Tajikistan: When to Go

As summers are ferociously hot and winters bitterly cold, spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons to visit. March is also a good time, as you'll experience the Navrus festival. Up in the Pamirs, July to September is the only practical time to travel. The Anzob and Shakhristan passes between Khojand and Dushanbe are generally closed from late November to late May.

Weather

Lowland Tajikistan veers between extremely hot summers with July days of 42°C (108°F) and extremely chilly winters with an average minimum of -12°C (10°F) in January. From October through May, fierce snowstorms rage in the mountains and the temperature can drop to a demolishing -45°C (-49°F), making getting around almost impossible. Spring (March to May) brings mild temperatures and frequent heavy showers while on the plains, strong duststorms can be expected from June through October.