TAJIKISTAN & Central Asia Visit NEWS, EVENT and TESTIMO
TAJIKISTAN & Central Asia Visit NEWS, EVENT and TESTIMO
Put here all information pertaining to Tajikistan Didar
Prepare your visa immediately. If you know of any country citizens that can get visa at the airport, put the info here.
Dushanbe has Hotels and residences on rent. It takes 24 hours of drive to go from Dushanbe to Khorog. There was a time when you needed a special visa to go to Khorog. The visa was checked at every check point on your way to Khorog but we do not know if this is the case now.
Chances are Tajik will help you but Khoja politics and our own institutions may hinder your passage from Dushanbe to Khorog during Hazar Imam's visit. In the past, more then other, they have made it difficult for Murids to go to Khorog instead of helping them. Be aware of the difficulties if this policies continue in this Jubilee year which is supposed to be a year of generosity [some people need to be reminded of this.]
There are only one or two daily irregular [14 seaters] small planes [flight time 55 minutes] and chances are you will not be able to go to both didars.
If there are multiple Didars in Badakhshan [Khorog, Ishkashim, Porshniev] then you may go by road immediately after Dushanbe Didar and still make it to one more Badakshan Didar. The sceenery on the way is out of the world.
If you have faith and want to go to Didar there, no-one will have the capacity to stop you. Be sure Hazar Imam will find a way to get you there in happiness and tons of miracles will happen to make it happen. Tajik Didars will create unforgettable memories and you will attended memorable occasions that you will tell your great-grand children long after it happened.
Admin
Prepare your visa immediately. If you know of any country citizens that can get visa at the airport, put the info here.
Dushanbe has Hotels and residences on rent. It takes 24 hours of drive to go from Dushanbe to Khorog. There was a time when you needed a special visa to go to Khorog. The visa was checked at every check point on your way to Khorog but we do not know if this is the case now.
Chances are Tajik will help you but Khoja politics and our own institutions may hinder your passage from Dushanbe to Khorog during Hazar Imam's visit. In the past, more then other, they have made it difficult for Murids to go to Khorog instead of helping them. Be aware of the difficulties if this policies continue in this Jubilee year which is supposed to be a year of generosity [some people need to be reminded of this.]
There are only one or two daily irregular [14 seaters] small planes [flight time 55 minutes] and chances are you will not be able to go to both didars.
If there are multiple Didars in Badakhshan [Khorog, Ishkashim, Porshniev] then you may go by road immediately after Dushanbe Didar and still make it to one more Badakshan Didar. The sceenery on the way is out of the world.
If you have faith and want to go to Didar there, no-one will have the capacity to stop you. Be sure Hazar Imam will find a way to get you there in happiness and tons of miracles will happen to make it happen. Tajik Didars will create unforgettable memories and you will attended memorable occasions that you will tell your great-grand children long after it happened.
Admin
Last edited by Admin on Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:04 am, edited 4 times in total.
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:48 am
Deedar in Tajikistan
This a great news!!! Khorog has only two hotels Serena Inn and Parinen. However, Parinen is not available for outsiders since it is already booked by PE. (this was the case when i was in Tajiksitan)
So the only chance is to get room in Serena which has limited rooms (if i am not mistaken only 9-10 rooms).
As I am from khorog i know the situation so i advice to people who are interested to go for Deedar to book room in Serena ASAP.
So the only chance is to get room in Serena which has limited rooms (if i am not mistaken only 9-10 rooms).
As I am from khorog i know the situation so i advice to people who are interested to go for Deedar to book room in Serena ASAP.
AS RECEIVED
------------------------
I am pleased to announce that as usual, I will serve the East Africa Ismaili Jamat with a package tour to the Pamirs in Dushanbe. We will have a group departure from Nairobi pending date confirmation via Dubai to Dushanbe for a 9 day Durbar and Pamir Tour. We have also been appointed by the Tajik government as the sole visa facilitator in East Africa for this event. Ismailis interested in traveling to Dushanbe should contact me on my address below
Warm Regards
Pankaj Shah
David Livingstone Safari Resort
Mugumo Tree Hotels
WILDERNESS ESCAPES
1st Floor Chiromo Court
Opposite Riverside Park, Chiromo Road
P.O.Box 10745 00100
Westlands, Nairobi
Tel + 254 20 3742222, 3747360, 3748580, 3749988
Fax +254 20 3747433
Cell Phone +254733468888
Email HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]
Reservations Email HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]
------------------------
I am pleased to announce that as usual, I will serve the East Africa Ismaili Jamat with a package tour to the Pamirs in Dushanbe. We will have a group departure from Nairobi pending date confirmation via Dubai to Dushanbe for a 9 day Durbar and Pamir Tour. We have also been appointed by the Tajik government as the sole visa facilitator in East Africa for this event. Ismailis interested in traveling to Dushanbe should contact me on my address below
Warm Regards
Pankaj Shah
David Livingstone Safari Resort
Mugumo Tree Hotels
WILDERNESS ESCAPES
1st Floor Chiromo Court
Opposite Riverside Park, Chiromo Road
P.O.Box 10745 00100
Westlands, Nairobi
Tel + 254 20 3742222, 3747360, 3748580, 3749988
Fax +254 20 3747433
Cell Phone +254733468888
Email HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]
Reservations Email HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]
Visas are available on arrival at Dushanbe airport if the traveler has an invitation letter and the visa form completed (for more information on applying for visas, please check www.traveltajikistan.com ).
If you live in Canada, you can also get your Visa from Washington.
If you live in Canada, you can also get your Visa from Washington.
