General Information for Missions to Tajikistan

SWISS COOPERATION OFFICE TAJIKISTAN
Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs
General Information for Missions to Tajikistan
September 2006 (update)
The Swiss Cooperation Office in Dushanbe would like to provide you with some useful
information so that to make your stay in Tajikistan more comfortable. For further information
please contact the administration of the Cooperation Office in Dushanbe (Address: 20,
Pavlov Str., Dushanbe, Tel: (992 37 ) 224 73 16, 224 38 97, 224 19 50, 224 72 47, e-mail
dushanbe@sdc.net, web: www.swisscoop.tj
Dushanbe and it's countryside
Dushanbe is a Capital of Tajikistan which stands 750-930 meters above sea level. Known
primarily for its Monday market, the name "Dushanbe" is derived from the Tajik word for
Monday and grew out of the village located in the Hissar valley. The following are the sights
which are particularly worth while seeing:
- Opera House at 28, Rudaki Avenue;
- Museum of Antiquities where the biggest sleeping Buddha, recovered from the
remains of Buddhist temples near Kurgan-Tube in the south, is exhibited which is
located at 7, Radjabov Str., tel: 21 37 42;
- Museum of areas studies named after Bekhzod at 31, Prloschad Aini, tel: 21 60 36,
23 22 72;
- Gurminj Museum at 23, Bokhtar St. which exhibits traditional musical instruments
- The Firdousi Library, a major library with an impressive collection of medieval Islamic
manuscripts;
- The Rokhat Tea-House (Choi-Khona) near the Presidential Building at Rudaki
Avenue with a nice traditional spirit, food, live tajik music and beautiful painted
ceilings.
When you exhaust the possibilities in town take a day trip to Gissar Fortress which is 20
minutes and about 30 km away. Other excursions can be made to Varzob Canyon, about 10
km from Dushanbe and is a picturesque drive along the Varzob river.
National Holidays:
New Year – 1 st of January, Women’s Day – 8 th of March, Navruz – 22-23 rd March, Labour
Day – May 1 st , Day of National Reconciliation – June 27 th , Day of Independence –
September 9 th , Constitution Day – November 6 th , Kurban Eid and Ramazan Eid vary each
year depending on Calendar.
Water, food
It is advisable not to use tap water for drink or brushing teeth but exclusively bottled mineral
water or filtered one (e.g. by Katadyn) for these purposes.
Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are normally safe for consumption. Eat well cooked
meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables and fruits need to be washed properly
before consumption.

Here is a description of some dishes from the Tajik cuisine:
Plov - made up of scraps of mutton or beef with shredded carrots and rice, fried in a large
wok; Shashlyk - skewered chunks of mutton or beef grilled over charcoal, served with raw
sliced onions; Manty - large dough steam cooked sacks stuffed with minced or chopped
meat; samsa or sambusa and chiburekki (deep-fried or baked dough cakes stuffed usually
with minced or chopped meat and onions) are all popular as snacks; shurpo - meat and
vegetables soup; laghman - similar to shurpo, but comes with noodles.
Time
GMT + 5. No time changes in winter or summer.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round, 2-pin continental plugs.
Money
Currency: The Tajik currency is Somoni. 1 Somoni = 100 Dirams. Notes are in
denominations of Somoni 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Dirams, issued as notes and coins, are in
denominations of diram 50, 20, 5 and 1. The exchange rate for September 2006 is US$1 =
3.40 Smn.
Currency exchange: The preferred hard currency is the US Dollar and Euro, although other
hard currencies are also acceptable but exchange rate is lower than in other countries. Old
banknotes are normally accepted but at a lower rate. Owing to a shortage of change, a
supply of small notes should be carried. International banking services are not available.
Please, avoid changing money with private persons, all money should be changed at the
exchange points around the town (many are along Rudaki Avenue, close to Central
Department Store "TSUM").
Credit & debit cards: All bills are settled in cash, no cards are accepted and therefore a
sufficient amount of cash should be brought to Tajikistan. ATM machines for Visa,
Mastercards are available in places such as: "Avesto" hotel, "Tajikistan" hotel,
"Agroninvestbank", "TSUM "(Central Department Store), "DAEWOO" shop but cannot be
relied upon.
Travel in/from Dushanbe
To reach a certain destination in Dushanbe by public transportation you can either take a taxi
but fix a price before entering a car (prices vary from 5 to 30 Somoni depending on distance),
mini-bus (marshrutka) or bus - cost is 0.40 Smn per trip.
Dushanbe is connected to Khujand, Kulab and Khorog, the administrative center of Gorno-
Badakhshan (GBAO) by car and plane. Due to the mountainous terrain of GBAO, it is often
preferred to travel by helicopter or plane but the flights are not regular since they are
dependent on good weather.
Air Travel
There are not many Air companies in TJ such as: TajikAir, representations of Turkish Airline,
Russian and Kyrgyz Airlines. Airfare to Russia countries changes depending on a season
and demand (e.g. cost in summer in the direction Dushanbe-Moscow is higher than in winter

