2012-2013  Guaranteed Departures

April 16-May 3, 2012 Sold Out

May 09-May 28, 2012  Includes exciting festivals of the year

June 17-July 4, 2012 

August 5-August 22, 2012

September 14-September 30, 2012  Fall tours include harvest festivals and fresh wine tasting

September 20- October 7,2012

October 4-October 21, 2012

May 16-June 2, 2013 June 6-23, 2013 September 12-29, 2013 Early reservation discounts

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

Tour Price: $5,999-$6,499
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) and Amir Timur Park. Welcome Dinner

Day 2. Tashkent-Khodjent(Tajikistan)-Tashkent

Sightseeing morning drive to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border "Oybek". After border formalities drive to Khodjent,one of the most ancient cities of Tajikistan. Sightseeing tour: Visit Temurmalik fortress, The museum of Archeology and History and ancient Silk Road Bazaar. Return to Tashkent. Dinner.

Day 3. Tashkent-Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand (300 km), the city is more than 2750 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 4. 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 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. Stop by Uzbek family to experience Uzbek hospitality. Afternoon visit to Sitorai Mohi Hossa, summer residence of Local Bukhara Emirs and Chor Minor Complex.  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 09. Mary- Ashgabad
Sightseeing day drive to Ashgabad (360 km). Accommodation in hotel. Visit the Carpet 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. Discover Ashgabad's Talkuchka Sunday bazaar.one of the largest open bazaars in the world filled with colourful rugs, jewellery, carpets, silk and national Turkmen costumes. Free time. Overnight in Ashgabad.

Day 10. Ashgabat
Sightseeing tour to the  Blue Mosque and Independence Park.  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. Dinner.

Day 11.  Ashgabat
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".Sightseeing drive (140km) to Kow Ata Underground Lake via Geokdere & Julge valleys of spectacular  Kopetdag Mountains.  Enjoy the beauty of  “Kow Ata Underground Lake” Popular Bathing/Swimming Place & rest. Drive back to Ashgabad. Dinner.

Day 12.  Ashgabad - Dashoguz(Turkmenistan) - Urgench (Uzbekistan)-Khiva
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 Khiva (Uzbekistan). Accommodation in Khiva.

Day 13. Khiva
Uzbekistan’s “Living Museum” City Khiva 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 . Bishkek 
Departure from Bishkek (Kyrgyz capital) International airport.

This tour program includes:

• Visa support for Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan
• Domestic Flights:  Mary- Ashgabad, 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 and exotic yurtas)
• 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)