AS RECEIVED
--------------------------------------
Ya Ali Madad
SAITO (Strategic Alliance of Ismaili Tour Operators) is pleased to announce that we will have a package for the Tajikistan Dardar to be held in October/November 2008. For more information on this package, please contact the Zeain at EPB, Nairobi or Shazmin of SAITO as per the contact details below:
Zeain Rattansi
Tel: 0738 – 868161 or (020) 318490
Email: [email protected]
Shazmin Manji
Tel: (020) 3749475 or 0734 – 474294
Email: [email protected]
Thank you
Kind Regards
Zeain Rattansi
--------------------------------------
Ya Ali Madad
SAITO (Strategic Alliance of Ismaili Tour Operators) is pleased to announce that we will have a package for the Tajikistan Dardar to be held in October/November 2008. For more information on this package, please contact the Zeain at EPB, Nairobi or Shazmin of SAITO as per the contact details below:
Zeain Rattansi
Tel: 0738 – 868161 or (020) 318490
Email: [email protected]
Shazmin Manji
Tel: (020) 3749475 or 0734 – 474294
Email: [email protected]
Thank you
Kind Regards
Zeain Rattansi
Last edited by Admin on Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
AS RECEIVED - IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO VERIFY THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION.
------------------------------------
Tajik Visa and Permission to Travel to
Gorno Badakshan Autonomous Oblast
The Procedure and Time Lines
The need to obtain Tajik visa: As in many countries, non-Tajiks wishing to travel to Tajikistan need to obtain visa. The one-month and single entry visit visas are issued at the Tajik Embassies, currently established in a limited number of countries. Longer-term and multiple-entry visas are issued in Dushanbe by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). MFA also issues the special permission required for travel to Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) .
Timing: The MFA issues visas/permission on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 09:30 and 11:30 Hrs. Generally, the MFA takes:
1. up to two weeks to process a fully completed application for two-week, one-month single entry;
2. up to four weeks for a longer-term multiple-entry visa and/or permission to travel to GBAO;
3. for travelers from Western Europe, Japan, North America and some other countries (list of the countries is attached) visas up to 45 days can be obtained at Dushanbe airport upon arrival. The visa costs $20-65, depending on its duration. Travelers are advised to bring two passport size photos;
As with all countries, the MFA has absolute prerogative to issue or decline visas and the time it takes to process the applications, depending on how the country views the nationality of the applicant.
Fees: The MFA has issued a schedule of charges for the visas and the permission to travel to GBAO, which is as under:
• One-week single-entry $ 30.00
• Two-week single-entry $ 40.00
• One-month single-entry $ 50.00
• Two-month multiple-entry $ 90.00
• Three-month multiple-entry $ 100.00
• Six-month multiple-entry $ 140.00
• One-year multiple-entry $ 260.00
List of the countries whose citizens can obtain Tajik visa (but not GBAO permission) upon arrival at Dushanbe airport.
1. Australia
2. Republic of Austria
3. Democratic People's Republic of Algeria
4. Arab Republic of Egypt
5. Republic of Argentina
6. Republic of Bulgaria
7. Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
8. Republic of Hungary
9. Socialist Republic of Vietnam
10. Brunei Darussalam
11. State of Israel
12. Hellenic Republic
13. People's Republic of China
14. Republic of India
15. Irish Republic
16. Islamic Republic of Iran
17. Republic of Iceland
18. Italian Republic
19. Canada
20. State of Qatar
21. Republic of Cyprus
22. Kingdom of Bahrein
23. Kingdom of Belgium
24. Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
25. Kingdom of Denmark
26. Kingdom of Spain
27. Kingdom of Morocco
28. Kingdom of the Netherlands
29. Kingdom of Norway
30. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
31. Kingdom of Sweden
32. State of Kuwait
33. Republic of Latvia
34. Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
35. Republic of Lithuania
36. Republic of Lebanon
37. Malaysia
38. Republic of Malta
39. United Mexican States
40. New Zealand
41. United Arab Emirates
42. Sultanate of Oman
43. Republic of Poland
44. Republic of Portugal
45. Republic of Korea
46. Republic of Indonesia
47. Republic of Croatia
48. Roumania
49. Republic of Singapore
50. Arab Republic of Syria
51. Slovak Republic
52. Republic of Slovenia
53. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
54. United States of America
55. Kingdom of Thailand
56. Republic of Turkey
57. Republic of Tunisia
58. Federative Republic of Brazil
59. Federal Republic of Germany
60. Republic of the Philippines
61. Republic of Finland
62. French Republic
63. Czech Republic
64. Swiss Confederation
65. Republic of Estonia
66. Republic of South Africa
67. Japan
Tajik visa & GBAO permission application form
NOTE: Please send two passport size photos along with this application
1. Surname
2. First name
3. Second name
4. Previous name
5. Date and Place of birth
6. Citizenship
7. Sex
8. Marital status
9. Current place of work
10. Current position
11. Passport details Type and number
Date of issue
Place of issue
Date of expiry
12. Home address and telephone number
13. Office address and telephone number
14. Purpose of trip (Please describe in detail and avoid general phrases, such as “business trip”)
15. Duration of stay in Tajikistan Expected date of entry
Expected date of exit
16. Duration of visa required (two-week, one-month, etc)
17. Number of entries (single, double, or multiple)
18. Name of institution you are planning to visit
19. Address of institution you are planning to visit
20. Accompanying family members included in applicant’s passport Full name
Date of birth -
Relationship -
21. Previous visits to Tajikistan (detailed)
22. Districts to visit in GBAO (Darwaz, Vanj, Rushan, Shugnan, Roshtkala, Ishkashim, Murghab)
------------------------------------
Tajik Visa and Permission to Travel to
Gorno Badakshan Autonomous Oblast
The Procedure and Time Lines
The need to obtain Tajik visa: As in many countries, non-Tajiks wishing to travel to Tajikistan need to obtain visa. The one-month and single entry visit visas are issued at the Tajik Embassies, currently established in a limited number of countries. Longer-term and multiple-entry visas are issued in Dushanbe by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). MFA also issues the special permission required for travel to Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) .