due to high demand). It is recommended to subscribe to a monthly e-mail delivery of flights
timetable through Central Asia Tourism Corporation fvk@centralasiatourism.com
Cooperation Office can assist in booking/purchase of tickets. Missions are requested to
inform in advance the administration of the Office on their itinerary.
Communication
For calls within Dushanbe you can use telephone offices which will usually be found attached
to the post office (55, Rudaki Avenue) or some telephone booths in the town (price 0.20 Smn
per call). It is recommended to make a phone call from hotel or the Cooperation Office as
there aren't many public telephones around Dushanbe. International calls can be done from
the post office, from hotel (through reception), business centre of hotel or from the
Cooperation Office. "Swisscom" mobile has a roaming agreement with the Tajik provider
"Indigo".
To call Tajikistan: Country code: 992 (followed by 37 for Dushanbe).
Direct-Dialing from Tajikistan:
1. International telephone calls:
• 8 (code for intercity service)
• wait for second dial tone
• 10 (code for international service)
• country code
• city code
• subscriber's number
Important numbers
2. Local calls within Tajikistan:
• 8
• wait for second dial tone
• city code
• subscriber's number
FIRE 01
POLICE 02
EMERGENCY AID/AMBULANCE 03
GENERAL INFORMATION (Russian/Tajik) 09
AIRPORT INFORMATION in Dushanbe 006;(+992 37) 449 42 06, 449 42 33
Please, note that Tajikistan introduced 7 digits numbers for local Dushanbe numbers and
now 2 is added to any six digits number (e.g.: 224 73 16). The code for Dushanbe has also
changed to 37 (previously 372). However dialing from abroad is still the same (e.g.: ++ 992
37 224 73 16)
Shopping
Bazaars of Dushanbe are the places which are also advisable to be seen especially in
summer and autumn when they abound with vegetables and fruits. There is a bazaar called
“Barakat”, 17, Somoni st., where it is possible to buy food and some handicrafts.
Shokhmansur (also known as Zelyoni) Bazaar near Aini Square, 12 Lakhuti St., is even
bigger and sells food.
There is an art gallery at the corner of Prospekt Rudaki, and Ismail Somoni Street (opposite
the Presidential Building) which exhibits and sells work of local artists. There is an art colony
on Umar Khayam Str. (near Restaurant Salsa) and e.g. an Art Studio "Madelyiani
(Modigliani)" at 4A, Chekhova Street, tel. 27 04 74 (opposite DAEWOO shop) where you can
buy national souvenirs, paintings, handicrafts for your relatives and friends. Another souvenir

shop is on Foteh Niezi Str. (corner with Rudaki Ave. opposite direction of Hotel Tajikistan)
but also at “Bactria Cultural Center” as well as the Museum of Antiquities you can purchase
such items.
Central Department Store (TSUM – a three-storey building), 83, Prospekt Rudaki, offers
clothes, furniture, stationary, souvenirs (2 nd floor) and consumer goods. Opposite of the
"Avesto" hotel there is a 'supermarket' called "M&P" which provides a broad range of
western/ Russian food products.
Accommodation
Tajikistan is not well supplied by hotels and most of them are of old-fashioned style but in
general they are clean with friendly personnel. Cooperation Office can assist with arranging
accommodation in TJ (either hotel or flat) but as it is necessary to do so in advance all
missions are requested to inform the administration on the dates of accommodation in
advance.
"Mercury" Hotel
Address: 9, Lev Tolstoy Street,
Tel: (+992 37) 22 444 91
Fax: (+992 37) 22 441 37
http://www.hotel-mercury.tj
1. 8 standard single. Cost is 60 USD
2. 5 standard double. Cost is 80 USD
3. 1 2 room suite. Cost is 100 USD
4. 2 3 room suite. Cost is 120 USD
Prices stated include breakfast
Avesto Hotel
Address: 105/1, Rudaki ave.
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Tel/Fax: (+992 37) 2211276; 2211270
There are 86 rooms in the hotel.
1. 13 suit rooms. Cost is $90 for CIS citizens and $100 for foreigners.
2. 15 small suit rooms. Cost is $75 for CIS citizens and $90 for foreigners.
3. 30 single rooms. Cost is $55.
4. 18 double rooms. Cost is $70.
5. 10 duplex rooms. Cost is $52.
The prices stated do not include breakfast and additional services.
Sino Hotel
Address: 75/25, Shevchenko Str.
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Tel: (+992 37) 227 00 92
There are 11 rooms in the hotel.
1. 9 single rooms. Cost is $65.
2. 2 double rooms. Cost is $85.
The prices stated include breakfast.
Kayon II Hotel
Address: 9, 1 st passage of Ak. Rajabobyh Str.,
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Tel/Fax: (+992 37) 221 86 62; 227 02 03

