If
yetis exist, they exist in Tajikistan. Nine tenths of this untamed
frontiersland is mountain. Half of it, including nearly 10,000
square km. of glacier, is over 3000 m. high, the domain of the
yak, the eagle, the snow leopard and, mountain-dwellers solemnly
attest, the abominable snowman. Tajiks are of Indo-European
rather than Altaic stock, and there language is Pershian, not
Turkic.
Tajikistan is an ancient state situated in the south-east of
Central Asia, approximately at the same latitudes as Greece,
Southern Italy, Spain, central Japan and Washington DC. Uzbekistan
and the Kyrgyz Republic lie to the west and north, China and
Afganistan to the east and south.
The Republic of Tajikistan is not large, occupying an area of
143 thousand square kilometers. The 6 million population of
Tajikistan is ethnically diverse. The people are notable for
their industrious nature, settled way of life, devotion to family,
children, native land and home. They are very kind-hearted,
friendly, and revere their customs and traditions.
The capital of the country is Dushanbe, situated in the center
of the Hissar valley, at the cross road of caravan paths, it
was famous for its boisterous Monday bazaars (hence its name
Dushanbe, which means Monday in Tajik). Dushanbe is situated
at the confluence of two rivers, the Varzob and the Kafernihon.
The Tajiks are one of the most ancient peoples of the world.
Life in an area situated at the main crossroads of eastern civilization
has given them continuous acceess to the achievements of other
cultures. The first settlement on the territory of today’s Tajikistan
date back to the end of upper paleolithic period (15-20 thousand
years ago). Archaeological finds, the works of Herodotus and
other written evidences provide information on trading relations,
customs, and rituals of the nation. For many centuries the country,
involved mainly in trading with neighbours suffered from foreign
invasions by the troops of Alexander the Great, steppe nomads,
Arabs and Tartar-Mongols.
The
first Tajik state emerged in 892, providing independence from
the Arab Khalif. The development which began in the Samonid
epoch, was characterized by the restoration and fortification
of war-ravaged cities and greater attention to culture, art
and architecture. Samanid state brought to the world the most
famous scientists and philosophers - Abu Ali ibn-Sina ( known
in the west as Avicenna). Tajiks also venerate Firdausi, a poet
and composer of the «Shah-nameh» (Book of Kings), the Pershian
national epic, and Omar Khayyam.
Tajikistan is remarkable for its variety and contrasting nature
conditions. It is determined by it’s being far from oceans in
the zone of Euroasia and mountainous relief. In summer the temperature
is 30-40 degrees above zero in the plains and in winter time
it is 8-10 degrees below zero but in mountain area is cold.
Nearly the half of territory of Tajikistan is occupied by the
highest mountains of Central Asia - the Pamirs where there are
the biggest mountain chains of Asia - Karakorum, Kuenlun and
Hidukosh. The Pamirs is called the “Roof of the World” because
some of its peaks rise to a height of more than seven thousand
meters above sea level. The snow-caped Peak Ismoil Somoni (
former peak “Communism”) reaches height of 7495 meters.
The climate of Tajikistan is very different. Its subtropical
in low valleys, it is temperate in middle circles of moutains
and cold in high moutains. Rugged and mountainous, Tajikistan
sits at the heart of Central Asia with China to the east and
the Indian sub-continent to the south. Three major Silk Road
routes ran through its present day territory. These three routes
were the Sogdian, or North Road, which connected Samarkand and
Kashgar (China); the Karategin Road between Termez (Uzbekistan)
and Kashgar; and the Pamir Road linking Balkh (Afganistan) and
Tashkurgan (China). A
great number of mountain rocks with quite a unique micro-climate
have given birth to an unsually rich and varied flora. 24
km. from Dushanbe to the nothern part of Tajikistan the pictures
Varzob gorge has been located. By the degree of the President
of Tajikistan in 1999 this area has been announced as the
special tourism and recreational zone of the country.
Varzob gorge has all the possibilities for tourism, and especially
for those who are fond of mountain climbing, trecking, ecotourism,
rafting, bycicle racing. Varzob gorge caressed and warmed
as it is by the sun, is also very rich in salubrious thermal
springs. The health resort Khodja-Obigarm is famous for its
hot radon springs. Every year thousands of holiday-makers
visit Khodja-Obigarm resort where they can use hot radon spring
to become more younger, beautiful and healthy.
There are several tourist camps in Varzob gorge, including
mountain ski base «Safed Dara» and there very famous among
the people who are fond of «adventure tourism» and mountain
skiing.
All tourist camps and bases has the necessary accommodation
facilities, tourist and sport stock. The Varzob gorge still
keeps its first creature, strike with their fabulous picturesque
lakes, water falls lying on the neck let of snowy mountains,
with mountain rivers carrying turbulent crystal water and
with the aroma of unique flowers and forests. All these makes
an extreme condition for facing the man with nature.
The National Tourism Company of the Republic of Tajikistan
«Sayoh» presents several trips in Varzob gorge:
PROGRAMME - 1
«The legend of the Silk Road»
1 day- Arrival to Dushanbe, accomodation in hotel «Tajikistan»,
2 day - Departure to «Khodja-Obigarm» health resort, rest
and using the hot radon spring water for one week.
The price includes: transfer, full pansion - 100$ per/per
Not included: visa support
PROGRAMME - 2
«Journey around Gouzgarf waterfall»
(4 days/ 3 nights)
1 day- Arrival to Dushanbe, accomodation in hotel «Tajikistan»,
free time, dinner.
2 day - Breakfast, transfer to Varzob gorge.
Dwell on near the 19 km. of Varzob gorge and trecking to «Sogrin»
base, dinner, sleep in tents.
3 day- Breakfast, trecking to «Gousgarf» waterfall, launch,
rest, bathing under the waterfall.
4 day- Breaklfast, trecking to hot radon spring «Khodja-Obigarm»,
launch and departure to Dushanbe, accomodation in hotel «Tajikistan»,
dinner.
The price include: $/pax/per/day
1-2 |
3-4 |
5-6 |
7-9 |
10-12 |
13-15 |
16-20 |
90 |
81 |
75 |
63 |
50 |
48 |
47 |
transfer, full pansion, tents, guide, cock, rent of necessary
equipment Not included: visa support
PROGRAMME - 3
«Siuema -the pearl of Varzob gorge»
(5 days/4nights)
1 day - Arrival to Dushanbe, accomodation in hotel «Tajikistan»,
free time, dinner.
2 day - Breakfast, departure to Varzob gorge, trecking to
«Sogrin» base and to «Gousgarf» waterfall, launch on the way,
accomodation in tents, dinner.
3 day - Breakfast, trecking along the ridge of the «Varzob
wall», sleeping in tents, dinner.
4 day - Breakfast, trecking to «Siuema river» - the pearl
of Varzob gorge, sleeping in tents, launch and dinner.
5 day - Breakfast, trecking to «Gaznok» peak (5000m.), back
to base, launch, departure to Dushanbe, accomodation in hotel.
The price include: $ pax/per/day
1-2 |
3-4 |
5-6 |
7-9 |
10-12 |
13-15 |
16-20 |
99 |
81 |
74 |
68 |
55 |
54 |
52 |
transfer, full pansion, the necessary equipment, guides-2,
1 cock, donckeys.
Not included: visa support.
The “Pamir and mountain travel” invites you to the fascinating
trips around VARZOB GORGE the heart of the ancient «SILK ROAD».
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