Timing: The MFA issues visas/permission on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 09:30 and 11:30 Hrs. Generally, the MFA takes:
1. up to two weeks to process a fully completed application for two-week, one-month single entry;
2. up to four weeks for a longer-term multiple-entry visa and/or permission to travel to GBAO;
3. for travelers from Western Europe, Japan, North America and some other countries (list of the countries is attached) visas up to 45 days can be obtained at Dushanbe airport upon arrival. The visa costs $20-65, depending on its duration. Travelers are advised to bring two passport size photos;
As with all countries, the MFA has absolute prerogative to issue or decline visas and the time it takes to process the applications, depending on how the country views the nationality of the applicant.
Fees: The MFA has issued a schedule of charges for the visas and the permission to travel to GBAO, which is as under:
• One-week single-entry $ 30.00
• Two-week single-entry $ 40.00
• One-month single-entry $ 50.00
• Two-month multiple-entry $ 90.00
• Three-month multiple-entry $ 100.00
• Six-month multiple-entry $ 140.00
• One-year multiple-entry $ 260.00
List of the countries whose citizens can obtain Tajik visa (but not GBAO permission) upon arrival at Dushanbe airport.
1. Australia
2. Republic of Austria
3. Democratic People's Republic of Algeria
4. Arab Republic of Egypt
5. Republic of Argentina
6. Republic of Bulgaria
7. Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
8. Republic of Hungary
9. Socialist Republic of Vietnam
10. Brunei Darussalam
11. State of Israel
12. Hellenic Republic
13. People's Republic of China
14. Republic of India
15. Irish Republic
16. Islamic Republic of Iran
17. Republic of Iceland
18. Italian Republic
19. Canada
20. State of Qatar
21. Republic of Cyprus
22. Kingdom of Bahrein
23. Kingdom of Belgium
24. Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
25. Kingdom of Denmark
26. Kingdom of Spain
27. Kingdom of Morocco
28. Kingdom of the Netherlands
29. Kingdom of Norway
30. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
31. Kingdom of Sweden
32. State of Kuwait
33. Republic of Latvia
34. Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
35. Republic of Lithuania
36. Republic of Lebanon
37. Malaysia
38. Republic of Malta
39. United Mexican States
40. New Zealand
41. United Arab Emirates
42. Sultanate of Oman
43. Republic of Poland
44. Republic of Portugal
45. Republic of Korea
46. Republic of Indonesia
47. Republic of Croatia
48. Roumania
49. Republic of Singapore
50. Arab Republic of Syria
51. Slovak Republic
52. Republic of Slovenia
53. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
54. United States of America
55. Kingdom of Thailand
56. Republic of Turkey
57. Republic of Tunisia
58. Federative Republic of Brazil
59. Federal Republic of Germany
60. Republic of the Philippines
61. Republic of Finland
62. French Republic
63. Czech Republic
64. Swiss Confederation
65. Republic of Estonia
66. Republic of South Africa
67. Japan
Tajik visa & GBAO permission application form
NOTE: Please send two passport size photos along with this application
1. Surname
2. First name
3. Second name
4. Previous name
5. Date and Place of birth
6. Citizenship
7. Sex
8. Marital status
9. Current place of work
10. Current position
11. Passport details Type and number
Date of issue
Place of issue
Date of expiry
12. Home address and telephone number
13. Office address and telephone number
14. Purpose of trip (Please describe in detail and avoid general phrases, such as “business trip”)
15. Duration of stay in Tajikistan Expected date of entry
Expected date of exit
16. Duration of visa required (two-week, one-month, etc)
17. Number of entries (single, double, or multiple)
18. Name of institution you are planning to visit
19. Address of institution you are planning to visit
20. Accompanying family members included in applicant’s passport Full name
Date of birth -
Relationship -
21. Previous visits to Tajikistan (detailed)
22. Districts to visit in GBAO (Darwaz, Vanj, Rushan, Shugnan, Roshtkala, Ishkashim, Murghab)
tajikistan deedar
I am confused about the visas for Tajikistan,, Can a Canadian passport holder get visas upon entry to dushanbe airport?
i m from pakistan
hi sir
this is asif here me from pakistan can u guide me how we can get visa from pakistan thanx
Regards
Asif
this is asif here me from pakistan can u guide me how we can get visa from pakistan thanx
Regards
Asif
Re: i m from pakistan
Dear Asif YAM, Where you go !this is the Information for you .amex wrote:hi sir
this is asif here me from pakistan can u guide me how we can get visa from pakistan thanx
Regards
Asif
Thanks
*****************************************************
Embassy of Tajikistan in Islamabad, Pakistan
H.No.6, Main Margalla Road, F-7/3,
Islamabad
Pakistan
Tel: +92 (51) 2270097. Fax: +92 (51) 2270567.
E-mail: [email protected].
Tajikistan Mission in Karachi, Pakistan
- Tel: +92 (21) 5847690. Fax: +92 (21) 5840060
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:14 am
YAM
you are all most welcome to Deedar in Tajikistan/Khorog.
there won't be any problem with accomadation, lots flats are for rent , 2 hotels are working, and you can stay free in the houses of your brother and sister.
