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Tours
By Region |
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 A
JOURNEY FROM IRAN TO CENTRAL ASIA
A cultural tour of Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan
Both the Persian and the Moghul Empires crossed beyond the political borders as we know them today and the result is the varied historical, cultural and ethnic variety of this fascinating region. Our program covers the historical and cultural centers in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in addition to the other "stans" and highlights some of the many wonders of Iran. This is novel program and one that will be remembered for a long time to come.
Day
01 Friday: Arrive Tehran (IRAN)
On arrival, we are welcomed to Tehran, the pearl of Persia.
After checking into our hotel, we enjoy a leisurely evening
and rest up, before our formal itinerary of exploring this
country rich in history and culture begins.
Overnight: Ferdowsi Hotel, Tehran (2 nights)
Day
02 Saturday: Tehran
Full day tour starts off with a visit to the Carpet Museum
which has an excellent collection of Iranian hand woven
carpets, followed by the Museum of Reza Abbasi. This museum
named after the most famous miniaturist in the Safavid
era, was opened in 1977. It exhibits artifacts dating back
to prehistoric, ancient and Islamic periods and is particularly
rich in Islamic calligraphy. Next is visit to the Crown
Jewels Museum and lastly, we visit the Archaeological Museums
with its fine collection including a stone capital of a
winged lion from Susa and a 6th century B.C. audience hall
relief of Darius the Great from the Treasury at Persepolis.
The museum has items dating back from the Sumerian Period
(4500 B.C.) to contemporary times. (B, D)
Day
03 Sunday: Tehran/Shiraz (Flight)
Morning visit the Glass and Ceramic Museum, Golestan Palace,
the Ethonological Museum and Sa'dabad Palace. Late afternoon
transfer to the airport for our flight to Shiraz, traditionally
known as the city of Roses and Nightingales.
Overnight: Persepolis Hotel, Shiraz (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 04 Monday: Shiraz
Shiraz is the capital of the Province of Fars.
Our visit today will include the Eram Garden,
the tombs of Saadi and Hafiz - two of the most
well known Persian poets, Nasirol-Molk Mosque,
Afif-Abad Garden, Narenjistan Museum and the
traditional Vakil bazaar. (B, D)
 Day
05 Tuesday: Shiraz/Esfahan (Flight)
Morning excursion to Persepolis, which in Greek
literally means the capital of Persia, lies
60 kms/37 miles north of Shiraz. Persepolis
is the last and final ultimate expression of
the ancient Middle East. Construction began
by Darius the Great (521 - 468 B.C.) as the
focus of the mighty Achemenian Empire nearly
2500 years ago. Our next stop is Naqsh-e-Rustam
- tomb of the famous Rustam. Late evening transfer
to the airport for our flight to Esfahan, another
highlight city. Legend has it that Esfahan
was founded at the time of Tahmourass or Keykavous.
During the Safavid Era (16th and 17th Century
A.D.), Esfahan was a city of Gardens and Palaces.
Overnight: Ali Qapu Hotel, Esfahan (3 nights)
(B, D)
Day 06 Wednesday: Esfahan
Full day tour of this magnificent
city includes Hasht Behesht Palace
(built in 1680 A.D. during the
rule of Suleiman II, the Armenian
Vank Church, Friday Mosque and
the famous bridges. (B, D)
Day 07 Thursday: Esfahan
Today visit includes
Imam Square (Naqsh-e-
Jahan) with its Sheikh
Lotfollah and Imam
Mosques, Aliqapu Palace,
Chehel Sutoon Palace
(40 pillars) built
by Shah Abbas as a
hall of audience and
visit what definitely
a most famous bazaar
in Iran. (B, D)
Day 08
Friday:
Isfahan/Tehran/Mashhad
(Flight)
This morning
we are
transferred
to the
airport
for our
flight
to the
holy city
of Mashhad
via Tehran.
All roads
in Mashhad
lead to
the Holy
Shrine
of Imam
Reza and
thus this
evening
our tour
starts
with a
visit to
the courtyard
of the
shrine
(open only
to Muslims),
followed
by the
pilgrim’s
bazaar.
Overnight:
Ghasr Hotel,
Mashhad
(1 night)
(B, D)
Day
09 Saturday: Mashhad/Ashgabat
(TURKMENISTAN - Drive)
Our
fascinating tour of Iran
comes to an end today as
we cross another frontier,
this time to Turkmenistan
after an interesting scenic
drive to the city of Ashgabat.
Overnight:
Nisa Hotel, Ashgabat (3 nights)
(B, D)
 Day
10 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
11 Monday: Ashgabat/Merve/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
12 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:
Hotel
Malika, Khiva
(2 nights) (B,
Snack, D)
Day
13 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
14
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
15
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
16
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
17
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
18
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
19
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
20
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
21
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
22
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
23
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
24
Sunday:
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
25
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)
Departure
Dates |
| 2010
English Speaking Departures
Sep 11 & Oct 8
& 22
2011
English Speaking Departures
Apr 08,
May 13, Jun 24,
Jul 8, Sep 9 &
Oct 7
|
Inclusions |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include |
| Accommodation
as mentioned or similar, including hotel
taxes |
International
Airfare |
| Meals
as mentioned (B=Breakfast,
Snack, D=Dinner) |
Domestic
& regional airfares (from $ 760.00) |
| All
sightseeing and transfers.
|
Border/departure/airport taxes |
| Services
of local English speaking guide |
Insurance
& Visa fees |
|
Entrance fees to museums and sites included
in the itinerary |
Drinks/Beverages
with meals |
| Necessary
visa supports |
Tips/Gratuities
to Drivers & Guides |
|
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
 Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf
Note: to read this file you must have Adobe
Acrobat. |
Departure |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Room Supplement |
| 2010/2011 |
US
$ 9560 |
US
$ 1080 |
|
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour |
| Canada
- West Coast |
N/A |
USA
- West Coast |
US
$ 1600 |
| Canada
- East Coast |
N/A |
USA
- East Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
|
Participants |
| This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum
of 10 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 toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
|
|
|
| © Copyright 1999-2010 Bestway
Tours & Safaris |
Site last updated May 27,
2010 |
| Photographs by Peter
Langer & Mahmood
Poonja |
Website © 1999-2010 Powered
by BTS |
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