DAY 3: Gobustan & Caspian, AZERBAIJAN
After breakfast depart to Gobustan Stones and Gobustan Museum. Gobustan (the territory of Gobu) is famous for its archeological monuments. Travel 30 miles southwest of Baku along the Caspian shore to the volcanic desert where there are more than 4,000 rock drawings left by artists of the Neolithic period. The drawings depict the customs of ancient tribes; hunting scenes and dances and their everyday life. In addition to the famous petroglyphs, Gobustan also has some amazing landscapes, one unique area in particular is filled with mud volcanoes providing an almost lunar horizon. The most spectacular mud volcanoes can be found about 7km south of Gobustan near the road to Alat.

After lunch at a restaurant on the coast of Caspian Sea, return back to Baku and enjoy a 30 min public boat trip on the Caspian Sea followed by an afternoon shopping tour in Nizami Ganjavi Street and a tea table on Baku Sea Boulevard.
In the evening have dinner in a caravanserai restaurant including a folklore show.
►Suggested hotel:
Hotel Excelsior – Baku

DAY 4: Baku, AZERBAIJAN / Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN
In the morning visit the Carpet museum and Museum of Arts. After lunch at a city restaurant, enjoy some time at leisure in the afternoon.

In the evening you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival at Ashgabat airport, privately transfer to your hotel where you will be assisted with check-in.  
►Some suggested Ashgabat hotels (in alphabetical order):
Hotel Grand Turkmen, Ashgabat - (No link available at this time.)
Hotel Oguzkent – Ashgabat 
►Together, we will find the best choice for you!

DAY 5: Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN
This morning visit the fortress of Old Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the earliest of the Parthian Empire capitals. Return to Ashgabat, and visit Kipchak village to see a complex of the biggest mosque in Turkmenistan and the family mausoleum of the first President.

In Ashgabat, visit independence-period parks and monuments, and the National Museum of History and Ethnography, whose halls arededicated to various themes and historical periods. Demonstrating a rich collection of artifacts from all over Turkmenistan, including ivory rhytons from Old Nisa, the museum will also offer you reconstruction models of the sites that you are going to visit.  
►For Ashgabat hotel suggestions, see above.

DAY 6: Kunya-Urgench, UZBEKISTAN
Early in the morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Dashoguz.
Upon arrival at Dashoguz airport, drive to Kunya-Urgench (Old Urgench) to see the former capital of the Khorezmshah Empire. Another World Heritage Site, Kunya-Urgench welcomes visitors with the mausoleum of Turabeg Khanum, one of the best architectural examples of its time, the minaret of Kutlug Temur, the highest medieval minaret in Central Asia and the mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh with a turquoise cone of a dome.

Sightseeing complete, drive back to Dashoguz to cross the border to Uzbekistan near Shavat (120 km). After the border crossing, meet your local escort guide in Uzbekistan and transfer to Khiva (40 km) in time for a well-earned rest and dinner at the hotel.  
►Suggested hotel:
Hotel Asia - Khiva  

DAY 7: Khiva, UZBEKISTAN
Khiva – a museum in the open – is the only city in all of Central Asia that has survived in its entirety from the old times. Various historic epochs have left their traces in Khiva, built over many centuries in the ancient cultural oasis of Khorasmia. Old Khiva is an entire city, constructed within magnificent fortification walls with entrance gates. Its unique architectural complexes that include palaces, houses, public buildings and
mausolea, interspersed with original architecture such as the minarets of Islam-Khodja, Kalta-Minar and Tura-Murad-Tura, are a bright illustration of the Muslim tradition, according to which buildings raised at different times constitute an ensemble. A number of Madrassahs from the 18th and
19th centuries reflect not only the skills of architects and builders but also the fact that Khiva was an important educational center.

