Need a Visa to Travel to Tajikistan?

Every traveler has their own system for booking a trip abroad. However way you like to plan your trip, it probably goes a little something like this: first, you pick your destination, and then you start researching activities, weather, what to pack, tips and tricks, and other important information regarding travel and destination. Then you book your flight and build your itinerary.

 

This is a seemingly sane way to plan your trip, and it'll be hard to miss anything with this method. However, millions of people every year, depending on what country your passport is from, one crucial step is skipped that can end up turning every plan onto its head.

 

One word can send you back where you came from without so much as taking a step outside the airport of Tajikistan. A visa.  

 

Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of trip planning, and yet, one of the utmost importance.  

So, what are visas, and why do you need them? 

In plain English, a visa is an official document that allows a traveler to enter a foreign country. We can differentiate between regular visas and electronic ones.

 

The traditional travel permits are obtained via an Embassy and usually require applicants to submit an extensive paperwork to support their application and validate the reason for travel.

 

Both regular and electronic visas can be issued as single-entry, double-entry, triple-entry, or even multiple-entry permits. Each country sets their own visa rules, deciding on the list of eligible countries, visa types, and the availability of the electronic visa system.

 

One of the countries that has come forward with the electronic visa system is Tajikistan! With 93% of its land covered in mountains and numerous glacier lakes, Tajikistan is a country like no other. Even though it’s often overlooked by travelers, once they find it, they are in awe!

 

To get all of the essential information on obtaining an online visa for Tajikistan and submit the application within minutes from home, visit https://visatajikistan.com. Apply at least 3 business days in advance of the planned trip and get your travel permit delivered via email! 

With EVISA Express, simply TUG to Tajikistan. - 

Why do we need visas to visit Tajikistan?

You need a visa to travel to Tajikistan if your home country does not have a visa policy agreement in place. The Tajikistan government has set the entry rules for the foreign countries and requires most of them to have a visa.

 

Some countries have made deals that allow their citizens to freely travel within the borders of each other countries without the need of a visa, although only for a certain amount of time.

 

Depending on your final destination and your nationality, the visa you’ll need may differ. It is crucial to check the current visa regulations when planning a trip abroad, as they may change over time.

 

If your country needs a visa to visit Tajikistan, you must obtain it before crossing the border. Otherwise, you may not be able to go on your trip.

 

How do I know if I need a visa to visit Tajikistan?  

The easiest way to get the most accurate and up-to-date information is through the Embassy website of the country you are planning to travel to or online when using e-Visa services.

 

Check the current visa regulation of Tajikistan when planning the trip. Most foreign citizens need a visa to cross the Tajikistan border. If you do need a visa obtained prior to the travel, make sure to check if your nationality makes you eligible for electronic visas or regular ones.  

How do I obtain a regular visa? 

Depending on the country you're applying to travel to, and what visa you're applying for, the process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

 

Moreover, the application process will differ depending on if you apply for a regular visa or an electronic one. Getting a visa through an Embassy is far more complicated than applying for an e-Visa online.

 

The application process for a regular visa is usually subject to the following steps:

 

1.      Find the official immigration government website for your destination country.  

2.      Read all the available information and the visa requirements. 

3.      Fill out the visa application form.  

4.      Collect all the required documents.

5.      Pay all application fees

6.      Submit the complete paperwork at an Embassy and wait for approval.

 

Depending on what type of visa and where you are going, there can be an extra step where you have to be interviewed at an Embassy where they confirm all of your information.

 

This is why it's a good idea to start looking into visa requirements right off the bat when planning any trip since the process can take longer than expected.

 

Moreover, the paperwork to complete for regular visas is most of the times quite extensive and requires obtaining specific and officially issued documents that may take months to be handled.

 

How to get a Tajikistan visa online?

Contrary to regular visas, obtaining an electronic travel permit is more than easy! Most of the times, all applicants need is a valid passport that will not expire for a minimum of 6 months from the planned date of the trip.

The application process can be completed using any working device with an internet connection. You can use your phone, laptop, PC, or even a tablet and submit your application within minutes from home!

 

Online visa application guide:

1.   Fill the application form – provide some basic personal details as well as some relating to the upcoming trip. Put in your name, surname, birth date, nationality, and passport information.

2.  Cover the fees – choose any preferred online payment method and use it to cover the e-Visa fees. Travelers can use their credit/debit cards, PayPal accounts, PayU, or choose any other method. Once your payment registers, you will receive a confirmation number at your email address.

3.    Check your email box – the approved e-Visa will be delivered straight to your email box in the form of a PDF file.

 

Tajikistan e-Visa applications are processed within a maximum of 72 hours (3 business days) from submitting the form online. 

