SILK ROAD SAFARI. China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan August 4 29, 2017

Transcription

1 SILK ROAD SAFARI China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan August 4 29, 2017 Personalised, escorted and catered tour to one of the most exotic destinations in the world! Travel in the footsteps of Genghis Khan, Marco Polo and Alexander the Great! Spend 26 spectacular days exploring the ancient and exotic Great Silk Road from Xi an, China to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with a national tour leader & local Englishspeaking guides.quality transport, meals, accommodation & activities included. What an Adventure! This is a unique opportunity to join one of the world s most exciting and mysterious adventures & discover the secrets of the legendary Great Silk Road! In the safe hands of your professional & experienced local guides, you ll travel over 5000 kms through China, Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan following the ancient trade route used to transport silk, spices, livestock, produce, culture, customs, religion and language from west to east and back again for hundreds of years. You ll enjoy delicious traditional food; travel in coaches, trains, mini-buses - even the occasional camel & rickshaw, stay in quality 4-5 star hotels (twin/share basis) & a nomadic yurt. You ll visit mosques, markets, museums & national parks; enjoy a bevy of cultural activities; meet local people & learn about the fascinating history of Central Asia. Airport transfers, internal flights, visas, ground transport, most meals, entries to attractions, a national escort, local English-speaking guides and Pre- Departure Kit are included in the package. (please note that international air fares are not included). What to Bring Pack comfortable, casual clothes for a variety of weather conditions & activities, plus one or two smart outfits for special occasions. Ladies should dress conservatively with respect for local customs & traditions. A detailed list of suggested items will be included in your Pre-Departure Kit. Soft bags with wheels are preferable weighing 20 kgs or less bring only what you can carry yourself along with a day/overnight pack. Please have a current passport valid for at least six months containing several blank pages. Note that Australian citizens require visas for China (please obtain before departing Australia) and Uzbekistan (which will provided by your tour operators). Check with your doctor as to which inoculations you ll need. This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Minimum numbers are required for the tour to proceed & maximum group size will be strictly limited.

2 ITINERARY Day 1, Friday, August 4: Arrive in Xian. Please book your flights to arrive in Xian, China, by 5:00 p.m. You will be welcomed at the airport & transferred to your hotel by your tour guides, Dilmurad & Anvar. Evening free to relax & catch up on some sleep so that you re bright-eyed & bushy tailed to begin your adventure the next day! Activities: Pick up at the airport, transfer to hotel Hotel: 5-star Wydham Grand Xian South or similar (no meals included) Day 2, Saturday, August 5: Xian There will be a welcome briefing by your tour guides over breakfast before commencing a full-day touring Xian & surrounds. Briefing by your tour guides tonight & every subsequent night at 6 p.m. Activities: Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Terra Cotta Warriors Reproduction Factory, Terra Cotta Warriors, Dumpling Dinner with Tang Dynasty Music & Dance. Hotel: 5-star Wydham Grand Xian South or similar (B, L,D). Day 3, Sunday, August 6: Xian/Dunhuang by Flight Continue sightseeing in morning, fly to Dunhuang in afternoon. Activities: City Wall (with bike riding), Bell & Drum Tower Square, Great Mosque, Muslim Bazaar, Silk Road Statues, fly to Dunhuang & check into our hotel. Hotel: 4-star Jinye Hotel or similar (B, L, D) Day 4, Monday, August 7: Dunhuang We tour historic Dunhuang & surrounds & enjoy an exotic dinner in the desert. Activities: Magao Caves, Singing Sand Dunes, Crescent Moon Lake, Camel Riding, Desert Dinner. Hotel: 4-star Jinye Hotel or similar (B, L, D) Day 5, Tuesday, August 8: Drive from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan We drive to Jiayuguan in the morning & visit Jiayuguan Great Wall (Jiayuguan Fortress), Activities: Drive to Jiayuguan, visit Jiayuguan Great Wall (Jiayuguan Fortress), Hotel: 4-star Holiday Plaza Hotel Jiayuguan or similar (B, L, D) Day 6, Wednesday, August 9: Jiayuguan/Turpan by Bullet Train We continue sightseeing in the morning then take the bullet train to Turpan that afternoon. Activities: The Hanging Great Wall, Wei & Jin Dynasty Tomb, Afternoon Bullet Train to Turpan. Hotel: 5-star Tuha Hotel or similar (B, L, D) Day 7, Thursday, August 10: Turpan. Full-day of sightseeing. Dinner with local family. Ancient City, Astana Tomb, Flaming Mountain, Karez Irrigation System, Emin Minaret, dinner with Uyghur Family. Hotel: 5-star Tuha Hotel or similar (B, L, D) Day 8, Friday, August 11: Turpan FREE DAY to explore city or relax at the hotel. Lunch & dinner at own expense. Activities: Free and easy in Turpan. Hotel: 5-star Tuha Hotel or similar (B) Day 9, Saturday, August 12: Turpan/Kashgar by Flight. We drive to Urumqi in the morning, visit the town s highlights & have lunch, then fly to Kashgar. Activities: Drive to Urumqi, fly to Kashgar in the afternoon, Idkah Mosque & Abahojia Tomb. Hotel: 5-star Yuexing Jinjiang International Hotel Kashgar or similar (B, L, D) 2