E-mail: hotel-Kayon-2@bk.ru
There are 10 rooms in the hotel.
1. 10 single rooms. Cost is $80 including breakfast and access to Internet.
“Tajikistan” Hotel
Address: 22, Shotemur Street
Tel: (+992 37) 221 82 28, 221 81 01
Cost varies, depending on room from 50 to 150 USD.
Prices do not include breakfast or additional services
“Dushanbe” Hotel
Address: 7, Rudaki Street,
Tel: (+ 992 37) 221 96 07, 221 96 55
Cost varies, depending on room from 30 to 200 USD.
Prices do not include breakfast or additional services
Outside of Dushanbe
US$ 30.00 – 40.00 per night / person, breakfast is included (usually guesthouses of IOs)
Prices quoted are only guidelines and are subject to change without prior notice.
Apartments
US$ 20 - 35.00 per night / person in Dushanbe, breakfast not included
US$ 7.00 for shopping and cooking per day
US$ 10.00 for washing (5 kg or one machine)
Language
Tajik is the official language which is an ancient Persian language. Russian is widely used
(35% of the population speak Russian fluently), especially in urban areas. English is seldom
spoken.
Passports
Passport valid for at least 6 months after date of departure. Required by all.
Visas
a. Citizens of Switzerland and of selected countries (defined by GoTJ, at the moment
over 60) can either obtain with simplified rules their TJ visas (up to 45 days, single entry/exit)
at the Consular Bureau upon arrival at Dushanbe airport (just fill in the specific official
“application form” - which can also be obtained in advance electronically through SCO - with
2 passport-size photos) or otherwise through Tajik embassies, for Swiss citizens through the
one in Vienna, Austria.
Please visit the official site of the Tajik Embassy in Vienna : http://www.tajikembassy.org
b. Citizens of countries who are not from the a/m list (of simplified rules) have to pass
in order to get a Tajik visa in advance to SCO Dushanbe all the necessary information (i.e.
passport copy, filled in application form with digit photo) at least one month prior to their
travel to Tajikistan. Visa is issued only on a basis of the support letter from the MFA,
Dushanbe.

