Five Stan of Central Asia

A great tour to explore the 5 Stan of Central Asia Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan!

Join us for a great Central Asia trip in 2010

ITINERARY

Day 1 Almaty Kazakhstan
On Arrival at Almaty airport you will be met by our guide later transfer to your hotel. Later sightseeing of Almaty city, visiting the Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world's tallest all wood buildings and the Central State Museum. After lunch, ascend the Kok-Tube Mountain by capable railway. Return to Almaty to visit the unique national museum of Kazak Musical Instruments.

Overnight at the "Otrar" Hotel (LD).

Day 2 Almaty
After breakfast Breakfast. Drive to Medeo. Medeo is a picturesque valley located 15 km above Almaty. Besides beautiful nature there are some other attractions to see, one of which is the world's largest speed skating rink know as Medea. The other one is a dike, which is a fine piece of engineering, and was created to protect the city from mud floods. The dike's collector has an impressive capacity of 6.000.000 m of water. And finally, at the end of the gorge there is a ski resort Chimbulak, situated at an altitude of 2.200 m above sea level. It is one of Central Asia's top skiing spots. The ski season lasts from November to April.later return to your hotel for Overnight (BLD).

Day 3 Almaty - Charyn canyon Karakol (Kyrgyzstan)
Drive to Karakol. On the way visit Charyn canyon. Picnic. Arrival in Karakol Overnight in Green Yard private hotel (BLD)

Day 4 Karakol
Half day sightseeing of Karakol: visit Russian Church (1885), Dungan mosque (1910), the museum and grave of Prjevalskiy - Great Russian explorer of Asia. After lunch. Drive 40km to Djety-Oguz valley. Walking and drive back to Karakol overnight in Green Yard private hotel (BLD)

Day 5 Karakol – Komsomol village,Issyk-Kul

Drive to Issyk-Kul . Visit an open air museum of petroglyphs dated to 3rd century AD to 14th century AD. Overnight in Sinegorye Hotel (BLD)

Day 6 Issyk-Kul Full free day to enjoy the stunning view of the Lake or take an optional boat ride Overnight in Sinegorye Hotel Hotel (BLD)

Day 7 Issyk-Kul - Bishkek
Drive to Bishkek via Burana Tower, the remain of Karakhanid minaret. Nearby is a unique collection of Turkish stone grave makers. Then continue to nearby village for a special lunch prepared and served according to Kyrgyz tradition, including typical Kyrgyz national dishes. Enjoy the Kyrgyz national horse games. Later drive to Bishkek Overnight in Goldern Dragon Hotel (BLD).

Day 8 Bishkek Osh
Half day Sightseeing of Bishkek city, visiting the most interesting sights: Victory square, Main Russian Orthodox church, Kyrgyz philharmonic society, famous oriental Osh market, Ala-Too square, History museum, later in the afternoon flight to Osh. Overnight in Peking hotel (BLD)

Day 9 Osh-Ferghana (Uzbekistan)

Half day sightseeing of Osh city including the famous Osh Bazaar later transfer to Dostuk border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan Overnight at Asia hotel or club 777 (BLD)

Day 10 Ferghana

Full day to explore the Ferghana valley includes visit of Yodgorlik Khan Atlas Silk Factory, here you will see acquaint self with the manufacturing processes of silk, starting from unreeling cocoons till their painting. The complex Kaftarlik with a mosque and minaret, portal-dome mausoleums and original pigeon loft has been maintained. You will visit also Rishtan village situated on west from Fergana, is famous for it skillful potters and you can acquire this wonderful traditional Uzbek Pottery right at the factory and the private workshop Overnight at Asia hotel or Club 777 (BLD).

