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DAY 1: ARRIVE TASHKENT "Khush Kelibsizlar" means welcome to Uzbekistan. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for overnight. Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan. Although the ancient monuments of other Uzbek cities are far more famous, Tashkent exhibits a wide array of architectural styles - Persian, Russian, and Islamic. Though people have been living here, where the western tip of the Tien Shan pans out into the Kizyl-Kum desert, for more than two thousand years - there is not much evidence of this history. An earthquake in 1966 razed nearly half the city; a plethora of typical Soviet modern architecture was built to replace the earlier, more atmospheric buildings. The city has a fine museum of Antiques and Jewelry, housed in the palace of Grand Prince Nikolai. With a present population of some 2.3 million, this city has long been a crossroads for numerous Asian and European travelers, and is the fourth largest city in the former Soviet Union. DAY 2: TASHKENT - SAMARKAND 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. In the afternoon we depart for Samarkand - "Rome of the Orient" - a city which was already flourishing when Rome and Babylon were founded. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for overnight. (B) DAY 3: SAMARKAND Today's full day tour includes an ensemble of architectural monuments in Registan Square (Medrassa of Ulugbek, Medrassa Shir-Dor, Medrassa Tillya-Kari), the Museum of History, Culture & Art across the street from the Registan Square, the observatory of Ulugbek (one of the largest observatories of the ancient Orient) and Shakhi-Sinda Necropolis. We will also visit one the Muslim world's most revered monuments - the Mosque of Bibi Khanym - built to honor Tamerlane. Considered by many the greatest mosque in Central Asia, this lovely structure towers above visitors. Thousands of craftsmen from Persia, Iraq, and Azerbaijan carved marble floors, hand-made tiles, and built over 400 cupolas. (B) DAY 4: SAMARKAND - SHAKHRISABZ - BUKHARA Depart this morning for Shakhrisabz - birthplace of Tamerlane including the Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, House of Meditation, Crypt of Timur - the man who had a profound impact on Central Asia. Continue to Bukhara. The town, with a history of over 2,500 years, still possesses much of its pre-Russian historical charm. The city was once the center of a powerful Islamic empire, second only to Mecca. The great library of Bukhara once held over 45,000 manuscripts, and was a major draw for doctors, astronomers, mathematicians and geographers in the region. Spend two nights at your hotel. (B) DAY 5: BUKHARA Enjoy a full day tour of this historic city. Visit the tomb of Ishmael Samani, the founder of the Samanid Dynasty, who was responsible for the construction of the exquisite Bolo-Khauz Mosque. This tomb dates back more than a millennium, and was a center for the Emirs of Bukhara. Later continue your tour with a visit to the Ark of Citadel. See the multi-shaped domes of Chashma-Ayub, the site of miracles, and the winter residence of the Emir. Also, visit the Djuma Mosque, a stunning destination, situated near the town's highest point. From here, you can see the city's panorama, dominated by a plethora of mosques. Most of the town's center is held as an architectural preserve as the government continues restoration of former medrassas and fortresses. The old center has changed little in the past two centuries and offers visitors a glimpse of what daily life might have looked like then. (B) DAY 6: BUKHARA - URGENTCH Experience a completely different landscape as we drive through the Kyzylkum Desert for Urgentch and a two-night stay. (B) DAY 7: URGENTCH: EXCURSION TO KHIVA Morning excursion to Khiva. Venture into a veritable time-capsule. Khiva's mud streets and inward-looking squares are so well-preserved they sometimes feel like a film set. The object of some of the most intrepid overland expeditions of the 18th and 19th centuries, Khiva was then the most remote and is now the most complete of the old Silk Route's oasis cities. The Friday mosque is the strangest and most alluring in Uzbekistan. Also, visit the Ichon-Qala gates, Muhammad Amin and Rakhim Khan's Medressas, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Islom-Huja Medressa and Minaret. We meet local folks still living within the walled. Khiva prospered, like her predecessors, as the last great oasis on the northern caravan route to Russia. DAY 8: URGENTCH - TASHAUZ Crossing over to Turkmenistan we drive to Konye-Urgentch to visit the Turabeg Khanum Mausoleum - the burial place for the Sufi dynasty that ruled Khorezm between the Mongol and Timurid invasions. Continue on to Tashauz for an overnight stay. (B) DAY 9: TASHAUZ - ASHGHABAT This morning we drive southwards on the Karakum Desert to Ashghabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. As we journey, stops will be made to visit nomads and other local peoples. Upon arrival in the capital, transfer to your hotel for three nights. (B) DAY 10: ASHGHABAT Morning tour includes the statue of Lenin, the fortress of