Special University of Minnesota departure – September 10-26, 2022 Along Central Asia’s Silk Road 17 days for $7,094 total price from Minneapolis ($6,495 air & land inclusive plus $599 airline taxes and fees) Traveling the ancient Silk Road route connecting East and West, we encounter a mélange of culture and religion, art and architecture that conjures tales of trade and treasure, intrigue and empire. On this exciting small group journey, we relish the exotic – and embrace the humanity we share with the welcoming people of Central Asia.

KAZAKHSTAN Almaty

UZBEKISTAN Bishkek Khiva KYRGYZSTAN Tashkent

Bukhara Samarkand

Destination Air Motorcoach Train Entry/Departure

Avg. High (°F) Sep Oct Almaty 76 61 Looking much as it did in centuries past, Samarkand’s Registan has served as the city’s public square since antiquity. Khiva 82 67 Samarkand 83 71 Day 1: Depart U.S. for Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Day 6: Almaty Kazakhstan’s largest city and cultural and commercial center, Almaty has a decided Russian Day 2: Arrive Bishkek Upon arrival in the Kyrgyz flavor, as we see on this morning’s tour. We begin Your Small Group Tour Highlights capital late tonight, we transfer directly to our hotel. at Panfilov Park and the adjacent Holy Ascension th Bishkek yurt-making demonstration • Tamgaly Petroglyphs Cathedral, an example of early 20 -century Russian UNESCO site • Russian-accented Almaty • Falconry demon- Day 3: Bishkek After time to rest and have lunch Orthodox architecture. Next, we visit the Museum stration • Tashkent touring, including world’s oldest Quran on our own, we meet our Odysseys Unlimited Tour of Kazakh Musical Instruments, showcasing unique • Historic Silk Road gem of Khiva • Visits with local artisans Directors and fellow travelers at a briefing about the national instruments. Then we head outside the city • Uzbek folklore performance • UNESCO site of Bukhara • journey ahead. Then we take our first steps along the to ascend Kok Tobe mountain by gondola to enjoy Lunches with local families • Legendary Samarkand • Visits Silk Road, with a panoramic tour of this former Soviet panoramic views of Almaty and the surrounding Tian to Central Asian bazaars • Regal Registan Square republic’s largest city. Tonight, we enjoy a welcome Shan mountains. Late this afternoon, we attend a dinner at a local restaurant. B,D falconry demonstration. B,L Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart U.S. for Bishkek Day 4: Bishkek/Burana We travel east this morning Day 7: Almaty/Tashkent, Uzbekistan We fly this th Hyatt Regency to the village of Burana, whose 11 -century tower is morning to the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, where 2-4 Bishkek Bishkek Sup. First Class the sole remaining remnant of the ancient Silk Road this afternoon we visit the Museum of Applied Arts, InterContinental 5-6 Almaty Sup. First Class city of Balasagun. We walk among the surrounding housing fine examples of Uzbek crafts, including Almaty “balbal” stone statues dating from the 6th to 10th cen- embroidery, jewelry, ceramics, and carpets. After Hyatt Regency 7-8 Tashkent Tashkent Sup. First Class turies then enjoy lunch in the home of Kyrgyz family. checking in at our hotel, we have free time this after- 9-10 Khiva Hotel Asia Khiva First Class Next: a yurt-making demonstration in this country noon before dinner at a local restaurant. B,L,D 11-12 Bukhara Hotel Minorai Kalon First Class where the nomadic lifestyle is still practiced. B,L,D Hotel Grand Day 8: Tashkent Our morning tour begins in the 13-15 Samarkand Samarkand Superior First Class Day 5: Bishkek/Almaty/Kazakhstan En route to Old City at the Khazrati Imam Complex of mosques Hyatt Regency Almaty this morning, we stop at Tamgaly Gorge to and madrassahs. Here we see the world’s oldest sur- 16 Tashkent Sup. First Class Tashkent see the Tamgaly Petroglyphs that date to the Bronze viving Islamic holy book, the 7th-century Uthman 17 Depart Tashkent for U.S. Age. We enjoy a picnic lunch in this archaeological Quran, brought to Tashkent by Tamerlane. Next: Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel landscape then continue on to Almaty, where tonight Chorsu Bazaar, under whose massive green dome industry standard reference. we dine at our hotel. B,L,D locals purchase everything from produce to clothing.

