ITINERARY - THE GREAT SILK ROAD TOUR (13-DAY/12 NIGHT)
This tour takes in the Silk Road countries of TURKEY (2 Days), TURKMENISTAN (3 Days), UZBEKISTAN (8 Days),
Day 1, Tuesday 26 April: In Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to our boutique style hotel in the old city. The morning is free to do as you please. You could just rest in your charming hotel or take a stroll to familiarize yourself with this exotic city. After lunch in a local restaurant, we go on a walking tour of the old city when we see the Hippodrome dating from the Roman times and the magnificent Blue Mosque built by the Ottoman sultans with its unequalled blue tiles and six minarets. We also visit the world famous Grand Bazaar with over 4000 shops which makes a fitting start to the Silk Road tour.
In the evening, we have dinner at the hotel when we will talk about the tour, provide useful tips and answer your questions.
Overnight in boutique style hotel in the old city. (D/L)
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Day 2, Wednesday, 27 April: In Istanbul
Today there is an optional city tour of the major sites of the old city including Hagia Sophia, one of the wonders of the Byzantine era, the VI century Underground Cistern and the Spice Bazaar. If you have already seen these, then you may wish to visit the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts* and/or the fascinating Archeological Museum* or take the tram to see the European style Dolmabahce Palace* on the shores of opulent e Bosphorus. Your tour leader will be at hand to give you tips about things to do and places to go.
In the evening, we transfer to the airport for our late night flight (TK322, 21:05) to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan.
NOTE: Visits to sights marked (*) are optional. Overnight on the plane and Nissa Hotel. (B/L)
Day 3, Thursday 28 April: In Ashgabat
On arrival in Ashgabat, we will be met by our representative at the airport and transferred to our hotel after passport and customs formalities are completed. Breakfast is at the hotel.
The name Ashgabat literally means ‘the city of love’. With many colourful weddings on the weekend, it’s little wonder that it is called that. In the morning, we go on a sightseeing tour of this sparkling city when we see Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Independence Square, Arch of Neutrality and the magnificent Carpet Museum with its rich collection of Turkmen carpets.
After lunch, we take an excursion to see Nissa Fortress dating back 2300 years, the Kipchak Mosque built by the late Turkmen president Saparmurat Niyazov and his nearby mausoleum. Our last visit is to Goktepe Mosque about 35km west of the city and the nearby ruins. In the evening, we have a traditional dinner at a local venue. With most buildings and monuments floodlit, the city looks its best at night. So, stroll through the city centre after dinner is recommended if you have the energy.
Overnight at Nissa Hotel in Ashgabat (B/L/D)
Day 4, Friday 29 April: In Ashgabat
Today we have an optional excursion to Mary to visit Ancient Merv, once one of the largest, most cosmopolitan cities of the ancient world. Rising above a lush oasis straddling the Silk Road, with legendary libraries and splendid architecture, Merv once rivalled Damascus, Baghdad and Cairo as a trading centre. Today, Merv is one of Central Asia 's most extensive archaeological sites. While at Mary, we also visit the Mausoleum of Soltan Sanjar, Great and Little Kiz Kalas (castles) and the Historical Museum.
The Mary excursion involves a morning flight to Mary, flying back to Ashgabat in the evening. For those going on the excursion, lunch and dinner are at a local restaurant in Mary.
Participants not going on the Mary excursion could go for a walk to discover this unusual city at leisure and see other sites of interest such as local markets, museums, mosques, etc. or just rest at the hotel. Lunch will be at a local restaurant and dinner is at the hotel
Overnight at Nissa Hotel in Ashgabat (B/L/D)
Day 5, Saturday 30 April: Ashgabat - Khiva
Today we take the mid-morning flight (11:00, T5-103) to Dashoguz near the Uzbek border. We then transfer to the border to cross into Uzbekistan, the ‘Gem’ on the Silk Road. Our guide and driver will be waiting for us on the Uzbek side.
NOTE: Today we travel the short distance between the two border posts on foot. As well, we may experience some unnecessary red tape and may have to wait at one or both of the border crossings. So, some sense of adventure and a little patience are virtues that will stand us in good stead during this border crossing. |
We arrive in Khiva in time for a well earned lunch and rest. In the afternoon, we go on a sightseeing tour of this 2500-year old historic city which was once one of the most important trading centres at the crossroads of the trade routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. Its former wealth is evident in the fabulous buildings, mosques, bazaars and minarets. Located within the well preserved historic heart called Ichon Qala, they include Kuhna Arc, Juma Mosque, Alloquli Khan Medressa, Tosh Hovli Palace and more. Dinner is at the hotel or a nearby local restaurant
Overnight in a 4* hotel in Khiva (B/L/D)
Day 6, Sunday 1 May: Khiva - Tashkent - Fergana
After breakfast, we transfer to Urgench for our morning flight (HY-1052, 09:20) to Tashkent, the capital and then on to the town of Fergana in the lush Fergana Valley. After lunch at a local restaurant, we go sightseeing. Our first stop is at Kokand where we visit Khudoyar-Khan Palace and Djami Mosque. We then check into our hotel and the rest of the day is free. Dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight at a comfortable 4* hotel (B/L/D)
Day 7, Monday 2 May: Fergana - Tashkent
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive a short distance to Rishtan to see pottery works and to Margilan to visit a silk making factory. After lunch at a local traditional restaurant, we drive back to Tashkent and check into our hotel. Dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight at a comfortable 4* hotel (B/L/D)
Day 8, Tuesday 3 May: In Tashkent
Even though Tashkent had a colourful history with different rulers and influences, including the Arabs, Mongols and Timurids, today’s Tashkent reflects its most recent conquerors – the Russians.
