Your Tajikistan itinerary

Day 1 - 2: Depart for Dushanbe & Visit botanical garden

Depart Europe or the USA, connecting with flights into Tajikistan arriving in the late evening or early night. Upon arrival in Dushanbe and after clearing customs and immigration, we will transfer to our hotel, a comfortable hotel in the centre of the old town of this historic city. We enjoy a rest until noon. In the afternoon we visit the botanical gardens to get acquainted with the common birds of the city like the Rufous-naped Tit and Indian Golden Oriole.

Night day 1: On aircraft
Night day 2: Comfortable tourism hotel, Dushanbe

Day 3: Dushanbe to Baljuvan

In the morning we drive to Baljuvan, to a protected concession. Along the route we stop near Norak for some birding, here we hope to connect with Little Swift, Clamorous Reed Warbler and Moorhen. A regional rarity. We arrive at the concession camp at lunch. After arrival, we will have lunch and a small break during the heat of the day. In the evening we will drive along the ridge to find White-throated Robin, other birds will include Common Nightingale, Streaked Laughingthrush, Hume’s Whitethroat, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Common Rock Thrush, Eurasian and Cinereous Vultures, Booted Eagle, Mistle thrush, Long-tailed Shrike, Turkestan Shrike etc.

Night: Concession Camp.

Day 4: Markhor area

During this venture in Tajikistan, we will be mainly on the move to find our targets. Today we make an excursion into the nearby mountains to find the rare and endangered Tajik Markhor. A species of rare goat distributed only in Tajikistan, an endemic. The hike will be in a gorgeous site, surrounded by dry hills and mountains ideal for Gray-necked Bunting, Red-headed Bunting and Rock Buntings. While along the river dapper Little Forktail forage together with White-capped Redstarts.

Night: Tented camp near Markhor area

Day 5: Markhor area to Kalao Khump

In the morning we will try to get closer to Markhors to get better photos. Later we will hike back to the cars and drive to Kalai Khumb town in Darvaz. Several stops en-route for birding. Eastern rock Nuthatch, Blue rock thrush, Variable wheatear, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, possibly See See partridge, Himalayan and Eurasian Griffon and others.

Night: Local guesthouse

Day 6 - 10: Birding the eastern Pamir Mountains

The coming five days are spent finding the few breeding Large-billed Reed Warbler and the several high-altitude species the Pamirs are rich in. The Large-billed Reed Warbler species is known from only a few trapped specimens in India and Thailand, the population size is unknown but seems very small. Alongside we hope to find the Asian Crimson-winged Finch, Citrine Wagtail and the fantastic Ibisbill. Another top bird is the Spotted Great Rosefinch which occurs on higher levels. We will do our best to find this species on the surrounding mountain passes.

After a lot of bumpy roads, we finally reached the eastern side of the Pamir Mountains. Here we are surrounded by peaks of +20.000 feet—an ideal habitat for some scarce species. On several occasions, we reach almost 15.000 feet! In this fantastic terrain, we search for a wide range of high-mountain species: Tickell’s Thrush, Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Griffon, Bar-headed Goose, Brown-headed Gull, White-winged Redstart, Brown Accentor, Altai Accentor, Red- mantled Rosefinch, Blyth’s Rosefinch, more Spotted Great Rosefinch, and Black-headed Mountain-Finch. We spend time on some typical high-mountain deserts where Tibetan Sandgrouse is the highest price here. We also find Desert Wheatear, Mongolian Finch, and White-winged Snowfinch. This is also the very best spot to find Snow Leopard, Brown Bear, Marco Polo Argali, Lynx and Wolves. The very rare Tibetan Snowcock would be the final crown on the days of birding in this region.

Alongside the many beautiful birds that we will encounter, the landscapes and variety of the area plus the very welcoming and friendly people will make our trip unforgettable.

Night: Local guesthouse

Day 11: Return to Dushanbe

After several splendid days on the eastern side of the Pamirs, we return the long road to the capital Dushanbe before starting our Uzbekistan adventure. We will focus mainly on the birds we might have missed in the previous days during the route back. We will be able to re-route if needed to complete our target list. For example, in Shurabad, we search again for See-See Partridge to make sure we bag this gorgeous partridge.

Night: Comfortable tourism hotel, Dushanbe

Day 12: Departure for Home

A transfer will be provided very early this morning to Dushanbe International Airport (airport code DYU), in time for the Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul, currently scheduled to depart at 6:00 a.m.

Tour information

Leader

Machiel Valkenburg

Meet Machiel

Focus

Exclusive birds
Himalayan Mammals
Exquisite landscapes

Group size

Min 6 - Max 10

The group will be always led by one birding leader and one culture guide.

What's included in the Price?

All transport. All accommodations in twin rooming. All meals. All permits and national park entrances. Please note: Drinks, tips, possible visas and items of a personal nature including travel insurance, are not included.

Accomodation

Throughout our journey in Tajikistan, we will primarily travel off the beaten track. While Tajikistan is known for its stunning mountains, rich culture, and hospitable people, its tourism infrastructure is still developing. In Dushanbe, we will stay in a comfortable tourist hotel with private facilities. As we explore the Pamir Mountains, our accommodations will consist of several basic lodgings and homestays, typically offering simple, clean rooms with basic amenities, including shared bathrooms and WCs.

When focusing on the Markhor, we will camp for one night near the site. Tents will be shared, and we will provide a toilet tent for convenience. Please note that washing facilities during the camping experience are basic, so it’s essential to bring along a suitable warm sleeping bag; we will provide a quality sleeping pad for your comfort.

Difficulty

We will occasionally travel long distances, some of which may involve poor or unpaved roads. However, these journeys emphasize the vastness and adventure of Tajikistan. Transportation will be provided in rugged 4WD vehicles, ensuring reliability across various terrains.

Walking during these tours is primarily easy to moderate, even in the high elevations of the Pamir Mountains. Most of our walks will cover short distances on flat terrain or downhill. However, when we hike early in the morning for the Markhor, we will embark on a more intensive uphill trek lasting about three hours. For your convenience, we have horses available to assist with the final stretch or to carry some of your photo equipment.

Flights

International flights are not included in the pricing. Please connect with the RBT office to find out your best connection to Tajikistan.

Clothing - What to pack?

Our expedition to Tajikistan is one of those trips where a versatile packing strategy is essential! Lightweight, easily washable, and quick-drying clothes are perfect for the hot steppe and desert regions. However, you should also pack some lightweight yet very warm layered clothing for the higher altitudes, which can reach up to 10,000 feet. This should include a warm hat, fleece, and light gloves. A light waterproof jacket is also recommended to protect against unexpected rain.

When it comes to footwear, light but sturdy walking boots will cover all eventualities. It’s advisable to avoid wearing shorts for sun protection, as the region is conservative. However, in the cities, people tend to dress in a modern manner and often wear lightweight Western clothing.

For your convenience, 24-hour laundry services are available at hotels in larger towns such as Dushanbe and the Pamir Mountains.

Traveling in Tajikistan

Tajikistan is a country that’s becoming increasingly popular among nature and adventure travellers, and for a good reason. With a landscape that the Pamir Mountains dominate, this Central Asian country is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

One of the unique experiences that Tajikistan has to offer is the Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of land that extends from Afghanistan into Tajikistan. The area is home to several remote villages, ancient fortresses, and hot springs. It is an excellent place for photography and nature enthusiasts to capture the essence of Central Asian culture.

In summary, Tajikistan is ideal for nature travel and photography aficionados. With its rugged mountain landscapes, stunning national parks, and unique cultural experiences, it’s a destination that should be on every nature and photography enthusiast’s bucket list.