8 Visit us at www.umnalumni.org/travel B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D – Dinner Tour membership limited to 24 total alumni and friends

Tonight, we attend a performance of ballet, classical Don’t choose a path, music, or opera at the national opera house. B,L choose traveling companions.”

Day 9: Tashkent/Urgench/Khiva Very early this – Uzbek Proverb morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Urgench, then continue on to Khiva. We get a taste Samarkand, legendary stop on the Silk Road. Tonight, of Khiva’s storied past as a major trading post along we get our first glimpse of vast Registan, the mosaic- the Silk Road as we begin exploring the Itchan Kala, tiled public square flanked by three ornate madrassahs the “inner city” whose entirety is a UNESCO site. that have stood here since the 14th century. B,L,D We start at the double-domed Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum then visit the Islam Khoja minaret, fol- Alexander the Great and Genghis lowed by the Juma Mosque, with its 200 wooden Day 14: Samarkand Khan left their marks on Samarkand, as did Tamarlane pillars. Late afternoon we attend a performance of (Timur), who made it capital of his Islamic empire in the Khiva Puppet Theatre. B,L,D the 14th century. Our touring today begins at Registan Square, once and current heart of the city, where we Day 10: Khiva We continue our exploration of join in a calligraphy workshop. We continue to 15th- this 1,500-year-old city at the turquoise-tiled Kalta century Bibi-Khanym mosque, and Siyob Bazaar, Minor minaret – enormous, stout, and unfinished. the city’s largest market. This afternoon we visit a We continue on to Kunya Ark citadel; the immense historic winery for a tour and tasting. B,L Madrassah of Muhammad Rahim Khan, with its tiled façade; the 163-room Tah Hauli Palace; and the Today we visit the Afrasiyab Hunarmand artisans’ workshop. Tonight, we enjoy Day 15: Samarkand Museum, 15th-century Ulugh Beg Observatory, a small group highlight as we travel through the and the Meros Paper Mill. We join a local family in desert to a lakeside yurt camp, where we have a sunset their home for lunch then explore the Shakhi Zinda cocktail party followed by a traditional barbecue din- Necropolis and temple complex, whose 20-plus build- ner and folkloric performance. B,D ings date from the 11th to 19th centuries. This evening, we visit the Gur Emir Mausoleum, Tamarlane’s rest- Day 11: Khiva/ ing place. After dinner at a local restaurant, we make Bukhara This morn- a last stop to see Registan lit up for the evening. B,L,D ing we journey by train through the We return today to Kyzylkum Desert Day 16: Samarkand/Tashkent the Uzbek capital, passing through Jilanuti Pass, the Cityscape of Khiva, historic Khorezm to Bukhara, with “Gates of Tamerlane” passage between the Nuratin lunch on board. and Turkestan hills. After arriving in Tashkent early Upon arrival in this Tour Departs: September 10, 2022 this afternoon, we have time for lunch on our own Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees ancient city of Silk then visit the studio of renowned ceramicist Akbar Road commerce and Boston, New York, Rakhimov. Tonight, we toast our adventure along $6,494 religious piety, we Washington, DC the Silk Road at a farewell dinner. B,D visit the Chor Minor Chicago, Houston, madrassah, with its Los Angeles, Miami, $6,794 Typical Kyrgyz yurts Day 17: Depart for U.S. Early this morning we depart four minarets. This San Francisco for the airport for our connecting flight to the U.S. B evening we dine at Akbar House, the preserved Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, th $6,994 home of a 19 -century Jewish merchant. B,L,D Dallas, Philadelphia Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Day 12: Bukhara Today begins with a walking tour Detroit, Minneapolis, Orlando, of the 16th-century Lyab-i Hauz religious complex. $7,094 We continue to the domed Taki-Telpak Furushon Phoenix, Portland (OR), bazaar known for its headgear: embroidered skull caps, Seattle, Tampa turbans, and heavy fur hats; then on to a bazaar where Land Only (transfers not included) $5,395 we watch silk weavers at work. Next, we return to Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person the Old Jewish Quarter to visit the home of a Sufi Your Tour Price Includes based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, miniaturist, where we learn about his craft and enjoy surcharges, and fees of $599, which are subject to change • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights a traditional lunch of plov – lamb and rice – the Uzbek until final payment has been made. national dish. Touring continues this afternoon at the within itinerary Single travelers please add $1,295. Your $500 deposit is Poi Kalyan religious complex, the Chashma-Ayub • 14 nights’ accommodations in Superior First Class and First fully refundable up to 95 days prior to departure. All 2022 Mausoleum, and the massive 5th-century earthen Ark Class hotels tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and of Bukhara Fortress. B,L • 36 meals: 15 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners fees) are guaranteed. • Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees Day 13: Bukhara/Gijduvan/Samarkand This • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: morning we call on a sacred pilgrimage site: the • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip $4,795 per person in addition to the above costs (upgrade Memorial Complex of Naqshband, burial site of the • Luggage handling for one bag per person is subject to availability and pricing is subject to change). founder of the world’s largest order of Sufi Muslims. • Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on Next: the Narzullaev Ceramics Workshop, where hotel porters, and all drivers uneven terrain and at sites of ancient ruins. You should be potters have used traditional methods for more than • We are pleased to share this departure with alumni from in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest. a century. After lunch here, we board the train for the University of Southern California

