Tajikistan Part 2: Amazing Istaravshan

Leaving Khojand, I hopped on the local marshrutkas to Istaravshan located about an hour from Khojand. Istarafshan was a surprise in itself. Being a small town and limited information provided on the Lonely Planet guide I venture out to explore the town. Although nothing all that fascinating and a lack of major sights, it was made up by the warmth I received by the locals here. By far, my favourite place in Tajikistan.

Waiting for the marshrutkas to fill up before it heads to Istaravshan

Tajikistan Part 1: Entering through the Norhwest (Batken-Isfara-Khojand)

Whilst most people coming from Kyrgyzstan into Tajikistan choose to go via Sary Tash-Murgab using the eastern border, I decided to come from the western side via Batken-Isfara and cover Tajikistan in an anti-clockwise direction. I was not disappointed, and past some amazing places and mid some amazing people. Tajikistan was full of hospitality and friendly people.

My journey began from Osh, Kyrgyzstan travelling like a local on a marshrutkas to a little town Batken where I technically got my first taste of Uzbekistan as the road crossed over the border, then crossing over to Isfara, Tajikistan and changing buses before heading to Khojand.

Osh-Batken-Isfara

Whilst nothing interesting, I was forced to stay in Batken for a night as the local buses for Isfara only leave in the morning. Batken was a small town with the lack of any fellow travellers in sight and locals a fairly friendly bunch although quite camera shy.

Inside the local bus to Batken