Tour operators offer a number of set itineraries, mostly in the southwest of the country and its surrounding mountains, generally during the summer months. The trips generally start in Moscow and include a 14-day trekking trip around the ancient Sogdian lakes such as Iskander-kul, north of Dushanbe and the Muragazor Lakes, finishing in Samarkand in Uzbekistan; and a trip to the mountain passes of the Kara-Tak, north of Dushanbe, walking 8 to 10km (5 to 6 miles) per day, with baggage being carried by donkeys, and staying in mountain villages. Some operators will organise itineraries to suit individual tastes.

The national sport is wrestling, called Gushtin Geri. Bushkashi is a team game in which the two mounted teams attempt to deliver a headless and legless goat's carcass weighing 30 to 40kg over the opposition's goal line. Players are allowed to wrestle the goat from an opponent, but physical assault is frowned upon. There is skiing and hunting in the hills behind Dushanbe.