2010 Small Group Tours

May 24-June 10, 2010

September 20-October 7, 2010

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

Land Cost: $5399-$5599
Single supplement: $ 769

Day 1: Ashgabat
Early arrival in Ashgabat. Transfer to hotel. 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. UNESCO is presently restoring this site. 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 2: 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 3: Ashgabat – Mary-Merv
Sightseeing drive to Mary (360 km). Accommodation in Mary. 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. 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.

Day 4: Mary
Sightseeing drive to Gonur Depe, the main site of Zoroastrian Margush or Margiana, located 60 km from Merv and representing the centre of the great 4,000 year-old fire-worshipping civilization that stretched from Egypt to Afghanistan. Return to Mary overnight.

Day 5: 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 6: 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. Return to Urgench.

Day 7: Urgench - Bukhara
Sightseeing drive to Bukhara (450 km), rich in history and architecture. Picnic in an Uzbek Chaykhana (tea –house) in the Kizilkum (red sands) desert. Stop for a panoramic view of Amudarya river (Oxus river). Arrival in Bukhara. Accommodation in hotel.

Day 8: Bukhara
Sightseeing tour of the Labi Khaus Complex, heart of legendary Bukhara city complete with a camel ride!
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.), Fortress-Ark (I c.) Ismail Samani (IX c.) and Chashma- Ayub (XII-XVI c.)  Mausoleums. Dinner with folk-show in Medreseh Nodir Divan Begi.

Day 9: Bukhara - Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand (300 km) through the Malik Chol desert and enjoy a photo opportunity at the ancient Karavan Saray gate of the XIth century. Accommodation in hotel. Samarkand sightseeing tour: Ulugbek’s Observatory (XV c.), Afrosiyob Ruins and museum (VI-XIII c.),

Day 10: Samarkand
Be enchanted by the magic of this 2500 year old city, walk in Registan Square, now the main location for international music festivals. Marvel at the turquoise domes and sparkling tiles of its buildings – Ulugbek, Sherdor and Tilla Kori  Medreseh (XV-XVII c.), Mausoleum of Guri Emir ( XIV c.) and Bibi  Khanum Mosque ( XIV c.) and see the massive jade stone under which Tamerlane is said to be buried. Visit the Synagogue and Jewish Quarter, the Shahi Zinda ensemble (IX-XIX c.) with more than 20 mausoleums and the Medreseh Hodja  Ahrar (XV c.). Stroll through the Siyab bazaar.

Day 11: 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 Fann 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 12: Samarkand - Tashkent
Early drive to Tashkent. Stopping near the "gate" of Amur Temur where two mountain ranges meet. Opportunity to photograph the two great mountain ranges of Uzbekistan and see the ancient river stream. Lunch at National house. Tashkent sightseeing tour: Kukeldash Madrassah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, 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 (Friendship Square).

Day 13: 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 14: Almaty - Charyn Canyon (200 km) – Almaty
Sightseeing drive to Charyn Canyon. Enjoy the wonders of the picturesque “Valley of Castles” (Dolina Zamkov in Russian ). It is sometimes called the younger brother of the Grand Canyon in the USA. The walls of the Charyn Canyon are carved with deep fissures, forming caves, grottos and shady niches of different shapes and sizes. During many centuries the b rains and winds have carved gorgeous sculptures on the Canyon’s sides. At the bottom of the dry gorge the Charyn River refreshes travellers and adds extra beauty to the place. Return to Almaty.

Day 15: Almaty - Bishkek
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.