Tour MTAC 25. “Itinerary of Great Silk Road” - UZBEKISTAN – TURKMENISTAN – KIRGHIZSTAN – CHINA
22 days /20 nights Route: UZBEKISTAN: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva – TURKMENISTAN: Dashoguz-Kunya-Urgench -Ashgabat Mary-Merv -Turkmenabat - UZBEKISTAN: Bukhara – Nurata – Aydarkul – Samarkand – Tashkent – KIRGHIZSTAN: Bishkek- Kotchkor – Son Koul lake – Tash Rabat – CHINA: Kashgar - Urumchi - Xian - Beijing– international flight
Duration : 22 days /20 nights
Transport: aircraft, train and vehicle
Season: from April to November
Accommodation: Hotels 2-3-4 **/guest house/yurt Tour description: The routes of the Silk Road are multiple grand deserts, oases millennia, snow-capped peaks, collars, corridors mark the tracks of commerce and knowledge. One of the most beautiful is that which connected the Middle Kingdom to Persia by crossing the Xinjiang and Sogdiana. In the footsteps of the old caravan, this circuit takes the vital artery that links the centuries East to West Road of desire, of all dreams and all the conquerors, from Alexander to the Great Tamerlane . Material goods, but also know-how, ways of life, thought and worship will enrich a constellation of mythical oasis as Kashgar and Fergana Valley. This is where the emperors of China were bringing their best horses. As for builders, they competed in the Timurid Empire, to cover any religious building of sumptuous embroidery ceramic. Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand in particular evidence of this splendor. Travel except in the heart of the steppes of Central Asia impregnated with a profound humanity. PROGRAM Day 1: Iinternational flight - Tashkent Day 2: Tashkent
You arrive in Tashkent morning. Welcome to Uzbekistan! You will be met by Marakanda Travel. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Rest after a long flight. Lunch in the city. Afternoon city tour with local guide: Old part of the city: the architectural complex "Khazret-Imam" City tour: Barak-Khan Madrasah (16th c.), The Kaffal-Shashi mausoleum (15th c.), Kukeldash Madrasah (16th c.), the Juma mosque (9th c.), Chorsu gigantesque oriental bazaar on the right of the square Chorsu, Museum of Applied Art, Independence Square. O/n in hotel. Day 3: Tashkent—Urgench - Khiva.
Breakfast at hotel restaurant. Transfer to airport at 05:45 AM for morning flight to Urgench on flight HY at 07:00. 08:40 arrival in Urgench. Drive to Khiva (35 km).Accommodation at hotel. SS of Khiva: Juma mosque (XVI c) roof lies on 212 wooden columns with unique acoustics, original technical ideas , Kunya ark (XVII c) fortress with administrative buildings, gunpowder works, law courts, mosque , Pakhlavan Makhmud mausoleum(XIV–XIX c) most remarkable architecture memorial in Khiva with tiles. Islam Khodja minaret and madrasah (XVII c) 45m is highest building in Khiva with observation area . Kalta Minor & Madrasah Allakulikhan, Nurulla Bai Palace 1906-1912 the fortified courtyard of Isfandiyar Khan’s residence. Lunch at national house. Evening walking in Ichan Kala. O/n in hotel. Day 4: Khiva — Dashoguz-Kunya-Urgench-Dashoguz- Ashgabat
Transfer to the Turkmen border. Meet at the border. Formalities. Drive to Kunya Urgench historical site (Formerly situated on the Amu-Darya River, Old Urgench was one of the greatest cities on the Silk Road. Its foundation date is uncertain, but the extant ruins of the ‘Kyrk mullah’ fortress have been dated the Achaemenid period. The XII and early XIII centuries were the golden age of the city, as it surpassed in population and fame all other Central Asian cities, barring Bukhara. In 1221, Genghis Khan razed it to the ground in one of the bloodiest massacres in human history. The city was revived after Genghis's assault, but the sudden change of Amu-Darya's course to the north and the town's destruction again in the 1370s, this time by Tamerlane, forced the inhabitants to leave the site forever). Since 2005, the ruins of Old Urgench have been protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Sight seeing. Return drive to Dashoguz & flight to Ashgabat . Arrive & Check in htl. O/N. Day 5: Ashgabat