Ashghabat, the presidential palace, the Mosque of Khezrety Oamr and the botanical gardens. In the afternoon visit Nisa Parthaunissa, the capital of the Parthians, which was a flourishing city dating back to 3rd Century BC. This city, in its day, was an important link in the Central Asia trading routes. (B) DAY 11: ASHGHABAT: SUNDAY CARPET BAZAAR Early this morning visit the Talkuchka Sunday Bazaar, also known as the Turkmen's carpet bazaar. The unique and colorful carpet bazaar draws thousands of people in from the countryside and offers an excellent opportunity to participate in typical Central Asian affair of bargaining and bartering. Afternoon at your leisure, or choose an optional excursion to the Silk Road trading post of Merv. (B) DAY 12: ASHGHABAT - MASHHAD Depart the traditional "stans" with a Turkmen expression of "Sag Bolinix," the typical Turkmen farewell, and proceed south. After proceeding through customs & immigration at the Turkmenistan/Iranian frontier, carry on to the Iranian holy city of Mashhad. Mashhad is the city where the Shiite Imam Reza was martyred and thus is an important Shiite Islam pilgrim center. (B) DAY 13: MASHHAD - SHIRAZ Your full day tour will take in a visit to the Mausoleum of the famous poet Ferdowsi, and the tomb of the great Philosopher Mohammed Ghazzali. The tour of Mashad will also include the courtyard of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza, the Reza Museum, the Quran Museum, Mashad's unique bazaar and the home of Omar Khayyam--poet, mathematician & astronomer at Neishabur. This evening board your domestic flight to Shiraz famous as the city of Roses and Nightingales, home of the finest Persian lyrics as well as the cradle of the Persian Civilization. Spend three nights in a local hotel. (B) DAY 14: SHIRAZ Enjoy a morning tour of Shiraz. Visit the Eram Garden, the tombs of Saadi and Hafiz - two of the most beloved Persian poets, the Nasirol-Molk Mosque and the traditional bazaar. In the afternoon, visit Afif-Abad Garden, the Church of Saint Simmon the Zealot and the Shrine of Shah-Cheragh. (B) DAY 15: SHIRAZ: EXCURSION TO PERSEPOLIS Persepolis, which in Greek literally means "the capital of Persia," lies 36 miles north of Shiraz. Persepolis is the last and final ultimate expression of the ancient Middle East. Construction began by Darius the Great (521 - 468 BC) as the focus of the mighty Achaemenian Empire nearly 2500 years ago. Spend a full day exploring these mighty ruins. Your tour will also include the Kuh-i-Rehmat, Nagsh-e-Rustam (Tomb of Rustam) and Naghs-e-Rajab. Return to Shiraz for overnight. (B) DAY 16: SHIRAZ - PASSARGAD - ISFAHAN This morning depart for Isfahan via Passargad - the capital of Cyrus the Great, where you will visit his tomb. The site marks a fierce battle Cyrus' warriors fought against the Median King Astyages in 550 BC. Continue northwards to Isfahan, another highlight and a not-to-miss city on any tour of Iran. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Isfahan is a wonder. Truly a city of splendor, legend has it that the city was founded at the time of Tahmourass or Keykavous. During the Safavid Era (16th and 17th century AD), Isfahan was a city of Gardens and Palaces. As a trade center and major metropolis of its time, Isfahan was known as "Half the World." Time permitting, your afternoon tour includes the famed Imam Square (Naqsh-e-Jahan), a huge square second in the world to Beijing's Tiananmen Square, and a visit to the most famous bazaar in Iran. (B) DAY 17: ISFAHAN Today's tour of this magnificent city includes the Medressa Chahrbagh - which was the pride of the last Safavid King, Shah Sultan Hussein, a devout Muslim ruler, Hasht Behesht Palace (built in 1680 AD), the Armenian Vank Church, Friday Mosque and the famous bridges. (B) DAY 18: ISFAHAN Morning tour to visit Imam Square, Naqsh-e- Jahan with its Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam Mosques, Aliqapu Palace, Chehel Sutoon Palace (40 pillars) and visit Iran's most popular bazaar. This afternoon is at leisure for shopping in the typical the bazaar. (B) DAY 19: ISFAHAN - KASHAN - QUM - TEHRAN Depart on a relaxing drive to Tehran with stops at Kashan to visit Broojerdiha and Tabatabaie Houses, Fin Garden & Aghabozorg Mosque. After lunchtime, visit the Shrine of the Fatima in Qum, and the Tomb of the Ayatollah Khomeini. Continue to Tehran where you will be transferred to your hotel for two nights. (B) DAY 20: TEHRAN Full day tour starts with a visit to the Carpet Museum with its excellent collection of Iranian hand woven carpets, followed by the Museum of Reza Abbasi. This museum exhibits artifacts dating back to prehistoric to Islamic periods and is particularly rich in Islamic calligraphy. Lastly, we visit the Fine Arts & Archaeological Museums with its fine collection including a stone capital of a winged lion from Susa and a 6th century BC audience hall relief of Darius the Great. The museum has items dating back from the Sumerian Period (4500 BC). Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner to mark the end of a long and satisfying journey. (B,D) DAY 21: DEPART TEHRAN Transfer early this morning for your international departure. (B) |