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Spiekermann
Tour Itinerarys...
CENTRAL ASIA...The Borderland of
Civilization Itinerary
October 02-03 US – Istanbul
Depart the US for your flight to Istanbul. On arrival, join a city orientation
tour and late evening fly to Ashgabat.
October 04 Turkmenistan
Arrive Turkmenistan very early morning. You will be met and taken to the Hotel
Nissa or similar to rest. Head out late morning to the Tolkuchka Bazaar
(Sunday market) for native handicrafts, especially carpet. Next visit the
National Museum of History and Ethnography with its rich collection of ivory,
discovered during excavations at Old Nissa, residence of Parthian kings from
the Arshakid Dynasty. Return to the hotel for overnight. (B,L,D)
October 05 Ashgabat to Mary (Merv)
After a brief tour of the city head to the airport for the afternoon flight to
Mary or Merv as it has been known since the time of Chingiz-Khan. Nowadays a
holy site to Muslims, it already existed as a major city at the beginning of
the 2nd millennium BC during the Bronze Age. The ancient Greeks knew it as a
center of the Persian province Margiana (Iranian Khorasan). It was conquered
by Alexander the Great and continued flourishing until the Mongol conquest in
the 13th century. Upon arrival in Merv transfer to Hotel Marguch or similar
for your overnight. (B,L,D)
October 06 Mary (Merv) to Ashgabat
Spend the morning touring Merv a major center of international trade and
crafts located on the Silk Road. Merv blossomed during the Iranian Empire of
the Akhamenids and later under the Parthian, Sasanian, Arab, and Seljuk Turk
domination. Visit the museum, and the giant circular rampart of Erk Kala, the
remains of a 6th century BC fortress. Stop at the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, an
impressive building of exquisite brickwork completed in 1140 CE. Depart early
afternoon for the return trip to Ashgabat and the Hotel Nissa or similar for
your overnight. (B,L,D)
October 07 Ashgabat to Tashauz and Nukus (Uzbekistan)
Take the early flight to Tashauz and upon arrival proceed to the UNESCO World
Heritage Site of Kunya Urgench. Situated across the Amu Darya (Oxus River), it
was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kwarazma, that dates back to
around 1000 BC. Here at Urgench the Mongol hordes faced the first serious
resistance in the west led by Prince Djalaleddin who was known as “the
brilliant knight of the east. See the mausoleums from the pre Mongol period
and the later Mongol period Tomb of Tjurabeg Khanum. Also preserved from the
same period is a caravanserai with a 62m Kutlug Temir minaret and winding
brick staircase. Later, cross into Uzbekistan and drive to Nukus. Arrive Nukus
and check in to hotel Jipek Joly or similar. Dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
October 08 Nukus – Khiva
Visit the Savitskiy Museum, a collection of over 95,000 pieces including fine
arts, applied Karakalpak folk art, and ancient art from the region of Khorezm.
Drive to see the Ayaz Kala fortress complex built in the 4th and 3rd centuries
BCE. Perched high on a hill with views of the surrounding countryside, it is
an imposing site. Proceed to the ruins of Toprak Kala from the Kushan period.
Built in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, the fire temple is of particular
interest. Next stop is Kizil Kala, a frontier fortress from the Kang Kuyi
period. Depart to Khiva, check in to Asia hotel or similar. Dinner and
overnight (B,L,D)
October 09 Khiva
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Khiva is described as one of the best-
preserved cities along the Silk Road and the most homogenous agglomeration of
medieval Islamic architecture in the Islamic world. This compact, walled city
was once rather isolated and a haven for slave traders. Explore Ichan Kala, a
forest of tall minarets and domed roofs surrounded by dwellings and public
buildings reflecting rich traditions of popular oriental architecture. It is
comprised of living quarters, a mosque, the palace of the khan, the residence
of his harem, the mint, the arsenal, the stables and the jail. See also the
Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Mahmud, Shir Gazi Khan Madrasa, Islam Khodja Madrasa
and Minaret, Juma Mosque and Tash Khauli, the most beautiful architectural gem
of the city. (B,L,D)
October10 Khiva to Bukhara
Depart early morning for Bukhara via the Kizilkum (red sands) desert. Stop to
see the panoramic view over the Amy Darya (Ancient Greek Oxus River). Lunch is
a picnic style. Arrive late afternoon at the Hotel Zargaron or similar in
Bukhara. (B,L,D)
October11 Bukhara
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known as Central Asia’s most ancient living
city. Visit the Ark Citadel, home of the rulers of Bukhara for over a
millennium. Next tour the oldest commercial area of the city. Covered bazaars
were the specialized markets in the town built at the junction of caravan
routes and four major cupolas have survived. Explore the Lyabi Khauz in the
heart of the city, the Jewish Quarter and the synagogue. Return to hotel for
refreshment. Attend a folk show, traditional Ensemble in Madrasa Nadir
Devanbegi. (B,L,D)
