Journey Through Central Asia: The Five 'Stans

More than 2,000 years ago, the great trade routes that linked Europe and China opened Central Asia to foreign cultures, customs and religions. Join a modern-day caravan on an epic journey to five of these exotic countries -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan - visiting eight awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the way.

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Days 1-4: Almaty, Lake Issyk-Kul, Bishkek

Begin the tour in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, driving into the majestic Tien Shan mountain range. Cross into Kyrgyzstan and spend a night at beautiful alpine Lake Issyk-Kul before exploring Bishkek, the country's capital.

Days 5-7: Osh, Fergana, Margilan, Rishtan, Khujand

Fly to the lush Fergana Valley, divided among three of the five 'Stans. Ascend to UNESCO-listed Suleiman-Too Sacred Mountain, one of the holiest Islamic sites in Central Asia, rising from the outskirts of Osh, where you meet with a group of locals. In the Uzbek portion of the valley, visit Margilan and Rishtan, villages specializing in silks and ceramics. Cross the border into Tajikistan for an overnight in historic Khujand, founded by Alexander the Great.

Days 8-16: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Nukus

Journey overland to the Uzbek capital of Tashkent and admire one of the oldest Korans in the world. Explore the blue-tiled mosaics of Samarkand, Tamerlane's UNESCO-listed Ak Sarai Palace in Shakhrisabze, the interlocking brickwork of Bukhara and the winding alleys of Khiva. Drive through the Kara Kum (Red Sands) desert to the astonishing Savitsky Museum of avant-garde Russian art in remote Nukus, capital of Karakalpakstan, for an overnight.

Days 17-21: Kunya Urgench, Tashauz, Ashkabad, Nisa, Merv

In Turkmenistan explore the ruins of Khorezm's Kunya Urgench, the Parthian city of Nisa and mythical Merv, all three of them UNESCO Sites. Get a final taste of Turkmen culture in the modern capital, Ashkabad, browsing its Golden Age bazaar, piled with deep red carpets and crowded with merchants, shoppers and livestock.

Trip Details

Length of Trip: 21 Days Departures: 5   April 10-30, 2012   May 1-21, 2012   August 21-September 10, 2012   September 18-October 8, 2012   October 9-29, 2012 Trips are filling fast - call for current availability. Call 800-424-7289 for more information. Land Tour Cost: 5-16 travelers $7,195 Plus internal air $200 (economy class, subject to change) Single Supplement $1,225 No Hidden Costs!

MIR Signature Experiences

• Observe Kyrgyz national horse-games after a home-cooked meal in a Kyrgyz village
• Savor traditional Uzbek meals with families in the Fergana Valley and the Karakalpak region
• Admire the trove of rescued Russian art with an expert who leads you behind the scenes at the Savitsky Museum

Map - Click to Enlarge

Day Activity   Days 1-2: Almaty   Day 3: Almaty, drive to Lake Issyk-Kul   Day 4: Lake Issyk-Kul, drive to Bishkek   Day 5: Bishkek, fly to Osh, drive to Fergana Valley   Day 6: Fergana Valley   Day 7: Fergana, drive to Kokand and Khujand   Day 8: Khujand, drive to Tashkent   :Day 9: Tashkent, drive to Samarkand	Day Activity   Day 10: Samarkand   Day 11: Drive to Shakhrisabze, Bukhara   Days 12-13: Bukhara   Day 14: Drive to Khiva   Day 15: Khiva   Day 16: Drive to Nukus   Day 17: Drive to Khojeli and Kunya Urgench, fly to Ashkabad   Days 18-21: Ashkabad with day trips to Merv, Nisa

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