 

TIP! The best way to make your application successful, receive your visa quickly, and avoid any issues with approval, is to check the filled application form thoroughly. Any mistakes or missing information may lead to elongating the processing time.

Visit Tajikistan with an electronic visa for an ultimate effortless traveling experience! 

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List of Best Treks in Uttarakhand that you must try

Uttarakhand often referred to as Dev Bhumi or Land of the Gods, is no less than heaven for all the nature buffs and adventure lovers out there. Uttrakhand is surely one of the most fantastic places in India, which is all covered with ethereal beauty. Situated in the foothill of Himalayan Ranges, Uttarakhand comes with an ample number of opportunities of trekking and camping, and with every new place, there’s something different and interesting present there to gain a whole new experience. Well, now summers are approaching and there could be no better excuse to take a leave from your work and make your way towards the mighty mountains. If you too wish to experience that adrenaline rush, take a look at some of the best treks in Uttarakhand and go on the trek you feel like trying out.

Bali Pass Trek

Let’s get started with the very famous trek to Yamunotri, which is situated there inside the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary and allows you to take a closer look at rich flora and fauna. You need to start your trek from Sankri and continue walking along the Supin River. After this, you need to climb up slowly to the Dhatamir and Osla Village. While walking through the pathway, you’ll come across River Tons and Siyan Gad. Go on and reach Har ki Doon, a cradle shaped valley full of a large variety of flowers, mind-blowing views, and amazing wildlife. Then you need to continue to the Ruinsara Tal that passes through mesmerizing grasslands and conifer forests. Walk slowly and reach the base of Bali Pass. After you cross the path, you’ll go downhill through the pastures and open forests to the Yamunotri shrine. After this, the route will take you to Janak Chatti and Hanuman Chatti. 

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Trek to Laxman Temple/ Hemkund Sahib

Laxman Temple/Hemkund Sahib, at a height of 4300 meters above sea level, lies in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state. Challenging trekking route and spectacular beauty of the mystical valley has always tempted botanists, nature lovers, foreign tourists and adventure lovers. Valley boast off over 500 species of wild flowers of unparalleled appearance and fragrances.

This is the place where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru of Sikh community, did intense meditation to please Lord Brahma. Please by the austerity Lord Brahma commanded Guru Gobind Singh Ji to take birth in Kal-Yuga in order to kill demons and protect holy people. Undoubtedly, the Hemkund Trek is a steep challenging trek and you will often hear from the locals there that – “Mountains are for FIT not FAT”. You trek from 9,600 ft to 15,000 ft in just 6 Kms and that’s what makes it a tough trek.

Place remains open to the world from June to October and for rest of the year it remains snow clad.

Journey to the Hemkund starts from Haridwar, where you can easily hire a cab for your entire trip. Below is the entire itinerary in brief. 

1. Haridwar to Govindghat - Around 300 Kms

2. Start from Haridwar - Cab is recommended. Very less frequency of buses.

3. Route: Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Jayalgarh – Srinagar – Rudaprayag – Karnaprayag – Nandaprayag – Chamoli – Pipalkoti – Joshimath – Vishnuprayag - Govindghat

4. Govindghat – (Motorable-4Km) – Poolna (Trek 10 km) – Ghangaria – Total 14 Kms

5. Split routes from Ghangaria for Hemkund Trek and Valley of Flowers Trek.

Drive to Govindghat around 300 Kms, which would take 10 – 12 hours of time to reach depending on the road conditions, please expect land sliding at various points throughout the drive.

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Kodaikanal - Gift of the Forest

I have been staying in Bangalore for the last two years, working day in and day out. Off late was feeling too much cramped by not being able to enjoy at all. This was the time I came across articles posted on this site, Travel Diaries and thanks to the posted articles, I started believing that for a small trip all we need is a decision and a weekend. As there are a lot of places to explore near to Bangalore, so I discussed my plans with some of my friends. What I realized they also had same opinion about me and were planning to go out for some time.

Four was the company for us and one fine evening we packed our bags and boarded a late night bus to "Kodaikanal". We had whole travel plan in our mind that we will have our first stop in Kodaikanal where we had to take permission from the District Forest Officer to enter the forest for trekking but were unaware of the little obstacles we may face in-between.

We had little hint that Kodaikanal may give a feeling of a hill station but never imagined that it would welcome us with somewhat like below.

The scenic beauty made us believe that it is going to be one of the best Independence Day celebrations. We had a limited time of 3 days with us to explore whatever we could have and it takes more than 2 days to trek till Munnar Top Slip.
On the outskirts of Kodaikanal, our bus had a pit stop at a highway roadside hotel. We had a delicious South-Indian breakfast and as expected it was "VOWWW".

On reaching Kodaikanal, we straight away rushed to District Forest Office (DFO) to seek permission for trekking to Munnar. We were with our full spirits when we arrived at DFO but it had something weird in its box for us.