Breakfast. Sight seeing in Ashgabat, visiting the Independence park, Ertogrul Ghazi mosque. Visit the National museum of Turkmenistan (history, ethnography, nature of the country.) & archeological site “Nisa” UNESCO site from 2007 (Nisa is situated at the crossroads of important commercial and strategic axes. The archaeological remains vividly illustrate the significant interaction of cultural influences from central Asia and from the Mediterranean world. The Parthian Empire was one of the most powerful and influential civilizations of the ancient world, and a brilliant rival of Rome which prevented the expansion of the Roman Empire to the east. Nisa, the capital of the Parthian Empire, is the outstanding symbol of the significance of this imperial power). Discover Turkmenbashy spiritual mosque. Return in Ashgabat. O/n in hotel. Day 6: Ashgabat- Mary-Merv, 410 km
Breakfast. Flight to Mary (at 06:40 a.m or 10:00 a.m). Visit the Merv historical site. The ancient city of Merv (Persian Marv) contains a succession of ancient cities developed over a period of 2500 years at the heart of the oasis formed by Murgab river delta, and close to the course of where the main river channel flowed in ancient times. Together, the cities of Merv once encompassed over 1000 hectares. In 1999, the United Nations declared Merv a World Heritage Site. Site seeing (Alexandria and Antiochia of Margiana, Sultan Kala, Sultan Ahmad Sanjar mausoleum, Usuf Hamadany shrine, Mohammed ibn Zaid mausoleum, Gyz Kala castles). After lunch drive to Talkhatan Baba pilgrimage place, visit XI century mausoleum and Ahun Baba madrasa remains. Dinner. O/n in hotel. Day 7: Mary-Turkmenabat - Bukhara
Breakfast. Route to Turkmenabat 240 km. Transfer to the Uzbek border. Border formalities. End of Turkmen part. You arrive in Bukhara. Arrival late this afternoon in Sacred Bukhara - one of the most esteemed cities of Islamic civilization. Hotel accommodation. Free time. Walking tour to the Jewish Quarter. O/n in hotel. Day 8: Bukhara
Breakfast. SS of Bukhara: Poikalon (XII—XVI c) architectural ensemble of “Masjidi Kalon”, “Miri Arab” madrasah & a minaret (46 m). Ulugbek Madrassah 1417 was the earliest of three commissioned by the enlightened Timutid ruler. Abdul Aziz Khan Madrassah (1652). Trading Domes including Togi Zargaron, Togi Telpak furushon and T0gi Saraffon Afghan trades. Tim Abdullakhan 1577 and one of the most elegant trade halls. Faizallah Khodjaev House (Merchant house) (XIX c) — House of a Bukhara merchant 150 years old. Magoki Attori mosque, Labi-Hauz (XVI—XVII c) — a complex with Nodir — Devon Begi madrasa. Lunch at local restaurant ARK Fortress (VI — XIX c) — in middle ages it was a whole town with the emirs house, with wives, mosques mint place, government institutes, store rooms, a prison and a square for public executions, Bolo Khous Ensemble, Samanid mausoleum (IXc) 1st brick building shaped as cube covered by dome with unrepeatable geometrical brickwork design. Chashma Ayub Mausoleum. O/n in hotel. Day 9: Bukhara – Nurata – Aydarkul (220km)
After breakfast drive to Nurata (170 km). In Guijduvan (45 km) visit famous ceramist workshop of Abdullo. Visit rock engravings on road to Nurata. Visit ancient Nurata city on the route fortress of Alexander the Great. In the small town, on border of Nurata mountains and desert, tourists will be interested to visit “Chashma” sacred source, the place of pilgrimage, in which more than thousand sacred fishes float, ruins of ancient fortress. Here you can see ancient “kyariz” irrigation system, delivering underground waters to the valley from Nurata ridge till now. Lunch at national house in Nurata .Continue drive to Aydarkul (50km). Camel riding and dinner with folk songs of Kazak Akin around the fire in the open air. Overnight in yurts yurts with all the necessary equipment: showers, kitchen etc. Day 10: Aydarkul - Samarkand (250km)
After breakfast drive to Aydarkul lake. Experience of sandy landscapes, flora and fauna of the Kyzil-kum desert. Samarkand On road it is possible to see real local villages, cotton and grapes fields. Accommodation in the hotel.After lunch in a local restaurant, you have a half-day tour of Samarkand visiting the famous Registan square, the mausoleum of Tamerlane - Guri Amir. O/n in hotel. Day 11: Samarkand - Tashkent (310 km)
