M41 ROAD: PAMIR HIGHWAY AND WAKHAN VALLEY

Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Is it obligatory to have temporary registration while staying on the territory of Tajikistan?
   Foreign tourists with Tourist visa (T) are allowed to stay on the territory of Tajikistan without temporary registration within 30 days. Holders of all other visa categories, as well as CIS citizens, except for those of Kazakhsatan and Kyrgyzstan, should get temporary registration within 3 working days from the date of entry. Policemen in the street, as well as border officers at the port of exit can demand the proof of Tajik registration. Absence of registration is penalized by heavy fine.
2. What documents and forms should be filled out while entering/leaving the territory of Tajikistan?
   Upon entering Tajikistan a foreign national should fill out migration card which is provided on board of plane or on arrival at airport, as well as customs declaration. Upon exiting the country a foreigner should show the customs control official the registration certificate, migration card, and customs declaration filled out on arrival to Tajikistan port of entry.
3. What is forbidden to bring in and take out from Tajikistan?
   Similar to other countries’ regulations, it is forbidden to bring pornographic materials, firearms, weapons and ammunition, printed, audiovisual and other information which can be construed as jeopardizing the country's state sovereignty, narcotics, including drugs containing psychotropic agents. Exception is the medicinal product accompanied with a copy of doctor’s prescription. It is allowed to take out any items except foodstuff, precious stones, gold and minerals. Foreign travelers are also forbidden to take out local currency- somoni. If a traveler wants to buy any jewelry item as a souvenir, he/she needs a permit certifying that this item does not have cultural or historical value.
4. Is it allowed to bring alcoholic drinks and cigarettes in Tajikistan?
   Under Tajik customs regulations it is allowed to bring in not more than 1 litre of alcoholic drinks and 1 block of cigarettes (200 sticks) per person.
5. What are the limits to the amount of foreign currency allowed for bringing in or taking out of Tajikistan?
   Tajikistan has no restriction on the amount of foreign currency cash you can carry in or out of Tajikistan. However, any amounts of foreign currency cash exceeding $5,000 in USD or foreign equivalent must be declared. It is recommended to declare the total amount of currency brought in the country, because a foreign traveller is allowed to take out of Tajikistan the amount of foreign currency that does not exceed the amount which was brought in and declared in customs declaration.
   On exiting the country the amount of cash exceeding $500 is subject to declaration. The total amount of foreign currency cash allowed for export from Tajikistan without special permit is $2,000. If the amount of foreign currency exceeds $2,000, appropriate documentation certifying its legality should be submitted to customs authorities. Customs declaration confirming the import to Tajikistan of foreign currency cash or valuables can serve this purpose.
6. What currency is in circulation in Tajikistan? Where can foreign currency be exchanged for local one?
   Any transaction when buying goods and services or any other financial dealings on the territory of Tajikistan are made in the national currency - somoni. Foreign currency can be exchanged in the banks of big cities or numerous exchange offices which function practically in any town of the country. It is not recommended to exchange foreign currency in the streets or bazaars.
7. Are credit cards accepted for payment of goods and services on the territory of Tajikistan?
   Visa and Master Card are accepted for payment of goods and services in some hotels and supermarkets of Dushanbe and Khojent. ATMs are available only in these two cities.
8. What time zone is Tajikistan in?
   In Tajikistan local time is +5 GTM.
9. Can foreigners subscribe to the mobile communications service operators in Tajikistan? Is mobile communication service available everywhere in Tajikistan?
   In Tajikistan today mobile telecommunication services are provided by 9 companies with ability to support international roaming with major world mobile operators. However it is not easy for a foreigner to buy a SIM-card of the local mobile communication provider. In majority of cases this is to be solved individually between the buyer and the seller. It should be noted that mobile communications rates in Tajikistan are rather high.
   In cities and large towns cellular communication functions regularly with good signal receipt. However, in some remote villages, especially in mountain areas, there are difficulties with signal receipt.
10. How good is Internet access in Tajikistan?
    The quality of Internet access depends on the location of the town: the larger the town or city is the better is Internet access. In majority of villages there is no Internet access. Wi-Fi is available in some hotels and restaurants of Dushanbe and some other Tajik cities. Internet-cafes are available only in large towns.
11. Is it allowed to take photos or make video recording at tourist attractions?
    In Tajikistan it is forbidden to photograph or make video of military facilities and airports. Some attractions charge extra fee photographing or video recording. It is not recommended to take pictures of people in the street without their permission, especially women.
12. What kind of clothing is suitable for travelling in Tajikistan? Are there any restrictions in clothes for women?
    Tajikistan is a mountainous country with variety of weather conditions. In summer in the cities the temperature can rise as high as +30-40 degrees Centigrade, whereas in Pamir mountainous areas it is much cooler. Warm clothing to protect you from piercing wind, rain and snow should be taken if you travel in Tajikistan during the colder seasons of the year and always in the mountains. The outfit for mountain trekking should meet the standard requirements for this type of sport.
    There are no restrictions in clothes for women.
13. What language do local people speak? Do they speak foreign languages?
    In Tajikistan the state language is Tajik. Virtually all citizens of big cities can more or less speak Russian. Very few local people can speak foreign languages (English, French, Spanish, etc.)
14. What are dining facilities in Tajikistan?
    In Tajik capital and big cities there is a big variety of cafes and restaurants offering national Tajik cuisine as well as dishes of international cuisines. The prices are reasonable- a substantial lunch in cities can cost $ 8-10, whereas in teahouses and cafes in some mountainous areas it is even cheaper. Tajik cuisine is extremely delicious and varied.

Additional options, tours and excursions

Resort in the Pamirs Tour

Countries: Kyrgyzstan Tour at the foot of Lenin Peak Tour duration: 10 days Best time for the tour: June - September
	Amateur photographers, journalists, artists, travelers, romantics, bards, the young and the old, who knows no rest in this world, and everyone who has lost themselves - you all are going to get every thing here - the harmony, peace and balance. You are going to absorb all this beauty and feel the grandeur of this land, you will see the world in its new colors, you will be granted with new life energy, and you will get new powerful sources to live - live with fun, live joyfully, learn to be happy every minute of this wonderful stay at our small, single and unique planet - Earth!
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