After breakfast, we go on a city tour which includes the Opera House, the Independence Square, Applied Arts Museum and an old Madrassa where we see local artisans at work. Lunch is at a local restaurant. The rest of the day is free to explore this modern city with its many parks and well planned squares. Dinner is at a special, local restaurant.
Overnight at Tashkent Palace Hotel (B/L/D)
Day 9 Wednesday 4 May: Tashkent - Samarkand
After breakfast at the hotel, we travel to Samarkand by coach or minibus (295 km). On arrival in Samarkand, we have lunch at a local restaurant and then check into our hotel. In the afternoon, we see Gur-Emir Mausoleum and Ruhabad Mausoleum. The rest of the day is free. Dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight at President Palace Hotel (B/L/D)
Day 10, Thursday 5 May: In Samarkand
No city is as evocative of the Silk Road as Samarkand. This morning we continue with our sightseeing tour of this fabled city. The sites include Registan Square, Bibihanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Shakhi-Zinda, Ulugbek’s Observatory, with lunch at a local restaurant. Any remaining time is free. Dinner is not included.
Overnight at President Palace Hotel (B/L)
Day 11, Friday 6 May: Samarkand - Bukara
After breakfast at the hotel, we travel to Bukhara by coach or minibus (268 km). We stop about half way to see a ‘Water Dome’ and the remains of an old Caravanserai. On arrival in Bukhara, we have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch and a well deserved rest, we visit some of the amazing sites of this wonderful city, including Ark Castle and Bolo-Hauz Mosque. The rest of the day is free to get acquainted with this fabled Oasis city on the Silk Road. Dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight at Minzifa boutique hotel or similar. (B/L)
Day 12, Saturday 7 May: In Bukara
After breakfast, we set out to see more of the amazing sites of this wonderful city, including Kalyan Minaret and Mosque built in 1127, Trade Domes, Lyabi-Hauz Complex, Nadir-Divanbegi Medresse. If you were to climb the 47meter high Kalyan Minaret and look around, you know that you are in the land of Omar Khayyam, Ibn Sina and Timur.
The rest of the day is free to do as you please. In the evening, we enjoy dinner with folklore show at Nadir-Divanbegi Medresse.
Overnight at Minzifa boutique hotel or similar. (B/L/D)
Day 13, Sunday 8 May: Bukhara - Tashkent
Today is free in Bukhara. You can further explore this fascinating city at leisure. You can see more sites including Chashmai-Ayub Mausoleum and Ismail Samani Mausoleum. Alternatively you can relax in the serene surroundings of Lyabi-Hauz.
We get together again in the evening for our final dinner in this enchanting oasis city.
Well, all good things come to an end. So, we say farewell to this wonderful city and take the evening flight (HY-1338, 20:50) to Tashkent to connect with our flight (TK1371, 03:00) to Istanbul or to other onward destinations. Anyone with flights the next day will be transferred to the hotel (Tashkent Palace). Accommodation on a B & B basis for this night is extra. (B/D)
TOUR DETAILS
Great Silk Road tour 2011
(This tour starts and finishes in Istanbul, Turkey)
Tour Dates: |
Tuesday 26 April to Sunday 8 May 2011 |
Tour duration: |
13 days / 12 nights |
Tour price: |
$3,150 for group of 15 -20 per person twin share. Single Supp: $450 |
Group Size |
Minimum:8, Maximum: 20 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The tour price includes:
- Arrival and departure transfers in Istanbul.
- All transportation from the time of arrival in Ashgabat to before departure in Tashkent, including domestic flights and all airport transfers.
- Accommodation in centrally located, boutique style or four-star hotels.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
- Modern air-conditioned minibus or coach with spare seats.
- All entrance fees, tips to hotels, restaurants, and other charges
- Services of Turkish born Australian tour leader who is with the group 24/7.
- Services of English speaking professional tour guide.
- Visa support services
- Drinking water on the coach
- The price for Mary Optional Excursion includes domestic return flight from/to Ashgabat, transfers, entry fees to all sights listed, lunch and dinner.
The tour price does NOT include:
- All international airfares (including Istanbul/Ashgabat and Tashkent/Istanbul) and domestic airfares in Australia
- Departure taxes, levies and other charges
- Passport and visa fees
- Items of a personal nature such as drinks, minibar, phone calls, etc.
- Beverages at meal times
IMPORTANT NOTES
- The tour details including the itinerary, tour date and price may change without notice.
- Participants may join this tour in Ashgabat on Day 3, in which case the tour price will be reduced by $350.
- ‘Add-On’ flights are available between Istanbul & Ashgabat and between Tashkent & Istanbul at reduced rates, if flying to and from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Please contact us for details.
- You should note that there are only limited flights into/out of Central Asian countries. These flights are often late at night or early in the morning.
- Both Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan require visas from Australian passport holders. We will obtain these visas from their respective diplomatic missions in Turkey. Those who are not doing the Turkey leg of the tour should obtain their visas from a diplomatic mission in a third country. Please contact us for details and assistance regarding visas.
- This tour may be combined with our 17-Day Grand Sultan tour, which immediately follows the Great Silk Road tour. Where two or more tours are combined, there will be a discount of 5% on the lower priced tour (or tours).
- This itinerary is current as at 20/08/2010.