ROUTE OF THE CARAVANS
A cultural tour of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan

Central Asia, the land of the “stans”, may also be referred to as the “Land of the Caravans”. The Caravan routes affected history and cultures greatly as they opened the lines of communication and trade between previously isolated societies; cultures influenced, and were influenced, resulting in rich diversity and significant cultural growth. Route of the Caravans is a four country tour of a region that is famous not only for the many branches of the silk route that ply within, but also as the birthplace of great builders of empires such as the Moghuls and Tamerland. Route of the Caravans is an exciting 17-day journey back in time.

Day 02 Sunday: Ashgabat
Full day sightseeing tour of the capital city of Turkmenistan – we shall visit the Talkuchka Sunday Bazaar, also known as the Turkmen’s Carpet Bazaar then the famous archaeological site of Nisa, which served as the winter capital of the Parthian rulers. Next visit is the National Museum of History & Ethnography. There is a rich collection from the Neolithic sites along the slopes of Kopet Dag mountain ranges. The Bronze age period is highlighted by finds from Murghab river and from the sites of Margiana. The highlight of the museum is the remarkable collection of ivory rythons from Nisa. A vase collected from the main stupa structure in Merve is believed have contained body relics of an important Buddhist monk. The other galleries are dedicated to the ethnic collection from famous Turkmen jewelry to costumes of various Turkmen tribes. There is also a big collection of the bridal decorations for the horses. Our next stop is the city mosque and the Presidential Square. (B, D)

Day 03 Monday: Ashgabat/Merv/Asghabat
Travel to one of the ancient archaeological sites of Merve by taking flights in/out of Mary town. We shall have a detailed visit of Merve by visiting Gaiyur Kala, Erk Kala and Sultan Kala. We shall also see the impressive mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar one of the powerful Khorezmian ruler. The archaeological site of Merve often mentioned as Margiana by classical writers is a rich city, which was part of the Achaemenian empire in 6th century BC, the city was invaded by the Macedonians under Alexander the Great and passed through successive rulers till it was invaded by the Arabs in 8th century AD serving as part of a springboard for their invasion of Central Asia. In the Islamic era it was known as the ‘Mother of the cities’, which flourished as an important town on the Great Silk Road running to Parthia. It was invaded by the Mongols in 13th century who depopulated the city by mercilessly killing more than a million souls. The archaeological museum of Mary is situated in the town and was selected to house the finds from the archaeological sites. There is a fairly large collection of Bronze age sites of Gonur Tepe and the artifacts found are comparable with the Sialk and Baluch sites of the same age. There is also ethnic section dedicated to the local tribes. (B, Snack, D)

Day 04 Tuesday: Ashgabat/Tashauz/Khiva (UZBEKISTAN - Flight and drive)
Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Tashauz. Meet & drive to Khiva via Kunya Urgench, this was the capital of once powerful Khorezmia, which was flourished under the Achaemenid rule in 6th century BC. Then was wrested away from the last of the Persian rulers the Sasanids by the invading armies of the Arabs. Later powerful Turkic tribes who were converted to Islam took reins of the Kingdom and under whose rule the city flourished when great scholars of the Muslim attended the court of Khorezmshahs. A powerful and merciless invasion of the Mongolid hordes put an end to the ruling dynasty.
Overnight: Malika Hotel, Khiva (2 nights) (B, Snack, D)

Day 05 Wednesday: Khiva
Today we explore the World Heritage Site at Khiva, a city where time has stood still. Our visit starts with the main site of Ichan 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 the feeling, we climb the Khodja Minaret to take in the amazing fairy tale panorama. (B, D)

Day 06 Thursday: Khiva/Bukhara (Drive)
Our drive to Bukhara is through the arid setting of the Kyzyl Kum Desert. Along the way we stop for some refreshments and see how humans have survived over the centuries in this barren landscape. Prior to arrival in Bukhara, a visit will be made to Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the Summer Residence of the former Emirs of Bukhara.
Overnight: Hotel Zargaron Hotel, Bukhara (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 07 Friday: 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 complements the beautiful brick-work; 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 that houses an interesting collection of objects from those days and the Mausoleum of Ismail Samanid, which features some of the best 10th century brickwork, with a marked Persian influence. (B, D)

Day 08 Saturday: Bukhara/Gijduvan/Samarkand (Drive)
This morning we start off with our visit to a local family ceramic factory in Gijduvan then continue onto visit the World Heritage Site of Shakhrisabz, home town of Tamerlane. This historic centre contains a collection of exceptional monuments and ancient quarters, which bear witness to centuries worth of history, and particularly to the period of its climax in the 15th century under the empire of Tamerlane.
Overnight: Hotel Samarkand Plaza, Samarkand (4 nights) (B, D)

