Tajikistan’s mountain valleys have a spectacular ever-changing landscape, from sweeping farmlands and winding alpine passes, to fruit orchards and meandering rivers. But it is the valley’s authentic mountain villages that are the real drawcard here. Nowhere else can you find such a sense of community and warm hospitality from people who have so little, but so much to give.
Here, in these remote villages tucked away in isolated valleys, the local people still live like their ancestors once did. They dress conservatively, sleep on mattresses on the floor, grow their own food, and live off their livestock – far away from the temptations of the western world.
A visit to these authentic villages in Tajikistan is mind-opening and special. Here are a few places you can experience the simple way of life of the last surviving descendants of the ancient Sogdians.
Veshab
The stepped houses of the traditional village of Veshab (or Vershab) in the Zerafshan Valley cascade down the mountain slopes towards the river below. One house’s roof acts as a courtyard for the next. There isn’t much to see in Veshab – the village itself is the attraction, but it is home to a mosque and tomb of Rumi the poet’s muse, Shams-i-Tabrizi, although this has not been confirmed. The mountains behind the village also hold some great hiking opportunities; you can hike to the farmlands of Tagob or set off on a several-day trek to Hshirtob in the Yagnob Valley.
Margheb
In the old village of Margheb or Margeb (meaning ‘green blossoming place’) time seems to stand still. Surrounded by gorgeous apricot, peach, and cherry orchards at the end of the Yagnob Valley, the locals are the last surviving speakers of the ancient Sogdian language. The village does not see many tourists, except during an annual rock-climbing championship that is held on the Yagnob Wall, the 1200-meter rockface of Zaminkaror that forms a backdrop to the traditional village.
Obburdon
Obburdon is a traditional valley village surrounded by lush farmland and fruit orchards contrasting with the dusty brown mountains of the Zaravshan Valley behind. There is not very much to see in the village besides the 18th-century fortress that was built by a local bek that has since been refurbished.
Shing
Not far from Penjikent, one of the closest big cities in Tajikistan, Shing (which means ‘green pasture’) is another traditional village that is larger and more modern than the rest. Home to over a thousand Tajikistan people – big by valley standards – it still clings onto its ancient and conservative traditions. Men work in the village, farming livestock, working the fields, or creating crafts, while women stay home cooking, cleaning and looking after the kids. Unlike many of the other more rural villages in the valley, Shing boasts a hospital, a school and two mosques and over 200 villagers have a higher education, something that is unheard of in many of the other more isolated alpine villages.
Padrud
Padrud (meaning ‘place along the river’) is a little village tucked along a dusty road between the fourth and the fifth lakes of the famous Seven Lakes Tajikistan. Due to its convenient location near the lakes, it receives more tourists than many other mountain villages and its unofficial homestays serve a roaring trade in the summer months. Unlike Shing, this remote village has about 500 permanent inhabitants but it also has a school and a little hospital. Padrud has to be self-sufficient as the village often gets cut off from civilization due to mudslides and snow during the winter. Therefore, the men work the farms and livestock particularly during the summer months, while women milk the cows and create butter and cream to set them for the winter months ahead.
You can visit many of Tajikistan’s authentic mountain villages on a trip with paramount Journeys. Take a look at our website to get a feel of our Tajikistan tours and itineraries in both the Zerafshan Valley and the Yagnob Valley.
