During your legendary Silk Road Tour you can walk in the tracks of Marco Polo and explore the ancient routes of the camel's trail. You can also discover the mysterious, historical Silk Road stories, see the ruins, the classical architecture, visit the birthplace of Great 14th century conqueror -Tamerlane,  the famous Sunday Bazaars,  sip tea at Lyabi khauz Tea house in ancient Bukhara, listen  to the ancient Silk Road music and appreciate many graceful scenes of the deserts, bike  and hike at the spectacular mountains of  Tian  Shan and Pamir.  

Destination: Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Tajikistan-Turkmenistan
Route: Almaty - - Issyk-Kul - Karakul -Altyn-Arashan-Tamga-Bishkek -Tashkent -Khodjand- Samarkand - Bukhara - Mary - Ashgabat - Dashoguz - Urgench - Khiva-Tashkent
Duration: 21 days / 20 nights

2012-2013  Small Group Guaranteed Departures

Early reservation discounts by December 31, 2011

June 09-June 29, 2012            Sign up for this tour before January 31, 2012 and get the best value

August 24-September 13, 2012

September 13- October 3, 2012  SOLD OUT

September 20-October 10, 2012

 May 17-June 6, 2013           

Land Cost: From $6, 700
Single supplement: $ 679

Day 1: Almaty
Early morning arrival in Almaty, the capital of Kazakhstan, transfer to hotel for accommodation.

Day 2: Almaty

Today we'll explore Almaty. We will visit the Central State Museum, Green Bazaar, Panfilov park, Zenkov Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Museum of Kazakh National Musical Instruments. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Chimbulak mountainous area. Welcome Dinner.

Day 3: Almaty - Issyk Kul (Kyrgyzstan)
We arise early to have a sightseeing day drive to Issyk Kul through fabulous Kazakh Steppe.
The Kazakh Steppe lies at the southern end of the Ural Mountains, the traditional dividing line between Europe and Asia. Crossing Kazakh-Kyrgyz border. After lunch we shall continue driving to gorgeous Issyk kul. Issyk Kul Lake is the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America.Dinner and overnight in a hotel at the lake shore.
Day 4: Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs. Issyk Kul Lake – Karakol – Altyn Arashan (190 km).

Explore Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs site, the temple in the open air of Scythians and Hungsuns civilizations dated back 9-8 centuries BC till 3-4 centuries AD. The area of those stone drawing lies at the foot of Kungey Alatoo Ridge with a beautiful view of the whole lake. Later you continue driving to Karakol town,  situated in the east of the lake area, at the foot of the most picturesque mountains of Tien Shan. This sleepy but very interesting old Russian town was first erected by Cossacks in the middle of 19th century and became an important garrison settlement. Visit the museum of   Przhevalski, the outstanding Russian explorer of Asian continent. Arrival in  Karakol and explore Dungan mosque, a unique construction in Chinese style, and  see an old Russian Orthodox Church – Holy Trinity Cathedral made of wood. Drive to Altyn Arashan Valley through  the spectacular  gorge. Dinner and overnight in tents.

Day 5: Altyn Arashan gorge

Enjoy your day in the Valley hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding or just stay at the mountain river bank and experience the amazing views. They are particularly stunning, with endless peaks opening up around every corner, slopes covered with fir-trees and thick layer of snow. Altyn Arashan Gorge and valley are incredibly beautiful, with pine forests, green meadows and colourful alpine flowers. Also included is a visit the health resort at Altyn Arashan, 2,200 meters above sea level, where you can swim in the natural hot mineral springs. The beautiful landscapes are breath taking and calling for a short walk, easy hiking will leave unforgettable impression on everybody. Meals in the tents.  Overnight in tents.

Day 6: Altyn Arashan gorge - Tamga village

In the morning we head to a small village Tamga, situated on the Southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake.
On arrival in Tamga village check in to a traditional guesthouse, where you can sample good home cooking. Afternoonvisit  Tamga-Tash stone near Issyk-Kul Lake.  The name “Tamga-Tash” is the most ancient appellation in Kyrgyzstan territory and means “clear-cut stamp on the stone”. We drive into one of the gorges and hike along it for about 2 hours. The sunset is very beautiful, especially when observed from the place where the stone is situated. Dinner and overnight in a guest house.

Day 7: Tamga village - Bishkek (320 km)
Morning sightseeing drive to Bishkek along the southern shore of the Issyk Kul Lake. It is a foothill of Terskei Alatau Range, the peak of which reaches 5200 m.  It is much less developed than its northern counterpart, offering a contrast to the “resort zone”.  On the way experience the natural beauty  of  Boom Gorge where boisterous Chu River situated. Boom Gorge is an antecedent gorge between Chuy and Issyk-Kul Province of Kyrgyzstan. The Bishkek-Tokmak-Kemin-Balykchy highway (A365) passes through the gorge, as does the railway from Bishkek to Balykchy.  Arrival in Bishkek. Accommodation.
Day 8: Bishkek-Tashkent

Discover capital city Bishkek. Visit Manas Monument, the main national hero of the Kyrgyz people. Then excursion to the State History Museum and walking tour around main Ala Too Square to watch ceremony of changing of the Guard of Honor, Independence Monument and  Victory Square. The gesturing statue of Lenin can still be seen in the city’s vast central square, yet it is the permanently snow capped Kyrgyz Alatau mountain range which towers over Bishkek providing a quite stunning backdrop. Free time. Evening flight to Tashkent (Uzbelkistan). Accommodation.

