Transportation tricks and hints for getting from Dushanbe to other regions
{addthis}addthis_sharing_toolbox{/addthis}Getting arround Tajikistan can be free of charge or very much cheaper and with more fun if you possess the local knowledge.
Tajikistan - the heart of Central Asia, which has an ancient history, hips of attractions and famous mountain ranges. Here, you can enjoy the fresh air of Varzob gorge, visit the city, which was built by Alexander the Great and became great "Alexandria Eskhata" (this and very much more of similar information on Tajik and Tajikistan you can find in the book of Professor Bobojon Gafurov called the "Tajiks"). Here you will also enjoy the view of the beautiful mountain scenery of the Pamirs and mysterious and quiet (as of yet :) ) Lake Sarez.
Each city is rich in history and culture, and to visit them, on www.pamirtop.com we briefly describe all the tricks and subtleties of transport movements from the capital city, Dushanbe, to the other cities and settlement such as Khujand, Kurgan-Tube, Penjikent, Kulyab Nurek, Hissar, Takob and Khorog.
Dushanbe - the capital of Tajikistan. A nice and beautiful city that, in spite of the progressive development and transformation of the "old" town into a modern, retains the elements of different eras and culture of the Tajik nation. It is from this “transportation hub” you will begin your journey through the fabulous Tajikistan. To see the transportation hints please search the cities, through the hotel search tool on www.pamirtop.com, to see the details of how to get from Dushanbe to distiricts and towns in Tajikistan. Below also you will find short texts on how to find bus stations in Dushanbe, from where taxis and busses depart to various locations:
Khujand (the aforementioned Alexandria - Eskhata) - the second largest city after the capital of Tajikistan - Dushanbe. Nice atmosphere, good people, the sea (or rather, the reservoir) and the historic monuments - this is what awaits you in one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia, with a population of 162000 people (2010).
To get to Khujand from Dushanbe, you need to get to (north) Vodonasos Area of Dushanbe, (means water pumping station), (before you reach park Aini, where the local market is), using minibuses numbered as "17" or "3". Once you arrive, you need to sit on any taxi/minibus that you can take to an area called Tsem Zavod (Zavodi Tsement in Tajik), (means cement-plant), where a point of diparture is located and from where you will find the right minibus or a taxi to get to the ancient city of Khujand. Taxi and minibuses usually depart Dushanbe for Khujand from morning to early afternoon and the trip takes about 6 hours time.
A little advice: it is better to agree with the driver in advance on appropriate time and number of passengers in the car, at times it can be packed if no one complains. Along the way, you can have a snack in tea houses; hence you don’t really need to pack food for the road.
On your way to Khujand from Dushanbe, after an hour drive you will get to a small and ancient town - Istaravshan, where you should probably at least see the ancient fortress on a hill called “Moog”. Not much is left though form the fortress though. In addition to these attractions, you will find a lot of other historical monuments. You would also probably want to taste a local meal in the area. It is called “Tandoori” and it crazy tasty!
Here is the depature point or the "terminal" for Khujand on Dushanbe map:
Kurgan-Tube (Qurghon-Teppa) - is also one of the major cities of Tajikistan with a population of 75000 people (2010). In this region you will find a former Buddhist monastery called "Ajina Teppa." To get to Kurgan-Tube from Dushanbe, you have to catch a minibus numbered as "52", "54", "28", which will take you to a local bazaar called "Sahova't" (south of Dushanbe), which is across the road from old known pharmacy called "Gara'nt", and beside "Ganjina'" market. Taxi and minibuses usually depart from Dushanbe Kurgan-Tube starting from 05:00 a.m until 16:00 and the journey takes about one and a half hours.
Kulyab (Kulob) - a city, with a population of 75000 people (2010) and which recently celebrated its 2700th anniversary. You will discover there are a number of mausoleums and fortresses in addition to the legendary mountain "Childutaron".
To get to Kulyab from Dushanbe, please follow the same advice on finding the right bus station in Dushanbe, from where they depart for Kurgan-Tube or see the map below. Just ask for taxis going towards Kulob, this time. The journey takes about 2-3 hours, depending on the vehicle and driver. Do not hesitate to tell the drivers to slow down if you start feeling like flying.
Here is the depature point or the "terminal" for Kulob on Dushanbe map:
Nurek (Norak) - with a population of 25000 people (2010), a city once being famous, as a "Pearl of Central Asia". Here, you will find yourself in the mighty “Soviet Union”. The name of streets, squares and monuments some carry names of the leaders of the socialist era while some new ones carrying the names of respected Tajik individuals. "Soviet people” will feel at ease, seeing the respect paid in memory of those, who lost their lives during the World War II. During the summer, one could relax in a wonderful recreational area of "AquaClub", built on the banks of the Nurek reservoir. Another favourite activity of the locals in Nurek is fishing. Ask arround where for the best spot.
To get to Nurek from Dushanbe, you can use a minibus numbered as "3", or "33" or "15", which will take you to the train station (signs: Gorgaz, a number of minimarkets at "Safar Center", shopping center "Sadbarg", the last station of the 15th numbered bus). Getting out of the minibus, you won’t need to search for a driver, they will find you! ;) Thanks to the recently opened tunnel, after 40 minutes, you will find yourself in Nurek.
Tagob – a village in Varzob district, famous for its mountain-skiing complex - "Safeddorak", a new facility with all relevant types of equipment and sufficient comfort. Fans of extreme sports or newbie are welcome to enjoy snow! Lots of adrenaline and a lots more of snow is guaranteed.
You need to go on a minibus numbered as "3" or "17" minibuses and drive to the northern corner of Dushanbe, “Vodonosos“, before reaching park “Aini”. At this terminal, you will have to find taxis with a sign "TAGOB" on their front window shields. Drive all the way to the last station and when there, just ask locals about the road to "Safeddorak". The journey takes about an hour of driving on the "TAGOB" taxies plus 20 more minutes on taxies that will take you to "Safeddorak" .
Hissar (Gissar) – with a population of 244 000 people, a historic town, which is famous for its hand-built "Hissar fortress". In this peacefull town, you can plunge into the centuries-old history, visiting madrasas, museums and mosques. Residents of the town will surround you with their hospitality and kindness. Do not forget to try the yummy chicken in a restaurant next to the fortress in Hissar.
To get to Hissarf from Dushanbe, first you need to get to the depature point in an area called "Zarnisor" in Dushanbe (the depature point is in the vicinity of Infectious Diseases Hospital, the final stop of bus number "28”). To get to this station, you need to take a minibus numbered "28" or "8" on its front wind shield. Shared taxies and minibuses are there from early morning until eight evening and the trip takes only an hour.
Here is the depature point or the "terminal" for Hissar on Dushanbe map:
Penjikent (Panjakent) - with a population of 93 000 people, this 5 500 years old town represents a fascinating history of various eras. In Panjakent, you will plunge into the “Middle Ages”, the ruins of palaces and fortress of which are preserved to this day. You will find necropolis of ancient graves, ancient houses, ruined temples, mausoleums and many other historical attractions.
To get to Penjikent from Dushanbe, first you will need to get to the northern corner of Dushanbe, “Vodonosos“, before reaching park “Aini”, by using a bus or minibus numbered “17” or "3" or the trolleybuss number "1", which drives along the Rudaki Avenue in Dushanbe. Taxis bound for the historic city of Penjikent at the depature point, are there from early morning to late afternoon and the road generally takes 4 hours. It would be good to take along drinking water and snacks, although the road also passes through settlements where food would be available too.
Here is the depature point or the "terminal" for Panjakent on google map:
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