As i take my family and as I m far from them i don't have
oppornity to go for Deedar there , they would be very happy if you ll live with them.
Thanks
you are all most welcome to Deedar in Tajikistan/Khorog.
there won't be any problem with accomadation, lots flats are for rent , 2 hotels are working, and you can stay free in the houses of your brother and sister.
As i take my family and as I m far from them i don't have
oppornity to go for Deedar there , they would be very happy if you ll live with them.
Thanks
http://agakhanfilm.blogspot.com/2008/09 ... ights.html
this is a good source for the info on visa, currency and travel to Tajikistan and it has a map to [which the copy paste here does not have]
Saturday, September 27, 2008
How to get to Tajikistan: Visa, Flights, Currency
It can be challenging at times to arrange your travel to Tajikistan so I write this in the hopes that people out there will find it easier to get to this wonderful, and at times difficult, country.
IMPORTANT: Patience is key
VISAS:
You do not need an invitation letter.
The easiest/quickest place to get a visa for Tajikistan, in my experience, is in Dubai, at the newly opened Consulate General of the Republic of Tajikistan. The Consulate is so new that none of the hotel concierge's know about it.
Consulate General of the Republic of Tajikistan (Dubai/UAE)
Dubai, Al-Safa-2, Plot 357
Street 4C, Villa Number 5
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +971 4 394 5810
(click on map for large image):
The Consulate was able to give me a visa within a day. If you have a Western passport, I am sure it will be fine but please check the rules. You should ask for at least a 1-month visa. In Washington DC, minimum is 2 weeks I believe, but still, get a 1-month. (I originally got 2 wks, then plans moved slightly and my departure date was after my visa was set to expire).
Please note, if you are going to different parts of Tajikistan, you need additional visas. Make sure you tell the Consulate where you are going so they can advise you as best as possible. For example, going to Khorog and Gorno-Badakhshan requires a separate visa called a GBAO visa. The consulate in Dubai was NOT able to give me a GBAO visa and said I needed to get it in Dushanbe. The Tajikistan embassy in DC was able to give me a GBAO visa.
Naturally, additional visas have additional costs.
FLIGHTS TO TAJIKISTAN
There are 2 flights from the UAE to Dushanbe (the capital of Tajikistan).
One flight leaves from Sharjah and the other from Dubai. (Sharjah and Dubai are a short car ride from each other, prob 30 mins apart when there is no traffic).
TAJIK AIR: Sharjah to Dushanbe, flies once a week (Thurs early early morning)
Just call Mr Mohammedi +971 506 45 85 88 / +971 422 33 500
He runs a travel agency that deals with the Tajik Airlines flights for the UAE
SIMONI AIR: Dubai to Dushanbe, flies once a week (Tuesdays)
www.somonair.com
Details from their website:
Somon Air
Republic of Tajikistan
734003 Dushanbe 100,
Rudaki Prospect
Tel: +992 44 640 40 40
Tel/fax: +992 44 640 12 34
E-mail: [email protected]
R. Khalikov
General Manager
Turkish Airlines also runs a twice a week service from Istanbul to Dushanbe: http://www.thy.com
I only flew on Tajik Air, aptly nicknamed Tragic Air, and so I cannot comment on the other airlines. Everything was fine on my flight there and back; there were no issues (I feel like I have to state this up front!) But when you come from the West (and most of the rest of the world for that matter) where you are told - no mandated - to wear your seatbelt, put up your food tray, turn off your mobile phone, and stop playing music on your iPod all during takeoff and landing, sitting on a Tajik Air flight is very different, and could be scary. Rules are lax. The flight to Dushanbe was a free-for-all where everyone rushed to get on the plane. Seats were not assigned on the way there, luggage was all over the place: in front of the seat, in the aisle, in the emergency exit. Quite frankly, would the emergency exit even work if it needed to be used? (the planes are "not as young as they used to be".) And here is the kicker that could speak volumes: apparently the airline's safety record is so bad that it is forbidden to fly into UK airspace. Ok, now that I told you the less-flattering details: Go. It is an amazing experience. Not once during the flight did anything happen that you would question the pilot's experience. The plane took off (albeit slowly), flew the 3-hour journey, and landed just fine without a hitch.
GETTING TO KHOROG
There is a small flight that flies from Dushanbe to Khorog. I had nothing to do with arranging this flight so I can not offer any firsthand advice except for point A:
a) find someone local to sort it out for you
b) go to a nice hotel and ask the front desk
c) alternatively, the same airport in Dushanbe that you land at, is the one where you buy the tickets to go to Khorog. Try and ask someone to show you the purchasing and collection desk - it is in the middle of the arrival and departure areas.
d) As the plane to Khorog is small, it is limited in altitude, and thus flies through the mountain ranges in certain spots. This is why flying is weather dependent. If there is too much wind or it is cloudy, the plane will not fly. As fall and winter approaches, naturally, the plane is less likely to depart.
e) Try and sort this out as soon as possible. You may not be able to buy the ticket till the day before but then go early: very early. It is a small plane with maybe 20 seats. It also seems those with connections jump the queue.
f) If you dont get a ticket or your flight is cancelled, you can try again tomorrow or there are taxis that will do the drive from Dushanbe to Khorog. People have described the drive as "amazing", "incredible" and "breath-taking" but it is "long" (approx 15-17 hrs) and "bumpy". Again, find someone local to help you sort it out if you need to.
