Green House Hostel

I stayed for a week a few months back, and it was a great place to recharge and meet other overlanders. What really stood out was how much the staff helped me. They arranged an express visa and later assisted with a parcel that had been sent back to the Dushanbe post office months after I’d left. They went out of their way and asked for nothing in return. Legends.

My private room was on the top floor and cost a reasonable amount for a hotel-style stay. I also got the social side of a hostel and travel advice from other guests.

The place felt worn down, with lots of broken things, including the washing machine, shower heads, kitchen gear and bed ladder. Smoking indoors is allowed, and the smell shows it. Bikers leave their stuff scattered around. Nights were noisy, and random people used the ensuite dorm bathroom. I didn’t enjoy staying here.

The kitchen and other facilities are good, and the basement can hold overflow. It’s a handy place to sort things out before or after the Pamir, and it’s very social. Bike packers seem to make it their base, though, so as someone traveling on foot I sometimes felt out of place. The reception staff seemed uninterested. They know about routes and the city, but I didn’t get the feeling they cared about helping.