Day 11 Tashkent

Return to Tashkent via Kokand, visit includes; Museum in the Fort of the Last Ruler - Khudayor Khan and see a collection of exhibits related to the times of the Khan's rule. Museum Norbuta - Bia madrassa and Modarikhon mausoleum. overnight in Uzbekistan hotel or Similar (BLD)

Day 12 Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand half day sightseeing of Samarkand overnight at Grand hotel (BLD)

Day 13 Samarkand sightseeing
Full day sightseeing of Samarkand’s Guri-Emir Mausoleum, Rukhabad Necropolis (XV c.), Registan Complex (XVII c.), Bibi-Khanum Cathedral Mosque (XV c.), Ulugbek Observatory (XV c.), Shakhi-Zinda Mausoleums Ensemble and Siyab bazaar.
Overnight in Grand hotel or Similar (BLD)

Day 14 Day trip to Penjikent (Tajikistan)
Day trip to Penjikent (Tajikistan) half day sightseeing Visit Republican historical-ethnographic museum of Abuabdullo Rudaky, Continue driving to lake located in Fan Mountains (2 hours). Picnic and free time on a beautiful bank of Mountain Lake, with crystal-turbulent water

Return to Penjikent, on the way visit ruins of ancient Panjikent located within 5 minutes drive of modern Penjikent. Penjikent a major Sogdian city is dating back to 5th century and was destroyed with Arab conquerors in 8th century. Presently the ruins are excavated and you can see different teams of archeologists working on sites.

return to Samarkand for overnight at Grand hotel or Similar (BLD).

Day 15 Bukhara via Shakhrisabz
Travel to Bukhara via Shakrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. We visit Tamerlane’s palace Ak Sarai, the Kok Gumbaz mosque, Mausoleum of Jehangir (Tamerlane’s grandson) and Tamerlane’s Mausoleum. Bukhara is one of the centres of the Russian/British spies in the 19th Century. The bazaar is famous for its embroidery.

Overnight at hotel Omar Khayam or similar (BLD)

Day 16 Bukhara

City tour including Samanid Mausoleum, Chor Minor, Poli-Kalon Ensemble, Kaylon Minaret: at 47m the 2nd tallest in Central Asia; the Ark Fortress, Bolo-Hauz Complex and Labi-Hauz Ensemble.

Overnight at hotel Omar Khayam or similar (BLD)

Day 17 Bukhara

Full free day to enjoy the old city or time for shopping Overnight in hotel Omar Khayam or Similar (BLD)

Day 18 Khiva drive
Drive to Khiva half day sightseeing of the city overnight at hotel Mailka or Similar BLD)

Day 19 Khiva
This city is a living museum with mosques, madrassas and caravanserai crowded within its walls. Khiva’s highlights include the Kunya Ark – former residence of the Khan, the beautiful Kalta Minar Minaret and the extraordinary Tash Khauli or ‘stone palace’.
Overnight in Malika hotel or Similar (BLD)

Day 20 Kunya Urgench

Drive to Kunya Urgench through the Kara Kum Desert and the ruins of ancient capital- Meeting at the border check point Dashoguz. Formalities. Continue drive to Kunya Urgench. Visit Kunya Urgench historical site (Mausoleums of Turebek-Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmad-din-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug Timur minaret & Kyrk Molla. drive to Dashoguz. Visit Izmukshir. Overnight in Uzboy hotel or similar (BLD)

Day 21 Ashgabad flight
Flight to Ashgabat (Boeing 717, 50 min flt subject to change). Arrival & check in the hotel. Sightseeing in Ashgabat with visiting the National Museum of History & Ethnography of Turkmenistan. Overnight in Ak Altyn hotel or Similar (BLD)

Day 22 Ashgabad Sightseeing
Visit Tolkuchka bazaar. Continue to Old Nisa - ancient Parthian settlement and the Spiritual Mosque of Turkmenbashi. Overnight in the hotel Ak Altyn or similar(BLD)

Day 23 Onward flight
Drive to Bakharden underground lake. En-route visit Private Akhal Teke stud farm. Transfer to the airport for onward flight (BL)

TOUR COST

No of Pax.	2	3-5	6-9	10 Above	Single Supplement
Price in US Dollar per person	$4590	$4270	$3560	$3390	$685