Day 09 Sunday: 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. We start our day with visit to the Urgut Market, which is known in this region. Next stop is the Afrosiab Museum, located on the site of ancient Afrosiab and the Historical Museum of Uzbek Culture & Art, with the wooden coffin of Tamerlane and a large copy of the Koran. We culminate the day with a visit to the Ulugbek’s Obervatory & Gur Emir, the mausoleum of Tamerlane. (B, D)

Day 10 Monday: Samarkand
We save the best for last. Our tour today takes us to the major monuments and includes the Registan Mosque and the adjoining madrassas, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, the Shakhi-Zinda compound. (B, D)

Day 11 Tuesday: : Samarkand/Penjikent/Samarkand
Today we make an attempt at crossing into TAJIKISTAN. The border crossing is subject to rules that keep on changing, one of the notorious features of daily life in Central Asia. Our objective is to the see the site of the ancient city of Sogdiana at Penjikent. Should the border crossing not be possible then we return to Samarkand for a free day. (B, D)

Day 12 Wednesday: Samarkand/Tashkent (Drive)
Early morning depart for Tashkent. Upon arrival check in at the hotel then head out immediately to visit the old part of the city, the Kafelsashi Mausoleum, the Barak Khana, the Tila Shaikh Mosque and Archives, Kukeldesh Madrassah, the History Museum of Uzbekistan and the Navoi Theatre. The evening is free, with an opportunity to see a local opera or ballet (optional).
Overnight: Hotel Dedeman, Tashkent (1 night) (B, D)

Day 13 Thursday: Tashkent/Bishkek, KYRGYZSTAN/Issyk-Kul (Flight and Drive)
We arrive at Bishkek after a short flight from Tashkent. Once clearing through Customs & Immigration, you will be met at the exit gate for a transfer to Issyk-Kul with en-route visit at Burana Tower Archaeological Museum, which is situated on the site of a caravan town dating to the 10th Century AD. We arrive Issyk-Kul in the evening. The enchanting Issyk-Kul Lake is surrounded by high mountains, with 134 rivers flowing into the lake, with traditional yurts dotting the landscape, this truly is a picturesque landscape.
Overnight: Royal Beach Hotel, Issyk-Kul (2 nights) (B, Snack, D)

Day 14 Friday: Issyk-Kul
This morning we head out first to visit the petroglyphs. The petroglyphs represent a most important source of studies on history, tangible and intangible heritage of the ancient and medieval Kyrgyzstan and dated back to the period between II millennium B.C. and VIII century A.D. Continue on to Karakol city to visit the Preshevalsky Museum, dedicated to the memory of Nikolai Michailovich Preshevalsky, an enthusiastic explorer accredited for his excellent works on flora and fauna of the Issyk-Kul region. He was also known for breeding a tiny horse in the steppes of Tibet, which later came to be known as the Preshevalsky Horse. Before returning back to the hotel, stops will also be made at a Russian Orthodox Church & Dungan Mosque. (B, D)

Day 15 Saturday: Issikul/Bishkek (Drive)
Drive back to Bishkek. Check in at the hotel then head out to visit the History Museum famous for its collection of Bolshevik Revolution artifacts. Next stop is Frunze’s Jouse, named after the Soviet General Michael Fruze, who won Central Asia for the Blosheviks in the Civil War. Last stop will be made at the Osh Bazaar.
Overnight: Silk Road Lodge, Bishkek (1 night) (B, D)

Day 16 : Bishkek/Almaty, KAZAKHSTAN (Drive)
Head out early this morning, driving through the heart of the Zailiysky Steppes, with beautiful sceneries we head off to another stan. This time it is Kazakhstan, one of the largest countries in the world. Check in at the hotel then immediately set out to visit
the Zhenkov’s Cathedral, an extraordinary Russian Orthodox Church built of wood. We then take a walk through beautiful Panfilov Park. Later we visit the History Museum.
Overnight: Hotel Otrar, Almaty (1 night) (B, Snack, D)

Day 17 Monday: Depart Almaty
Our tour comes to an end today as we bid farewell to the last of the Central Asian Republics. After following many branches of the silk trader’s routes, it is our time to bid farewell with “Sau Bolinizder”, as you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

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Departure Dates
2010 English Speaking Departures Apr 17, May 22, Jun 05, Jul 10, Aug 07, Sep 25 & Oct 09
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes International Airfare Meal Plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast, Snack, D=Dinner) Domestic & regional airfares (from $ 480.00) All sightseeing and transfers Insurance & Visa fees Services of local English speaking guide Drinks/Beverages with meals Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary Tips/Gratuities to Drivers & Guides Necessary visa supports
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2010 US $ 4880 US $ 585
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast US $ 2400 Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast US $ 2000
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 15 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us 800.663.0844.