+44 (0)20 8741 7390 Stretching from the Caspian Sea to the borders of western China, the Stans of Central Asia encompass a vast expanse of land, cultures and history. Lying at the crossroads of an intricate web of trading routes, this region has witnessed the movement of goods, people and ideas between Europe and Asia for centuries. This incredible journey takes you from Turkmenistan and across the Asian steppes to the mountains of Kazakhstan, passing through the homelands of the Uzbeks, the Tajiks and the Kyrgyz along the way. You ll follow part of the old Silk Road, taking in the ancient ruins of Merv and the almost legendary cities of Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent as you cross the Kyzylkum Desert towards Termez. Passing through some of Central Asia s most beautiful landscapes, you ll gaze upon some of the world s highest peaks and spend time amongst the Fan Mountains and the fertile Ferghana Valley, before ending your adventure in Almaty, Kazakhstan s most important city. HIGHLIGHTS: Explore the archaeological sites of Turkmenistan Admire Tamerlane s architectural achievements Visit the fertile Fergana Valley Walk in the beautiful Fan Mountains The former capital of Almaty TOUR INCLUDES: 1 internal flight 24 nights three and four star hotels, traditional hotels and guesthouses
24 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners Private guided sightseeing Private driver and vehicle Sightseeing programme including all entrance fees Private guided transfers to and from all airports Guide's and driver's expenses First class train tickets *Please note the prices shown are per person and based on two persons sharing a twin or double room
ITINERARY DAY 1: ASHGABAT Arrive in Ashgabat and transfer to your hotel. DAY 2: ASHGABAT This morning discover the Turkmen capital with your guide. Visit the amazing Tolkuchka Bazaar, the National Museum and the Arch of Neutrality. In the afternoon travel to Nisa, the ruined Parthian capital, that dates back to the 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD. (B) DAY 3: ASHGABAT - ANAU - MARY Today drive to Mary, the nearest town to the historical site of Merv. On the way you will stop to visit the archaeological excavations at Anau, a Bronze Age settlement. (B) DAY 4: MERV Located at the crossroads of various trade routes and civilizations, Merv came under Persian, Greek, Sassanian and Moslem rule and from the 11th century was the capital of the Seljuk Turks. On your guided tour see the History Museum, Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum and Kys Kala, an unusual windowless castle, nicknamed "The House of Maidens Tears." (B)
DAY 5: MARY - BUKHARA (UZBEKISTAN) Drive through the desert and cross the border into Uzbekistan before continuing to Bukhara. (B) DAY 6: BUKHARA Surrounded by the vast expanses of the KyzylKum desert, Bukhara still retains the atmosphere of an ancient Silk Road city. With your guide see the Ark Citadel and the Zindan prison, the Ismael Samani Mausoleum and the magnificent Kalyan Minaret, from the top of which used to be thrown the town's criminals. (B) DAY 7: BUKHARA - GIJDUVAN - SAMARKAND Today continue along the Golden Road to Samarkand. Stop off to see the minaret at Vabkent and continue to Gijduvan and visit the Ulug Beg Madrassah, the tomb of KhojaGijduvani and also see traditional pottery workshops. (B) DAY 8: SAMARKAND With a history dating back 2700 years, Samarkand became famous as the capital of the vast state created by Tamerlane and later ruled by his grandson Ulugbek in the 14th-15th centuries. Enjoy a full day tour of Samarkand including Registan Square. (B) DAY 9: SAMARKAND Today is left free for your own exploration of the city. (B)
DAY 10: SAMARKAND - TERMEZ Today you will drive to this southern city sitting close to the border with Afghanistan. A late afternoon orientation will take you around both the Islamic and Buddhist architectural highlights. (B) DAY 11: TERMEZ - DUSHANBE Continue on to Tajikistan. Crossing over the border you will then drive to the capital city of Dushanbe. (B) DAY 12: DUSHANBE In Dushanbe visit the Museum of Archaeology which holds the largest Buddha now in Central Asia, also visit the blue-domed mosque and madrassa complex of MawlanaYakubiCharki, still a popular pilgrimage site. In the afternoon visit Hisor Fort, a 19th century Bukharan stronghold. (B) DAY 13: DUSHANBE - ISKANDAR KOL Some of Central Asia's most beautiful countryside and the world's highest peaks can be found in Tajikistan and the scenery is totally unspoilt. Leaving Dushanbe cross the Anzob Pass (3372m) before arriving at Lake IskandarKol (Alexander's Lake). Enjoy a walk by the lake to the spectacular waterfall. (B,L,D) DAY 14: ISKANDER KOL - ISTARAFSHAN - KHOJAND Today drive north over high passes and through gorges before reaching Istarfshan and visiting the old city famous for its wood cutting and handicrafts and home to some impressive mosques. Continue on to Khojand, Tajikistan's second city. (B)
DAY 15: KHOJAND - KANIBADAM - FERGHANA (UZBEKISTAN) See the remains of Khojand's citadel built in the early Middle Ages and the largest statue of Lenin in Central Asia. Leaving Khojand drive north into Uzbekistan and on to the town of Ferghana. (B) DAY 16: FERGHANA Spend a day exploring the Ferghana Valley. Visit Margilan and birthplace of Babur who founded the Moghul dynasty in India. (B) DAY 17: FERGHANA - TASHKENT This morning drive to the capital, Tashkent via Kokand which was the capital of the notorious Kokand Khanate in the 18th and 19th centuries and a significant Silk Road city. (B) DAY 18: TASHKENT Spend the day in Tashkent, visit the bazaar, the old city and the museum of applied arts as well as visiting the large bazaars. (B) DAY 19: TASHKENT - BISHKEK (KYRGYZSTAN) Take an early morning flight to Bishkek, later on the day enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Bishkek and later on take a stroll around Bishkek's Osh Bazaar. (B)
DAY 20: BISHKEK - SON KUL Leaving Bishkek drive to Son Kul, via the Burana Tower and the petroglyphs said to date from between 500 BC to 100 AD. Stay in a yurt camp by the lake surrounded by mountains. (B,L,D) DAY 21: SON KUL Spend the day walking or riding by the lake. (B,L,D) DAY 22: SON KUL - BISHKEK In the morning drive from Son Kul back to Ala Archa Canyon, part of the Ala Archa National Park. Take a walk up into the mountains for amazing views over the park. Afterwards return to Bishkek. (B) DAY 23: BISHKEK - ALMATY (KAZAKHSTAN) Leaving Kyrgyzstan drive to Almaty, Kazakhstan's most important city. In the afternoon take a sightseeing tour of Almaty visiting the Central State Museum of Kazakh history, Panfilov Park, the Museum of Musical Instruments and Zenkov Russian Cathedral. (B) DAY 24: ALMATY A full day excursion into the spectacular mountains around Almaty. Travel to Big Almaty Lake which is like a shining mirror, surrounded on all sides by magnificent peaks, changing colour depending on the season, from pale green to turquoise blue. (B)
DAY 25: ALMATY Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
ACCOMMODATION ALMATY HOTEL KAZAKHSTAN The three star hotel Kazakhstan is located in the heart of Almaty. The hotel's position enables you to access the cultural points of interest, and is a short walk to the Koktyube cable car. Most rooms have picturesque views of the Zailiski Alatay Mountains. There are 364 comfortably furnished rooms and Korean and a Japanese cuisine is offered in two restaurants. ASHGABAT GRAND TURKMEN HOTEL The Grand Turkmen Hotel - the hotel features 120 comfortable guest rooms, an outdoor pool with pool bar serving drinks and snacks in the summer and a fitness centre. The Independent Tower is within walking distance and several museums and bazaars are nearby. Guests can also enjoy Turkmen and Turkish food at the Silk Road restaurant, or relax with a drink at the Bosphorus Bar. BISHKEK ASIA MOUNTAINS GUESTHOUSE This centrally located guesthouse has been built in the style of a Swiss chalet with 12 comfortable en suite bedrooms, a large breakfast and dining room and spacious communal areas. Just off a leafy boulevard in bustling Bishkek, the peaceful garden provides an ideal spot for resting after a busy day exploring. The welcoming reception area is open 24 hours a day and all rooms have cable TV, internet access, telephones, writing desks, air conditioning and fridges, and the hotel has a small swimming pool, bar, sauna and a restaurant serving a choice of delicious breakfasts. BUKHARA