GUIDE BOOK:
Lonely Planet Central Asia is the only travel guide I could find that covers Tajikistan:
http://www.amazon.com/Central-Lonely-Pl ... 449&sr=1-1
It is useful at times such as when you have to register with the government within a few days of arriving in Tajikistan. Buy the book.
CURRENCY:
I saw bank machines in Dushanbe but not in Khorog. I suggest bringing US$ (cash, not travellers checks). It is fairly cheap to eat and get around but you can spend US$25 a person on dinner at the nicer restaurants.
There are many currency exchange shops in Dushanbe so exchanging money there is not a problem. In Khorog there are money exchange spots too.
Also at a few restaurants I tried giving them US$, which they accepted, and gave the change back in Somoni (the local currency name).
LANGUAGE BARRIER:
If you speak Tajik or Russian, you will be fine. If you don't, things can be challenging at times. Very few people speak English. At the nicer restaurants, English will be fine - just getting to the location will be tough. The Lonely Planet guide book has a map which is not bad and many things are within walking distance in Dushanbe. At the nicer hotels, English will be fine too. Remember, what I said about patience? Bring lots of this.
FOOD:
a) don't drink tap water or brush your teeth with it in Dushanbe
b) food can be dodgy at times - be wary but accept it: your stomach will do somersaults at least once. Bring the proper meds as needed.
c) bring snacks with you: cookies, chocolates, etc
EXITING TAJIKISTAN:
Passport control may try and pull a fast one over foreigners saying your visa is not proper to try and elicit a bribe from you. They will put on a great act saying you cannot leave the country and if you miss the flight, it is your problem. They may ask for $100 or something ridiculous. My suggestion is don't pay and perpetrate this behaviour.
And if you go, post your stories here!
Enjoy and safe travels.
this is a good source for the info on visa, currency and travel to Tajikistan and it has a map to [which the copy paste here does not have]
Saturday, September 27, 2008
How to get to Tajikistan: Visa, Flights, Currency
It can be challenging at times to arrange your travel to Tajikistan so I write this in the hopes that people out there will find it easier to get to this wonderful, and at times difficult, country.
IMPORTANT: Patience is key
VISAS:
You do not need an invitation letter.
The easiest/quickest place to get a visa for Tajikistan, in my experience, is in Dubai, at the newly opened Consulate General of the Republic of Tajikistan. The Consulate is so new that none of the hotel concierge's know about it.
Consulate General of the Republic of Tajikistan (Dubai/UAE)
Dubai, Al-Safa-2, Plot 357
Street 4C, Villa Number 5
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +971 4 394 5810
(click on map for large image):
The Consulate was able to give me a visa within a day. If you have a Western passport, I am sure it will be fine but please check the rules. You should ask for at least a 1-month visa. In Washington DC, minimum is 2 weeks I believe, but still, get a 1-month. (I originally got 2 wks, then plans moved slightly and my departure date was after my visa was set to expire).
Please note, if you are going to different parts of Tajikistan, you need additional visas. Make sure you tell the Consulate where you are going so they can advise you as best as possible. For example, going to Khorog and Gorno-Badakhshan requires a separate visa called a GBAO visa. The consulate in Dubai was NOT able to give me a GBAO visa and said I needed to get it in Dushanbe. The Tajikistan embassy in DC was able to give me a GBAO visa.
Naturally, additional visas have additional costs.
FLIGHTS TO TAJIKISTAN
There are 2 flights from the UAE to Dushanbe (the capital of Tajikistan).
One flight leaves from Sharjah and the other from Dubai. (Sharjah and Dubai are a short car ride from each other, prob 30 mins apart when there is no traffic).
TAJIK AIR: Sharjah to Dushanbe, flies once a week (Thurs early early morning)
Just call Mr Mohammedi +971 506 45 85 88 / +971 422 33 500
He runs a travel agency that deals with the Tajik Airlines flights for the UAE
SIMONI AIR: Dubai to Dushanbe, flies once a week (Tuesdays)
www.somonair.com
Details from their website:
Somon Air
Republic of Tajikistan
734003 Dushanbe 100,
Rudaki Prospect
Tel: +992 44 640 40 40
Tel/fax: +992 44 640 12 34
E-mail: [email protected]
R. Khalikov
General Manager
Turkish Airlines also runs a twice a week service from Istanbul to Dushanbe: http://www.thy.com
I only flew on Tajik Air, aptly nicknamed Tragic Air, and so I cannot comment on the other airlines. Everything was fine on my flight there and back; there were no issues (I feel like I have to state this up front!) But when you come from the West (and most of the rest of the world for that matter) where you are told - no mandated - to wear your seatbelt, put up your food tray, turn off your mobile phone, and stop playing music on your iPod all during takeoff and landing, sitting on a Tajik Air flight is very different, and could be scary. Rules are lax. The flight to Dushanbe was a free-for-all where everyone rushed to get on the plane. Seats were not assigned on the way there, luggage was all over the place: in front of the seat, in the aisle, in the emergency exit. Quite frankly, would the emergency exit even work if it needed to be used? (the planes are "not as young as they used to be".) And here is the kicker that could speak volumes: apparently the airline's safety record is so bad that it is forbidden to fly into UK airspace. Ok, now that I told you the less-flattering details: Go. It is an amazing experience. Not once during the flight did anything happen that you would question the pilot's experience. The plane took off (albeit slowly), flew the 3-hour journey, and landed just fine without a hitch.
