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When we say "adventurous", we do mean it. Please don't expect Western standards of accommodation or travel. Tajikistan is a developing country that was formerly part of the Soviet Union. The 1992-97 civil war damaged much of the country's infrastructure and set it back economically by a decade. Infrastructure such as roads and utilities are improving at a rapid rate, but these are still very much a "work in progress".
The Tajik attitude to time is a little more relaxed than ours. A sense of humour and a willingness to go with the flow will be very useful. And we do find that the unexpected events make your travellers tales all the more exciting!
Naturally we plan meticulously, but we cannot guarantee that your itinerary will run exactly as written. The tour leader will consult the group about any changes, and we are sure that you will enjoy whatever happens.
Outside the larger cities, there is a very limited choice of accommodation. When we stay in villages, it will usually be in a private home. We have developed relationships with families in each village and do all we can to ensure a basic standard of cleanliness and hygiene. The latrine will usually be the hole in the ground variety. We try to choose places to stay with washing facilities whenever possible (hot shower or sometimes hot springs!) However, you should be aware that in some remote locations, we can only offer a bucket of water.
Lets face it, if you wanted home comforts you'd have stayed at home. The rewards of roughing it for a few nights are well worth it - you will get to stay with local families, experience genuine hospitality, and get a view of the life and culture of Tajikistan that would be impossible from a hotel room. Many of the people who travel with us cite the time spent in local homes as one of the highlights of their trip.
If you wish, you can upgrade to hotel accommodation when staying in cities such as Dushanbe, Istarafshan and Khorog.
Being with a small group of like-minded travellers creates a friendly atmosphere and lets you to discover more about the places that you visit. As we use experienced local guides, you get an insider's view of the country.
We take our responsibility to ensure that you have a safe trip very seriously. Tajikistan has been politically calm and stable since the late 1990s, and to date we have never had a problem with security. We keep our ear to the ground and if we felt there was any risk we would inform you immediately (and if necessary alter your itinerary).
It is a condition of booking with us that you have appropriate travel insurance, so that in case of accident or illness you can be treated and if necessary, evacuated to a medical facility in your own country.
For further information about security, please see our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any concerns about security or safety, please contact us.
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