MAGIC.
AUTHENTIC.
HISTORICAL.
Join us on an exciting new adventure as we introduce a captivating addition to our diverse array of Central Asian tours – the bird-rich land of Tajikistan!
Nestled in the heart of Central Asia, Tajikistan beckons nature enthusiasts with its breathtaking mountain ranges, expansive deserts, and pristine lakes. Birding tours in Tajikistan unlock the treasures of its avian world, where over 330 bird species await discovery. Among these, the highly coveted Tibetan snowcock and Tibetan Sandgrouse reign as crown jewels, making Tajikistan a haven for avid birders. The Pamir Mountains, often referred to as the “Roof of the World,” cradle an array of unique bird species, including the Guldenstadt’s Redstart, Wallcreeper, and Himalayan Griffon.
Our dedicated focus extends to the quest for the elusive and recently unearthed Large-billed Warbler, a true highlight for birding enthusiasts in Tajikistan. This enigmatic species finds its refuge in the enchanting Wakhan Corridor, and our tours, especially during the month of June, offer a promising opportunity for sightings.
Tajikistan’s untamed beauty and remarkable avian diversity promise an unforgettable expedition for bird lovers and adventurers alike. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or new to the world of avian exploration, Tajikistan’s allure will leave you captivated. Join us as we embark on a journey to uncover the hidden avian treasures of this Central Asian gem.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Four core moments you'll never forget
Indulge in rugged mountain ranges to sprawling valleys, Tajikistan provides an ideal habitat for a wide range of avian mountain species.
Waiting to capture your heart with graceful movements, the White-throated Robin is a true marvel of nature.
The diverse mammal species on the tour are sure to leave a lasting impression on any nature enthusiast experiencing them firsthand.
Be one of the very few people on the planet that have seen the rare and elusive Large-billed Reed-Warbler. A thrilling discovery!
Meet your leader
Leading this captivating expedition is Machiel Valkenburg, a seasoned wildlife leader with more than a decade of immersive experience in Central Asia. With an extensive knowledge of this region, Machiel stands as the foremost leader for this destination, ensuring that your journey through the enchanting landscapes of Central Asia is nothing short of extraordinary.
Machiel’s expertise will illuminate the intricate beauty of this remarkable region, unveiling its hidden gems and awe-inspiring wildlife. His commitment to delivering an unparalleled experience will transform your expedition into a truly magical odyssey through Central Asia.
Join us under Machiel’s guidance and embark on an adventure that promises to be an unforgettable exploration of Central Asia’s natural wonders.
YOUR
TAJIKISTAN
ITINERARY
Depart Europe or 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 center of the old town of this historic city. We enjoy a rest until noon. In the afternoon we visit the botanical gardens to get aquinted with the common birds of the city like Rufous-naped Tit and Indian Golden Oriole.
NIGHT | Day 1, on aircraft
NIGHT | Day 2, Comfortable tourism hotel, Dushanbe
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 to 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.
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 a 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.
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
The coming five days are spent to find the few breeding Large-billed Reed Warbler and the several high-altitude species the Pamirs are rich. 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 that 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 reach 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 prize 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
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
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.
- CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE
NEXT TOUR
4 JUNE - 18 JUNE, 2025
Cost | $3.200
Single supplement | $400
Deposit | $600
Group size | minimum 6 and maximum 10
Availability | Spaces
Leader | Machiel Valkenburg
TRAVELING IN TAJIKISTAN
Tajikistan is a country that’s becoming increasingly popular among nature and adventure travelers, 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.
What’s Included?
Expert English-speaking Rubythroat leader
All accommodations
All full-board meals
All land transfers by comfortable 4WD Jeeps
Visa support (if needed)
What’s Excluded?
International flight to/from Tajikistan.
Personal expenses; laundry, telephone costs etc.
Alcoholic drinks.
Sleeping bag
Extra rooming not mentioned in the itinerary.
Meals on day one.
Single room supplement.
A CURIOUS STOAT
AMAZING LANDSCAPES IN THIS UNINHABITED LAND
THE MARKHOR IS THE LARGEST LIVING GOAT