+44 (0) Tour Includes: 17 nights 3 and 4 star hotel accommodation. 17 breakfasts. 3 Iran Air internal flights.

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1 +44 (0) On the third part of your Silk Road journey, trace the Silk Road from Iran, through Turkmenistan and on to Uzbekistan. Alexander the Great of Macedonia, the Persian Empire, Genghis Khan and Tamerlaine all made history here and left behind a lasting legacy of culture and language. Tour Includes: 17 nights 3 and 4 star hotel accommodation. 17 breakfasts. 3 Iran Air internal flights. Accompanied by an experienced English speaking local guide. Private basis. Private chauffeur driven vehicle, normally a saloon car for one or two people. Sightseeing programme including all entrance fees. Private guided transfers to and from all airports. *Please note the prices shown are per person and based on two persons sharing a twin or double room

2 ITINERARY DAY 1: TEHRAN Arrive in Tehran and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon your guide will collect you for a city tour of Tehran, including the superb crown jewels housed in the vaults of the Bank Melli, the 18th century Golestan Palace and the Archaeological Museum or perhaps the Contemporary Art Museum. (B) DAY 2: TEHRAN - ISFAHAN Fly to Isfahan, considered to be the most beautiful city in Iran and a masterpiece of Islamic architecture dating from the 16th century. Today enjoy a walking tour of the magnificent Royal (Emam) Square, surrounded on three sides by the Imam and Shaikh Lutfallah Mosques and the Ali Qapu Palace. (B) DAY 3: ISFAHAN Continue exploring Isfahan: the Jameh or Friday Mosque with architectural elements from the Seljuk, Mongol and Safavid periods, Forty Columns Palace and the Vank Cathedral in the Armenian Quarter of Isfahan. The afternoon is left free to wander through Isfahan's huge covered bazaar. (B) DAY 4: ISFAHAN - SHIRAZ A free day to shop and explore Isfahan before taking the evening flight to Shiraz. (B) DAY 5: SHIRAZ - PERSEPOLIS - SHIRAZ Drive out to the windswept ruins of Persepolis, capital of the first Persian Empire dating from the 6th century BC. On the way back stop off at Naghshe Rostam with its rock cut tombs dating from the Sassanian period. Back in Shiraz visit the Vakil Mosque, the Eram Gardens and the tomb of Hafez. (B) DAY 6: SHIRAZ - MASHAD Today visit Narenjestan Palace and the beautiful Mausoleum of Shah Cheragh (King of the Lamp), before taking the afternoon flight to Mashad via Tehran. Mashad is located in the north-east of Iran and is considered the holiest city in Iran. It is the burial place of the 8th Imam, Reza and since his death in the 9th century AD has been a place of pilgrimmage. (B)

3 DAY 7: MASHAD Today take a unique tour of Mashad, including Imam Reza's Mosque and Shrine, and the Quranic Museum. Learn about the Shi'ite religion and the influences that have shaped modern Iran. This afternoon drive to Neishabour to see the Mausoleum of the famous poet Omar Khayyam. (B) DAY 8: MASHAD - ASHGABAT A long drive today crossing the land border into Turkmenistan. Continue your journey overland through the Koppe Dag Mountains and to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. (B) DAY 9: ASHGABAT A full day city tour of Ashgabat visiting the Arch of Neutrality, the statue of Lenin, the National Museum and the Mosque of spirituality. In the afternoon visit Nisa, the capital of the Parthians and a flourishing city in the 3rd Century BC. (B) DAY 10: ASHGABAT - MERV This morning visit the amazing Tolkuchka Bazaar (Saturday and Sunday only), famous throughout the region. Spread over a vast area, the market attracts different Turkmen tribes offering their produce: carpets, embroidery and jewellery etc. Later in the afternoon drive to Merv. (B) DAY 11: MERV - ASHGABAT Today explore the splendid archaeological site of Merv which contains the ruins of 5 ancient cities. The Seljuk Turks took control of Merv in the 11th century and made it the centre of their dominion that stretched from Afghanistan to Egypt. The main sights include Sultan Sanjar's Mausoleum and Kys Kala, an unusual windowless castle. (B) DAY 12: ASHGABAT - KONYE URGENCH - DASHOGUZ Fly to Dashoguz in the remote northern deserts of Turkmenistan and drive to Konye Urgench. Visit Central Asia's tallest minaret, measuring 62 metres in height, and the Turabeg Khanum Mausoleum, built in See the Tash Kala Caravanserai, the Ak Kala Fortress and the holy Forty Mullahs Hill. (B)

4 DAY 13: DASHOGUZ - KHIVA Drive from Dashoguz over the border into Uzbekistan to Khiva, a fascinating medieval Silk Road city which has been perfectly preserved since medieval times. (B) DAY 14: KHIVA Today enjoy a full day tour of Khiva's inner walled city or "Ichan Kala", a maze of narrow medieval streets lined with madrassahs, mosques, caravanserais and palaces. (B) DAY 15: KHIVA - TASHKENT The morning is free in Khiva to wander around the narrow streets before driving a short distance to Urgench and catching an afternoon flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan's lively capital. (B) DAY 16: TASHKENT This morning join your guide for a city tour of Tashkent. Highlights include the central square, dominated by a statue of Timur on horseback, and the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre. In the old quarter of the city visit the extensive Chorsu Bazaar and discover many of its madrassahs, mausoleums and mosques. The afternoon is free for your own exploration of the city. (B) DAY 17: TASHKENT Transfer to the airport where your tour will end. (B)

5 ACCOMMODATION ASHGABAT GRAND TURKMEN HOTEL The Grand Turkmen Hotel is a three star hotel within walking distance of the Independent Tower and National Museum of Ashgabat. The hotel features 120 comfortable guest rooms featuring air-conditioning, a mini bar and Wi-Fi access, whilst some rooms have an additional balcony overlooking the city and pool. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, with a bar serving drinks and snacks in the summer, as well as the fitness centre and sauna. In the evenings, guests can sample Turkmen and Turkish food at The Silk Road restaurant, or relax with a drink at the Bosphorus Bar. DASHOGUZ DASHOGUZ HOTEL A new hotel near the centre of Dashoguz clad in the obligatory Turkmen white marble with decadent fountains and alleys of trees within the grounds. The hotel is modern and spacious with a contemporary ornate look inside. Rooms are comfortable with the usual amenities including an en suite, telephone, hair dryer and air conditioning decorated in calming cream and coffee colours. The large restaurant and bar serves a menu intertwining national and Eastern European cuisine. When not exploring the nearby monuments and historical sights, make use of the indoor pool and fitness centre. The on-site souvenir shop is ideal for any last minute gift shopping for loved ones at home. ISFAHAN ISFAHAN TRADITIONAL HOTEL The Traditional Hotel enjoys a fantastic location deep in the historic Bazar-e Bozorg, 10 minutes from Imam Square and just a few steps from the Hakim Mosque, one of Isfahan's oldest. Accessible from a narrow lane off the bazaar, a vaulted corridor opens onto the main courtyard, surrounded by 16 rooms in a mix of styles. All rooms are spacious, well equipped and comfortable, and with traditional décor and stained glass windows that inspire old Persian glamour. The hotel is organised around two courtyards in adjoining homes from the Safavid and Qajar periods, reflecting two distinct Persian architectural styles. A stay here combines history, comfort and genuine Iranian character, with the city's most atmospheric district right outside the door. KHIVA

6 ORIENT STAR HOTEL Contained inside the 19th century Mukhamed Aminkhan Madrassah, the Orient Star enjoys a faultless location within the walls of Ichan Qala, the medieval citadel in the heart of Khiva. Only a short walk from the city's mosques, madrassas, palaces and hammams, the building used to be the biggest operational madrassah of the city and held up to 250 students. The traditional building now features sixty simply decorated but comfortable and clean en suite rooms. Once cells of the students who studied here, each room is a historical and architectural adventure. The restaurant and bar, situated in another madrasah next to the hotel, offers Uzbek meals and local wine. MARY MARY HOTEL Mary Hotel is a four star hotel located in the heart of Mary ideally situated opposite the town's bazaar. The hotel is made up of 177 spacious and well decorated rooms, each fitted with en suite bathroom facilities and an air conditioning system. The six-floor has an on-site restaurant that offers a variety of traditional dishes, two conference halls, a fitness centre, spacious swimming pool and sauna for guests to enjoy at their own leisure. Additionally, the hotel offers an onsite hairdressers and chemists. MASHAD HOMA 2 HOTEL MASHAD The Homa 2 Hotel Mashad was the first luxury hotel in Mashad built after the Islamic revolution and is located in a quiet area away from the travellers who come to the religious city of Mashad for the pilgrimage of Imam Reza holy shrine. The five star rooms all have private bathrooms, colour TV, refrigerator and air conditioning and there is an indoor swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi as well as two gourmet restaurants. TEHRAN MASHAD HOTEL The 3* Mashad Hotel is located in the centre of Tehran, Iran's capital city and a major cultural and industrial centre. The hotel is close to the city's main shopping and tourist attractions. It offers 120 well equipped air conditioned en-suite rooms and suites. All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, mini-bar, hair dryer, complementary toiletries, slippers and flat screen TV. The hotel's traditional Iranian restaurant, situated on the roof top, looks out over the Alborz mountain range and serves as a great place to enjoy afternoon tea or a fresh fruit cocktail. There is also a spa where guests can take advantage of the well equipped gym, sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi. Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd Tel +44 (0) info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website wildfrontierstravel.com