Step into the ancient city of Penjikent, once a flourishing hub along the Great Silk Road. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Sogdians, an ancient civilization that thrived from the 5th to 8th century AD. Explore the ruins of Ancient Panjakent and witness the remnants of a bygone era.
Visit mausoleum of Muhammad Bashoro is an architectural monument in Tajikistan (Mazar-i-Sharif) (11th-12th centuries). In 1342-43, a large, deep arched shrine and small rooms in the corner, as well as a series of corridors, were built in the mix.
Ancient Panjakent is located near present-day Panjakent and represents a unique early Middle Ages monument. In the 5-8th centuries it was the easternmost town of Sogdiana
Sarazm is the first World Heritage Site in Tajikistan. This is a settlement with a history of five and a half thousand years Well-preserved palace and religious buildings, public and residential buildings are of great historical and cultural value.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:00 AM
Next available
Thu, Oct 8
Adult (ages 18–64)
$150
Senior (ages 65–90)
$160
Youth (ages 10–17)
$140
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $250.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Day tour
Pickup included
Itinerary
Mausoleum of Mukhammad Bashoro
Admission included120 min
To the east of Panjakent, on a road off the main highway, you’ll find the Mausoleum of Mukhammad Bashoro in a small village called Mazari Sharif.
It was built here around the 11th or 12th centuries in honour of the Islamic scholar Mukhammad Bashoro that it’s named after, who was an expert in ‘khadises’.
Ancient Town of Panjakent
Admission included60 min
Ancient Panjakent was founded here as early as the 5th century BC as part of the Sogdian civilisation. It was in the 5th century AD that it really began to flourish, though.
The city would have grown significantly at that point, covering much of this elevated area that I’m wandering through. There would have been temples, fortresses, and large mansions for the wealthiest residents.
Panjakent Bazaar
30 min
Panjakent market is bustling and I feel like I’ve been caught in a riptide of floral-clad women with headscarves, pulled by their movement through the ornate gate into the site.
The morning rush is on and, across the market, plastic bags are being filled with fruits and vegetables, nuts and sweets
Republican Museum of History and Local Lore of Rudaki
Admission included60 min
This elegant single-storey museum, with its white Doric columns and fine floral display, assigns a room to its namesake, Abu Abdullah Rudaki (858–941), the 'father of Persian poetry'. The museum is of more interest, however, for its display of textiles and costumes, the frescoes found at Ancient Penjikent and the Neolithic tools from nearby Sarazm
Proto-urban site of Sarazm
Admission included90 min
The most significant thing to see near Panjakent is Sarazm, the remains of a city even more ancient than the one founded here by the Sogdians.
Sarazm was founded around 3500 BC and is most likely the oldest city in Central Asia. The people here became adept at agriculture and producing goods for trade, so it became an important an wealthy centre in the region.
What's included
Included
Lunch
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
Alcoholic Beverages
Pickup Locations & Times
We are meeting our travelers in the lobby of the hotel with sign
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.6
8 reviews
5
7
4
0
3
0
2
1
1
0
How it compares in Samarkand
No. 42 by number of reviews among 167 tours in Samarkand
Excurgo comparison of 167 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Panjakent day trip from Samarkand take?
Panjakent day trip from Samarkand lasts about 6–7 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Panjakent day trip from Samarkand cost?
Prices start at $150 per person for this Samarkand experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $250. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Panjakent day trip from Samarkand run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:00 AM.
Can I cancel Panjakent day trip from Samarkand for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We are meeting our travelers in the lobby of the hotel with sign Pickup points include L'Argamak, Registon Saroy Hotel.
What languages is Panjakent day trip from Samarkand offered in?
The experience is available in DE, RU, EN, FA.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 10 travellers can book together.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Panjakent day trip from Samarkand worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 8 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Discoverystan.
Reviews(8)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
P
Paul_B
May 16, 2026 · via Viator
Parvina is a great guide
Parvina was a great guide. She greeted me and listened to what I wanted. She was very informative, best part was stopping on side of the road to eat 3 types of mulberries growing wild. All the sights were perfect and having a chat with the Sheikh while being treated to fresh yogurt, bread and tea was perfect. The drivers in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were great. BRING PATIENCE because the border crossing is on foot and takes some time 50 minutes in and 35 minutes out. Otherwise a wonderful day trip in perfect weather I would do again with friends.
E
edwardtylickiPDX
October 15, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Great day trip to Tajikistan from Samarkand.
Sarazm, a proto urban Bronze Age city site. 5 to 6 thousand years old. A UNESCO site that marks the development of settlements in Central Asia. It was the first stop and very interesting. A great day trip to Panjakent from Samarkand. The Mazari-Sharif mausoleum was also an interesting stop. Farooq, the guide for the day was great.
L
Lee_H
August 15, 2025 · via Viator
Penjakent Day
Outstanding one day familiarisation with Tadzhikstan. Guide knowledgeable. Our conversation carried on all day.
E
eb0222
July 28, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Great Day Trip
We were hesitant to book this tour initially due to the higher cost and low amount of reviews, but we were so happy we ended up booking it! Dont let any of that stuff stop you from booking this tour, it is definitely worth it. Everything was so well organized and everything is covered for you throughout the entire trip. The driver takes you to the Uzbek side of the border, you walk through immigration, and your guide meets you right at the gate on the Tajik side, super easy and seamless process. The tour is amazing and covers all bases. It is a great introductory trip to Tajikistan and you get to get feel for the hospitality, food, history, and culture. We enjoyed our time so much we are planning another trip to central asia so we can travel Tajikistan fully. Our guide Shamsiddin and our driver from the Uzbek side were absolutely amazing, they made our experience a 10/10. I really wish i had written down the name of our driver, he was one of my favorite people ive gotten to meet on my travels, he was an absolute legend. If you have a free day get your passport stamped and take this trip!
H
Hannah_O
March 19, 2025 · via Viator
Lovely Day Trip
It was a lovely day trip with well executed logistics. The border crossing went smoothly. Umar, our tour guide, was knowledgeable and spoke English very well. It was a wonderful introduction to Tajikistan!
Operator response
We're so glad you had a wonderful introduction to Tajikistan! It’s great to hear that everything went smoothly and that Umar made your trip even more enjoyable. Thank you for sharing your experience—we’d love to have you back for more adventures in the future!
H
HannahMcIlhenny
March 19, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Lovely Day Trip
It was a lovely day trip with well executed logistics. The border crossing went smoothly. Umar, our tour guide, was knowledgeable and spoke English very well. It was a wonderful introduction to Tajikistan!
Operator response
Thank you for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you had a smooth border crossing and enjoyed your day trip. Umar will be happy to know that his knowledge and language skills made your experience even better. We hope this was just the beginning of your adventures in Tajikistan, and we'd love to welcome you again in the future!
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