HOTELS

Almaty: Otrar" Hotel

Karakol: Green Yard

Issyk Kul: Sinegorye Hotel

Bishkek: Goldern Dragon

Osh: Peking hotel

Ferghana: Asia hotel or Club 777

Tashkent: Uzbekistan hotel or Poytaht

Samarkand: Malika prime or Grand hotel

Bukhara: Malika or Omar Khayam

Khiva: Malika hotel

Dashoguz: Uzboy hotel

Ashgabad: Ak Altyn

OUR COST INCLUDES

All domestic transportation and transfers, domestic flight mentioned above in the itinerary.

Twin sharing accommodation at hotel plus with en-suite private facilities

Meals mentioned above Key Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D)

All the sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary and entrance fees

Fully escorted guides in each country

Visa support letter for Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan if needed

TOUR COST EXCLUDES

All above visa Fees

Expenses in hotels such as laundry, telephone and room service, etc.

Optional activities

Meals not mention above

Personal expanses

Single supplements

Photo and video fees

Tips for Guides and drivers

International flights to and out of Central Asia

Snow Leopard tours Pamir Highway

Snow leopard tours new web site and

Pamir Highway tours

ITINERARY

Day 01- Dushanbe

Upon arrival at the airport you will be met by our guide transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for leisure activities.

Overnight in Hotel (BLD)

Day 02- Dushanbe

In the morning, visit Hissor Fort, formerly capital of Eastern Bukhara province. The site has two madrassas (18th-19th centuries). We visit the bazaar and museums.

Overnight at hotel (BLD)

Day 03- Kalaikum

Today we start our journey toward the Pamir over the mountain pass to Kalaikum which is half to Khorag.

Overnight at Guest house (BLD)

Day 04- Khorag

Drive to Khorag, the capital of (GBAO) Gorno- Badakhshan region, along the Panj River which forms the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

Overnight in hotel (BLD)

Day 05- Khorag

In the morning, visit Khorog's bazaar, museum and botanical gardens. The rest of the day is free at leisure. In the evening you will be invited to a local family home for traditional Pamiri dinner

Overnight in Hotel (BLD)

Day 06- Ishkashim Wakhan area

Drive to Ishkahism Wakhan area to visit Yamchun fortress. Later, drive to Bibi Fotima hot spring time for walk around the village, in the afternoon, time to relax in the hot spring. Overnight home stay (BLD)

Day 07- Langar

Drive to Langer. En-route we will stop by some petroglyphs carved into the rock, depicting mountain goats, caravans, horse riders with banners.

In the afternoon we wander around the area.

Overnight at Langar home stay (BLD)

Day 08- Murghab

Enjoy a scenic drive to Murghab. Overnight home stay (BLD)

Murghab means ( "river of the birds") in Persian language. Murghob is the capital of district of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region. It is the highest town in Tajikistan at 3,650m above sea level. It located at the junction of the Murghab River and the Pamir Highway. The Pamir Highway goes north to Sary-Tash and on to Osh in Kyrgyzstan and southwest to the region's capital Khorog.

Day 09 Karakol

.Drive to Karakol with a stunning view of the Pamir Mountains Overnight at Home Local home stay (BLD)

Day 10- Sarai Tash (Kyrgyzstan)

Cross Kyzyl-Art Pass (4,280 m) which forms the border with Kyrgyzstan and descend to Sary-Tash and Osh (Change vehicles in Sary-Tash).Overnight in a guesthouse (BLD)

Day 11 Osh-Bishkek

Drive to Osh visit Suleyman Mountain, Baburs house, History Museum, Rabat Abdullah Khan Mosque and Mausoleum, Osh Bazaar. Later transfer to airport for flight to Bishkek and overnight in hotel (BLD).

Day 12 Bishkek

The tour will end after breakfast

Note Onward arrangements can be arrange according to our clients wish.

