2010 Small Group Tours
May 7- May 25, 2010

April 24- May 12, 2011  Early Registration discounts

Destination: Uzbekistan – Tajikistan - Turkmenistan – Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan
Route: Tashkent - Samarkand - Penjikent- Bukhara – Mary- Ashgabat - Dashoguz - Urgench - Tashkent - Almaty - Bishkek - Issyk Kul - Bishkek
Duration: 18 days/ 17 nights

Tour Price: $5599-$5799
Single supplement: $ 769

Day 1. Tashkent.( Uzbekistan)
Early morning arrival in Tashkent.  You will be met by our representative at the airport and will be transferred to the hotel. Sightseeing tour in  ancient Tashkent: Kukeldash Medresseh, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Medresseh, Mosque on Khast Imam Street. Visit to Chor-Su Bazaar, watch craftsmen at work, and bargain for souvenirs.  Mustakillik Square (Independence Square), Halklar Dustligi Square and (Friendship Square).

Day 2. Tashkent-Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand (300 km), the city is more than 2500 years old, Stopping near the "gate" of Amur Temur where two mountain ranges meet. Arrival. Sightseeing tour to Registan Square, the main attraction of Samarkand and an impressive place for holding the world’s finest old and modern music festivals and holidays, Ulugbek’s Observatory, XVth century.

Day 3. Samarkand
Breakfast. Visit to Hebrew Prophet Daniel’s Tomb which is next to a pleasant ancient water stream and contains a burial chamber around 18 meters long, the Jewish Quarter, and synagogue, located in the old section of Samarkand. Samarkand bazaar. Lunch at the hotel. Continue sightseeing., Shahi Zinda Ensemble – ancient necropolis (IX,XIV,XIX c.), Bibi Khanum Complex ( the complex was build in honor of the wife of Amur Temur in the fourteenth century), Guri Emir Mausoleum (XIV century). Dinner. Folklore shows in Registan Square.

Day 4: Samarkand - Penjikent (Tajikistan) - Samarkand
Early morning drive to Penjikent (“5 Villages”). Cross the border into Tajikistan to discover the ruins of the ancient Sogdian city of Penjikent, one of the most important cultural and economic centers of its time. Visit Rudakiy Museum. Drive to the Fan Mountains to experience the incredible natural beauty of north-west Tajikistan. Revel in the fresh air, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and aquamarine lakes. Return to Samarkand.

Day 5. Samarkand-Bukhara
Drive to Bukhara through Malikchul desert and Zerafshan river (300km). Stop in ancient Karavan Serai Gate  (XI century) and Gijduvan Ceramic center. Lunch in the National house of Narzullayev.  Arrival in Bukhara. Accommodation at hotel. Walk to the ancient part of Bukhara. Sightseeing tour of the Labi Khaus Complex, heart of legendary Bukhara city. Explore the serene desert architecture of Bukhara at the Nadir Divan Begi Madreseh,  Kukaldash Medreseh, Khanaka Nadir Divan Begi (XVI-XVII c.), Magoki Attari Mosque (XII-XVI c.), the extensive trade domes and markets of the bazaar (XVI c.), the beautiful Poi–Kalon Complex with its legendary minaret  (XII c.), Mosque Kalon, Miri Arab Medreseh (XVI c.).

Day 6. Bukhara.
Explore ancient Bukhara Fortress-Ark (I c.),  Ismail Samani (IX c.) and Chashma- Ayub (XII-XVI c.)  Mausoleums. Visit Bukhara bazaar. Afternoon visit to Sitorai Mohi Hossa, summer residence of Local Rulers of Bukhara Emirs and Chor Minor Complex. Stop by Uzbek family to experience Uzbek hospitality.   Dinner with folk-show in Medreseh Nodir Divan Begi.

Day 7. Bukhara-Mary ( Turkmenistan). Drive to Farab (Turkmenistan). After customs and border formalities continue sightseeing day drive to Mary through the Kara Kum desert. Accommodation in Mary.

Day 8.  Mary-Merv
Explore Merv, the oldest well-preserved heritage city. Known in the past as Margiana, it belonged to the Achaemenian Empire in the VI th century BC, until the invasion by Alexander the Great. Explore the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar and Gyz-Gala fortress. Sightseeing tour in Gonur Depe, the main site of Zoroastrians. Overnight in Mary.

Day 9. Mary- Ashgabad
Sightseeing day drive to Ashgabad (360 km). Accommodation in hotel. Visit the Museum with its impressive displays of archaeological finds from sites excavated in the oasis and an informative and attractive display of fabulous Turkmen carpets, Turkmen costumes and domestic equipment. Free time. Overnight in Ashgabad.