3 Day 10, Sunday, August 13: Kashgar. A fascinating day touring the ancient city & the famous livestock bazaar. Activities: The old city of Kashgar, Great Bazaar, Local Handicraft Street, reconstructed city. Hotel: 5-star Yuexing Jinjiang International Hotel Kashgar or similar (B, L, D) Day 11, Monday, August 14 - Kashgar/Turgart We drive through scenic Turgart Pass & cross into Kyrgyzstan. We continue on to Tash Rabat, check into our yurts & go exploring. Activities: drive to border, explore Tash Rabat & surrounds,visit ancient caravanserai, stay in yurts. Accommodation: Dinner & overnight in yurts (B, L, D) Day 12: Tuesday, August 15 - Tash Rabat/Issyk Kul Lake Drive over Dolon Pass (altitude of 3030m) & visit local attractions en-route. Dilmurad leaves us here & will rejoin us in Tashkent for our Farewell Dinner. Activities: Drive to Issy Kul Lake via Dolon Pass, Kochkor village to visit local women s cooperative handicraft museum & shop), lunch with local family. Hotel: Karven Hotel, Cholpon Ata, Issyk Kul Lake or similar (B, L, D) Day 13 Wednesday, August 16 Issyk Kul Lake - FREE DAY Activities: Free day to enjoy the beautiful lake. Lunch & dinner at own expense. Hotel: Karven Hotel, Cholpon Ata, Issyk Kul Lake or similar (B) Day 14: Thursday, August 17 - Cholpon Ata/ Jety Oguz Gorge / Karakol We drive to Jety Oguz Gorge for a picnic lunch, a guided walk & a day in the great outdoors. Activities: drive to Gorge, guided walks, picnic, visit to Karakol, dinner with local Uyghur family. Hotel: Karven Hotel, Cholpon Ata, Issyk Kul Lake or similar (B, L, D) Day 15: Friday, August 18 - Karakol Bishkek A busy morning of sightseeing & activities before driving to Bishkek. Activities: Przhevalskii museum, Golden Eagle Hunting demonstration, drive to Bishkek. Hotel: Jannat Hotel or similar (B, L, D) Day 16: Saturday, August 19 - Ala Archa National Park & City Tour Another day with nature at Ala Archa National Park (40 km from Bishkek). Activities: guided walking tour through picturesque gorge with mountain stream, Kazakh-style BBQ lunch, special dinner with traditional Folklore Show. Hotel: Jannat Hotel or similar (B, L, D) Day 17: Sunday, August 20 - Bishkek/Tashkent A full-day of sightseeing, fly to Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, late afternoon. Activities: Osh Bazaar, State History Museum, Ala Too Square, Lenin Statue, Parliament House, Manas Monument & White House (includes light lunch), fly to Tashkent p.m. Hotel: Tashkent International Hotel or similar. (B, L, D) 3