Visit the National House of Zaynab’s Family for a traditional tea ceremony.
Lunch and dinner today will be at local restaurants.  
►Suggested hotel:
Hotel Asia - Khiva  

DAY 8: Khiva - Bukhara, UZBEKISTAN
After breakfast, transfer to Bukhara via Kyzil-Kum (450 km, 7-8 hours). Snack boxes will be provided. Upon arrival in Bukhara and check-in at your hotel, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before seeing the holy city of Bukhara, where images of empires past are embodied in brilliant architectural masterpieces. First marvel at the imposing Kaylan Minaret, also known as the Tower of Death, which is complemented by the Kaylan Mosque and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, Trade Domes. Finally, explore the old city, where you will find caravanserai, public baths, and the workshops of local artisans. Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
►Some suggested Bukhara hotels (in alphabetical order):
Omar Khayyam
Zargaron Plaza  
►Together, we will find the best choice for you!

DAY 9: Bukhara, UZBEKISTAN
Today spend a full day in Bukhara to experience its very special atmosphere.
The massive walls of the Ark Fortress dominate the old town area. Behind them are the elegant eiwans of the mosques and divans. There is also the dark pit of Zindan, the prison, where two British officers were kept before being executed in the main square in June 1842. Opposite the Ark is the elegant and fragile looking Bolo-Khauz Mosque, beautifully reflected in the pool in front of it.

In the centre of the old town is the Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble with the elegant buildings standing around the pool. Among them are: the Kukeldash Madrassah (the 16th century), the Nodyr-Divan-Beghi Madrassah and Khanako (the 17th century). The buildings’ reflection in the pool and the ancient trees around it create a special atmosphere of peace and solitude. Beyond the greenery of the park one can see the beautiful brick lacework of the Ismail Samani Mausoleum (the 9th – 10th centuries) done in the style that predates the use of the glazed tiles. One can still drink from the Prophet Job’s Well around which a Shrine was built in the 14th century.

Continue your exploration of the area and drive to the eastern suburbs of Bukhara to visit the Sitora-i-Mokhi-Khosa, the Summer Palace of the last Emir, built in an intriguingly eclectic style, combining European and local elements. Its breathtaking Reception Hall decorated in carved stucco and mirrors has become a model for the modern craftsmen of Uzbekistan.

Also visit the Boghoudin Nakshbandi Complex before proceeding to the Silk Road Tea house.
Enjoy lunch and dinner at a city restaurant.  
►For Bukhara hotel suggestions, see above.

DAY 10: Bukhara - Samarkand, UZBEKISTAN
After breakfast drive to Samarkand (280 km, 4 hours). Arrive in time to check-in at your hotel and enjoy lunch at a city restaurant. In the afternoon, follow your guide on an orientation tour of Samarkand – one of the world’s oldest cities, located in the very centre of Uzbekistan in the valley of the Zeravshan River. It has seen periods of power and decline throughout its 2750-year history. The city was destroyed by Alexander the Great, the Arabs, Genghis Khan and many other conquerors, but rose each time from the ashes like a Phoenix.

Samarkand was a capital of ancient Sogdiana, part of the huge Akhemenian Empire in the 4th century BC. In the 14th century when Tamerlane made it his capital, Samarkand became one of the most powerful and desired cities in the world.

One can sense the old grandeur of the city glimpsing a view of Bibi Khanym Mosque (the 15th century) on the Northern side of the city, the largest structure of its time in the world, standing beside a noisy and crowded oriental market full of colorful fruits, vegetables and fragrant spices grown on Uzbek land. Visiting the harmonious Registan Square one can fully agree with Lord George Curzon – the Viceroy of India, who said: “Registan in Samarkand is the best central city square in the world”.

Shah-i-Zinda, a big medieval burial complex (the 10th – to 20th centuries), often referred to as “the Street of the Dead”, gives a good idea of Tamerlane’s intention to turn Samarkand into a collection of the world’s architectural styles.  
►Some suggested Samarkand hotels (in alphabetical order):
Hotel Asia - Samarkand
Registan Plaza 
Samarkand Plaza
►Together, we will find the best choice for you!