TOUR COST

No of Pax.	2	3-5	6-9	10 Above	Single Supplement
Price in US Dollar per person	$ TBA	$ TBA	$ TBA	$ TBA	$TBA

HOTELS

Dushanbe: Tajik Matlobot or Mercury

Kalaikum: Guest house

Khorog: Serena hotel

Langar: Home Stay

Murghab: Home Stay

Sarai Tash: Guest house

Bishkek: Club-Dostuk

OUR COST INCLUDES

All domestic transportation and transfers, domestic flight mentioned above in the itinerary.

Twin sharing accommodation at hotels and sharing at home stays with communal services

Meals mentioned above Key Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D)

All the sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary and entrance fees

Fully escorted guides in each country

Visa support letter for Tajikistan with GBAO permit, Kyrgyzstan (LOI)

TOUR COST EXCLUDES

All above visa Fees

Expenses in hotels such as laundry, telephone and room service, etc.

Optional activities

Meals not mention above

Personal expanses

Single supplements

Photo and video fees

Tips for Guides and drivers

International flights

End of the trip

Silk Road Trips 2009

We are Planing a big Adventure tours through Central Asia (Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzistan, Kashgar into Hunza valley where we some trekking along the Karakorum Mountain ranges.
later return to China via Khunjerab pass.
and the trip will go through Turfan and end in Dunhuang.

Silk Road Trips 2009

Greetings from Silk Road Adventure,

Hope you all had a great year 2008.
We will be launcing a new web site with lots of excieting trips for 2009.

SILK ROAD DISCOVERY
BEIJING TO TASHKENT


Tour operates: April to October
No of days: 22 Tour cost from: 2960 US Dollar
Tour Route: Beijing/Xian/Dunhuang/Turfan/Urumqi/Kashgar/Tash Rabat/Issik Kul Lake/Bishkek/Taraz/Tashkent/Samarkand/Sharisabz/Bukhara/Khiva/Urgench
Transport: Private busses, overnight soft sleeper trains, domestic economy flights
Tour starting point: Beijing



Itinerary

Day 01: Beijing On arrival at Beijing International airport transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Beijing Sight seeing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven (BLD).
Day 03: Beijing Great Wall Full day at the Great Wall, with a hike along one of the less visited sections (BD).
Day 04: Beijing overnight Train to Xian Morning free before we catch overnight train to Xian (BL).
Day 05: Xian Terracotta worriers Half day tour to Terracotta warriors. Free afternoon (LD).
Day 06: Xian- Dunhuang Depending on the flight schedule, free time in Xian. Flight to Dunhuang (BLD).
Day 07: Dunhuang Sights seeing Overnight Train Visit Mugao Grottos, Mingsha sand dunes and Crescent Moon Lake. Transfer to Liyuan for overnight train to Turfan (BLD).
Day 08: Turfan Tour of the Karez under ground water system, Jiaohe ruined city, Amin minaret and grape valley (BLD)
Day 09: Urumqi-KashgarDrive to Urumqi. Visit the museum, famous for their Mummies. Tour the Grand Market, evening flight to Kashgar (BLD).
Day 10: Kashgar Sunday Market Full day in Kashgar. Visit the Sunday market, Eid Ga mosque and Appak Khoja tomb. (BLD)
Day-11- Kashgar –Tash Rabat
Morning transfer to the border crossing: the Torugart pass, stop at Tash Rabat Saray caravan and spend the night in a typical Kyrgyz Yurt (BLD).

Day-12- Issik Kul Lake
Morning drive to Cholpon Ata (Issik Kul lake) (BLD).

Day 13- Bishkek
Drive to Bishkek, explore Bishkek in the afternoon (BLD).

Day 14- Taraz
Drive to Taraz. Upon arrival visit the Taraz History museum. Transfer to Aksu Djabagly Nature Reserve (BLD).

Day15- Tashkent
Free time before head off to Uzbekistan. Cross the border. Drive to Tashkent.
(BLD).

