The first thing that you need to know before going to Tajikistan is you can get on that e-visa ASAP. Before the party can begin, so many necessary forms must still be managed to complete. Tajikistan requires a visa unless you are from a former Soviet Union nation. Nationals of 121 countries can now get e-visas online using Tajikistan's official e-visa webpage. Use no other website; they are only out to take your soul/rip you off.

Tajikistan visas are $50 for 45 days, with an additional $20 if you require a GBAO permission to visit the Pamir area. There is no time restriction for applying, and the visa duration begins once you reach the country. Travelers have experienced delays in acquiring e-visas in recent months, so apply for your e-visa at least a few weeks before your trip to Tajikistan. Therefore, this is one of the things about Tajikistan you should know.

In Tajikistan, cash is king, yet ATMs may be temperamental monsters. ATMs do not always have cash, and in locations like Murghab on the eastern Pamir Highway, there are no ATMs at all! Fortunately, there is usually someone around who can exchange US dollars for Tajik somoni. For larger payments, many homestays and businesses take dollars. Pay your $30 stay with US dollars, but don't be that visitor who attempts to purchase a 25-cent ice cream with a $5 note.

To prevent being caught in a financial constraint, Toplist recommends carrying US dollars to Tajikistan. The amount you carry depends on your trip budget, however, even budget travelers should pack several hundred dollars in cash while visiting Tajikistan. When some company got to Panjakent, everything was closed due to Eid al-Adha... yet there was still someone there eager to exchange US dollars for Tajik somoni.

Tajikistan is full of kind hearts and inquiring spirits, but regrettably, many of them do not know English. All of my favorite experiences with Tajiks were in Russian; you can't ignore the importance of a shared language for deeper talks. So, before going to Tajikistan, try to acquire a little of the language.

Tajik is Tajikistan's national language. Despite being written in Cyrillic, this Persian language is quite similar to Iranian Farsi and the Dari used in northern Afghanistan. Farsi is a lovely language that has been utilized throughout history by Persian poets such as Rumi, Hafez, and Rudaki, and it is definitely worth investigating if you are interested in language or poetry.

Because Tajikistan is an ex-Soviet republic, Russian is widely spoken as a second (or third, or fourth) language. The elder generation is more likely to speak it, and many youngsters continue to study Russian at school. Russian is also more beneficial for travel than Tajik/Farsi because it can be used across the Central Asian'stans, and signage is written in Cyrillic.

Tajikistan is an Islamic country that is very moderate in terms of religion. Men and women in the area dress modestly. Despite the trekkers you may see strolling around in short shorts, Toplist encourages you to dress modestly when visiting Tajikistan in the spirit of safe travel and cultural respect. While trekking, wear anything you like (preferably more than leggings and a sports bra, women), but in towns and villages, both genders should strive to cover their shoulders and knees. Short-sleeved shirts are OK, but long pants are preferred.

Swimming is more difficult in the country of mountain lakes. Men can enter with shorts or boxers, but ladies, we need to be a little more cautious. If there is no one nearby, you can wear a swimming suit, but Toplist would recommend wearing anything. A t-shirt and shorts or leggings are ideal—you never know when a shepherd will appear out of nowhere with his flock! This is one of the things about Tajikistan you should know.

The other thing that you especially need to know before you have a trip or you settle abroad in this country Tajikistan is there is no toilet. When visiting Tajikistan, forget about porcelain thrones. They're solely useful for hemorrhoids. Tajikistan's restrooms deteriorate after you leave the capitals and towns. Drop toilets, which are simply holes cut into the ground, are the most frequent type of toilets in the country.

They range from clean to horrible, but there's nothing you can do about it other than use them and/or send Whatsapp images of them to friends and relatives. Carry hand sanitizer and soap; facilities for hand cleaning are not always available. Soap is even worse. This is maybe a piece of bad news for you, this is on top of things bout Tajikistan you should know before traveling.