Tour of Samarkand and observe complex-necropolis Shakhi-Zinda, Bibi Khanum Mosque and the local colorful bazaar. Sightseeing to famous Ulugbek Observatory, Afrosiab museum and the site of ancient settlement Afrosiyab. Transfer to the railway station at 16.30 AM. Arrival in Tashkent at 20h40 PM. O/n in hotel. Day 12: Tashkent – Bishkek
Free time in Tashkent. Evening flight for Bishkek, Arrival in Kyrgyz Capital, meeting and pick up from the airport to hotel for check-in. Dinner in restaurant. O/n in hotel. Day 13: Bishkek - Kochkor
Bishkek city tour: Ala Too square, Kourmanjan Datka square, Osh bazaar. After lunch transfer to the Burana Tower for a short excursion then to Kochkor, a Kyrgyz village where we will visit a felt work-shop. Here local women will explain us the production of traditional carpet and other details which decorate the traditional Kyrgyz habitation – the yurt. Dinner and overnight in Kyrgyz family. Day 14: Kotchkor – Son Koul lake
Morning drive to Son Koul lake, situated in mountain desert 60 km long and 30 km width between the mountain ridges Son Kul and Moldo Too at 3016 m above sea level. In the summer season the local nomads are encamped at the shore of the lake with their cattle. Here you may acquaint yourself with a way of life of nomads. Dinner and overnight in yourt camp. Day 15: Son Koul lake – Tash Rabat
Transfer to Tash Rabat complex situated towards the Chinese border. Originally constructed in 10th century as Nestorian cloister, later in 14th century it served as a Caravan Saray for travelers along the Great Silk Road. Dinner and overnight in yourt camp. Day 16: Tash Rabat – Kashgar
Early in the morning transfer to Chinese border . Crossing the border and meeting with our chinese team at Torugart pass (3752 m ). Descent to the large valley, lunch en route, on the way to Kashgar we pass a lot of small villages. Instalation in Hotel, built on the site of the old Russian Embassy, and is of historic significance. Dinner at local restaurant. O/n in hotel. Day 17: Kashgar
This day is devoted to sightseeing. We discover an Uighur cemetery, Aid Kash mosque and the Mausoleum of Khoja Abakh. After lunch we will visit the ancient city of Gaotai and the market for craft products. Dinner in Uighur family. O/n in hotel. Day 18: Kashgar – Urumchi - Xian
Flight for Uroumtchi then for Xian. Meeting and pick up from the airport to hotel for check-in. Dinner at a local restaurant. O/n in hotel. Day 19: Xian
Today we visit one of the most important discovery of the 20th century - the Buried Terracotta Army, with its 6000 solders. After lunch we discover the Great Wild Goose Pagoda and the Stele Forest. Then make a visit to the Muslim Quarter. Night train to Beijing. Overnight in train. Day 20: Beijing
Our guide will pick you up from the station directly to Chinese capital where you will visit the Forbidden City and the magnificent Temple of Heaven, a place of worship, emperors came here to pray to heaven for good harvest. O/n in hotel. Day 21: Beijing
This morning we discover one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Mutianyu, a section of the Great Wall of China located in Huairou County 70 km northeast of Beijing and certainly we walk through the old neighborhoods in the heart of the Hutong. O/n in hotel. Day 22: Beijing – international flight
Today we continue our discovery of Beijing with the visit of Summer Palace - Imperial residence with his second long gallery decorated with sculptures and paintings bordering Kunming Lake. Transfer to the airport of Beijing, international flight. End of our services NOTE: The tour program can be changed according to the schedule of flights and other questions of tour organization Package tour rate: High season tour cost in USD per person: | Base | 2 | 3-4 | 5 | 6-9 | 10-14 +1 FOC* | Supplement SGL | | Option A* | | | | | | | | Option B** | | | | | | |
*1 pax free of charge in double room for trip leader: The tour rate for middle season: - 5%
The tour rate for low season: - 15%
The rate is valid for 2011 The rate is valid for 2011 The price of the tour includes: • Accommodation based on double room sharing at the hotels 3*, 4*/guest houses (breakfasts included), Yurt camp in desert guest full board lunch and dinner.
• Transportation for the whole period of the tour on comfortable air-conditioned transportation, including all airport, railway station transfers
• Train Samarkand - Tashkent
• Train Xian - Beijing
• Half board lunches or dinners per day
• English speaking guide for the whole period of the tour.
• Sightseeing tours in all cities
• Entrance tickets to the museums, mausoleums and other sights
• Visa support for Uzbekistan
• Letter of invitation, entry travel pass, registration for Turkmenistan The cost doesn’t include: • Half board lunches or dinners per day
• International flight
• Domestic flight Tashkent – Urgench
• Domestic flight Dashoguz-Ashgabat, Ashgabat -Mary
• International flight Tashkent – Bishkek
• Domestic Flights: Kashgar – Urumchi – Xian
• Additional services in the hotels
• Video/Camera fees of museums, monuments
• Luggage in excess of 20 +5 kg
• Insurance
• Additional room payment Single (without Yurt camp accommodation)
• Porter charges at airports and hotels
• Visa consular fees, migration tax at border, airport departure tax
• Airport taxes Accommodation | Hotels | Number of nights / City | | Uzbekistan | | Tashkent Palace 4* or equal | 2 / Tashkent | | Malika Khiva 3* or or equal | 1 / Khiva | | Yurt camp | 1 / Aydarkul | | Minzifa Boutique Hotel or equal | 2 / Bukhara | | Azia Samarkand 4* or equal | 1 / Samarkand | | Turkmenistan | | AkAlti 4* or equal | 2/ Ashgabat | | Margush 3* or Yrsgal 3* | 1/ Mary | | Kyrgyzstan | | Asia Mountains 3* | 1 / Bishkek | | Guest House | 1 / Kochkor | | Yurt camp | 1 / Son Koul | | Yurt camp | 1 / Tash Rabat | | China | | Seman Hotel 3* or equal | 2 / Kashgar | | Melody Hotel 3* or equal | 1 / Xian | | Train Xian - Beijing | 1 | | Dongjiaominxiang Hotel 3* or equal | 2/ Beijing |
Cancellation fees: • Cancellation prior 30 days – no charges apply
• Cancellation prior 15 days – 50% charge of the tour price
• Cancellation prior 7 days – 100% charge of the tour price Payment: The cost of the tour can be paid via bank transfer or using other options which can be discussed through communication with us. Recommended additional options for an extra fee in Uzbekistan: Khiva:
- Khorezmian folklore concert US$ 5 p/person;
Bukhara:
- Wine tasting in the charming Caravansarai Nughai (US$ 8 p/person);
- Dinner in Madarihon Medressa with violin concert (US$ 15 p/person);
- Nodir Divan Begim Medressa with folklore show&diner (US$ 18 p/person);
- Puppet show (US$ 8 p/person);
Samarkand:
- An unforgettable performance in The Theatre of Historical Costume El Merosi (we need to check in advance if this performance is available on the date of your visit) (US$ 15 p/person for groups only or upon concert availability on a certain date);
- Famous Silk carpet and Silk Paper factory (visit free);
- Light Show in Reghistan square US$ 5 p/person
- Small Silk Processing factory Aiesha (visit free);
- Concert of Russian romances in Ortodox church US$ 10 p/person
Tashkent:
- A visit to the famous Alisher Navoi Opera & Ballet Theatre (US$ 5 p/person);
- Special farewell dinner at the exclusive restaurant, “The Caravan.”
- 1 hour tour of the "Tashkent Metro" - one of the most beautiful in the world |
