The Five Stans Adventure exploring Turkmenistan 🇹🇲 Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 Tajikistan 🇹🇯 Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 and Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
This morning, hit the mountain roads once more and drive over the Anzob Pass (with an elevation of 3373 m) to Dushanbe – the capital of Tajikistan. After lunch, visit Hissor Fort – the former capital of Eastern Bukhara province. Explore this ancient fortress, located on a hill overlooking the town of Hisor, and check out its impressive stone walls, commanding gateway and perfectly manicured gardens. Then, the afternoon is free for you to explore Dushanbe at your own pace. Maybe explore one of the many parks or museums in the city.
~ Intrepid Travel ~ Five Stans Day 14
Anzob Pass and Tunnel
I have a feeling my Dad is going to have words with me.
Anzob Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.372 m and is now closed. Because it was so dangerous, the pass was bypassed by one of the most dangerous tunnels in the world.
The Anzob Tunnel (Istiqlol Tunnel or Ushtur Tunnel) is 5,040 metres long. It was built to help travellers reach Dushanbe without crossing the Anzob Pass. It was opened and used prematurely. It was a dark, dangerous place, with hardly any lights inside and no ventilation except for one fan. Prior to work being completed on the tunnel it was called:
The most dangerous tunnel in the world!
The Tunnel of Death.
The Tunnel of Fear.
The purpose of a tunnel is to get you from one place to another, preferably alive. The Anzob Tunnel is making no promises in that regard!
The tunnel was finished and reopened in 2015.
I survived the tunnel but as I said earlier, my Dad will be having words with me about my travel habits.
We stopped when we got through the Tunnel of Death ~ the views are amazing!
Dushanbe
Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan and located on the Varzob River. We had an interesting drive and witnessed an accident. There was a car over the cliff ~ a lot of folks were stopped and apparently the man survivied but his car was at the bottom in the river. Prior to entering Dushanbe we had to wash the van because it’s illegal to have a dirty vehicle!
We stopped for a traditional Tajik lunch and had Qurutob which was delicious!!
Qurutob or kurutob, is a dish of Tajik cuisine. Sometimes described as a “bread salad”, it is created using qurut, dried balls of cheese, which are soaked in water; the resulting liquid, salty in flavor, is used as the base of the dish. Strips of fatir, a type of flatbread, are then placed on top.
Hissor Fortress
The Hisor Fortress was first built around 2,500 years ago and is strategically located on a hilltop. Parts of the fortress have been demolished and rebuilt numerous times.
Atlas Hotel
Happy Travels!
The Five Stans
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Jackie is “Mom” to one amazing son, an IT professional and an obsessed traveller. She spends her time reading, golfing at Ladies League and implementing software projects. Jackie has travelled to 7 continents, 5 oceans and 103 countries and she is always planning the next destination and adventure!
Looks fantastic.