What to pack for Tajikistan

Luggage and bags: The packing list depends very much of what you want to „do“ in Tajikistan, i.e. if you only travel along the Pamir Highway or want to do some serious hiking. Of course it depends where you travel from and if Tajikistan is only part of your travels, and very much on the time of the year.
A suitcase is only necessary if you come on business travel. Otherwise it is the most inappropriate piece of luggage I can imagine for Tajikistan. Bring a backpack, and best also bring a cover for it, as your backpack will be in contact with dust all the time, and if you rent a car or hitchhike, be aware that gas bottles will also be in the car trunk.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Bring solid shoes, as the roads are stony: In sneakers only your feet might hurt in the evening. Bring warm clothes, even in summer. Remember the altitude, which means that evenings and nights can get chilly. I didn’t encounter any rain mid 2006 (but I had my Gore-Tex jacket with me, as always on any hike in any climate), but it might be wise to bring at least a rain protection coat.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Bring all medical supplies you need on a regular basis from home, or have the active ingredient’s name in Russian at hand. Pharmacies are available all over in Tajikistan and the Pamirs (in Khorog alone I saw 6), but they supply mostly local or Russian brands. I didn’t mind to buy Russian active coal tablets for my “Montezuma”, they did what they were supposed to do, but I am not a brand addict anyhow. Toiletries are available all over in supermarkets or little shops.
One thing I will bring next time is moistured toilet paper, as it can be used for anything :-)

Photo Equipment: This now is a tough question in digital camera age. Electricity is only guaranteed in the cities or bigger villages, if they have generatores. Sometimes electricity is cut off. Remember this, when you want to load up the batteries. And remember that you nead loads of film and/or chips, as motivs are abundant !

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: If you want to do serious hiking, you should bring your whole outdoor gear: backpack, tent, sleeping bag (down to –10°C, it can get cold in the evening, even in summer), thermal mat, cooking equipment, walking sticks (mainly for hiking off the roads, as it is quite rocky). A torch is helpful, also for the villages, as it is pitch DARK in the night – no street lights, no village illumination (it helps to find your way to the…. Place to powder the nose, which is sometimes outsides).