Day 9: Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
Discover ancient and modern capital city Tashgkent. Visit its world known museums to gain a greater understanding of traditional art, stroll through old Tashkent neighborhoods and the “Chorsu” bazaar with its circular indoor-outdoor marketplace crowded with stalls selling innumerable products including spices, nuts, flowers, fruits, vegetables and handicraft items. See Amur Temur and Independence Squares. Dinner

Day 10: 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, Ancient Silk Road Bazaar and spectacular lakes and parks. Lunch at Tajiki family. Return to Tashkent. Dinner

Day 11: Tashkent - Samarkand
Sightseeing drive to Samarkand (300 km), a UNESCO world heritage site more than 2500 years old, Stop near the "gate" of Amur Temur where two mountain ranges meet.
Sightseeing tour to Registan Square, the main attraction of Samarkand and an impressive place for the world’s finest old and modern music festivals and holidays. Marvel at the sparkling mosaics and fine Islamic architecture. See the Observatory of Ulugbek (XVth c), whose discoveries greatly advanced knowledge in the fields of science and astronomy. Dinner at Hotel Afrasiyab.

Day 12: Samarkand 

Continue sightseeing tour in Samarkand: Guri Amir Mausoleum, Bibi-Khanum mosque, local bazaar. Khodjai Hizr Mosque. and enjoy the wine tasting in old Samarkand winery. Photo opportunity from the highest point of Samarkand. Dinner.
Day 13: Samarkand-Bukhara.

Afternoon departure to Bukhara via Malik Chol desert. Opportunity to photograph old Caravanserai gate “Rabota-Malik” from the XII th century. Accommodation.Explore holy city of Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This morning we'll explore the city's highlights, including Labi Khaus Complex ("the complex around the pond"), an ancient Chaykhana (tea house). Tour the trade domes (XVI c) of money changers, hat sellers, silk, carpets, puppets and jewelry. See the Magoki Attari site - originally a Zoroastrian temple, the Abdulazizkhan Madreseh with its sandali (old-fashioned home heating), Poi-Kalon Ensemble with the greatest minaret of Central Asia. Enjoy a theatrical national costume show at the house of Fayzullo Khodjaev. Visit the Ark (winter residence of local rulers from the first century) , Bolo Khaus Complex and Ismail Samoniy Mosque. Dinner and Folklore show featuring local dancers, singers and fashion.

Day 14: Bukhara
Visit Mohi Khosa Palace (summer residence of local rulers with national traditional dress), the Chor Minor Complex built in the Indian style. After lunch travel to peaceful villages of Bukhara where you will discover ancient sight Chor Bakr.

Day 15: Bukhara - Mary ( Turkmenistan)
Drive to Farab (Turkmenistan). After customs and border formalities continue sightseeing day drive to Mary through the Kara Kum desert (black sands). Accommodation.

Day 16: Mary - Merv - Ashgabat
Drive to ancient Merv and explore the ruins of this mythical city. Actually a complex of five walled cities, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. 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 the medieval Gyz-Gala fortress. Drive from Mary to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Arrival. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 17: Ashgabat
Sightseeing tour in this modern city: Independence Square - surrounded by extravagant palaces and ministry buildings, and the National Museum with its fine collection of historic artifacts and relics. Tour the Carpet Museum, rich with the history of Turkmen carpet weaving, the "Spiritual Temple of Turkmen Nation” mosque in Kiptchak.

Day 18: Ashgabat – Kunya – Urgench - Khiva
Flight from Ashgabat to Dashoguz. Arrival. Transfer to Kunya-Urgench, one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia. After this city’s almost complete annihilation by Genghis Khan more than 800 years ago, the city was rebuilt and grew into an important trading center. Travel to the border crossing point of the city between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Drive to Khiva. Arrival and accommodation. Dinner with panoramic view of Khiva in moonlight.

Day 19: Khiva-Urgench-Tashkent
Sightseeing tour in Khiva - the fairy-tale city of the Silk Road. 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.), After lunch at the national restaurant continue with sightseeing at the 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 Caravanserai ( traditional inn for travelling merchants), (XIX c.) and Juma Mosque (XI-XII c.) with its 200 wooden pillars. Early dinner.  Transfer to the airport. Flight to Tashkent. Accommodation.

Day 20: Tashkent
Sightseeing tour: Earthquake Memorial, Abul Kasim complex with handicraft centers, Museum of Amir Temur. Walk down main boulevard where everything is on show or sale. Ride by Metro. Enjoy your afternoon.

Day 21: Tashkent. Departure from Tashkent International airport.

This tour program includes: