| 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. |
