Welcome to Tajikistan! Your arrival at the airport is likely to be early in the morning, so we’ve allowed time for you to transfer to the hotel, check-in, and have a rest, a shower, and breakfast before the day’s sightseeing begins.
We will start today’s city tour with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum with its famous Sleeping Buddha statue, excavated from the monastery at Ajina Teppa. Our next stop is the Navruz Palace. Initially, this building was envisaged as the largest teahouse in the world but during construction (which involved hundreds of artisans from all over the country) it was decided that it was so ornate it was more appropriate to use it as a palace. Most of the rooms are now used for official government meetings with guests from abroad, or for international conferences, but weddings take place here, too. We will have a tour inside, take lunch, and then see the statue of Ismail Samani. This large gilded monument commemorates the 1,100th anniversary of the Samanid State, the Golden Age of the Tajik nation when science and arts flourished. From there we will walk across to Rudaki Park, dedicated to the great Persian poet Rudaki, who also lived during the Samanid period.
Tonight we will have a welcome dinner in a great Tajik restaurant. Your guide will outline the tour itinerary and give you plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
Hotel Atlas 4* or similar