NEWS

01 March 2010

JOIN US ON THE TOUR to
SOGDIANA, WHERE “THE NEW DAY” BEGINS!!!

Navruz is the point when the oppressive presence of the cold winter begins with the commencement of the lively and hopeful spring!  We invite you to catch the first taste of the New Year in the mountainous Zerafshan – in the land of Sogdians, where 3000 years ago the Navruz – major zoroastrian holiday was celebrated by Tajik ancestors.
On the 5day tour you will have a chance to experience special atmosphere of Navruz celebration in the Pompei of Central Asia and be introduced to the history of the holiday deeply rooted in the traditions of Zoroastrians. In Shing village joining children in their tradition morning cortege on the 21st of March you will learn what boichachak means; the women of Shing will open the secrets of sumanak preparations; traditional games and funny contests as well as many other activities are expecting you in Shing! On the hiking to the fourth lake of Marguzor Lakes you will enjoy beautiful spring sceneries of the Shing Valley. March is a time of almond and apricot trees’ blossom
Dates of the tour: 18.03.2010 – 22.03.2010

Services included: transportation during the whole tour (Dushanbe – Penjikent – Seven Lakes – Dushanbe), accommodation at the traditional home stays (four nights), full pension, entrance fees for museums, and  guide service. Price of the tour: 330usd/person
Maximal number of tour participants: 10, Minimal number of tour participants: 7
We will be happy to welcome you!! Your requests and questions could be sent at tic_panjakent@yahoo.com. The closing date for requests is the 15th of March.

TOUR PROGRAM

March, 18
DUSHANBE – PENJIKENT
VISIT OF ANCIENT PENJIEKNT
After arrival in Penjikent, delicious lunch at home stay and short rest, we will visit the ruins of Ancient Penjieknt.
On the territory of 13ha the living quarters, market square, stores, and Zoroastrian temples were located.  Remains of some temples we can see today. Archeologist Mr. Rahmatullaev together with our city guide Mr. Mirzoev will introduce us to the history of Navrus origin and tell us how citizens of Penijkent celebrated Navruz before Arab conquest.

 
March, 19
NAVRUZ CELEBRATION IN PENJIKENT
SUMANAK COOKING IN SHING
After breakfast you will see how Navruz is being celebrated by Penjikent citizens today. Following traditions the event is being organized close to the ruins of Ancient Penjikent. Traditional dancing and singing performances, sketches, stands with handicrafts are in the program the event.
Lunch will be organized in the traditional chaikhona which is specialized on traditional plov cooked according to the special Penjikent recipe
After lunch we will to go the Shing village located in the Valley of Shing river. Shing from Sogdian Language means “Green place”. On the way you can see almond and apricot’s trees in blossom.
In Shing family of Khojamov Saravar will be waiting for us. Tonight we will join ceremony of sumanak preparation. One month before Navruz women began to sprout wheat for preparation of sumanak today. According to the traditions sumanak should be ready before sunrise. Preparation of this dish is being accompanied by traditional songs and dances.
 

March, 20  HIKING DAY
We will undertake trip to the seven beauties of Shing. Shing Valley is characterized by the chain of picturesque  lakes, which are also being called Marguzor Lakes. Their colors are being changed from a light turquoise of the upper Hazorchashma lake to an intensive dark blue of the low Mujgon lake.  
We will undertake hiking from the first lake – MIJGON till the fourth lake – NOFIN (easy hike, 15km – approx. 4 hours)
Reaching Nofin village located on the fourth lake we will have our lunch. Host of Nofin home stay is a famous herbalist - he  will show us his collections and demonstrate how he is producing  “mumiyo” – traditional medicine.
In afternoon we will continue our trip up to the sevenths – HAZORCHASHMA lake by car. By evening we will be back in Shing village.

    
March, 21
NAVRUZ CELEBRATION IN SHING VILLAGE
After breakfast you could join holiday children cortege in the village by undertaking “boichachak – snowdrops” morning ceremony. Please prepare yourself with a couple of songs and poems.
By 9 or 10 o’clock the village will be gathered close to the village club. National games: gushtingiri (wrestling), responkashi(tug-of-war), rumolkashi, bujulbozi and many other games you could participate in or be fan of the participants.
Upon results of the contest among girls the princess of Navruz – Malikai Navruz will be selected.
Festive Karnai (traditional wind instrument) and rhythmical doiras (drums) would invite you to dance and enjoy Holiday with village dwellers.
For lunch the holiday table will be served in special way:
As usual the dishes which names start with S or SH are being served this day. There are two types: Haftshin or haftsin. SHIN and SIN are the letters in Farsi alphabet. HAFT is 7, which is holy number both in Zoroastrizm and Islam.
Free afternoon time:
Optional: a) you could explore the village, b) you could undertake a hike to Rudak village.
     

March, 22
Coming back to Dushanbe

The changes in the tour program are possible. If we will have to make the changes, we will effort to make them to the better!

Program with photoes you can see in our spring News Letter on the left side of this page.