Escorted Tours 2024 - 2025

Day 11: Dushanbe to Panjakent 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 Panjakent. Day 12: Panjakent 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: Panjakent 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 Morning drive to Khiva through the desert. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. The rest of your evening is 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 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 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. Kazakhstan Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan What’s included ✔ Return flights Heathrow to Kyrgyzstan, returning from Turkmenistan with Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul). See p132-133 for regional flights ✔ Where you’ll stay Bishkek, 4 H Garden Hotel Kaji-Say, 5 H Al Hayat Hotel Karakol, 4 H Karagat Hotel Almaty, 4 H Mercure Hotel Dushanbe, 5 H Serena hotel Panjakent, 4 H Penjikent Plaza Hotel Samarkand, 4 H Konstantin Plaza Bukhara, 3 H Asia Bukhara Khiva, 4 H Asia Khiva Hotel Darvaza, Yurt Camp Ashgabat, 4 H Sport Hotel ✔ 55 meals ✔ 17 excursions ✔ Expert local tour guide Tour pace: Challenging Extend your tour Istanbul city stay, 2 nights, 4 H B&B from £219 No Single Supplement Rooms with no single supplement are available. Once sold, supplement starts from £499 Departures & from prices Apr 24 £4,639 Apr 25 £4,699 May & Jun 24 £4,499 May 25 £4,699 Aug 24 £4,599 Jun 25 £4,499 Sep 24 £4,199 Jul 25 £4,799 Oct 24 £3,799 Aug 25 £4,799 Feb 25 £3,799 Sep 25 £4,299 Mar 25 £4,099 Oct 25 £3,899 • Lead-in price based on 12 Oct 24, 19 Oct 24 & 15 Feb 25 • Tipping paid locally $80 pp per tour Save £100 on selected departures with code TOUR100 37 Central Asia Visit our website or call 0800 954 9329 to book or for further details