Discover the Districts Subordinate to the Republic

The Districts Subordinate to the Republic combine impressive mountain landscapes with historic places, gorges and various opportunities for active days on holiday. The range extends from the Safed-Dara winter sports complex and hiking and nature experiences to fortresses, museums and traces of settlements dating back thousands of years. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home should therefore first decide which focus should define the trip: snow and sport, landscapes and hiking, or culture and history.

Mountains, winter sports and distinctive landscapes

Safed-Dara is operated in Varzob District as a mountain ski and tourism complex. It has ski slopes and snowboarding runs with varying levels of difficulty for beginners and experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Modern lifts, an artificial snowmaking system and comfortable hotels are also part of the complex’s offering. For a trip focused on winter sports, Safed-Dara is therefore a clearly identifiable focal point within the destination.

Gorges and mountain destinations also shape the landscape away from the winter sports season. The Temurdara area is a tourist destination in Shahrinav District. Sioma Gorge is included on the official list of tourist destinations in the Districts Subordinate to the Republic. Ismoil-Somoni Peak is located in Lakhsh District and is also listed as a tourist destination. On 18 September 2000, the Government of Tajikistan declared Romit Gorge a recreational area. Those seeking nature experiences can therefore choose from various landscape-focused options rather than just one type of excursion.

Hiking, lakes and observation routes

Hiking is a priority tourism sector in Rasht District. A route for observing mountain goats, partridges and steppe birds passes through Karatog, Romit and Varzob.

Lake Timur-Dara is of glacial-tectonic origin. Access by car is possible up to the start of the hiking trail, followed by a walk of several kilometres. This sequence is important for planning the day. There are no cafés, shops, hotels or equipped recreation areas at Lake Pariyon. Those choosing such destinations can take the different conditions into account in their own travel planning in advance.

Romit Gorge and the Romit Biosphere Reserve add another natural highlight. The gorge is designated as a recreational area, while the biosphere reserve covers more than 16,000 hectares. An agrotourism route passes through Hisor, Shahrinav and Tursunzoda. In addition to days spent in the mountains and hiking, this creates opportunities to get to know rural areas and regional ways of life.

Fortresses, museums and traces of history

The destination offers culture-focused travellers several very different places to visit. Shirkent Nature and History Park is a tourist destination in the city of Tursunzoda; the Shirkent area also offers a dinosaur footprint as a tourist attraction. The ancient city of Darband is 3,000 years old. In Faizabad District, a museum preserves historical monuments from the 5th and 6th centuries.

Hisor Fortress is particularly vivid. The fortress was built in the 9th or 10th century and features a main gate, massive walls and the remains of defensive towers. Hisor Fortress can be reached from Dushanbe by taxi or bus. The official tourism programme also includes a tourist train route from Dushanbe via Hisor to Tursunzoda. This information helps travellers take cultural destinations and travel options into account when choosing their personal holiday focus.

Choose the right focus for your accommodation

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is worth deciding on your preferred type of trip before booking. Safed-Dara stands for winter sports, while the trails and lakes offer nature experiences, and Hisor Fortress, Darband, Shirkent and the museum in Faizabad enable historical discoveries. Families with different interests can use these options to put together a variety of ideas for each day without reducing the destination to a single theme. For further orientation, you can also visit Dushanbe, Sughd, Gorno-Badakhshan and Khatlon Province.

For the overarching travel overview: Tajikistan.