Inspire Brochure May 23 - Dec 24

Mercury Holidays | 17 For further details on our itineraries, visit mercuryholidays.co.uk/tours TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Trace the footsteps of Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great and the adventurers, traders, philosophers, and kings that plied the Silk Road for a thousand years. 21-Day Escorted Tour Bishkek, 2 nights • Kaji-Say, 1 night • Karakol, 2 nights • Almaty, 2 nights • Dushanbe, 2 nights Panjakent,2 nights • Samarkand, 1 night • Bukhara, 2 nights • Khiva, 2 nights • Darvaza, 1 night Ashgabat, 2 nights E mbark on an epic journey through vast deserts and rugged mountains, past turquoise glacial lakes, ancient cities, giant burning gas pits and nomadic yurt camps. Begin your tour in, Kyrgyzstan with your first morning in Bishkek. Set off for Osh Bazaar before driving to Ala Archa National Park to enjoy the fresh alpine scenery. Then, drive to Burana Tower; a piece of Silk Road history, before continuing to Kaji-Say then Karakol. Head into the Tien Shen mountains and cross the border at Kegen, entering Kazakhstan. Stop at Charyn Canyon, visiting a part known as the ‘Valley of Castles’ due to its unusual rock formations. Later, travel onwards to Almaty. Your next stop is Tajikistan’s enigmatic capital, Dushanbe. Explore the city before travelling into the mountains to Panjakent for a full-day at the spectacular Seven Lakes. Head west for Uzbekistan, stopping at UNESCO-listed Sarazm. Travel to the fabled city of Samarkand, marvelling at Registan Square, Samarkand’s turquoise mosaic masterpiece. Take the train to Bukhara and enjoy a walking tour including the Lyab-i Hauz and Mghoki Arrar Mosque, then continue onto Khiva and explore the majestic Old Citadel. Set off for Turkmenistan, and journey to the Karakum desert to witness the Darvaza Crater. Towards the end of the tour, visit the once-mighty fortress of Nisa and the Gypjak Mosque, later enjoying a farewell dinner. Meals included: All meal daily CHARYN CANYON Witness the spectacular might of Charyn Canyon. SEVEN LAKES Be amazed by the ever-changing vibrant colours of the Seven Lakes. KARAKUM DESERT Experience the wonder of Darvaza Gas Crater, known as ‘The Door of Hell’. BURANA TOWER An 11th-century construction and last remains of the ancient city of Balasagun. from £3,799 DEPARTURES & PRICES 2023/24 from 2024 from 10 Jun £4,099 13 Apr £4,639 8 Jul £4,639 11 May £4,669 5 Aug £4,669 8 Jun £4,599 16 Sep £4,599 6 Jul £4,799 14 Oct £4,799 3 Aug £4,799 17 Feb £3,899 14 Sep £4,199 16 Mar £4,099 12 Oct £3,799 No Single Supplement: A limited number of rooms are available with no single supplement. Once sold, a single supplement starts from £549 Tour pace: Intermediate SHAH-I-ZINDA Spend the day exploring Shah-i-Zinda - a beautifully tiled necropolis of tombs and mosques, the Ulug-Beg Observatory and Bibi-Khanym Mosque, a truly wondrous site exhibiting centuries of rich history and breathtaking architecture. Extend your tour: Istanbul city stay, 2 nights, 4 H from £219