Journey Through Central Asia: The Five 'Stans
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"Excellent tour itinerary and tour manager...Uzbekistan was outstanding and I am glad we spent a considerable amount of time there."
Elaine Cohen
Hillsborough, CA
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More than 2,000 years ago, the great trade routes that linked Europe and China opened Central Asia to foreign cultures, customs and religions. Join a modern-day caravan on an epic journey to five of these exotic countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Days 1-2: Almaty
Begin the tour in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. Seated at the foot of the Tien Shan mountain range, Almaty may have been the place where apples were first cultivated.
Days 3-6: Lake Issyk-Kul, Bishkek, Osh, Fergana Valley
Travel through the soaring rock formations of Charyn Canyon to beautiful alpine Lake Issyk-Kul. The majestic Kyrgyz Alatau range hovers over Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. From Bishkek, fly to the fabled Fergana Valley. According to ancient Chinese sources, the Fergana Valley was thriving as early as the 4th century BC.
Days 7-16: Tashkent, Samarkand, Penjikent, Bukhara, Khiva
Beyond Uzbekistan's Fergana Valley, explore the blue-tiled mosaics of Samarkand, UNESCO-listed Shakhrisabze, the interlocking brickwork of Bukhara, and the winding alleys of Khiva. Cross the border into Tajikistan for a day visit to the 5th century ruins of Penjikent.
Days 17-21: Tashauz, Ashkabad, Nisa, Merv
The last stop is Turkmenistan, trailing more than 2,500 years of stormy history. Explore the ruins of the Parthian city of Nisa and those of mythical Merv, both listed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. Get a final taste of Turkmen culture as we stroll the Tolkuchka Bazaar in Ashkabad, admiring the deep red carpets and handcrafted jewelry.
Trip Details
| Length of Trip: |
21 Days |
| Departures: |
5 |
| Dates: |
April 13-May 3, 2010 |
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May 11-31, 2010 |
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August 24-September 13, 2010 |
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October 12-November 1, 2010 |
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October 19-November 8, 2010
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| Trips are filling fast - call for current availability. |
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| Preliminary 2011 Dates*: |
April 12-May 2, 2011 |
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May 3-23, 2011 |
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August 23-September 12, 2011 |
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September 20-October 10, 2011 |
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October 11-31, 2011 |
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| *Dates for 2011 are tentative and subject to change. Call 800-424-7289 for more information. |
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| Land Tour Cost: |
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| 5-16 travelers |
$6,995** |
| Single Supplement |
$1,195 |
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| No Hidden Costs! |
| **Land tour cost includes internal flight costs which are subject to change; see the Descriptive Daily Itinerary for details. |
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MIR Signature Features
- Attend a traditional dinner in a private Uzbek home
- Browse the lively and colorful bazaars
- Explore six UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Map - Click to Enlarge
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| Days 1-2: |
Almaty |
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| Day 3: |
drive to Lake Issyk-Kul |
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| Day 4: |
drive to Bishkek |
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| Day 5: |
fly to Osh, drive to Fergana |
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| Day 6: |
Fergana Valley |
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| Day 7: |
fly to Tashkent |
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| Day 8: |
Tashkent |
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| :Day 9: |
drive to Samarkand |
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| Day 10-11: |
Samarkand with day trip to Penjikent |
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| Day 12: |
drive to Shakhrisabze, Bukhara |
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| Days 13-14: |
Bukhara |
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| Day 15: |
drive to Khiva |
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| Day 16: |
Khiva |
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| Day 17: |
drive to Tashauz, fly to Ashkabad |
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| Days 18-21: |
Ashkabad with day trips to Nisa and Merv |
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| Almaty |
Tien-shan Mountain Range, Panfilov Park & Zenkov Cathedral |
| Charyn Canyon |
"Valley of Castles" |
| Lake Issyk-Kul |
Second-largest high-altitude lake in the world |
| Buryan Tower |
The only remaining watchtower of the Silk Road in Kyrgyzstan |
| Bishkek |
Capital city of Kyrgyzstan, Ala-Too Mountain Range |
| Osh |
Jayma Bazaar, Babur's House |
| Fergana Valley |
Margilan Sunday Market, Ceramics Master in Rishtan Village, Kokand |
| Tashkent |
Square of Independence, the Navoi Theatre, Kukeldash Madrassah, Kaffal-Shashi Mausoleum |
| Penjikent |
Shakristan, Rudaki Museum |
| Shakrisabze (Shakrisabz) |
"Historic Centre of Shakrisabze" (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Ak Saray (White Palace) |
| Bukhara |
"Historic Centre of Bukhara" (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Lyab-i-Khauz Plaza, Kukeldash Madrassah, Kalon Mosque and Minaret, Ark Citadel, Zindan Prison, Ismael Samani Mausoleum |
| Khiva |
Ichon-Qala (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Kyzyl Kum Desert, Amu Darya River, Tash-Hauli Palace, Dzhuma Mosque, Kunya Ark |
| Ashkabad |
Tolkuchka Oriental Bazaar, Museum of Carpets and Textiles, Turkmen Jewelry Studio |
| Nisa |
Parthian Kingdom of Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Kopet-Dag Mountains |
| Merv |
Ruins of Marghiana and Archaeological Museum in Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
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Suggested Extensions
Combine this tour with Treasures of the Trans-Caucasus. Contact us for more details.
Some images on this page courtesy Peter Guttman
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