October 12 Bukhara
Visit Ulugbek Madrasa (1417), one of three built by Timur’s grandson Ulugbek
and Abdul Aziz Khan Madrasa where archaeologists have found remains of a 5th
century Zoroastrian temple destroyed by Arabs and an earlier Buddhist temple
underneath. Continue to the “pearl of the east” the Mausoleum of the Samanid
Dynasty, rulers of Iran in the 9th and 10th centuries and the shrine of
Bakhautdin Nakshbandi, the Sufi saint. Next tour the 19th century house of
Fayzulla Khodjaev. (B,L,D)
October 13 Bukhara - Shakhrisiabz – Samarkand
Depart for Shakhrisabz (green town) birthplace of Tamerlane. Tour Ak Sarai
(white palace), Dorut Tilovat (House of Meditation), Kok Gumboz (blue dome)
Mosque, Dorus Siodat – the seat of power and might, and the family crypt of
the Timurids. Continue to the Hotel Malika or similar in Samarkand. (B,L,D)
October 14 Samarkand
Begin in Registan Square site of a 14th century bazaar and center of trade and
cultural life in medieval Samarkand to see three madrasah. Ulugbek a
monumental madrasah built by a grandson of Tamerlane was the greatest
University of Central Asia in the 15th century. Shir-Dor Madrasa and Tillya-
Kari Madrasa were built in the 17th century. Bibi Khanum Mosque, once the
biggest in Central Asia, was erected by Tamerlane after his victorious Indian
campaign in 1399. Tour to Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, a complex of 20 mausoleums,
and pilgrimage site since the 11th century. Visit Afrasiyab (old Samarkand)
where museum that displays a model of the ancient city with mural paintings
from the 7th century. Head to the hills of Khuhak and the 15th century
Ulugbek’s Observatory. (B,L,D)
October 15 Penjikent (Tajikistan)
Cross into Penjikent, Tajikistan (border crossing not always possible). Set on
a terrace in a high valley near the banks of the river Zaravshan, are the best-
preserved ruins of the Sogdian civilization, principal traders on the Silk
Road. Dating back to the 6th–4th centuries BCE, Sogdiana and Penjikent were
destroyed by the Arab invasion in the 8th century CE. View the remains of
houses, a citadel with Zoroastrian temples, and the city bazaar. Return to
Samarkand for a special farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
October 16 Samarkand to Tashkent
Drive to Tashkent arriving for lunch. Tour the History Museum housing 8,000
exhibits, archaeological finds from ancient to modern times in Central Asia.
Wander through the old city where you will see mausoleums, madrasah and the
Chorsu Bazaar. (B,L,D)
October 17 Tashkent to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
Visit the Kafal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan, Tilla Sheikh Mosque and
Archives, Friendship Square and Navoi Theatre. Head to the airport for the
flight to Bishkek. Transfer to the Silk Road Lodge or similar. (B,L,D)
October 18 Ala Archa National Park
Spend the day hiking in Ala Archa National Park an alpine gorge through which
the fast flowing Ala-Archa River runs, flanked by tall, snow-covered, peaks
with steep-sided, forested mountain slopes. A nice path gradually gaining
altitude leads to the Tepshe plateau (2400 m). Enjoy a picnic lunch A gorgeous
view to gorge-head Ala-Archa opens from the plateau and from the upper
boundary the path leads to a slope that ascends gradually, reaching rocks from
where the 10 m high Ak-Sai waterfall rushes down. Return to Bishkek for
overnight and have dinner in a local restaurant. (B,L,D)
October 19 Bishkek to Issyk-Köl
Drive to the 11th century Tower of Burana. Continue to Tamchy on Lake Issyk
Köl and visit a handicraft co-operative. Lake Issyk Köl (the hot lake in the
Turkic languages of Central Asia) is the second largest alpine lake in the
world after Lake Titicaca. At 1609 m above sea level, it never freezes and, at
the shore, warms up to 26°C in summer. Two mountain chains of the Central Tien
Shan range border the lake: Kungei-Alatau (facing the sun), and Terskei-Alatau
(turned away from the sun). Overnight and dinner in Raduga hotel on the
shore. (B,L,D)
October 20 Issyk-Köl to Karakol
Visit an open-air museum of petro glyphs in Cholpon Ata. Depart for Karakol
just southeast of the lake. Enjoy a brief tour; visit the Russian Orthodox
Church, Dungan Mosque in Chinese style. Overnight at Amir Hotel or similar.
(B,L,D)
October 21 Karakol to Bishkek
Travel along the most unspoiled and interesting part of Lake Issyk Köl to
Bishkek, arriving late afternoon. Check into the Silk Road Lodge or similar.
(B,L,D)
October 22 Bishkek to Almaty
Drive through vast poppy studded fields of the Zailiysky Steppes as you cross
the border for Almaty. On the way visit Tamgaly spot, the petroglyphs area
from bronze age and later. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Otrar or similar.
(B,L,D)
October 23 Almaty
Visit Panfilov Park and the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicolas built of
wood. Continue to the Museum of History exhibiting more than 40 different
musical instruments, reflecting the importance of music to Kazakh life (B,L,D)
October 24 Almaty-USA
Depart for the airport for the flight back home. Arriving same day to the US.
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