Tajik Embassies as well as the Consular Bureau at the airport issue single visa up to 45 day
duration only; longer visas have to be obtained from the MFA in Dushanbe and another visa
application is necessary.
c. Long term multiple visas are issued by MFA TJ in Dushanbe only. Visa processing takes
one month. All visitors have to inform SCO in Dushanbe of their visit and pass all the
necessary information (i.e. passport copy, filled in application form with digit photo) at least
one month prior to their travel to Tajikistan.
d. For Gorno - Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) a special permit - apart from
Tajik visa - is necessary to be obtained. SCO needs to apply for that permit one month prior
to the actual travel to GBAO. Only MFA in Dushanbe can issue the GBAO permit. For
private trips this GBAO-permit is issued by OVIR (see below). In the latter case please refer
to Tajik tour agency “Tajikintourservice” for assistance, tel.: (++ 992 37) 221 71 84, e-mail:
tis@mkf.tj, web-site: www.tis.tj .
List of Tajik embassies or representations where Tajik visa can be obtained:
Austria – Vienna (1090 Universitats Strasse, 8/1A, tel.: 0431 409 82 66 11, fax: 409 82 66
14/15) - in charge of Switzerland
Germany – Berlin (1058 Otto-Su Allee, tel.: 493 03479300, fax: 034793029/14)
USA – New York (136 East 67 th st., tel.: 1212 7442196, fax: 4727645)
Turkey – Ankara (M.Gandhi st., 06700, tel.: 0312 4461602, fax: 4463621)
Pakistan – Islamabad (tel.: 9251 2294675, fax: 2299710)
Russia – Moscow (13 Granatni pereulok, tel.: 7095 2904186, 2903846, fax: 2918998)
Byelorussia – Minsk (17 Kirova st., tel.: 37517 272339, fax: 277613)
Uzbekistan – Tashkent (19 ploshad’ M.Torobi, tel.: 998712 542551, 549966, fax: 548969)
Kazakhstan – Almaty (58 Djandosov st., tel.: 73272 455456, 455656, fax: 442089)
Turkmenistan – Ashgabad (13 Turkmenbashi shayali; tel.: 99312 355696, 393431, fax:
393174/31
Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek (36, Kara-Darinskaya Street, 720005; Tel.: (996 312) 512343, 511464,
512587; Fax (669-312) 512343)
Registration at MFA / OVIR
All missions, except holders of diplomatic and UN passports, need compulsory to be
registered within three working days at MFA in case of business trips and OVIR in case of
private trips (otherwise fined with several hundred of $ latest when leaving TJ). Hotels
“Avesto”, “Tajikistan”, “Dushanbe” issue registration in case of your stay at one of these
hotels.
Registration at MFA is obtained by SCO directly with MFA based on it’s request which is sent
to MFA one week prior to mission’s arrival to TJ.
In case of private trip, please refer to tour agency “Tajikintourservice” which can assist in
obtaining Tajik visa as well as registration. The contacts are: (++ 992 37) 221 71 84, e-mail:
tis@mkf.tj, web-site: www.tis.tj
Transport
The Cooperation Office can assist missions in hiring transport. The following are the current
rates:
US$ 20.00 per day, driving in Dushanbe (office car)
US$ 30.00 per day, driving in Dushanbe (driver’s own car)
US$ 35.00 per day, driving in Dushanbe (driver’s own bus or mini-van)

US$ 45.00 per day (governmental car with government number plates)
US$ 0.25 per km for field trips (drivers’ own car) plus US$ 10.00 per day *
US$ 0.35 per km for field trips (drivers’ own bus or 4-wheel car) plus US$ 10.00 per day*
* For field trips – accommodation and food are paid by SCO or the mission upon
presentation of the receipts.
Translation / Interpretation
The Cooperation Office can assist missions in arranging translators or interpreters. The
following are the current rates:
US$ 60.00 per day (8 hrs) for ordinary translation
US$ 70.00 per day for field trips (accommodation and food are paid by SCO or the mission)
US$ 20.00 per hour for individual meetings (less than 8 hrs)
US$ 240.00 per day for top level simultaneous translations and/or meetings with high-level
officials
US$ 30 USD per hour for top level simultaneous translations at workshops/seminars
US$ 8.00 per page for written translation
US$ 10.00 per page for urgent written translation within a day
Restaurants
There is a big variety of restaurants nowadays, either offering Tajik food and/ or international
one (Chinese, Indian, Russian, western, etc.). A (separate) list of recommended places can
be obtained at the Cooperation Office. We can also recommend to subscribe to a weekly
newsletter “What’s on in Dushanbe” through e-mail marians@tajnet.com, the newsletter
contains information on the most prominent weekly events in different fields, various
advertisements, list of restaurants, etc.
Websites on Tajikistan with useful information
There is a broad range of websites with useful information on Tajikistan: besides the one of
the Cooperation Office ( www.swisscoop.tj ) on its Swiss supported programs (incl. general
information) and all the others in Tajikistan ( www.untj.org ) you can consult e.g.
www.tajiktraveller.com , www.tajikistan.tajnet.com , www.traveltajikistan.com ,
www.somoni.com , www.pamirs.org , etc.
Safety
The security situation in Dushanbe has steadily improved during the last years. It is in
general safe to walk in town. However, walking at (late) night is preferably to be limited to the
central areas of the town and in groups (but not in dark places). It is also recommended to
avoid carrying a big amount of money in the evenings. Please, watch your bag while walking
in crowded places like bazaars since pickpockets are around.

Please, refer to SCO’s brief “Local Security Guidelines” which contains a list of contacts in
case of emergencies.
Hints
It is a tradition to bargain at the bazaars but in shops prices are fixed. An offer for "Yak piola
choi" (a cup of tea) will lead to a whole meal. Shoes should be taken off inside the residential
houses or flats.
Annex:
- List of useful contacts in case of emergencies
September 2006 MAF (+ZUD, STI) - CF 1.06.9.1