CENTRAL ASIA - Spiekermann Travel
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CENTRAL ASIA The History of Five Stans March 20 to April 07, 2022 Led by Dr. Mehreen Chida Razvi, PhD in the History of Art & Archaeology from SOAS, University of London. Can be combined with our Belarus, Ukraine & Moldova tour (April 07 to 23, 2022)
Central Asia presents a colorful melting pot of people and cultures. Since the end of the 2nd millennium nomads from the north have peri-
odically occupied these regions, settling and mingling with the local population to create new cultures and civilizations. From the middle of
the 1st millennium BC until the 10th century AD the territories of modern Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan were part of the Persian
Empire. You will explore shimmering desert towns, UNESCO-listed palaces, stark soviet towers, bizarre oil-boom buildings and the history
of the ancient trading routes between east and west. Stretching all the way from China to the Mediterranean, the Silk Road is a historic and
cultural marvel. Caravans laden with, amongst many other things, gold, ivory, spices, furs, jade, exotic animals and of course, silk, trundled
along the vast network of trade routes that made up the road for nearly two millennia. Not only were goods transported on the route but
it also acted as a bridge that brought cultures and ideas together; Islam and Buddhism reached China thanks to the Silk Road while it facil-
itated the spread of Persian, Greek, Roman, Indian, Arabian and Chinese influences around the world. Central Asia was a major center for
three great religions: Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Islam. Mosques, mausoleums, madrasas
Ihab Zaki
Managing Director, Spiekermann Travel
Sunday, March 20 Wednesday, March 23
USA - Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) Mary - Ancient Merv - Ashgabat
You will arrive to Ashgabat very early in the morning of March Have breakfast, and then head to the east of Mary (25 km), to-
13. Upon arrival, transfer to Yildiz hotel or similar for check in, have wards Bayram-Ali, the contemporary and modest suburb of the
some rest, relax and refresh after your journey. Late in the morn- glorious Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site). One of the
ing, we’ll head to visit the fabled Sunday Bazaar of Tolkuchka major archaeological sites of Central Asia is Merv, which played
(Opens on Sat & Sun). Attracting colorfully dressed people from an important part in the development of the Silk Road for more
all over the country to buy/sell camels, cattle poultry, amulets, than 2,000 years. Beside the remnants of the cities of Merv, we will
carpets, jewelry, and other goods. From the market, we head back visit the VI-IX cc. AD forts of Big and Little Kyz-Kalas, excellent ex-
to the hotel for some rest then we will enjoy our dinner in the city. amples of the so-called corrugated Koshks; the splendid XII cen-
Overnight at the hotel. (B,D) tury mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd,
Note: Hotel is available for early morning check in on March 20. demonstrating exquisite Seljuk period brickwork and architectur-
al décor. After sightseeing, we head back to Mary. Upon arrival, we
Monday, March 21 will visit local History Museum, presenting a wide array of archae-
Ashgabat ological finds. Transfer to Mary airport for your afternoon flight
back to Ashgabat. Upon arrival, transfer to Yildiz hotel or similar
In the morning, we head to visit the fortress of Old Nisa (UNE-
for check in and overnight. (B,L,D)
SCO World Heritage Site), the earliest of Parthian Empire capitals.
En-route visits the Spirituality Mosque, biggest in Turkmenistan,
Thursday, March 24
and the family mausoleum of the first President. We will also vis-
Ashgabat – Dashoguz – Khiva (Uzbekistan)
it the Park of independence with its independence monument,
and Neutrality Square, famous for its Arch of Neutrality topped by After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight
a rotating gold-plated statue of the first President of Turkmeni- to Dashoguz. Upon arrival, head to Kunya Urgench for a visit;
stan, and Wedding Palace -“Bagt Koshgi” and National Memo- once the capital city of the powerful state of Khorezm and its
rial Complex with WWII memorial and the Earthquake Memorial territories. It was the center of scholars in mathematics, astron-
dedicated to the victims of the 1948 earthquake. In the afternoon, omy, chemistry, and literature under the patronage of Khorezm
we’ll visit the National Museum of History and Ethnography Shah. Your visit will include the mausoleums from the pre- Mon-
(displaying more than 327,000 exhibits) to see the exclusive an- gol period and the later Mongol period, the Tomb of Turabeg
cient artifacts from numerous historical & archeological sites of Khanum, and an ancient caravanserai with a 62m Kutlug Temir
the country. Return to the hotel for your overnight. (B,L,D) minaret and winding brick staircase. Drive back to Dashoguz
and cross Shavat border to Khiva and transfer to Silk Road hotel
Tuesday, March 22 or similar for check in and overnight. (B,L,D)
Ashgabat – Mary (Gonurdepe)
Friday, March 25
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Mary. Upon arriv- Khiva
al, you’ll be met and begin your tour of Margush (northeast from
Mary - 40 km Off Road), where the first agricultural settlements ap- We’ll start our day with exploring the UNESCO World Heritage
peared in the delta of Murgab River as old as 3 millennium BC. Fer- site of Khiva, which is described as one of the best-preserved
cities along the Silk Road and the most homogenous agglomer-
tile silt from the mountains, plenty of water and moderate climate
ation of medieval Islamic architecture in the Islamic world. This
had created favorable conditions for good crops to grow and the compact, walled city was once isolated and a haven for slave
development of the ancient economy was continuing for several traders. The fortunes and importance of Khiva rose when Amu-
centuries. The “Boston Globe” an American newspaper wrote that Darya changed its course leaving the capital town of Kone-
before we knew the four oldest centers of the world’s civilizations: Urgench in almost oblivion when all the attention was drawn
Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China, and due to the fantastic re- towards Khiva. Explore Ichan Kala, a forest of tall minarets and
sults of the Margiana expedition it is quite possible to think that domed roofs surrounded by dwellings and public buildings re-
there was another, the fifth center. We will enjoy our picnic lunch at flecting rich traditions of popular oriental architecture. Return to
the archeological site then drive back to the city of Mary and trans- the hotel for your overnight. (B,L,D)
fer to Mary Hotel or similar for check in and overnight. (B,L,D)
dens and riches. Marco Polo spoke of its booming trade and gardens.
Saturday, March 26
Tamerlane made Samarkand his capital and called it the “capital of the
Khiva - Bukhara
world”. Visit Gur Emir, the 15th century mausoleum of the family of
Have breakfast then continue your sightseeing of Khiva by visit- Amir Timur and Registan Square, the site of a 14th century bazaar. See
ing the madrassas of Amin Khan and Mukhammad Rakhim Khan. three madrassas: Ulugbek a monumental madrassa built by a grand-
Tour Kunya Ark a massive, fortified citadel at the center of the city, son of Tamerlane and was the greatest University in Central Asia in the
which was once the residence of the rulers of Khiva. Built in the 12th 15th century, Sherdor Madrassa and Tillya-Kari Madrassa, both were
century by Ak Sheikh Bobo and later expanded by the khans of the built in the 17th century. A few more stops including the Observatory
17th century, it consists of living quarters, a mosque, the palace of Ulugbek, the Afrosiyab Archaeological Museum with murals from
of the khan, the residence of his harem, the mint, the arsenal, the the 7th century. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant then return to the
stables and the jail. Continue to the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mah- hotel for your overnight. (B,L,D)
mud, the Shir Gazi Khan Madrassa, the Islam Khodja Madrassa
and Minaret, the Mosque, and Tash Khauli. In the afternoon, trans- Wednesday, March 30
fer to Bukhara by road crossing Kyzul Kum, or Red Sand Desert, the Samarkand - Penjikent - Dushanbe
same route taken by loaded Silk Road camel caravans. Upon arrival Early morning drive (1hr) to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border crossing at
in Bukhara in the late evening transfer to Omar Khayyam hotel or Jartepa. After customs and passport control on both sides, cross
similar for check in and overnight. (B,L,D) the border, meet the Tajikistan local guide and driver and head to
Penjikent via the settlement of Sarazm, included in the UNESCO
Sunday, March 27
list. Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered
Bukhara
by many to be the father of Persian Poetry. You will visit the Rudaki
Museum, the ancient Penjikent - ruins of old Sogdian town, found-
After breakfast, you will explore Bukhara, the “pearl of the east” –
ed in the 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century by the
the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as one of Central Asia’s
Arabs. Foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastri-
most ancient living cities. The ancient town of Bukhara goes back
an fire temples and city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins.
in history for more than 2500 years. It was one of the important
Continue your drive to the capital Dushanbe and to Hilton hotel
towns along the caravan route and the richest of the Transoxi-
for check in and overnight. (B,L,D)
ana countries. Some of the sights you will visit include the Ark
Citadel, home of the Bukhara rulers for over a millennium; the Thursday, March 31
Mausoleum of the Samanid Dynasty, the rulers of Iran in the 9th Dushanbe
and 10th centuries; the Kalon Complex with the oldest Minaret
in the city; Ulugbek Madrassa, one of three built by Tamerlane’s Have breakfast, then start your guided city tour with a visit to the
grandson Ulugbek; Abdul Aziz Khan Madrassa; Magoki Attor, National Museum of Antiquities in Tajikistan (closed on Mon-
where archaeologists found the remains of a 5th century Zoro- days) that includes the exhibits of history, natural history and art
astrian temple destroyed by the Arabs and an earlier Buddhist (Buddha in Nirvana is one of the valuable exhibits of the muse-
temple underneath. Wander through the covered bazaars, spe- um). Continue to Hissar Fortress (30 km from Dushanbe), where
you can see Madrasah Kukhna then return to Dushanbe and
cialized markets in town that were built at the junction of cara-
head to visit the Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Statue
van routes. Explore the Lyabi Khauz in the heart of the city, the of Ismail Somoni and Rudaki Park. Return to the hotel for your
Jewish Quarter and the synagogue. Enjoy a walk in the old city, overnight. (B,L,D)
attend a folkloric performance in the evening then return to the
hotel for your overnight. (B,L,D) Friday, April 01
Dushanbe - Khujand - Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
Monday, March 28
Bukhara - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand Begin your day with a drive to Khujand through the Anzob tunnel.
Enjoy lunch at the local Chaikhana (tearoom). Upon arrival, head
Have breakfast, then head to the city of Shakhrisabz, the birth- to visit the Museum of Archeology and Fortification, Shaikh
place of Tamerlane and known as Amir Timur. Upon arrival, start Muslihiddin Mosque, Panjshanbe Bazaar, the biggest bazaar in
your tour with a visit to the magnificent architectural monu- Tajikistan, Arbob Palace named after S. Urunhodlaev (20th cen-
ments of the Timurids. See the remains of the Ak-Saray palace tury). Continue the drive to Oybek and cross the border point to
of Tamerlane, the Mausoleum of Djehangir; the Khazrat Imam Uzbekistan. Arrive in the capital Tashkent and transfer to Ichan
Mosque; the Mausoleum of Sheik Shamsiddin Kulal; the Gum- Qala hotel or similar for check in, dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
bazi Saidon Mausoleum; the Kok Gumbaz Mosque and the
Chorsu trade dome. Drive to the city of Samarkand and transfer Saturday, April 02
to Malika Prime Boutique hotel for check in, free time to explore Tashkent
the surroundings, have dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
Begin your day exploring the metropolis and capital of modern
Tuesday, March 29 Uzbekistan, the city along the Silk Road, known as the “City of
Samarkand Friendship and Peace”. The background of the low-lying Tien-Shan
Have breakfast, then explore Samarkand which was coveted by invad- range gives Tashkent a pleasant climatic condition. It became a
ers who wished to make it part of their empire. The “Jewel City of the place to show the power of the Communist Party in 1966, Tour
Silk Road”, Samarkand has always been admired for its beautiful gar- the old city complex of Khazrat Imam where you will see the
mosque, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Tillya Sheikh Mosque, Barak
Khan Madrassa and the Museum of Islamic Books. Continue to “We reserve the right to change the order of activities or
the State History Museum, that houses the archaeological dis- places visited due to unforeseen schedule conflicts or in order
coveries from ancient to modern times in Central Asia, Indepen-
to make the itinerary run smoothly”
dence Square, with its Arch of Independence and the Memorial to
the Victims of World War II. Wander through the Chorsu Bazaar be-
fore returning to hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Sunday, April 03
Tashkent - Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Bishkek. Upon arriv-
al, meet your guide and driver and head to Ala Archa national
park (50 min drive), which attracts visitors because of its beautiful
mountain scenery and hiking trails. Fast flowing Ala-Archa River
runs through the alpine gorge surrounded by snowy peaks with
steep forested slopes. Enjoy free time or a hike and in the after-
noon return to Bishkek for a city tour visiting the Oak Park, Ala-Too
Square, Statue of Manas. See the Philharmonic Hall and Victory
Monument - great examples of Soviet architecture. Transfer to Hy-
att hotel or similar for check in and overnight. (B,L,D)
Monday, April 04
Bishkek - Issik Kul
Have breakfast, then drive to Issyk-Kul Lake, one of the wonders
of the country. En-route stop to see the 11th and 12th century AD
caravan town ruins of Balasagun, was once an important center
of trade and commerce. Early Chinese texts state that the city
was founded in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD by the Sogdians.
The Buddhist monasteries and rock drawings found in Chui valley
signify that the town was of great importance. Today you may see
an 11th century tower that was once part of a religious complex,
the only remnant of this great history. Mongol armies raided the
town in 1220. Visit a small museum dedicated to the Turkic tomb-
stones in the courtyard. Continue to Issik Kul Lake. And transfer to
Raduga hotel or similar for check in, dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) Special Trip Remarks: We reserve the right to change the order of
activities or places visited due to unforeseen schedule conflicts or
Tuesday, April 05 in order to make the itinerary run smoothly. Some of the hotels
Issik kul - Almaty (Kazakhstan) can be rather Spartan and plain especially in small towns. You must
Depart after breakfast for a boat ride on Issyk Kul Lake known as be in good health to participate as there are days with long walks,
the “Hot Lake” because it never freezes even at this high altitude. some on uneven ground. Elevations can reach up to 3,000 ft. above
Explore an open-air museum of petroglyphs, with examples sea level in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Some drive days are very
from the Bronze Age. Return to Bishkek and transfer to the airport long and can be exhausting in nature, but we will be making fre-
for your flight to Almaty. Upon arrival, transfer to Royal Tulip hotel quent rest stops. Bathroom facilities along the way may be rather
or similar for check in, dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) primitive and at times that will mean “in the wilderness”.