MINZIFA HOTEL The Minzifa is a small stylish guesthouse located in the old town. Built in traditional Uzbek style around a central courtyard, this friendly, charming hotel features the most refined Bukharan workmanship with wooden pillars and niches. All 12 rooms are individually decorated and have modern private bathrooms, airconditioning, satellite TV and hairdryer. The hotel offers personal service and a delicious breakfast is served each morning. A recommended choice when staying in Bukhara. DUSHANBE SERENA HOTEL Located on Rudaki Avenue in the centre of Dushanbe, the 5* Serena Hotel is one of the best hotels in Dushanbe, combining traditionally Tajik decor with modern comfort. It lies within walking distance of a lot of Dushanbe's main attractions and is close by to shops and cafes. The 85 rooms are well furnished and have modern amenities; guests also have access to the gym, pool and a well-equipped spa. Although there are restaurants nearby the Serena guests are well taken care of with a choice of dining options including a roof top restaurant, buffet restaurant, 2 lounge bars, a patisserie and a tea shop. FERGHANA ASIA FERGHANA HOTEL Ideally located downtown, just 10 minutes from the airport and close to the city's administrative offices, this 3 star property offers guests 57 air conditioned rooms and suites that come complete with private bathrooms and satellite TVs. The hotel also provides the facilities of a swimming pool and sauna, along with an open air restaurant that serves a range of local and European dishes. 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 spaciois and well decorated rooms, each fitted with ensuite bathroom facilities and air conditioning system. The six-floor hotel has an onsite 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 and the hotel also offers an onsite hairdressers and chemists. SAMARKAND MALIKA PRIME HOTEL The Malika Prime Hotel enjoys one of the best locations in Samarkand, just by the Gur Emir Mausoleum and within walking distance of Registan Square. Built in traditional style, this charming hotel is an ideal place to stay in Samarkand. The marble entrance and stairs lead up to a huge terrace which serves as a summer restaurant and bar where you can enjoy a drink and magnificent views of the blue domes of Samarkand. There is also an air-conditioned restaurant downstairs. The 22 en suite rooms are quite small but spotlessly clean, with wooden floors and all feature satellite TV, telephone and airconditioning. Altogether a recommended choice in Samarkand. SON KUL LAKE SON KUL LAKE YURT CAMP This authentic yurt camp provides the ultimate adventure experience, sleeping in traditional nomadic tents in the remote countryside of Kyrgyzstan. All of the five comfortable yurts have floors covered with traditional wool carpets, you will sleep on a mattress made up as a bed with bed linen, blankets and pillows. Nearby is a larger yurt designed in national style which is used for dining where guests sit on small pillows and eat from low tables and where you can sample hearty local cooking. TASHKENT
LOTTE CITY HOTEL The Lotte City Hotel is ideally located in the heart of Tashkent, opposite the famous Alisher Navoi Opera House. The hotel is one of the original hotels in Tashkent and was built in 1958. Completely renovated in 2013 it now offers 232 well-appointed rooms with views of the courtyard or the Opera House. This four star establishment has a main restaurant serving traditional Uzbek and international cuisine, a piano bar, as well as a second restaurant located on the roof of the hotel with great views of the city. Hotel guests may also enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, sauna, spa, and fitness club. TERMEZ MERIDIAN HOTEL TERMEZ Built in 2005, the Meridian Hotel is located about 1 km from the center of the ancient city of Termez and the central bazaar. This four star hotel features 50 modern and confortable rooms, fully equipped with satellite TV, air conditioning, minibar and telephone. There are two restaurants serving international and local cuisine and a rooftop bar. Recreational options include a modern fitness centre, sauna, indoor pool and massage service. Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd Tel +44 (0)20 8741 7390 Fax +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website wildfrontierstravel.com