The
break up of the Soviet Union has probably seen more changes
in Central Asia than anywhere else. As these countries settle
politically, they find themselves being conveniently linked
to countries like China, Pakistan and Iran - where they belong
historically and culturally. Finally you are able to visit
the lands along the legendary Silk Road, where names like
Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Tashkent, Ferghana, Issakul Lake,
Naryn, Bishkek and Kashgar conjure up the images of caravans
lost in time.
For detailed itineraries, prices and dates, please select
from one of the following cultural tours we offer to Afghanistan...
Tour
Name
Days
Afghanistan
Tours and Travels - Countries
Visited
Afghanistan
Tour
Customized
A
cultural tour of Afghanistan - For details please call 1.800.663.0844
or email: bestway@bestway.com
Afghanistan's
history as a country, spans little more than two centuries.
However, before this the country was part of many great
empires. It is in Afghanistan that Zoroastrianism began
in the 6 th century B.C. and later Buddhism spread from
India. The eastward sweep of Islam reached Afghanistan
in the 7th century and to this day Afghanistan remains
a Muslim country.
Friendly, beautiful Afghanistan was once well known as the place to stop for
unparalleled hospitality, fantastic food and great hiking. More than 20 years
of war have had their impact; however the country is now struggling on the road
to become again what it once was. Women are allowed to work again and many venture
outside without their burquas. People are able to dance to music again and many
of the fine monuments and minarets are being rebuilt. Albeit a bit risky, it
is possible to visit what many believe is among the most beautiful places on
Earth.
Welcome
to Kazakhstan Travel & Tourism page
Cultural Tours
and Travels to Kazakhstan
For detailed itineraries, prices and dates, please select
from one of the following cultural tours we offer to
Kazakhstan...
A
cultural tour of Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan & China
Kazakhstan
is the largest of the Central Asian republics with a
population of just over 16 million. The cultural traditions
that are distinctively Kazakh in orientation are grounded
in the Kazakhs' nomadic past. The culture of Kazakhstan
also reflects strong Russian and Islamic influences.
Due to settlement patterns, Russian culture is predominant
in the cities, as seen in Almaty, a city known for its
beauty, with tree-lined streets, spacious parks, and
a dramatic mountain backdrop.
Welcome
to Kyrgyzstan Travel & Tourism page
Cultural Tours
and Travels to Kyrgyzstan
For detailed itineraries, prices and dates, please select
from one of the following cultural tours we offer to Kyrgyzstan...
A
cultural tour of Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan,
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
Explore
the mountains of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan, located
at the juncture of two great Central Asian mountain
systems: the Tian Shan and the Pamirs. The Fergana Valley
in the west and the Chu Valley in the north are among
the few significant lowland areas in Kyrgyzstan. Encircled
with high mountains, Issyk-Kul Lake is amongst the largest
lakes in the world. About 134 rivers flow into the lake,
but no rivers flow out of the Issyk-Kul.
The Kyrgyz people are renowned for their hospitality
and this country is opening its arms to encourage adventure
travel. Our trips are designed to show the traditional
ways of life of these hard mountain people and we will
even get to stay in traditional yurts.
Welcome
to Russia Travel & Tourism page
Cultural Tours
and Travels to Russia - Trans Siberian Rail Journeys
For detailed itineraries, prices and dates, please select
from one of the following cultural tours we offer to Russia...
For
many years, Russia was one of the hardest countries
to visit. Today Russia is far more accessible; Moscow
and St Petersburg are mutually complementary. Moscow,
the capital, is hugely enthralling. Moscow's central
core reflects Russia's long and fascinating history
at the heart of a vast empire, whether in the relics
of the Communist years, the Kremlin with its palaces
and churches of the tsars or wooden buildings still
tucked away in backstreets.
St Petersburg has been dubbed the Venice of the North;
it is Europe at its most gracious, an attempt by the
eighteenth-century tsar Peter the Great to re-create
the best of Western European elegance in what was then
a far-flung outpost. Sculpted by islands and the sinuous
Neva River, the city is a geometric vista of orderly
elegance, with astounding architecture. This beautiful
creation managed to escape the architectural incursions
of Stalinism and its grandiose relics of tsarist days
are virtually intact for you to enjoy.
A journey on the Trans Siberian Railway is one of the
best ways to see this massive country. The route passes
through endless forests of birch and pine, log-cabin
settlements and vast steppes until you reach multicultural
Irkutsk, the most appealing city you'll pass along the
line, with its quaint wooden houses. You'll discover
Siberia's UNESCO World Heritage site of Lake Baikal
- a body of water as big as Belgium and home to the
world's only freshwater seal. Those who get into the
rhythm of the stops and starts, and the passing parade
of trees and far-flung towns, will find it an experience
never to be forgotten.