GETTING TO KHOROG
There is a small flight that flies from Dushanbe to Khorog. I had nothing to do with arranging this flight so I can not offer any firsthand advice except for point A:
a) find someone local to sort it out for you
b) go to a nice hotel and ask the front desk
c) alternatively, the same airport in Dushanbe that you land at, is the one where you buy the tickets to go to Khorog. Try and ask someone to show you the purchasing and collection desk - it is in the middle of the arrival and departure areas.
d) As the plane to Khorog is small, it is limited in altitude, and thus flies through the mountain ranges in certain spots. This is why flying is weather dependent. If there is too much wind or it is cloudy, the plane will not fly. As fall and winter approaches, naturally, the plane is less likely to depart.
e) Try and sort this out as soon as possible. You may not be able to buy the ticket till the day before but then go early: very early. It is a small plane with maybe 20 seats. It also seems those with connections jump the queue.
f) If you dont get a ticket or your flight is cancelled, you can try again tomorrow or there are taxis that will do the drive from Dushanbe to Khorog. People have described the drive as "amazing", "incredible" and "breath-taking" but it is "long" (approx 15-17 hrs) and "bumpy". Again, find someone local to help you sort it out if you need to.
GUIDE BOOK:
Lonely Planet Central Asia is the only travel guide I could find that covers Tajikistan:
http://www.amazon.com/Central-Lonely-Pl ... 449&sr=1-1
It is useful at times such as when you have to register with the government within a few days of arriving in Tajikistan. Buy the book.
CURRENCY:
I saw bank machines in Dushanbe but not in Khorog. I suggest bringing US$ (cash, not travellers checks). It is fairly cheap to eat and get around but you can spend US$25 a person on dinner at the nicer restaurants.
There are many currency exchange shops in Dushanbe so exchanging money there is not a problem. In Khorog there are money exchange spots too.
Also at a few restaurants I tried giving them US$, which they accepted, and gave the change back in Somoni (the local currency name).
LANGUAGE BARRIER:
If you speak Tajik or Russian, you will be fine. If you don't, things can be challenging at times. Very few people speak English. At the nicer restaurants, English will be fine - just getting to the location will be tough. The Lonely Planet guide book has a map which is not bad and many things are within walking distance in Dushanbe. At the nicer hotels, English will be fine too. Remember, what I said about patience? Bring lots of this.
FOOD:
a) don't drink tap water or brush your teeth with it in Dushanbe
b) food can be dodgy at times - be wary but accept it: your stomach will do somersaults at least once. Bring the proper meds as needed.
c) bring snacks with you: cookies, chocolates, etc
EXITING TAJIKISTAN:
Passport control may try and pull a fast one over foreigners saying your visa is not proper to try and elicit a bribe from you. They will put on a great act saying you cannot leave the country and if you miss the flight, it is your problem. They may ask for $100 or something ridiculous. My suggestion is don't pay and perpetrate this behaviour.
And if you go, post your stories here!
Enjoy and safe travels.
visa to tjk
Ya Ali Madad,
anyone who still wants to go to Tjk let me know as i know someone who can get you your invitationl letters and visa to Badakhshan, as the second visa is still has an importance if one eneters GBAO through air or by car.
ramziya
anyone who still wants to go to Tjk let me know as i know someone who can get you your invitationl letters and visa to Badakhshan, as the second visa is still has an importance if one eneters GBAO through air or by car.
ramziya
If you want to attend Golden Jubilee Tajik Didars, make sure your visa and logistics are already done.
It may still happen at the end of this month [probably from 20th October onward, maybe towards 27-28 October] and announcement will be done just at last moment. Do not complaint about the timeliness of the announcement. It is up to you to be prepared.
"You are master of your destiny in so far as you prepare yourself for that destiny."
It may still happen at the end of this month [probably from 20th October onward, maybe towards 27-28 October] and announcement will be done just at last moment. Do not complaint about the timeliness of the announcement. It is up to you to be prepared.
"You are master of your destiny in so far as you prepare yourself for that destiny."
YAM to Every one,
If any body wants to come for didar you don’t need to worry for Khorog Visa, cuz we have Darbar program in Dushanbe as well. if you are planning to visit Khorog then you will need to get GABO Visa which takes at least one week from foreign office. this visa is available only in Dushanbe. Dushanbe is the capital city and has many hotels and flats. for currancy you will need to bring USD only. Dushanbe is bit expansive then other cities, weather is getting colder now but still it is normal during day time. our volunteers will soon launch a website for registration and other information and hopefully you will get clear information.
with YAM
Javed Ali
If any body wants to come for didar you don’t need to worry for Khorog Visa, cuz we have Darbar program in Dushanbe as well. if you are planning to visit Khorog then you will need to get GABO Visa which takes at least one week from foreign office. this visa is available only in Dushanbe. Dushanbe is the capital city and has many hotels and flats. for currancy you will need to bring USD only. Dushanbe is bit expansive then other cities, weather is getting colder now but still it is normal during day time. our volunteers will soon launch a website for registration and other information and hopefully you will get clear information.
with YAM
Javed Ali
Darbar dates are around October 29 to November 1st [more or less 2 days]
There should be one Didar in Dushanbe and one in Porshniev. maybe the same day.
If you wish to go to Khorog, [GBAO] and do not have yet the visa, be in Dushanbe and try before the 24th else forget it.
Do not expect any help from our institutions in getting your GBAO visa, in fact they will actively stop you from going there. Expect an announcement soon by LIF about cold weather, logistics etc....
Expect half a million Ismailis at the Porshniev Didar.
The Tajik Jamat is very hospitable so do not worry, they will welcome you with open heart. Few thousands Ismailis from International Jamat will not be a problem for the Tajik Jamat.
