HOW TO GET TO THE ZERAFSHAN

On arriving in Uzbekistan you should travel from Samarkand in the direction of Tajikistan – Jarteppa border post – a journey of approximately 40-50 minutes. There is a bus, car and taxi station behind the historical Registan square in Samarkand. After passing through customs and immigration at the Jarteppa border post, you will find taxis to Penjikent on the Tajik side. The distance to Penjikent is 35km, and takes 15-20 minutes. If you want to travel to Aini and Gorno Matcha you must go to the east city station on the outskirts of Penjikent by the city graveyard, where there are vehicles for these destinations. There are also taxis for the Penjikent-Dushanbe and Penjikent-Khujand routes. Transportation cost is negotiable, and changes according to the seasons, road conditions and traffic movements. The transportation cost from Penjikent to Dushanbe is 100 – 120 somoni per person in spring/summer, in winter it costs 130-150 somoni. The taxi cost to Aini settlement is approximately 120-150 somoni per vehicle.

 

For the Zarafshan valley you must go to the old vehicle station in what is known as Pakhtakor kvartal, direction Aini/Penjikent. Alternatively you can go to the “Rohi Abreshim” station for Dushanbe located in the 34th microrayon (suburban district). Khujand to Aini is 177km, 5 hours. 100km out from Khujand city you will be in the ancient town of Istarafshan, the famous place of ancient handcrafts and masters of knives, clay cutlery and clothing. There is a big local market (bazaar) in Istarafshan. There is also a taxi station in Istarafshan for Penjikent and Aini at far side of the city bazaar, by the cafe “Somoniyon”.  
Further on, you will cross the Shakhristan mountain pass (3378m) offering a spectacular panorama, and you will admire the human achievement of constructing a road through such high peaks.  Driving down from the pass you will arrive at a crossroads going either to Dushanbe or to Penjikent. Here you are now in the Zarafshan valley.  

 

 

From Dushanbe you can get to the Zarafshan valley either by road or by air.  During winter there is a flight Dushanbe-Penjikent-Dushanbe. Ticket cost is approximately 45-60 USD. However, with the warmer weather, when road transportation through the Anzob pass or tunnel is practicable and flights are stopped.    
The taxi station for Aini-Penjikent is on the outskirts of Dushanbe (Vodonasos). You have two options to choose your route from Dushanbe to the Zarafshan valley, either over the Anzob pass (3372m) or through the Anzob tunnel. Driving over the pass is more attractive. Most drivers will only take this route in summer. The distance to the next settlement, Sarvoda, is 135km - 4 hours.  However, if you travel in November to May you have to take the Anzob tunnel, length 5km, that was constructed with the help of Iran in 2006, and shortens the total distance to 40km - this way you can drive 90km to Sarvoda from Dushanbe in 3-3.5 hours. Driving down from the pass, on your right you will notice a turnoff to the Yaghnob valley, the home of the descendants of the ancient Soghdian civilisation. By turning there and driving to Murgab village, you can find our guesthouse, service-providers, traditional handicrafts and many other interesting things.

If you continue to the Zarafshan valley, you will soon reach a geologists’ settlement in Sarvoda. Here you must decide where to drive further: to Iskandarkul or Alauddin lake, to Veshab village with thousands of years of history or to the wonderful mountain Gorno Matcha, to Kulikalon lake and to the Archamaidon spruce forest or to the Seven lakes and ancient Penjikent. You have many choices, and every place is worth visiting. It’s up to you - we can only wish you a pleasant and safe journey to our jewel of pristine nature called Zarafshan…