Welcome
to Tajikistan Travel & Tourism page
Cultural Tours
and Travels to Tajikistan
For detailed itineraries, prices and dates, please select
from one of the following cultural tours we offer to Tajikistan...
A
cultural tour of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, & Tajikistan
Tajikistan
is extremely mountainous and serves as a connecting
point for several of the world's highest mountain ranges.
Massive ranges of the Tian Shan mountain system occupy
northern and central Tajikistan, with smaller spurs
extending across the northwestern portion of the country
into Uzbekistan. Foothills and steppes occupy the western
third of the country.
The majority of people in Tajikistan have a rural way
of life, and many live in traditional rural villages.
Those villages situated near rivers or irrigation canals
usually contain several hundred single-family houses,
but those located on the steep mountain slopes are much
smaller.
After the civil war in 1992, sporadic fighting continued,
largely in remote areas. A comprehensive peace accord
was signed in June 1997, which finally allows you to
visit this country, albeit tourist facilities are undeveloped,
and many goods and services taken for granted in other
countries are unavailable.
Welcome
to Turkmenistan Travel & Tourism page
Cultural Tours
and Travels to Turkmenistan
For detailed itineraries, prices and dates, please select
from one of the following cultural tours we offer to Turkmenistan...
Tour
Name
Days
Turkmenistan
Tours and Travels - Countries
Visited
A
cultural tour of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, & Tajikistan
The
most curious of the Central Asian republics, Turkmenistan
is the second largest Central Asian country, with most
of it occupied by the lunar-like desert called the Karakum.
The country is sparsely populated and its people, the
Turkmen, are only a generation or two removed from being
nomads. Turkmenistan is as much a culture as a country
since the Turkmen had never formed a real nation and
allowed their cities to become predominantly populated
by other peoples. They place most esteem on a rural
life revolving around their famous, traditionally patterned
carpets, their ceremonies, hospitality and fleet Akhal-Teke
horses.
Welcome
to Uzbekistan
Travel & Tourism page
Cultural Tours
and Travels to Uzbekistan
For detailed itineraries, prices and dates, please select
from one of the following cultural tours we offer to Uzbekistan...
A
cultural tour of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, & Tajikistan
Uzbekistan,
in the ancient cradle between the Amu-Darya and Syr-Darya
rivers, is the most culturally fascinating of the Central
Asian republics. Within it are some of the oldest towns
in the world, some of the Silk Road's main centres and
most of the region's architectural splendours. Uzbekistan
occupies the heartland of Central Asia and is perhaps
the most important of the former Soviet Central Asian
republics.
Explore the ancient desrt town of Khiva, the old citadel
and mosques in fabled Bukhara and marvel at jewels of
Islamic art in legendary Samarkand, from which Tamerlane
the Magnificent annexed an empire from the Mediterranean
to Delhi. His heartland was the Oxus River Valley, the
lands of the Central Silk Route and the surrounding
Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts.
Afghanistan's
history as a country, spans little more than two centuries.
However, before this the country was part of many great
empires. It is in Afghanistan that Zoroastrianism began
in the 6 th century B.C. and later Buddhism spread from
India. The eastward sweep of Islam reached Afghanistan
in the 7th century and to this day Afghanistan remains
a Muslim country.
Kazakhstan
is the largest of the Central Asian republics with a
population of just over 16 million. The cultural traditions
that are distinctively Kazakh in orientation are grounded
in the Kazakhs' nomadic past. The culture of Kazakhstan
also reflects strong Russian and Islamic influences.
Due to settlement patterns, Russian culture is predominant
in the cities, as seen in Almaty, a city known for its
beauty, with tree-lined streets, spacious parks, and
a dramatic mountain backdrop.
Explore
the mountains of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan, located
at the juncture of two great Central Asian mountain
systems: the Tian Shan and the Pamirs. The Fergana Valley
in the west and the Chu Valley in the north are among
the few significant lowland areas in Kyrgyzstan. Encircled
with high mountains, Issyk-Kul Lake is amongst the largest
lakes in the world. About 134 rivers flow into the lake,
but no rivers flow out of the Issyk-Kul. 
For
many years, Russia was one of the hardest countries
to visit. Today Russia is far more accessible; Moscow
and St Petersburg are mutually complementary. Moscow,
the capital, is hugely enthralling. Moscow's central
core reflects Russia's long and fascinating history
at the heart of a vast empire, whether in the relics
of the Communist years, the Kremlin with its palaces
and churches of the tsars or wooden buildings still
tucked away in backstreets.
Uzbekistan,
in the ancient cradle between the Amu-Darya and Syr-Darya
rivers, is the most culturally fascinating of the Central
Asian republics. Within it are some of the oldest towns
in the world, some of the Silk Road's main centres and
most of the region's architectural splendours. Uzbekistan
occupies the heartland of Central Asia and is perhaps
the most important of the former Soviet Central Asian
republics.