Admin
Common sense:
Do not buy your ticket before official announcement in JK by LIF please
There should be one Didar in Dushanbe and one in Porshniev. maybe the same day.
If you wish to go to Khorog, [GBAO] and do not have yet the visa, be in Dushanbe and try before the 24th else forget it.
Do not expect any help from our institutions in getting your GBAO visa, in fact they will actively stop you from going there. Expect an announcement soon by LIF about cold weather, logistics etc....
Expect half a million Ismailis at the Porshniev Didar.
The Tajik Jamat is very hospitable so do not worry, they will welcome you with open heart. Few thousands Ismailis from International Jamat will not be a problem for the Tajik Jamat.
Admin
Common sense:
Do not buy your ticket before official announcement in JK by LIF please
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- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:37 pm
Re: TAJIKISTAN Padhramni NEWS, EVENT and TESTIMONIES
please advice darbar date Tajikistan
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:37 pm
Yam
Any one have hazir imam or imam sultan mohd shah personal cars picture so please forward me
thanks
regards
Malik suchwani
[email protected]
Any one have hazir imam or imam sultan mohd shah personal cars picture so please forward me
thanks
regards
Malik suchwani
[email protected]
Re: TAJIKISTAN Padhramni NEWS, EVENT and TESTIMONIES
Mumbaraki to All of you!maliksuchwani wrote:please advice darbar date Tajikistan
Mawlana Hazar Imam will visit Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan from the 28th of October to the 6th of November, 2008.
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- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:05 am
Tajikistan darbar
Ya ali miadad Mubarki to All of you!
Mawlana Hazar Imam will visit Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan from the 28th of October to the 6th of November, 2008. Here is the official website for tajikistan darbar.click on the link
For Travel
http://www.goldenjubileetajikistan.com/travel/
Darbar Location
http://www.goldenjubileetajikistan.com/darbar/
Registration
http://www.goldenjubileetajikistan.com/dataentry.aspx
Visitor guide
http://www.goldenjubileetajikistan.com/visitorsGuide/
Faq
http://www.goldenjubileetajikistan.com/faqs/.
Contact us
http://www.goldenjubileetajikistan.com/contactUs/
Thanks
Regards/Rahim
Cell no-0091-9833668908
Mawlana Hazar Imam will visit Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan from the 28th of October to the 6th of November, 2008. Here is the official website for tajikistan darbar.click on the link
For Travel
http://www.goldenjubileetajikistan.com/travel/
Darbar Location
http://www.goldenjubileetajikistan.com/darbar/
Registration
http://www.goldenjubileetajikistan.com/dataentry.aspx
Visitor guide
http://www.goldenjubileetajikistan.com/visitorsGuide/
Faq
http://www.goldenjubileetajikistan.com/faqs/.
Contact us
http://www.goldenjubileetajikistan.com/contactUs/
Thanks
Regards/Rahim
Cell no-0091-9833668908
MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM'S GOLDEN JUBILEE VISIT
The Ismaili Leaders' International Forum (LIF) and the National
Council are most happy to inform the Jamat that, in continuation of
the schedule of Golden Jubilee visits, and in response to invitations
extended by the respective governments, Mawlana Hazar Imam will visit
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan from the 28th of October to the
6th of November, 2008.
Mawlana Hazar Imam will meet with government and civil society
leaders, and will preside over a number of events related to the
development initiatives of the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan
Development Network (AKDN) in that region. In Tajikistan, Mawlana
Hazar Imam will grant Golden Jubilee Darbars in the capital city,
Dushanbe, and at Ishkashim and Porshniev in the Gorno-Badakshan
region.
The LIF and the National Council are aware that some members from
external Jamats may plan to attend the Darbars in Tajikistan, and we
wish to draw the Jamat's attention to the prevailing challenges and
constraints.
These Darbars are the first to be granted in Tajikistan in over ten
years, and the Jamati leadership and AKDN Agencies are working at
full capacity to facilitate the successful participation of that
country's large domestic Jamat. It should be borne in mind,
therefore, that an influx of external Jamati members will impact the
organisational challenges.
Travel to and from Tajikistan requires careful planning and
preparation. International flight connections on reputable carriers
are infrequent; accommodation for visitors is in short supply; and
the health care facilities are limited. Access to the Darbar venues
in Gorno-Badakshan is constrained by factors such as their
remoteness, coupled with irregular and unreliable domestic air
connections. Road travel to and from these venues can be a long and
physically demanding experience lasting anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.
Tajikistan's early winter season at this time of the year is normally
characterised by low temperatures and the possibility of snow. These
are likely to be significant factors in the Darbars, which will be
organised in open air environments.
Keeping these considerations in mind, all external Jamati members
contemplating travelling to Tajikistan are respectfully advised to
exercise careful judgement and set realistic expectations.
The "Golden Jubilee Tajikistan" website provides further information
and details in this regard.
On the happy occasion of the confirmation of Mawlana Hazar Imam's
Golden Jubilee visit to Central Asia, the LIF and the National
Council convey warm Mubaraki to the Jamat.
The Ismaili Leaders' International Forum (LIF) and the National
Council are most happy to inform the Jamat that, in continuation of
the schedule of Golden Jubilee visits, and in response to invitations
extended by the respective governments, Mawlana Hazar Imam will visit
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan from the 28th of October to the
6th of November, 2008.
Mawlana Hazar Imam will meet with government and civil society
leaders, and will preside over a number of events related to the
development initiatives of the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan
Development Network (AKDN) in that region. In Tajikistan, Mawlana
Hazar Imam will grant Golden Jubilee Darbars in the capital city,
Dushanbe, and at Ishkashim and Porshniev in the Gorno-Badakshan
region.