4 Day 18: Monday, August 21 Tashkent A full day of sightseeing in the cosmopolitan city of Tashkent. Activities: guided driving/walking tour to Khast-Imam Complex, Quran of Caliph Uthman-Ottoman, Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tillya-Sheykh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi, Islamic Institute of Imam al-bukhari & Applied Arts Museum. Hotel: Tashkent International Hotel or similar. (B, L, D) Day 19: Tuesday, August 22 Tashkent - Samarkand We catch the morning high-speed train to Samarkand then visit the local attractions. Activities: high speed Afrosiab train to Samarkand, guided tour of Imam al Bukhari Mausoleum, Gur Emir Mausoleum, Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque & local oriental bazaar. Hotel: Hotel Emir Han or similar (B, L, D) Day 20: Wednesday, August 23 Samarkand A full-day of fascinating sightseeing. Activities: tour of Shahi-Zinda complex, Ulug Beg Observatory, Mausoleum of Khodja Doniyor (Prophet Daniel), Khovrenko Samarkand winery museum, Samarkand by Night coach tour. Hotel: Hotel Emir Han or similar (B, L, D) Day 21: Thursday, August 24 Samarkand FREE DAY Free day in Samarkand for walking, relaxing or shopping at the bazaars. Activities: Explore independently. Lunch & dinner at own expense. Hotel: Hotel Emir Han or similar (B) Day 22: Friday, August 25: Samarkand/Bukhara We drive to Bukhara (280km) & go sightseeing. Activities: Drive to Bukhara, tour summer palace of Bukahrian Emir. Hotel: Devon Begi Hotel or similar. (B, L, D) Day 23: Saturday, August 26 Bukhara A full day of sightseeing. Activities: guided tour of Ark fortress, Bolo-Hauz ensemble, Khanaka and madrassah of Nadir Divan-Beghi, Lyabi-Hauz ensemble, Madrassah of Abdulaziz-khan, Miri-Arab Madrassah, Poi- Kalyan ensemble, trading domes of Bukhara & Ulugbek Madrassah. Hotel: Devon Begi Hotel or similar. (B, L, D) Day 24: Sunday, August 27 Bukhara We spend the morning sight-seeing with free time this afternoon & a special show this evening. Activities: Visit Bakhouddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum & Chor-Bakr Necropolis, free time in afternoon, traditional folklore show in Nodir Devon Begi Madrasah. Hotel: Devon Begi Hotel or similar. (B, L, D) Day 25 Monday, August 28 - Bukhara Tashkent We fly to Tashkent & check into our hotel. Remainder of day free to relax, pack or enjoy hotel facilities (spa, pool etc). Lunch at own expense. Special Farewell Dinner that night don t miss it! (B,D) Hotel: International Hotel or similar (B, D) Day 26: Tuesday, August 29 Tashkent After breakfast at the hotel, we check out & are transferred to the airport for flights home or other destinations. This is the official end of the tour. * * * 4

5 PRICE: Single supplement: TIP KITTY: USD$6760 per person (twin/share) USD$1350 Please note that a tip kitty contribution of USD$200 per person will be due with your final payment. Your tour guides will distribute tips to service providers en-route as they deem appropriate. NOTES: - Based on two persons sharing a twin room with single beds (double bed MAY be available if requested in advance). - Hotels are subject to change - Accommodation in yurt camp may be divided by male/female in large yurts. - There is no single supplement charge if we can find you a buddy. - Prices are subject to change if local costs are subsequently affected by government taxes, exchange rate difference, increase in fuel prices and/or any other influence beyond our control. - Please note that the tour can only proceed with a minimum of 10 participants. Maximum is 20 plus guides & tour leaders. INCLUSIONS: - Meet & greet service at Xi an airport & other airport transfers as specified in the itinerary. - Accommodation on twin share basis in hotels indicated (or those of a similar standard) - Meals (with one soft drink) as specified in the itinerary - All transportation, daily tours & entrance fees to scenic attractions (not camera or video fees) as per itinerary. - Professional services of two national tour escorts from Uzbekistan and English-speaking local guides in each destination - Single entry visa for Uzbekistan for Australian passport holders (will be obtained on arrival at Tashkent airport) - Economy class internal flights in China including taxes. - Economy class flight from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. - Second class bullet train ticket from Dunhuang to Turpan and Tashkent to Samarkand. - 1 x litre still water per day per person. Price does not include: - International airfares and taxes to Xian and from Tashkent. - Personal expenditure such as all alcohol drinks, laundry service & souvenirs. - Camera & video charges at monuments/forts etc, if any. - Visa for China - Meals & services not mentioned. - Travel insurance (please note this is compulsory). - Tips (refer to information above re Tip Kitty). 5

