Worldwide Escorted Tours

Day 1: UK to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Depart the UK on your overnight flight. Day 2: Bishkek D On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner. Day 3: Bishkek B/L/D Set off this morning for Ala Archa National Park via Osh Bazaar with a relaxing lunch by the river. Day 4: Bishkek to Kaji-Say B/L/D Visit the 11th century Burana Tower – a piece of Silk Road history and all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun. Continue to Kajisay, a village on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Day 5: Kaji-Say to Karakol B/L/D Enjoy a morning learning how to make Boorsok. Trace your way along iconic Lake Issyk Kul, to Kyzyl Tuu. Our final stop en route today is in Bokonbeavo. Day 6: Karakol B/L/D Tour Karakol including the Dungan Mosque and then in the afternoon, visit the mountain valley of Jety- Oguz and its magestic rock formations. Day 7: Karakol to Almaty, Kazakhstan B/L/D Head into the Tien Shen mountains and cross the Kazakhstan border. Stop at Charyn Canyon and witness the ‘Valley of Castles’ rock formations. Day 8: Almaty B/L/D Spend the day touring Almaty. Day 9: Almaty to Dushanbe, Tajikistan B/L/D Fly to Dushanbe and explore the city. End the day with a traditional Tajijk meal. Day 10: Dushanbe B/L/D Visit Navruz Palace, initially a tea house – it was deemed too impressive and turned into a palace! Day 11: Dushanbe to Panjakent B/L/D Drive into the mountains to Iskander Kul, considered the most beautiful lake in the former USSR. Day 12: Panjakent B/L/D Spend a full day in the mountains at Panjakent exploring the spectacular mythical Seven Lakes. Day 13: Panjakent to Samarkand, Uzbekistan B/L/D Before crossing into Uzbekistan, stop at UNESCO- listed Sarazm, dating back to the 4th century BC, and travel to the fabled city of Samarkand. Day 14: Samarkand to Bukhara B/L/D Spend the day exploring including Shah-i-Zinda, 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 Bukhara. In the afternoon drive to The Ark – a massive citadel used as a fortress from the 5th century. Day 16: Bukhara to Khiva B/L/D Morning drive to Khiva through the desert. Check into your hotel and spend the evening at leisure. Day 17: Khiva B/L/D Explore the majestic Old Citadel, this 12th century fortress dominated the city, you may choose to climb the Dzhuma Minaret for panoramic views. Day 18: Khiva to Darvaza, Turkmenistan B/L/D Set off for Kunya Urgench, Turkmenistan – the former capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Journey to the Darvaza Crater that has been burning for 50 years! Day 19: Darvaza to Ashgabat B/L/D Travel south, through the Erbent Desert to Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat. Day 20: Ashgabat B/L/D Visit the once-mighty fortress of Nisa – capital of the 1st Parthian Empire. Enjoy your farewell dinner before transferring for your early morning flight. Day 21: Ashgabat to the UK Depart on your return flight to the UK, or continue on to your chosen extension. An epic journey through vast deserts and rugged mountains, past turquoise glacial lakes, ancient cities, giant burning gas pits and nomadic yurt camps. What’s included ✔ Return flights Heathrow to Kyrgyzstan, returning from Turkmenistan with Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul). See p130-131 for regional flights ✔ Where you’ll stay Bishkek, 3 H Garden Hotel Kaji-Say, 3 H Art Hotel Al Hayat Karakol, Hotel 78 Almaty, 4 H Kazzhol Hotel Dushanbe, 3 H Atlas Hotel Panjakent, 3 H Panjakent Plaza Hotel Samarkand, 4 H Konstantin Plaza Bukhara, 3 H Rangrez Khiva, 4 H Asia Khiva Hotel Darvaza, Yurt Camp Ashgabat, 3 H Sport Hotel ✔ 55 meals ✔ 17 excursions ✔ Expert local tour guide Tour pace: Challenging What you’ll see  Take in the natural beauty of Ala Archa National Park  Marvel at the 11th century Burana Tower  Witness the spectacular might of Charyn Canyon  Journey to the beautiful Seven Lakes in Tajikistan Tajikistan Five Stans of the Silk Road THIS TOUR EXPLORE Departures & from prices Jun 24 £4,499 May 25 £4,499 Aug 24 £4,599 Jun 25 £4,199 Sep 24 £4,199 Jul 25 £4,689 Oct 24 £3,799 Aug 25 £4,689 Feb 25 £3,799 Sep 25 £4,299 Mar 25 £3,899 Oct 25 £3,999 Apr 25 £4,499 • Lead-in price based on 19 Oct 24 & 15 Feb 25 • Tipping paid locally $80 pp per tour Extend your tour Istanbul city stay, 2 nights, B&B 3 H from £199 or 4 H from £249 No Single Supplement Rooms with no single supplement are available. Once sold, supplement starts from £499 Visit our website or call 0800 954 9329 to book or for further details Central Asia, India & Sri Lanka  35