12 Days Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan The Silk Road Less Travelled

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1 12 Days Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan The Silk Road Less Travelled Travel date 24 Apr - 06 May 2019

2 TOUR INFORMATION INTRODUCTION The fabled and faraway lands of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan beckons on this journey along the Silk Road Less Traveled. The exotic Uzbek cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva may ring up images of timeless caravans, endless cups of steaming chai, iconic turquoise mosque domes dominating the skyline. Ashgabat? The City of Love will undoubtedly find admirers for its weird and wonderful architecture in the curious and inaccessible Turkmen republic. Retracing part of the legendary Silk Road, from the crossroads of migrations and invasions Uzbekistan with its stunning minarets, medressas, mosques and mausoleums from ancient times We invite you to join us in one of the world s most closed, inaccessible and least known countries Turkmenistan with its space age marble architecture in Ashgabat! SPECIALS Private wine tasting tour at Khovrenko Winery at Samarkand, the oldest wine factory in Central Asia Exclusive visit the Turkmen Akhal-Teke horses at local horse farm Private puppet show with puppet making tour All meals included with unlimited drinks Small group size of maximum 16 people Escorted by Scott Dunn Travel Concierge Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter included Comprehensive Travel Insurance included ITINERARY DAY BY DAY Day 1 24 Apr (Wed) Singapore / Dubai / Tashkent Day 2 25 Apr (Thu) Tashkent Day 3 26 Apr (Fri) Tashkent / Samarkand Day 4 27 Apr (Sat Samarkand Day 5 28 Apr (Sun) Samarkand / Bukhara Day 6 29 Apr (Mon) Bukhara Day 7 30 Apr (Tue) Bukhara / Khiva Day 8 01 May (Wed) Khiva Day 9 02 May (Thu) Khiva / Ashgabat Day May (Fri) Ashgabat Day May (Sat) Ashgabat / Mary / Ashgabat Day May (Sun) Ashgabat / Dubai / Singapore DEPARTURE DETAILS Land Tour Price: Twin Sharing: S$ 6,980/-; Single Supplement: S$ 1,250/- Airfare (subject to availability) Economy from S$ 1,250/- Business from S$ 6,255/- Deposit amount: $$ 2,000/ per person Registration Closing Date: 25 Jan 2019 or when tour is fully subscribed Early Bird Promotion: First 4 rooms booking will enjoy complementary upgrade from Standard Room to Luxe Room at Hotel Grand Samarkand Superior for 2 nights Combine this trip with other Epic Silk Road departures: Charms of Rustic Xinjiang (Apr 14-24, 2019)

3 DAY APR (WED) - SINGAPORE DUBAI TASHKENT 24 Apr - Singapore / Dubai EK / 0450 (8h 10m) 24 Apr - Dubai / Tashkent HY / 1700 (3h 15m) **You may want to extend your stay in Dubai to avoid this long transit, or explore other alternative with our travel specialist. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel at Tashkent for rest. Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Tashkent Meals: Dinner included DAY APR (THU) - TASHKENT This morning we will explore the capital city with visit of Earthquake Memorial, Amir Temur Square, Independence Square. Take a ride through the most beautiful stations of the Tashkent metro to Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent s famous farmer s market. In the afternoon we will visit Khast Imam Square the holy heart of Tashkent and the least Sovietized part of the city consisting of mosques, mausoleums, and other ancient architectural structures which celebrate the regions dynamic history. Continue to Museum of Applied Arts (built at the end of the 19th c. by the local craftsman), located in the former residence of Russian Diplomat Polovtsev) Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Tashkent DAY APR (FRI) - TASHKENT SAMARKAND Depart Tashkent early morning and take the High-speed train Afrosiyob to Samarkand. Train: 26 Apr - Tashkent / Samarkand 0800 / 1008 (2h 08m) Visit Registan Square (meaning sandy place ) which became an official centre of Samarkand since Tamerlane the Great s time. The Square is surrounded by the Ulugbek s madrassah ( ), the Sher-Dor madrassah ( ), and Tilla-Kori madrassah ( ); Bibi- Khanum Mosque (named in hohor of Timur s eldest and favorite wife). In the afternoon we will visit Siab bazaar, a colorful main farmers market. Continue to visit Shahi-Zinda, a visually absorbing necropolis that ranks as one of the great masterpieces of Timurid art around 11th-19th centuries (According to the legend, the ensemble was erected around the grave of Kussam, a son of Abbas and cousin of Mohammed). Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior

4 DAY APR (SAT) - SAMARKAND Start your 2nd day visit at Afrosiab museum of city foundation before heading to Observatory of Ulugbek (Ulugbek, Timur the Great s grandson, was the founder of the unique constructions of the observatory ( ). Then we will tour Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum (graves of Tamerlane and his descendants, 15c). Enjoy your private wine tasting tour with wine expert at Khovrenko Winery, the oldest wine factory in Central Asia which is over 150 years old. The winery also features a small museum and special cellars to store new collections of wines for aging. Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior DAY APR (SUN) - SAMARKAND BUKHARA Depart Samarkand in the morning and take the High-speed train Afrosiyob to Bukhara. Train: 28 Apr - Samarkand / Bukhara 0943 / (1h 34m) Visit the local covered Bazaars (trading city s cupolas - of the 15-16th centuries), namely, Toki- Sarafon (cupola of moneychangers), Toki-Telpak Furushon (cupola of the sellers of hats), Toki- Zargaron (cupola of jewelers), Abdullakhan Tim (a centre of silk sales); and Samanid s Mausoleum with traces of Sogdian culture. Meet the local suzani master Rakhmon Toshev at his house to enjoy presentation of glorious embroideries made by hand, and enjoy home cooking lunch (plov) arranged by the master s family. In the afternoon we will visit Po-i-Kalyan Ensemble, the symbol of the city. Move on to Fortress Ark (citadel), the home of the rulers of Bukhara for over a millennium Accommodation: Omar Khayyam Hotel DAY APR (MON) - BUKHARA This morning we head to Sitorai Mokhi Khosa palace (4 km from Bukhara), the residence of last emir of Bukhara. Continue the visit at Bolo-Khauz mosque, Chashma-Ayub shrine and Samanids Mausoleum, which is considered to be a masterpiece of Central Asian architecture. In the afternoon we visit the Chor Minor, a colorful madrassah with four peculiar looking towers, which was used as a library for students. Take a tea break at the Silk Road Spices Tea House where you can sample the local teas with different flavours: cardamom, anise, cinnamon, oregano and others. Accommodation: Omar Khayyam Hotel

5 DAY APR (TUE) - BUKHARA KHIVA Sit back and relax as we taking a long drive to Khiva today via Kyzylkum desert (red sands) (450 km, 7-8 hrs drive). Check in at your hotel for your 2 nights stay. Enjoy beautiful sunset from the Ak Sheikh Bobo viewing platform. Accommodation: Orient Star Hotel DAY MAY (WED) - KHIVA Spend your full day exploring fantastic Khiva. Ichan-Kala, the historic walled city, is today a UNESCO World Heritage and we spend the day here visiting the madrassah such as Muhammed Amin Khan Madrassah, the largest in the city and named after one of the city s more impressive khans, and minaret of Islam Khodja, the Tash-Khauli Palace, the Kunya-Ark fortress, with other monuments which you can just soak in the atmosphere of the medieval city. Enjoy an interesting puppet making tour at the local workshop, followed by the exclusive private puppet show in the evening. Accommodation: Orient Star Hotel DAY MAY (THU) - KHIVA ASHGABAT This morning cross the border to Turkmenistan! Drive to Kunya-Urgench, one of the most ancient cities located on the territory of Turkmenistan and the whole Central Asia. We visit Turabek Khanum mausoleum, the Kutlug- Timur Minaret, Tekesh mausoleum, Mamun Academy, Fakhreddin Razi mausoleum (II-Arslan), Tash Kala caravanserai, Najmuddin al Kubra mausoleum. 02 May - Tashauz / Ashgabat T / 2110 (50m) Upon arrival transfer to hotel for rest. Accommodation: Yyldyz Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

6 DAY MAY (FRI) - ASHGABAT This morning we visit archaeological site of Old Nissa, the capital of Parthian Empire, which existed more than 2000 years ago. followed by a tour at National Museum of History, which contains massive exhibits archaeological and ethnographical finds throughout the country. In the afternoon we drive to the local horse stable (approx. 1 hour) for a private tour to meet the special Turkmen Akhal-teke horses, one of the oldest breed of horses which is about 5,000 years, it is part of the sovereign Turkmenistan s national emblem. This is a good chance to learn about these unique horses history and their different coat, especially the distinctive metallic sheen through the riders or trainers. Accommodation: Yyldyz Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner DAY MAY (SAT) - ASHGABAT MARY ASHGABAT This morning transfer to airport for your flight to Mary. 04 May - Ashgabat / Mary T / 0655 (40m) Upon arrival, excursion to Ancient Merv (40 km east of Mary), which was once one of Central Asia s greatest cities: Erik Kala, Gaur Kala, Kyz Kala, Yigyt Kala, Shakhriyar Ark Palace, Mukhammed Ibn zade mausoleum, Yusuf Khamadani mausoleum, Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum. Return to Mary, visit Ethnographical Museum. 04 May - Mary / Ashgabat T / 1950 (40m) Accommodation: Yyldyz Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner DAY MAY (SUN) - ASHGABAT DUBAI SINGAPORE In the morning heading to famous Altyn Asyr bazaar, also known as Tolkuchka, which is best to visit on Sun. Then we will visit Park of Independence, Earthquake monument, Palace Square, Arch of Neutrality, Ertogrylgazy mosque. Be transferred to Ashgabat airport in the afternoon for your flight back home. 06 May - Ashgabat / Dubai FZ / 0600 (2h 40m) 06 May - Dubai / Singapore EK / 2055 (7h 15m) Arrive home on Day 13, 06 May (Mon). Accommodation: N/A Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

7 PRICE INFORMATION Hotels Tashkent : Hyatt Regency Tashkent (Standard Room) Samarkand : Hotel Grand Samarkand Superior (Standard Room) Bukhara : Omar Khayyam Hotel (Standard Room)room) Khiva : Orient Star Khiva (Standard Room) Ashgabat : Yyldyz Hotel (Deluxe Room) Land tour price per person Twin share Single Supplement S$6,980/- S$1,250/- * These prices are based on minimum eight persons traveling together. Airline Emirate (EK) Singapore/Dubai/Singapore Uzbekistan Airway (HY) Dubai/Tashkent Flydubai (FZ) Ashgabat/Dubai Airfare price per person Economy Class S$1,481 + S$ 97 (taxes) = S$1,578/- Business Class: S$6,158 + S$ 97 (taxes) = S$6,255/- *Airfare & Taxes are calculated as of 20 Aug 2018 and subject to change & availability. Should you wish to explore alternative flying routes, do consult our friendly consultants. COST INCLUDES Domestic airfare in economy between Tashauz/ Ashgabat and Ashgabat/Mary/Ashgabat via Turkmenistan Airlines (T5); Afrosiyob Train tickets in business between Tashkent/ Samarkand and Samarkand/Bukhara; Accommodation as stated with tourist tax; Meals as stated with 1 glass of wine/beer/juice; Tours and transfers in air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide, Entrance fees where applicable; Border tax; Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter; Comprehensive Travel Insurance; Service of Scott Dunn Travel Concierge; COST EXCLUDES International Airfare as quoted above; Visa fee for Turkmenistan; Visa fee for Uzbekistan; Personal expenses e.g. laundry, and telecommunication