Escorted Tours 2022-23 2nd Edition

Instruments, which, in stark contrast, is hosted in the front room of a local house! Day 11: Dushanbe to Penjikent B/L/D Drive into the mountains. Stop at Iskander Kul, named after Alexander the Great and considered the most beautiful lake in the former USSR. Continue to Penjikent. Day 12: Penjikent B/L/D Spend a full day in the mountains exploring the spectacular Seven Lakes, formed from the tears of seven daughters over the loss of their father. Day 13: Penjikent to Samarkand, Uzbekistan B/L/D Head west for Uzbekistan. Before crossing, stop at UNESCO-listed Sarazm, dating back to the 4th century BC, and travel to the fabled city of Samarkand. Stormed by Alexander the Great, burned by Genghis Khan, Samarkand was transformed into the most glittering city in Transoxiana by Tamerlane, in the 14th century. Even today, the scale of the buildings overwhelms visitors. Visit Registan Square, Samarkand’s turquoise mosaic masterpiece and the Gur Emir, the gold-ceilinged tomb of Tamerlane. Day 14: Samarkand to Bukhara B/L/D Spend the day exploring including Shah-i-Zinda - a beautifully tiled necropolis of tombs and mosques, the Ulug-Beg Observatory and Bibi-Khanym Mosque. After dinner, take the high-speed train to Bukhara. Day 15: Bukhara B/L/D Take a walking tour of UNESCO-listed Bukhara including the Lyab-i Hauz, the striking, blue-tiled Abdul Khan madrasah and the 9th century Mghoki Arrar Mosque. We will also visit the Kalyan minaret, which, as the tallest monument in town, is known as the ‘Tower of Death’ because prisoners were once hurled to their death from there. In the afternoon drive to The Ark - a massive citadel used as a fortress from the 5th century until its fall to the Russians in 1920. Day 16: Bukhara to Khiva B/L/D Explore the city at leisure or relax. In the afternoon board your train to Khiva. Day 17: Khiva B/L/D Explore the majestic Old Citadel, this 12th century fortress dominated the city, you may choose to climb the steps of the Dzhuma Minaret for a panoramic view of the maze of streets below. Day 18: Khiva to Darvaza, Turkmenistan B/L/D Set off for your final country, Turkmenistan. Head to Kunya Urgench to visit the mausoleums and mosques of the former capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Journey into the Karakum desert to the Darvaza Crater, otherwise known as the ‘Door to Hell’, a remarkable gas site that has been burning for 50 years! Day 19: Darvaza to Ashgabat B/L/D Travel south, stopping at the Erbent Desert community, a hardy village in one of the most remote parts, of one of the most remote countries in the world. Travel on to Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, a city that President Niyazov spent twenty years crafting in his own image. Visit Independence Park and the National Museum of History. Day 20: Ashgabat B/L/D Visit the once-mighty fortress of Nisa on the city outskirts. Founded in the 3rd century BC as the capital of the 1st Parthian Empire it was destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century. Continue to Gypjak Mosque. Enjoy your farewell dinner before transferring to the airport for your late flight, via Istanbul, or continue on your chosen extension. 43 Hundreds more escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk Central Asia Extend your tour Istanbul city stay, 2 nights, B&B 3 H from £159 or 4 H from £219 Tour includes • All meals daily • 3, 4 and 5 H accommodation: Bishkek-Plaza Hotel or Garden Hotel, Kaji Say-Al Hayat Hotel, Karakol-Karagat Hotel, Almaty-Novotel, Dushanbe-Atlas Hotel, Penjikent-Penjikent Plaza, Samarkand-Arba Hotel, Bukhara-Asia Bukhara, Khiva-Asia Khiva, Darvaza-Yurts, Ashgabat-Sport Hotel • Flights from London Heathrow with Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) Tour pace: Intermediate Registan Square, Samarkand Bishkek Tien Shen Mountains Almaty Departures & from prices 13 May 23 £3,799 5 Aug 23 £4,149 10 Jun 23 £3,899 16 Sep 23 £3,399 8 Jul 23 £4,099 14 Oct 23 £3,299 2024 DATES AVAILABLE AT 2023 PRICES • Upgrade to a Private Tour from £1,199 No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £479