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PREMIUM SMALL-GROUP COACH TOURING

Secrets of the Silk Road

SECRETS OF THE SILK ROAD
IN 'THE FIVE STANS'



24 DAYS | 21 AUGUST - 13 SEPTEMBER 2020

UZBEKISTAN – TAJIKISTAN – TURKMENISTAN
KAZAKHSTAN – KYRGYZSTAN
Think Samarkand - with its Paleolithic origins, invaded by Alexander the Great, conquered by Genghis Khan, and ruled by Tamerlane. This is just one of the many secrets to be unveiled within these five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, collectively and colloquially known as 'The Five Stans'. Located in one of the most diverse regions of the world, they're comprised of spectacular mountains and valleys, scorched deserts and seemingly endless steppes. The ancient trade routes that connected these areas were responsible for cultural, economic, intellectual and religious exchanges from the Orient to the Mediterranean and became known as 'The Silk Road' due to the predominate trade in silk from ancient China to the west and to Europe. Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo, but do it in style with a modicum of luxury, when our tour seeks out the oases, modern cities and some of the oldest towns in the world containing ancient mosques, citadels, mosaic-rich mausoleums, madrassahs and alluring bazaars, all contributing to the tapestry of the Silk Road. Every day presents an opportunity to spend time with the local people and absorb their history, their age-old traditions and their different ways of life while enjoying their towering mountain ranges, their fertile valleys, their crystal clear alpine lakes and undoubtedly, their unique cuisine!


  FULL DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY    Click Here


  EXCLUSIVE FEATURES   
  • View the ruins of what was Central Asia's largest Mosque, Bibi-Khanam, in Samarkand
  • Full day excursion to Penjikent in Tajikistan
  • Visit the ruins of the ancient caravanserai Rabati Malik near Bukhara
  • Enjoy Folklore Shows in Bukhara and Bishkek
  • Meet a local Uzbek family and taste their traditional dishes in Khiva
  • Take in all of the Central Asian UNESCO sites, e.g. 'Ancient Merv' and 'Old Nissa' in Turkmenistan
  • View & visit fabulous Mosques, Madrassahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, & Museums
  • Drive to Issyk Gorge and picnic on the shores of the turquoise Lake Issyk
  • Visit Almaty's State Historic Museum with its 'Golden Man' and model of a Saka period burial mound
  • Full day excursion to Issyk Kul Lake and the Open Air Petroglyphs below the Kungey Alatoo Mountains


  FEATURES AND INCLUSIONS   
  • A special hand-crafted itinerary with included sightseeing, scenic drives, excursions and leisure time
  • Local English-speaking Tour Managers in each region visited throughout the tour
  • Escorted from Tashkent to Bishkek by EuroVista's experienced Tour Leaders Ken Bowie and Paul Leigh
  • 23 nights in 4 & 5 star hotels especially selected for their style, comfort and location
  • Daily breakfasts (B)
  • 13 lunches including a special lunch with an Uzbek family in Khiva, picnics on the shore of Issyk Lake and in the Ala Archa National Park and one in each of our recommended local restaurants in Taskent, Penjikent (Tajikistan), Bukhara, Turkmenabat, Mary, Dashoguz, Almaty, Bishkek, Tokmok and Issyk Kul Lake (L)
  • 14 dinners including a 'cooking class' dinner with a local family in Bukhara, a farewell dinner in Bishkek with a Kyrgyz folklore show and one in each of our recommended local and hotel restaurants in Tashkent, Samarkand (2), Bukhara, Mary, Ashgabat, Khiva, Almaty (3), Issyk Kul Lake, and Bishkek (D)
  • 5 Economy Class flights during the tour to alleviate unnecessary long driving days
  • Ride the pride of Uzbekistan Railways, the 250kph Afrosiab Train, from Tashkent to Samarkand
  • Air-conditioned motor vehicles for 'on ground'transportation and sightseeing
  • All sightseeing, entrance fees and excursions as described in the itinerary are included in the price
  • A 'No Tipping'policy which takes care of hotel portage (1 piece of luggage per person), hotel and restaurant service charges and taxes plus gratuities, including gratuities for local guides and the end-of tour gratuities traditionally given to the Tour Manager and Driver.
Secrets of the Silk Road price

Secrets of the Silk Road Map


MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR TOUR
FLIGHTS
Airfares are not included in the tour price as there are many and varied options available in the market place. However, our recommended flights to and from Tashkent (from New Zealand or Australia) are with Korean Air through Seoul as their flights arrive in Tashkent in the late evening of Friday the 21st of August and depart Tashkent in the late evening of Sunday the 13th of September. If you would like us to assist with obtaining the best prices for these flights or alternative flights to suit your needs please advise Paul at EuroVista Holidays when booking your tour…


JOINING INSTRUCTIONS
On arrival at Tashkent Airport you'll be met by our representative and a private transfer from Tashkent Airport to our tour hotel is included in your tour price. Please advise us of your arrival details into Tashkent at least 30 days before your departure from your home country. Note: It's possible for this tour to be 'fully escorted' from New Zealand. If this should interest you please contact Paul at EuroVista. MOBILE: 021 936855 EMAIL: paul@eurovista.co.nz

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
  • International airfares (to and from Tashkent) and departure taxes
  • Visa costs
  • Travel Insurance (Compulsory)
  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc.
  • All other expenses not expressly mentioned in the programme


TRIP AVAILABILITY
This tour is a unique tour organised by EuroVista for 2020 and in accordance with the EuroVista 'small-group' philosophy space is limited and availability is on a 'first come - first served' basis. If you'd like to join us please ensure you book early to guarantee that you'll be coming with us!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS


DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE IN PDF
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