Government officials simply rejected our request to enter the forest by saying ‘It’s dangerous to trek in this season due to some internal problems in that area’. As it was our Independence day so we could not get District Forest Officer to talk and convince him to grant the permission. Waited and kept argued for 3 hours but their response was same and finally we decided to step back and search for a good decent hotel keeping one thing in mind ‘Lets Live today and Fight tomorrow’.

Kodaikanal is a small town with lot of staying options suitable to all budgets. Luckily we got a very good place managed by Tamil Nadu Government itself with easily affordable price of 500/- per room. Rooms were really clean and surroundings were AWESOME.

We had complete half day with us so we just moved out to explore the city after having an economical & hygienic lunch in the HOTEL itself. The moment we stepped out of our hotel we saw many tourists cycling on the roads so without wasting a second we went to a nearby cycle shop and grabbed four cycles on rent.

Cycling after a long time was an extraordinary experience and we were feeling like kids again. We cycled around 5 km. to very a popular and beautiful place called ‘CROAKER'S WALK’. Within no time it was evening and place started to transform into a beautiful hill station with lights glowing in night.

There was a small teashop where we had one of the best tea of our lives having unique & fresh aroma, unfortunately the teashop guy was unable to fulfil our one of the companion's request of having Bournvita instead of Tea & Coffee. After having snacks we set out to explore the place on foot, as evening was setting in we were enjoying the foggy air of the evening.

Again we had our dinner in our hotel itself and we ended our day with 100% positive attitude that we will definitely get our permission tomorrow for trekking early in the morning itself.

Day 2– We were standing at DFO at sharp 9 AM and got to know that officer will arrive at around 11 AM, this did not matter as we were prepared to wait. Finally, our long wait ended and the officer arrived. Despite sitting immediate outside the office we could not get officer's appointment and finally we had conversation with him over the mobile phone only and answer was still 'NO'. We decided to keep aside our egos and asked the same officer to suggest some better alternatives as we thought that the Forest officer is the person most knowledgeable about the Forest. By seeing our eagerness to trek, the same officer suggested us an alternate trek at Tamil Nadu, Kerala border.

We boarded a common city bus in the late evening which took around 2-3 hours to reach our destination place. We have already decided that instead of luxuries of hotel we will be pitching in the tents. So immediately after reaching our spot we starting preparing our camps & bonfire to cook some food.

It was a perfect night with 0% pollution and brightly shining stars which is a little difficult to find in city's life. While camping you can cook your own food under the blue sky; you can cook whatever you like. Naturally prepared food is always out of the league and same we experienced while having it under the dark blue sky - 'SIMPLY DELICIOUS'.

The place had plenty of Eucalyptus tree leaves which made lighting fire easy. After the dinner, our beautiful camps were waiting to serve us with a good sleep.

Day 3:

Whole beautiful nature was in front of my eyes in the morning. I was feeling rejuvenated and 6 hours of sleep seemed like a sleep of continuous 24 hours.

No doubt it was one of the wonderful mornings I saw, having said that it was also our last day of trip so we quickly geared ourselves for 6 KM trek which includes one waterfall also. I was really excited about the waterfall as I love playing with water irrespective of not knowing how to swim.

In the beginning itself we saw a tomato and garlic plantations coming our way which was quite surprising and delightful to see.

After these plantations, we came across one Mystery Rock and if taken a closer look at you will find the rocks on the upper side resemble some faces. There was something unusual about this place.

After meddling over the mysteries associated with the Mystery Rock, we again continued our trekking on the less explored path:

In our 6 km. of trekking we searched our way through the forest and lot of different trees, majority being pine trees:

In about one hour we completed the trek and reached our cherished spot, "the Waterfall". Seeing a waterfall without any crowd was amazing.

When you go there avoid removing your shoes as the place has leeches and be careful with the slippery rocks. It is hard to explain the feeling I had of being close to the nature on this calm little waterfall, you will have to experience it on your own.

It was time when we had to move and leave the place for Kodaikanal where we had to catch our bus back to Bangalore. However, it was every difficult to bid farewell to such lovely surroundings.

Standing here I was thinking that our trip could have got extended by a few days more but I was really happy in my heart that despite not getting the DFO's permission to trek we did not ended up spending time in Kodaikanal itself, but instead explored a new place which most common tourists does not do.

Finally, our much desired break was coming to an end and it was the time to say good bye to this place and start your return journey to Bangalore.

Kodaikanal is situated in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu and is 9 hours from Bangalore by bus. The nearest Railway stations are Palani Railway Station - 64 km. north, Kodai Road Station - 80 km. south east and Dindigul Railway Junction - 100 km. east.

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