By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
The world’s leading travel publication Lonely Planet has included Tajikistan in its prestigious list of “25 Best Travel Experiences for 2026 (Best in Travel 2026)”, recognizing the country as one of the most inspiring destinations for hiking and mountain adventures.
In the feature titled “Hike and Wild Camping in Tajikistan”, Lonely Planet encourages travelers to discover the country’s majestic mountain scenery, pristine nature, and the warm hospitality of its people, which together make travel in Tajikistan a truly unforgettable experience.
The annual Best in Travel edition by Lonely Planet is regarded as one of the most authoritative global references in international tourism. Compiled by a team of editors, travel experts, and seasoned adventurers, the guide highlights the world’s top destinations and unique experiences worth exploring.
With a global circulation of around six million copies, Lonely Planet enjoys vast reach and influence in the travel industry. The section dedicated to Tajikistan has also been widely shared by international outlets, including CNN, drawing global attention to Tajikistan’s tourism potential.
Tajikistan’s inclusion in the “25 Unforgettable Travel Experiences of 2026” is a testament to the country’s remarkable natural and cultural richness, reaffirming its position as an emerging and promising destination for global travelers.
This achievement reflects not only Tajikistan’s stunning natural beauty and the hospitality of its people, but also the Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance tourism infrastructure, preserve cultural heritage, and promote sustainable development in the sector.
The international recognition by Lonely Planet and the extensive media coverage contribute to strengthening Tajikistan’s image as a safe, attractive, and inspiring destination for tourists from around the world.
Best for isolated, untamed landscape
With a topography that’s 93% mountainous, Tajikistan should be synonymous with hiking. But perplexingly, this Central Asian nation’s affordable, unsupported treks remain largely overlooked. Heed the invitation and the Fan Mountains will roll out one of the world’s finest wild camping carpets, furnishing life-affirming cinematic lakes and peaks that sparkle seconds from your sleeping bag.
Start leisurely at the Shing Valley’s Seven Lakes, a string of pristine pools and stone-built hamlets traversable by foot or car. Then tackle the demanding multiday loop trail. Outlandish saw-toothed scenes unfurl as you schlep saddles, stories of the Silk Road and Sogdiana’s ancient Iranian civilization whisper on the eagle-swooped breeze, and pure glacial lakes mirror snow-pinnacled massifs. It’s phenomenal.
Unzipping your tent to frame the Alovaddin Lakes, scintillating in cyan to psychedelic green, or the fertile Kulikalon basin elicits bona fide backpacking bliss. You’ll feel humbled, ecstatic, serene and vivaciously alive – even after lugging your load up strenuous gravel saddles. En route, society is scarce. Still, invites to experience Tajikistan’s endless hospitality aren’t unlikely. Be it a shepherd sharing fire-cooked oshi palav (pilaf) and a swig of vodka under the Milky Way or an unprompted offer of donkey support to ascend a pass, such encounters are as seismic as the scenery.
Most memorable moment Tajik hospitality is endless. Even out here, you’ll likely stumble into a spontaneous invite. Helping a fisher reel in their lake catch might end up with a camp stove feast as a reward. The kindhearted, impromptu encounters are as unforgettable as what prompted them.