Day16- Tashkent-SamarkandSightseeing in the old section of Tashkent, the Kafelsashi Mausoleum, the Barak Khana, the Tila Shaikh Mosque and Archives, followed by the Chorsu Bazaar, Kukeldesh Madrassah, the Friendship Square and the Navoi Theatre. In the afternoon, we take a countryside drive to the second largest city in the country, Samarkand. (BLD).
Day 17- Samarkand The historic town of Samarkand is a crossroad and melting pot of the world's cultures and has been declared a World Heritage Site recently. Founded in the 7th century BC as ancient Afrosiab, Samarkand had its most significant development in the Timurid period from the 14th to the 15th centuries. Our tour takes us to the major monuments and includes the Registan Mosque and the adjoining madrassahs, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, the Shakhi-Zinda compound and the Gur-Emir Ensemble, as well as Ulugh-Beg's Observatory. Our afternoon tour also includes the Afrosiab Museum, located on the site of ancient Afrosiab and the Historical Museum of Uzbek Culture and Art, with the coffin of Tamerlane and a large copy of the Koran as part of its collection. (BLD)
Day 18- Samarkand-Shakhrisabz-Bukhara We depart for the World Heritage Site of Shakhrisabz, hometown of Tamerlane. This historic centre contains a collection of exceptional monuments and ancient quarters, which bears witness to centuries of history with its power climaxing in the 15th century under the empire of Tamerlane. After our tour of Tamerlane, we continue for yet another gem of Uzbekistan, Bukhara (BLD). Day 19- Bukhara One of the grandest of Uzbek centers, Bukhara is an open museum with many mosques, madrassahs and a grand minaret. We spend the day visiting some of the finest examples of Islamic Architecture in the world, where exquisite tile and mosaic work complement the beautiful brickwork; it is no wonder the city is a World Heritage Site. Our visit includes the Lab-e-Khauz Complex with the Nadirkhon Devanbegi Madrassah, the Mogak Attari Mosque and the Poi Kalon Minaret. We also visit the Madrassahs of Aziz Khan and the Ulugbek Ark Fortress, the residence cum army headquarters of the Bukharan Emirs which houses an interesting collection of ancient objects. We tour the Mausoleum of Ismail Samanid, featuring some of the best Persian influenced10th century brickwork. We conclude the day with a visit to Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the Summer Residence of the former Emirs of Bukhara. (BLD).
Day 20- Bukhara-Khiva We drive to Khiva via the Kyzyl Kum Desert. Along the way we stop for some refreshments and see how people have survived over the centuries in this barren landscape (BLD). Day 21- Khiva-Urgench-TashkentWe explore the World Heritage Site at Khiva. Our visit starts with the main site of Itchan Kala followed by Kalta Minor, the Kunya Ark, the Rakhimkhon Madrassah, the Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud, the Friday Mosque and the Tashauli Palace and Harem. To complete a perfect day we climb the Khodja Minaret to take in the amazing fairy tale panorama. This afternoon we are transferred to the airport for our flight back to Tashkent (BLD).
Day 22- Depart TashkentOur journey along the Silk Road comes to an end today as we bid farewell with “Sau Bolinizder”, as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. (B)

Guarantee departures: Every Friday
Minimum 2 people.

Tour Cost
No of Pax.
2
3-5
6-9
10 above
Single Supplement
Price in US Dollar per person
2 people $ 4470
3-5 people $ 4095
6-9 people $ 3130
10 and above 2960
Single Supp: 390

TOUR COST INCLUDES
All domestic transportation and transfers, train soft sleeper class, domestic flights mentioned in the itinerary.
Twin sharing accommodation at hotel plus with en-suite private facilities
Meals full board
All the sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary and entrance fees
English-speaking guides
Visa support
TOUR COST EXCLUDES
Visa Fees.
Expenses in hotels such as laundry, telephone and room service, etc.
Optional activities
Meals not mention above
Personal expanses
Single supplements
Tips for Guides and drivers

more information can be found through our web site at www.silkroad-adventure.com