Tajikistan's infrastructure isn't fantastic, but if there's one thing they've mastered, it's homestays. They're all throughout the nation, even in the most isolated areas; use Tajikistan's homestay network to get off the usual path. Homestays are the most convenient method to experience Tajik life. Most homestays are roughly $15 per person per night, with breakfast and supper included. Local lunch can be included for a few dollars more.

Each area has its own network of homestays, and you may discover more about them on their websites or at their offices. Homestays are sorted by geography, and phone numbers for each home are provided. You may schedule stays through local groups, but it's also OK to contact the homestay hosts directly... or simply appear on the same day. Homestays in prominent tourist areas are often offered on large booking services such as Booking.com or Airbnb. Check out the Tajikistan itinerary for additional information on which places offer homestays.

You'll be high in Tajikistan. Very high. You'll likely go through 4,000 m+ (13,000') mountain passes and sleep at elevations most of us grimy lowlanders aren't used to, especially if you take the Pamir Highway. Altitude sickness is a very real issue at these levels, and tourists must exercise caution. And, no, you're not a wimp if you suffer altitude sickness; it may strike anyone, regardless of fitness level, at heights above 2000 meters.

Altitude sickness is a severe problem. Some visitors know firsthand since they nearly died from it in the Pamir. It is critical to stay hydrated. If you know from previous experience that you are particularly prone to altitude sickness, stock up on Diamox; you may take it 24-48 hours before ascending to prevent altitude sickness. Diamox, on the other hand, should be avoided if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.

Finally, patience is required. When increasing in height, you must take your time to adjust. Don't rush from Dushanbe to Murghab in one continuous trip; instead, arrange several days of rest between each leg of your travel to allow your body to adjust to the change.

Tajikstan has inadequate hygiene standards; diarrhea and stomach problems are common for visitors. You can't do much about eating in remote locations since alternatives are limited, but you can make sure you have clean water both before and after you've erupted on the toilet a few times and need to rehydrate ASAP.

The preferred technique of sanitizing water is with steripens. They are portable and rechargeable and can sanitize up to one liter of water at a time. Instead of buying countless bottles of water and contributing to the world's plastic waste catastrophe, bring a Steripen and a reusable water bottle and fill up at mountain springs, tiny rivers, or water pumps available throughout Tajikistan's villages. Both the earth and your intestines will be grateful. So, before flying to Tajikistan, be sure to get A Steripen. This is one of some things about Tajikistan you should know.

One example of Tajikistan's food situation: one morning over tea, some mother in Shaimak hamlet chatted dreamily about her daughter-in-law bringing cabbage from the nearby town. Cabbage, indeed. Have you ever seen someone talking about cabbage with a twinkle in their eye? Tajik cuisine, despite its location along ancient Silk Road trade routes, maybe relatively simple. The great bulk of cuisine in the nation is made up of meat, milk products, and carbohydrates (bread, potatoes, rice). Spices include salt and pepper, and vegetables might be scarce. Mutton that has been boiled, fried, or otherwise cooked to death is very common.

If you're a vegetarian or vegan planning a trip to Tajikistan, you should learn a few terms and foods ahead of time. Tajiks understand vegetarian diets, but not vegan diets, therefore communicate your demands to them as soon as possible. It will spare you from eating bread and "salad" of tomatoes and cucumbers at every meal and will help you avoid unpleasant situations in people's houses. If you're a vegetarian or vegan, here are some things about Tajikistan you should know before visiting.

This is the last thing that you should know about Tajikistan. Tajikistan is made up of mountains on 93 percent of its territory. Unexpected weather is something you can count on in the mountains. The weather in the mountains might change at any time. You'll be dissatisfied if you're taken off guard. And drenched. And freezing. It's going to be a disaster.

Pack at least two pairs of warm, quick-drying clothing for yourself. Tajikistan is not like Nepal in that you cannot buy hiking equipment there. Polyester and nylon dry rapidly. Merino wool dries slower but is a good choice since it is lightweight and keeps you warm even when wet. If you're a vegetarian or vegan, here are some phrases you should know before visiting Tajikistan. If one pair of clothes becomes wet, change it and hang the damp set to dry.