Wednesday, April 06 VISAS: The process of obtaining all visas is simple. Tajikistan visa is
Almaty obtained online at https://www.evisa.tj and Uzbekistan visa also
can be obtained online at https://e-visa.gov.uz and no visa support
Start your day with a tour of Almaty, known locally as the ‘father of letter is required. No visa required for Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
apples’ because of the delicious, juicy apples grown in the region. The Only Turkmenistan requires letter of invitation or visa support let-
town is set in the Tien Shan range giving it a very subtle climate. ter to claim your visa. For all travelers we will assist with arrange-
Explore Panfilov Park where the Holy Ascension Cathedral, the ments of letter of invitation. We need to start applying for the letter
Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments, the State Museum of of invitation 3 months prior to the start date of the trip, WITHOUT
History, the Grand Mosque and Republic Square are located. Re- need for actual passport, just a scanned copy of it. In very rare
turn to hotel for dinner and overnight. occasions letter of invitation may not be secured by issuing author-
Thursday, April 07 ities with no given reason. On basis of approved letter of invitation,
Almaty - USA you are eligible to claim tourist visa at the Turkmenistan Embassy in
Washington, DC or upon arrival to international airport in Ashgabat.
Enjoy breakfast in the morning. Transfer to the airport for your Please use the visa company recommended by us.
flight back home or continue your next trip.
Tour cost (land only)
per person sharing in double occupancy
4 - 5 travelers: $7,750.00
6 - 7 travelers: $6,850.00
8 - 10 travelers: $6,250.00
Single Supplement: $850.00
Price based on a group size of minimum 4 participants
and maximum 12 participants
Trip Grade: II Lodging Level: ***_****
About your Lecturer… Dr. Mehreen Chida Razvi: Earned her BSc and BA from the University of Florida, Gaines-
ville, before moving to London, England where she completed an MA in Art History at the Courtauld Institute of Art,
and a second MA and a PhD in the History of Art & Archaeology from SOAS, University of London. She specializes
in the history of Islamic art, architecture and material culture in the early modern era, with a particular emphasis on
the Persianate regions of Mughal South Asia, Iran and Central Asia. Dr. Chida-Razvi’s primary research examines the
history of architecture and the built environment and she has carried out extensive fieldwork and site-research in
Pakistan and India. Another area of particular interest is the cultural and artistic interactions between Europe and the
Persianate world and the social and historical circumstances which allowed for such connections to take place. Since
2007 Mehreen has given lectures and taught courses on Islamic art and architecture in London and Oxford, and has
furthermore been an academic contributor and consultant for a documentary on Taj Mahal.
Tour includes: Tour does not include:
• Tashkent – Bishkek, Bishkek-Almaty flight & domestic flights • International round airfare
as per the itinerary. • Consular visa fees to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and
• Airport transfers and air-conditioned motor coach. Tajikistan (Approximately $185.00 at time of printing).
• 5* hotels in capital cities, Superior 4* and 3* hotels in smaller cities. • Photography and video making fees.
• English-speaking private guides in each country. • Dayroom/overnights necessitated by changes in
• Tour lecturer throughout the trip. airline schedules or early arrival.
• Meals as per the itinerary • Expenses of a personal nature such as: beverages with
(B: Breakfast, L: Lunch and D: Dinner). meals, telephone, email, laundry bills, camera fees, etc.
• All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to all sites • Activities and sites not described in the itinerary.
mentioned unless listed as optional. • Travel Insurance (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).
• Invitation visa letter for Turkmenistan.
• Bottled water on the bus daily.
• Folk Show in Bukhara & Boat ride in Cholpon Ata (KRG).
• Gratuities to guides, drivers and porters.
Trip Grade:
II Active - Some hikes, slightly more demanding walks at or to sites,
few elevations, comfortable but busy schedule and some long rides
and extensive drives.
Lodging Level:
*** Superior - Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined
service and comfort level acceptable to western standards. (3 or 4 stars)
**** Luxury - Regular style- usually large- hotels, typical western stan-
dard with ample venues, and full amenities. (4 or 5 stars)
Spiekermann Travel Service, Inc. 18421 East Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe, MI 48021
Phone: 1-800-645-3233 Fax: 586-775-9556 www.mideasttrvl.com info@mideasttrvl.comYou can also read