The LIF and the National Council are aware that some members from
external Jamats may plan to attend the Darbars in Tajikistan, and we
wish to draw the Jamat's attention to the prevailing challenges and
constraints.
These Darbars are the first to be granted in Tajikistan in over ten
years, and the Jamati leadership and AKDN Agencies are working at
full capacity to facilitate the successful participation of that
country's large domestic Jamat. It should be borne in mind,
therefore, that an influx of external Jamati members will impact the
organisational challenges.
Travel to and from Tajikistan requires careful planning and
preparation. International flight connections on reputable carriers
are infrequent; accommodation for visitors is in short supply; and
the health care facilities are limited. Access to the Darbar venues
in Gorno-Badakshan is constrained by factors such as their
remoteness, coupled with irregular and unreliable domestic air
connections. Road travel to and from these venues can be a long and
physically demanding experience lasting anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.
Tajikistan's early winter season at this time of the year is normally
characterised by low temperatures and the possibility of snow. These
are likely to be significant factors in the Darbars, which will be
organised in open air environments.
Keeping these considerations in mind, all external Jamati members
contemplating travelling to Tajikistan are respectfully advised to
exercise careful judgement and set realistic expectations.
The "Golden Jubilee Tajikistan" website provides further information
and details in this regard.
On the happy occasion of the confirmation of Mawlana Hazar Imam's
Golden Jubilee visit to Central Asia, the LIF and the National
Council convey warm Mubaraki to the Jamat.
Sorry, I think i was a mistake to tell members to wait before booking their ticket. I just talked to someone in Paris and he says he is unable to find any place in flights to Dushanbe, they are all full. I guess well placed people knew, only "we the Jamat" did not know....Admin wrote: Common sense:
Do not buy your ticket before official announcement in JK by LIF please
I think the common sense would have been to book the flight but not pay it up to the announcement.
Admin
For tajikistan Darbar
First of all i would like to congrates to all of my ismaili brothers and sister for the padramni of tajikistan darbar.
I am pleased to announced u that i m providing visa service+tiket+hotel accomodation for tajikistan
1200$ including tiket +visa+hotel acomodation + transportation etc.
For further detail plz feel free to contact writer.
Thanks and best regards
Asif Ashiq Ali
+923212111081
+923232610529
I am pleased to announced u that i m providing visa service+tiket+hotel accomodation for tajikistan
1200$ including tiket +visa+hotel acomodation + transportation etc.
For further detail plz feel free to contact writer.
Thanks and best regards
Asif Ashiq Ali
+923212111081
+923232610529
Last edited by amex on Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
As RECEIVED. It is nice to see that we can get information even when some people try to put an embargo on information
Read on...
Aga Khan to visit Chitral in mid-November?
CHITRAL: Prince Karim Aga Khan is expected to visit Chitral in the second week of November. The Aga Khan will be on a ten-day-long visit of Central Asian countries from October 28.
In this regard, the Ismaili community in Chitral is finalising arrangements to welcome their spiritual leader to the valley. The Aga Khan will meet the jamaat at four places in Chitral. The people of Wakhan in Afghanistan are also scheduled to have a glimpse of the Aga Khan in Brep, Yarkhun. Community volunteers visited the area recently for the registration of the people of Wakhan intending to come to Brep village on the occasion.
This year, the His Highness will also meet special persons and senior citizens from the community separately.
Posted by Z. A. Khan Razakhel at 5:36 AM
http://chitralupdate.blogspot.com/2008/ ... n-mid.html
Read on...
Aga Khan to visit Chitral in mid-November?
CHITRAL: Prince Karim Aga Khan is expected to visit Chitral in the second week of November. The Aga Khan will be on a ten-day-long visit of Central Asian countries from October 28.
In this regard, the Ismaili community in Chitral is finalising arrangements to welcome their spiritual leader to the valley. The Aga Khan will meet the jamaat at four places in Chitral. The people of Wakhan in Afghanistan are also scheduled to have a glimpse of the Aga Khan in Brep, Yarkhun. Community volunteers visited the area recently for the registration of the people of Wakhan intending to come to Brep village on the occasion.
This year, the His Highness will also meet special persons and senior citizens from the community separately.
Posted by Z. A. Khan Razakhel at 5:36 AM
http://chitralupdate.blogspot.com/2008/ ... n-mid.html
Prince Amyn Aga Khan arriving in Dushanbe today
21.10.2008 13:13
Author: Victoria Naumova
DUSHANBE, October 21, 2008, Asia-Plus -- Prince Amyn Aga Khan, younger brother of His Highness the Aga Khan, is arriving in Dushanbe today afternoon for a short visit, according to the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Dushanbe Office.
During his stay in Dushanbe, Prince Amyn Aga Khan is expected to review AKDN programs in Tajikistan, including project for construction of the Dushanbe Serena Hotel.
http://www.asiaplus.tj/en/news/16/40764.html
21.10.2008 13:13
Author: Victoria Naumova
DUSHANBE, October 21, 2008, Asia-Plus -- Prince Amyn Aga Khan, younger brother of His Highness the Aga Khan, is arriving in Dushanbe today afternoon for a short visit, according to the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Dushanbe Office.
During his stay in Dushanbe, Prince Amyn Aga Khan is expected to review AKDN programs in Tajikistan, including project for construction of the Dushanbe Serena Hotel.
http://www.asiaplus.tj/en/news/16/40764.html