6 SILK ROAD SAFARI BOOKING & DEPOSIT FORM Each participant to complete a separate form please! Name (as shown in passport) :.. Address: Phone:.. Mobile:. address:... Date/Place of Birth:.. Nationality:. Passport Number:.. Date of Issue: Expiry:. Please note that the price of this tour is quoted in US Dollars. A non-refundable deposit of USD$1,500 per person (or AUD equivalent) is required to secure your booking. If you wish to pay by credit card (Visa/MasterCard) please complete the following note that 3% credit card fees apply. We will be in touch again soon with a receipt & more information. Type of card:... Number:... Expiry date:... Name on card:...code on reverse :.. Amount: USD$/AUD$:. Terms & Conditions The Silk Road Safari is being operated and conducted by Miramax Travel Management of Uzbekistan (MTM) hereafter called The Operators. under local laws, conditions and regulations. Global Gypsies Pty Ltd of Western Australia (GG) is assisting with tour development, marketing & customer inquiries. Clients to arrange own flights to/from China & should arrive in Xi an by 5:00 p.m. on Day 1, Friday, August 4, MTM/GG reserve the right to cancel the tour if there are insufficient participants (minimum 10/maximum 20). Deposits are non-refundable (unless the tour is cancelled by the operators in which case all moneys will be refunded in full). All cancellations by clients are subject to an administration fee from days prior to departure. A cancellation fee of 50% of total tour cost will apply within 90 days of departure. No refunds will be made if cancelled within 89 days of departure. No refund will be given in the event clients fail to join the tour or leave it early. In addition to the tour fee, the Operators will collect a Tip Kitty of USD$200 per person in advance which will be distributed en-route by the Tour Guides as deemed appropriate. Whilst all care is taken, MTM/GG accept no liability for loss or damage to baggage, sickness or injury or additional expenses caused by factors beyond their control. Clients are advised that in some countries there is no free health service and that local vehicle insurance is of limited value. Travel insurance is compulsory and must cover most circumstances of cancellation as well as luggage loss, medical cover & evacuation. The client accepts that this tour is of an adventurous nature and involves an element of personal risk, and that neither MTM or GG nor their agents can be held liable for any injury, damage to property or loss of life caused. The client accepts responsibility for all risks involved. Most visitors require visas for China & Uzbekistan (cost of Uzbeki visas for Australian travellers are included in the tour price). Visas for Kyrgyzstan can be obtained at the border. It is the client s responsibility to ensure that they are in possession of valid travel documents including passports, visas, health certificates etc. MTM/ GG cannot accept any liability for incorrect documentation. Itinerary is subject to alteration without notice and is intended as a guide only. Alterations may occur due to road conditions, flooding, mechanical defect, political events or other reasons. Any additional expenses incurred by passengers are not MTM/GG s responsibility. The operators and/or their agents and employees are unable to guarantee exact arrival and departure times, and will not be liable for failure to make connections with any other services. In event of breakdown or other unforeseen circumstances, MTM/GG reserve the right to substitute different vehicles & personnel. Properties used may change, however the same or similar standard is guaranteed. Accommodation is on a twin-share basis with single beds (double beds MAY be available if requested in advance). There is no single supplement charge if we can arrange a buddy. The client agrees to comply with the laws and regulations of all the countries visited and to comply with all reasonable instructions of the Tour Leaders/Guides relating to the safety and organisation of the tour. This agreement between client and Miramax Travel Management is made subject to and shall be interpreted and construed in an Uzbeki court of law. Any legal conflict with GG shall be resolved in the jurisdiction of Western Australia. Please keep luggage packed in soft/pliable bags with wheels - maximum 20 kg per person. ALL prices are based on 2016 costs and are subject to change if subsequently affected by increased government taxes, exchange rate differences, increases in jet fuel or car fuel prices and/or any other influence beyond the control of the operators. I have read and understand the above tour conditions and agree to abide by them. I acknowledge that there are risks associated with this tour and accept that these risks are my own responsibility. Signature... Date:.... PLEASE POST OR TO: GLOBAL GYPSIES PTY LTD, P.O. Box 123, Scarborough, WA, Ph: admin@globalgypsies.com.au web: 6