Day 10. Ashgabat
Sightseeing tour of the Blue Mosque,  Arch of Neutrality and Independence Park with its rotating gold statue of Turkmenbashi. Drive to Nissa and explore the ancient ruined capital of the Parthians. Discover the unique fortresses, citadel, temples and tombs (III Century BC), the National Museum of History and Ethnography all set against the Kopet Dag mountains in the background.

Day 11.  Ashgabat
Explore the Talkuchka Sunday bazaar, one of the largest open bazaars in the world filled with colourful rugs, jewellery, carpets, silk and national Turkmen costumes. Visit the Carpet Museum, one of the best in Central Asia featuring designs from the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik and Chodor tribes. At the World of Turkmen Fairy Tales we’ll take a cable car up into the Kopet Dag mountains for a panoramic view over the city and along the Iranian border. Visit Anau a medieval city situated 12 kilometres from Ashgabat the Bronze Age settlement Anau-Depe (4th - 3rd centuries BC) and the fortress of Anau (3rd century BC - 3rd century AD) and the mosque. The name Anau derives from Abi-Nau, meaning "new water".

Day 12.  Ashgabad - Dashoguz - Urgench (Uzbekistan)
Fly to Dashoguz and drive to Kunya Urgench to explore this Silk Road city and the Mausoleum of Turabeg Khanum and the Shrines of Soltan Tekesh and Il-Arslan. Travel to the border crossing point at Dashoguz between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. After completing border formalities, continue sightseeing drive to Urgench (Uzbekistan). Accommodation in Urgench.

Day 13. Urgench
Drive to Khiva ( 35 km.). Uzbekistan’s “Living Museum” was the former capital of the Khanate and legend says that it was founded by Shem, the son of Noah. Excursion to Ichan Kala (Old City), surrounded by high walls of air-dried bricks and decorated with delicate majolica tile: delight in the Ata –Darvaza (West Gate, XVII – XVIII c.), Kalta Minar (XIX c.), Medreseh Mohammad Amin (XIX c.), Kunya Ark (XVII-XIX c.), Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum (XVIII-XIX c) with proverbs embossed on its tiles, Medreseh Khodja Islam with minaret, Tash Hauli Palace and harem (XIX c.), Karavan  Saray (XIX c.) and Juma Mosque (XI-XII c.) with its 200 wooden pillars. Evening flight to  Tashkent.

Day 14. Tashkent - Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Flight to Almaty. Accommodation. Sightseeing tour: Central State Museum, Almaty's Green Bazaar, the Cathedral of the Holy Ascension and Glory Memorial in Park Panfilov,  Museum of National Folk Musical Instruments and Independence Monument. A visit to Alatau park located 15 km from the city. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Chimbulak mountainous area.

Day 15. Almaty – Bishkek (Kyrgyz capital)
Drive to Bishkek . Accommodation. Sightseeing tour. Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Philharmonic, Statue of Manas, Victory Square.  Visit the Central Museum, the Panfilov park and the bazaar.

Day 16. Bishkek - Issyk Kul
Sightseeing day drive to Issyk Kul Lake stopping at Burana tower (XI c.) in ancient Balasagun City. Visit Burana tower of Kharakhanids along with castles and mausoleums. The tower enables visitors to climb to the top. Arrival in Issyk Kul, one of the largest and deepest alpine lakes in the world. Issyk-Kul means “warm lake” and is a popular destination in the Ala-Tau mountains that form the northern arm of the Tien Shan range. Enjoy the beaches and lake tour.

Day 17. Issyk Kul- Bishkek
Sightseeing tour around Issyk-kul: Cholpon-Ata picturesque gorges along with ancient petroglyphs (II millennium BC), visit the Ethnographical Museum, the Memorial Complex of Przhevalsky (famous traveler and explorer of Central Asia; Altyn-Arashan springs ("Golden Springs") near Karakol. Return to Bishkek.

Day 18:
Departure from Bishkek (Kyrgyz capital) International airport.

This tour program includes:

• Visa support for Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan
• Domestic Flights:  Ashgabad-Dashovuz, Urgench-Tashkent, Tashkent -Almaty
• Ground Transportation (Land and mountain)
• Experienced English-speaking guides/escort  (Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan)
• Hotel accommodation (3-4 star hotels)
• Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
• Entrance fees for the sights and mountains and parks
• Folklore Show in Bukhara
• Pre Departure Travel Package along with Silk Road Gifts

The tour program doesn’t include:

• International Flights
• Charges in hotels for additional services
• Consular fees at the Embassies (All Central Asian countries)