The museum is home to an incredible 22 large and small exhibition halls, each dedicated to a different aspect of history and culture. From nature and antiquity to the Middle Ages, modern history, and fine and applied arts, there's something for everyone to explore! The National Museum of Tajikistan boasts an impressive exposition area of 15 thousand m²!
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES (OPTION)
We highly recommend visiting the incredible Tajikistan National Museum of Antiquities! It was established in 1934 on the basis of the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy and Expeditionary Research of the Tajik Base of the USSR Academy of Sciences. The museum was already home to an impressive 530 exhibits! The museum collection is home to some truly remarkable finds, including the preserved artefact of the "Queen of Sarazm" in Sarazm, Sughd region, near the city of Penjikent[3], and a magnificent twelve-metre figure of Buddha, unearthed by archaeologists. In 1961, the town of Ajina-Tepa in southern Tajikistan, in the Khatlon region, near the city of Kurgan-Tyube, saw the discovery of other items that have been awarded the status of a nominee for the World Heritage Site by the international organisation UNESCO!
13:00 - Lunch
KOKHI (PALACE) NAVRUZ
After a delicious lunch with national food, we're off to the amazing Kokhi (Palace) Navruz! It is an incredible new building with 12 unique halls, each crafted in its own distinctive national style. It can accommodate up to 3,200 guests at once! The palace is a sight to behold, with each hall decorated by local craftsmen. From intricate wood carvings to Florentine mosaics crafted from local semi-precious stones, coloured mirror mosaics and painted ceilings, every detail is a work of art. The walls are adorned with scenes from ancient legends, while the ceiling boasts wood patterns in the traditional style. Navruz Palace is a magnificent and opulent representation of modern luxury, playing host to significant political events and international meetings.
ERAM PARK
Next on our list is Eram Park, located in the northern part of Dushanbe. Get ready to be amazed by the incredible 40-hectare garden! The main entrance is located in the east, and from there, you'll find yourself immersed in a world of wonder. Follow the winding paths and discover the glass greenhouse, the heart of the park's botanical wonders.
IMAM A’ZAM MOSQUE
We're thrilled to announce that our programme will be exploring the fascinating world of Islam on a few occasions! We are delighted to announce the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the largest mosque in the Republic of Tajikistan, dedicated to the celebration of the 1310th anniversary of the founder and leader of the tolerant Hanafi teachings of Abu Hanifa Numon ibn Sobit. The foundation stone was laid on 5 October 2009, marking a significant moment in the history of our country. The magnificent mosque was constructed on 12 hectares of land, with the main building occupying 3 hectares. It boasts three grand entrances, welcoming worshippers with a sense of grandeur. This magnificent mosque can accommodate an incredible 133,000 worshipers at once! 43,000 of them are inside the mosque itself, while the rest can gather around it.
ISTIQLOL (INDEPENDENCE) MONUMENT AND SQUARE
And now, we come to the magnificent Istiqlol-Independence Monument, a shining example of the Tajik Nation's pride and glory! On 8 September 2022, the Istiqlol Monument and Istiqlol Square were inaugurated to mark the 31st anniversary of the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan. The magnificent 121-metre height of the Istiqlol complex is a truly symbolic structure. The lower part of the 30-metre complex represents the 30th anniversary of State independence, while the upper part, soaring to an impressive 91 metres, celebrates the independence of the last centuries. The magnificent symbolic complex "Istiqlol" boasts an impressive total area of 11,900 square metres, with the area of the object under construction standing at 4,761 square metres. And there's more! At the top of the complex, you'll find an impressive 8-metre crown made of titanium. The magnificent crown on the symbol of Independence represents the symbol of statehood, independence, state property and civilisation, knowledge of the history of the ancient Tajik people. The base of the complex is an impressive octagonal pyramid with seven entrances. When creating the project with the symbol "Crown", the designer drew inspiration from the symbol "Tree of Life", which represents and embodies broad ideas.
MEHRGAN BAZAR, shopping (option)
At the end of the tour, if we have enough time, we have the amazing opportunity to explore a traditional Tajik market, Mehrgon Bazaar! It is an incredible new and modern grocery market in Dushanbe, which opened in September 2014. The market covers an impressive 30,000 square metres! And now for something really special! The market is located on the eastern outskirts of the city of Dushanbe. The total area of the market building is an impressive 10 thousand square metres! The building is made up of three floors, each with their own unique offerings. On the ground floor, you'll find an amazing selection of fresh fruits, tortillas, legumes, meat, chaka, spices, and dried fruits. The second and third floors are home to a vibrant array of clothing stores, cafes, and service salons, including financial and communication services. And the best part? All the goods and products in the market are environmentally friendly and incredibly beneficial for your health — a rarity in ordinary markets or supermarkets!
17:00 – End of the tour! Welcome again to our wonderful Land!
Notice: Please note that tourist sites are usually open, but some may be closed on weekends
