| DAY
.1 |
Arrive
Tashkent |
|
Khush
Kelibsizlar - Welcome to Uzbekistan! |
| DAY
.2 |
Tashkent/Khiva |
| |
Tour
of the Uzbek capital includes Barak Khan Seminary, Kukeldash and
Abul Khassim Medressas, Uzbek Museum of Applied Arts and the many
gardens and fountains. A short flight gets us to Urgench where we
visit Khiva to see the ancient walled city. Our tour of this living
museum includes the Ichon-Qala gates, Muhammad Amin and Rakhim Khan's
Medressas, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Islom-Huja Medressa, Minaret and
a meet with local folks still living within the walled city. Return
to Urgench |
| DAY
.3 |
Urgench/Bukhara |
| |
We
experience a whole different landscape as we drive through the Kyzylkum
Desert for Bukhara. |
| DAY
.4 |
Bukhara |
| |
We
visit Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, Ark Fortress, summer residence
of former Emirs, the famous Kalyan Minaret, and Labi-hauz. This
is followed by visiting the statue of the "wise fool"
Sufi Hoja Nasruddin, Caravanserai of Nadir Divanbegi culminating
with a walk through the narrow streets of the old city, where we
enjoy a unique opportunity to meet the local folks. |
| DAY
.5 |
Bukhara/Shakhrisabz/Samarkand |
| |
We
depart for Shakhrisabz and tour the birthplace of Tamerlane including
the Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, the House of Meditation,
Crypt of Timur - the man who made so much a difference to Central
Asia. Continue to Samarkand. |
| DAY
.6 |
Samarkand/Tashkent |
| |
Rome
of the Orient" - a city which was already flourishing when
Rome and Babylon were founded. Samarkand full day tour offers the
world famous Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Mausoleum of Tamerlane,
observatory of Ulughbek, Shahi- Zinda necropolis and a stroll through
the old town where we meet Uzbeks, Tajiks, Russians, Georgians and
other Central Asian nationalities living side by side. Late afternoon
depart for Tashkent. |
| DAY
.7 |
Tashkent/Bishkek |
| |
Next
stop is Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, which during Soviet
days was known as Frunze. It is a cool, tidy city 806m above sea
level at the foot of the Tien Shan Mountains. |
| DAY
.8 |
Bishkek/Naryn |
| |
Morning
tour of Bishkek then followed by a scenic drive to Naryn, meeting
shepherds in their yurt accommodated homes. We visit their homes
and join the families for soup. |
| DAY
.9 |
Naryn/Kashgar |
| |
Crossing
"modern" fronteirs is half the fund on the Silk Road today.
We cross over to China and head for the Silk Road centre of Kashgar. |
| DAY
.10 |
Kashgar |
| |
Our
tour includes the tombs of Abakh Hoja, Yusup Hazi Hajip, Sayyid
Ali Asla Khan, the famous Id Kah Mosque and the most unique old
town with typical Uyghur styled homes. We visit the various shopping
alleys full of noodle shops, bakeries, teashops, blacksmiths and
carpenters. Time has stood still - try a local taxi, which is a
donkey cart. |
| DAY
.11 |
Sunday
Bazaar/Tashkurgan |
| |
The
famous and historical Sunday Bazaar brings over a 100,000 people
of different nationalities and ethnic groups. They come on foot,
horsebacks, bikes, modern motorcycles, and donkey carts. Early afternoon
with our bargains from the bazaar we head for Karakol, with its
excellent view of the Muztagh Ata peak on the Pamirs before reaching
Tashkurghan. |
| DAY
.12 |
Khunjerab
Pass/Hunza |
| |
Conquering
the world's highest border crossing we descend on the last living
Shangri-La at the 'Lost Horizon' valley of Hunza. This is probably
the most scenic drive one can ever take offering a panoramic view
of high mountains over the 7-8,000 meters with a beautiful green
valley and the mighty Indus River roaring southbound. We arrive
early evening at Karimabad, the capital of Hunza and have ample
opportunity to meet the locals and get to know the secrets of the
longevity of the Hunzakuts. |
| DAY
.13 |
Hunza |
| |
Our
visit starts with the Tibetan style Baltit and the 900 year old
Altit Fort. We will also visit a home of the Hunzakuts and walk
through the one street town of Karimabad. Walking through the valley
we observe their irrigation system on a very challenging and difficult
terrain. The afternoon is free to wander in the Hunza valley. Evening
optional Baltit Fort by night. |
| DAY
.14 |
Hunza/Gilgit/Chilas |
| |
Driving
on the world famous Karakorum Highway with its majestic scenery
and cultural experiences we reach the ancient Silk Road town of
Gilgit. We visit a local school, home of a Gilgiton and the typical
Silk Road bazaar before visiting the impressive rock carvings of
Lord Buddha near Kargah. We then continue for Chilas. |
| DAY
.15 |
Chilas/Swat
Valley |
| |
A
spectacular drive over the most beautiful Shangla Pass gets us to
the enchanting Swat Valley. En route we stop to meet various local
folks and picturesque sites. |
| DAY
.16 |
Swat
Valley/Peshawar |
| |
A
tour of Saidu Shariff and it's colorful twin town of Mingora with
a visit to the impressive Swat Museum which is richly stocked with
local artifacts. Later, we descend on the Malakand Pass for the
historic city of Peshawar. |
| DAY
.17 |
Peshawar
& Khyber Pass |
| |
Walking
back into history with a visit to the Khyber Pass - a silent witness
to countless invasions by the Greeks, Buddhists, Huns, Moghuls etc.
It is also reputed that the army of Alexander crossed this pass
in 327 BC. An afternoon tour of Peshawar city includes the Museum
which houses a rich treasure of art, sculpture and historical relics
dating from the Gandhara period (300 BC to 300 AD). We then visit
Yadgar Square, the beautiful Mahabat Khan Mosque and the mystical
Qissa Khawani Bazaar (storyteller's bazaar). |
| DAY
.18 |
Peshawar/Taxila/Islamabad |
| |
Driving
on the historic Grand Trunk Route we stop at Taxila, which was once
the seat of oriental culture. It is famous for the rare specimens
of stucco from the Gandhara period. The museum houses objects and
sculptures dating from the 4th century BC. to the 5th century AD.
Continue for Islamabad Airport for our departure flight and it's
Khuda Hafiz - a warm farewell from us. |
