Central
Asia Tours Central Asia multi-image presentation video
Central Asia Video
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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.
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
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...
A
cultural tour of Russia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland &
Czech Republic
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 Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan & Turkmenistan
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 Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan & Kazakhstan
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
Uzbekistan
Tours
For detailed itineraries, prices and dates, please
select from one of the following Uzbekistan tours...
A
cultural tour of Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
& Kazakhstan
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.
On our Uzbekistan tours you can 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.
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
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.
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.