DAY 11: Samarkand, UZBEKISTAN
Today continue to explore Samarkand. The The Gur-Emir Mausoleum (the 15th century), where Tamerlane is buried along with several sons and grandsons, is the most brilliant example of medieval Central Asian architecture. It is reminiscent of the famous mosques of Cordova and Granada and was an inspiration for the Great Moguls’ Taj Mahal in Agra.

Samarkand was also an important scientific centre, with scholars who influenced scientific work in other countries. Among them was Ulugbek, Tamerlane’s grandson, the ruler of Samarkand. His observatory, built in 1429 – 30 in the northern suburbs of Samarkand, was a model for the two famous Indian observatories of the 18th century in Jaipur and Delhi. The observatory has not survived, but an underground portion of its enormous sextant still attracts the eye.

Finish your day with a visit to the “Khudjum” silk carpet factory.
►For Samarkand hotel suggestions, see above.

DAY 12: Samarkand - Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN
After breakfast drive to Tashkent (295 km, 4 hours) and check-in upon arrival. After lunch in a local restaurant, explore Tashkent, the modern capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The city’s history spans over 2 millennia, although few monuments from ancient times have survived here. Wars and natural calamities have swept most of the old buildings from the face of the ancient city. Among the survivors are: the Kukeldash Madrassah (the 16th century), the Yunus Khan Mausoleum (the 15th century), the Sheikhantaur Ensemble (the 15th century).
This afternoon you will also have the chance to experience a calligraphy master class.  
►Some suggested Tashkent hotels (in alphabetical order):
Hotel Dedeman Silk Road, Tashkent
Intercontinental – Tashkent
►Together, we will find the best choice for you!


DAY 13: Tashkent - Namangan, UZBEKISTAN
Fly to Namangan this morning and transfer to Fergana via Margilan (110 km, 1,5 hour).
After check-in at your hotel, follow your guide on a sightseeing tour including General Skobolev’s House, the Russian Army Assembly Hall, the Park and the History Museum.

Lunch and dinner will be in a city restaurant or your hotel in Fergana.


DAY 14: Fergana, UZBEKISTAN
After breakfast in the hotel, travel to Rishtan for a city tour with a visit to the Rishtan ceramics centre. Afterwards drive to Kokand – an ancient city of the Silk Way, where you may see the Madrassah of Norbut – Bii (the 18th cent.), the Djuma Mosque (19th cent), the Dahmai – Sharon Mausoleum (14 – 15th cent.) and the Hudoyar Jhan Palace (17 – 19th cent.). Return to Fergana for dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel information not available at this time.

DAY 15: Fergana - Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN – Almaty, KAZAKHSTAN
After breakfast drive to Tashkent (350 km, 5 hours). Upon arrival in Tashkent, have a lunch at a local restaurant and continue to Tashkent airport for your flight to Almaty. Upon arrival at Almaty airport you’ll be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Dinner will be at the “Kok-Tobe” restaurant.  
►Suggested hotel:
Lake Karven Club  (in Issyk Kul)

DAY 16: Almaty, KAZAKHSTAN
After breakfast enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Almaty including a visit to Panfilovtzev Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Museum of Musical Instruments, Republic Square and monument of Independence and the Central Mosque. In the afternoon continue your Almaty city tour and visit the Medeo Gorge.
►Suggested hotel:
Lake Karven Club  (in Issyk Kul)

DAY 17: Almaty, KAZAKHSTAN
Today, drive to Big Almaty Lake, located in Alma-Arasan Gorge – one of the most picturesque places in the neighbourhood of Almaty. On the way back, visit the falcon farm, home to such birds as hawks, eagles and owls. During your visit you may witness a falcon show.  
►Suggested hotel:
Lake Karven Club  (in Issyk Kul)

DAY 18: Almaty, KAZAKHSTAN
Today you will be privately transferred to the airport for you home-bound flight.