DAYS 1 – 3

Arriving on Day 2, your exciting Central Asian journey begins as you are welcomed at Bishkek Airport and transferred to your hotel. On Day 3 take an excursion to Burana and visit the ruins of an old caravan town dating back to the 11th century A.D. You will see Burana Tower with its beautiful brick design, the Turkic tombstones and the Historical Museum nearby. Also visit the weekly Sunday animal bazaar.

Hyatt Regency, Bishkek

DAY 4

Through enchanting scenery travel northwards, cross the border to Kazakhstan and proceed to Almaty. The former capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty holds the status as the most important commercial city in this, the largest republic in Central Asia.

Almaty Otrar Hotel, Almaty

DAY 5

Enjoy a morning tour of Almaty starting with the History Museum. Later visit Zhenkov’s Cathedral, the Kazakh Museum of Musical Instruments and the beautiful Panfilov Park. Then take a short flight to Shymkent, a typical Kazak town located near the Uzbekistan border. After a drive through Shymkent cross to the border for a tour of Tashkent before enjoying an Uzbek dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel Inter-Continental, Tashkent

DAYS 6 & 7

Your morning tour of Tashkent includes a visit to the old part of the city, the Kafelsashi Mausoleum, the Barak Khana, the Tila Shaikh Mosque and Archives, the Kukeldesh, the History Museum of Uzbekistan and the Navoi Theatre. Then you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ferghana where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Visit Marghilan and the Yodgorlik silk factory — the only factory in Central Asia where original handmade methods of silk production are still used.

Hotel Asia, Ferghana

DAYS 8 – 10

the historic town of samarkand is a crossroad and melting pot of the world’s cultures and has recently been declared a unesCo World heritage site. on Day 9 visit the urgut Market, a popular saturday bazaar, the afrosiab Museum, and the historical Museum of uzbek Culture & art. on Day 10 visit Penjikent, an ancient settlement whose medieval citadel is surrounded by buildings which display remarkable wall paintings. this evening return to samarkand for your overnight stay.

Hotel Samarkand Plaza or Registan Plaza, Samarkand

DAYS 11 & 12

Visit the World heritage site of shakhrisabz, hometown of tamerlane. one of the richest of uzbek cultural centers, Bukhara is an open-air museum with many old mosques and madrasas dominated by a grand minaret. spend the day visiting some of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the world. In the evening, enjoy a presentation of Bukharian dances.

Hotel Zargaron Plaza, Bukhara

DAYS 13 – 15

explore the town of Ichan Kala, a unesCo World heritage site located within the city of Khiva, and a place where time has stood still. take an excursion to nukus, an important town during the heyday of the soviet empire. stop at the Krakalpakstan Museum, famous for its unique collection of Russian avant-garde period paintings that survived the stalin-era purges.

Hotel Asia Khiva, Khiva

DAYS 16 – 19

Visit Kunya Urgench, the capital of the once powerful Khorezmia, which flourished under Achaemenid rule in 6th century B.C. then explore the Tolkuchka Bazaar, a famous Sunday market in Ashgabat. at Nissa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit the State Museum of History and see its rich collection of artifacts. On Day 18 travel to the ancient archaeological site of Merve. During the Islamic era it was known as the “mother of all cities,” and flourished as an important town along the silk Road running to Parthia. On Day 19 you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home or on to your next destination.

Hotel President, Ashgabat

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

Hyatt Regency Bishkek
Bishkek, Kyrgystan

Hyatt Regency Bishkek is located in the centre of Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. The hotel is in the foothills of the Tien-Shan Mountains, along the ancient trading route of the Great Silk Road. The hotel is conveniently situated in Bishkek's business and government district and the central cultural area of Bishkek, and only a 35-minute drive from the airport. Hyatt Regency Bishkek is the only 5 star hotel in Kyrgyzstan.

Hotel Otrar
Almaty, Kazakhstan

The hotel is located in the very center of Almaty, opposite the wonderful Central Park, shopping area and government offices. It is a 5-minute walk from “Akbota” Park which contains an amusement Park & City Zoo,20 minutes to International airport and 5 minutes to railway terminal. Our rooms offer a breathtaking view of The Zailiski Alatau Mountains and a bird-eye view of the Museum of Musical Instruments & The Gold Domed City Church. The hotel has 163 comfortable rooms ready to accommodate up to 200 people. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioners, en-suite bathrooms, IDD telephones, satellite TV, refrigerators and mini-bars, hair dryer.

InterContinental Hotel Tashkent
Tashkent, Kazakhstan

A GEM IN A CLASS BY ITSELF! InterContinental Tashkent sparkles like a gem amid the capital city’s modern office buildings, remarkable museums, lively bazaars and historic theatres. Near the hotel are must-see sites including the Hast-Imam Mosque, the TV Tower, the Navoi State Opera-Ballet Theatre and the Chorsu Bazaar. The chandelier-lit subway provides comfortable transportation.

Hotel Asia Ferghana
Ferghana, Uzbekistan

Located next to the city mayor's office, Hotel Asia Ferghana offers 57 rooms with air conditioning, telephone, and minibar. Private bathrooms with bathtub are stocked with shampoo, soap, tooth paste, and tooth brush. Guest can enjoy open swimming pool during hot summer days, sauna, and massage. Local and European meals are served at open air and indoor restaurant.

Hotel Samarkand Plaza
Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Luxuriously designed rooms and suites, that come together with combination of many services aimed at making your stay enjoyable. Rest in quite and comfortably furnished rooms.

Hotel Zargaron Plaza
Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Hotel Zargaron Plaza is a modern comfortable hotel class 4-star, located 800 meters from the architectural complex Lyabi-House. Hotel Zargaron Plaza offers moderate prices, convenient and practical rooms, exclusive and excellent conditions for service, meet all the requirements in terms of good rest for guests.

Hotel Asia Khiva
Khiva, Uzbekistan

Hotel "Asia Khiva" is located just outside the Ichan Qala complex, and provides comfortable accommodation in western style. It consists of two buildings, one built in 2004, and the other in 2007, which offer an additional 43 double rooms, with shower and bath, and 16 single rooms, with shower only. Rooms are all equipped with AC, Satellite TV, and direct dial phone.

Jan Wheatley

To date, Jan has led journeys to over 100 countries, including one of the first groups to China after President Nixon’s historic visit. His enthusiasm for travel is contagious. He has spent more than half of his life sharing the world with avid travelers.

Travel Dates: September 28, 2012