For questions, call Minnesota Alumni Travel at 800-862-5867 9 T h e S m a l l G r o u p T r a v e l E x p e r i e n c e

Important Information About Your Tour General Terms and Conditions Please read this information carefully, as payment of a deposit represents your acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions.

Tour Prices Not Included in Your Tour Price Tour prices quoted are guaranteed Airfare from your hometown to your through December 31, 2022, and include departure city; costs of passports and accommodations based on double visas; personal expenses such as beverages, occupancy; airfare from your departure laundry, room service, and meals not city; airline taxes, surcharges, and fees, specified; immunizations and inoculations; and port charges and cruise line fees communications charges; airport transfers (where applicable), which are subject when purchasing a land-only package; to change until final payment has been gratuities to your Odysseys Unlimited Tour made; internal air, rail, and motorcoach Director and shipboard personnel (if a transportation; meals, sightseeing, and cruise is included in your tour), which are transfers as described; hotel taxes; at your discretion (suggested gratuities: entrance fees for included sightseeing; the $10–$15 per guest, per day); and a Travel services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Protection Plan. Additional baggage fees Director; luggage handling for one bag levied directly by the airline(s) may apply per person; and all gratuities as described and are subject to change at any time. You below. Please note that the cost of air should confirm directly with your airline(s) upgrades is subject to change. prior to departure. Gratuities Registration and Payment Tour prices include all gratuities for local A deposit of $500 per person confirms guides, dining room servers, airport and your reservation and is fully refundable hotel porters, and all drivers on base up to 95 days prior to departure. Full tours and on optional extensions when payment is due at least 95 days prior to accompanied by an Odysseys Unlimited departure and may be made by personal representative. Please note that gratuities check or credit card. Odysseys Unlim- for the Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director ited, Inc. reserves the right to cancel any and shipboard personnel (if a cruise is reservations that are not paid in full at included in your tour) are not included. any time after final payment is due. If These tips are optional and should be you make your reservation after the final extended on a voluntary basis. Gratuities payment date, payment in full will be are not included on “On Your Own” required upon reservation. optional extensions. Cancellations and Refunds Required Information If you must cancel your tour, the effective Upon reservation, we will need to date of can­cellation will be upon our obtain from you the following, in receipt of your notification. Refunds for accordance with the Transportation cancellations are subject to the following Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure per person charges: Flight program (for details, please visit www.tsa.gov), as well as for our For all tours (except as noted) international travel partners: your full Prior to departure Charge name as it appears on your passport, 95 days or more: Full refund date of birth, and gender. In addition, 94-65 days: 25% of tour price airlines may require that we provide 64-45 days: 50% of tour price them with your contact information 44-30 days: 75% of tour price prior to departure. In the event an airline ticket is issued with incorrect 29-0 days: No refund information you have provided, or For Egypt & the Eternal Nile, Journey if you use a different passport than through Vietnam, Machu Picchu to originally cited, you will be responsible the Galapagos for charges associated with the ticket’s reissue. Prior to departure Charge 95 days or more: Full refund Travel Documents 94-65 days: 50% of tour price A passport valid for at least six months 64-30 days: 75% of tour price after the completion of your tour is 29-0 days: No refund required for U.S. citizens on all tours in this catalog. If your tour requires Please note that we will not refund the a visa(s), we strongly recommend that cost of any unused portion of your tour you have at least six blank visa pages package. If due to unforeseen circum- available; for tours not requiring a visa(s), stances Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. cancels we recommend that your passport have at your tour, you will receive a complete least three blank visa pages. We will send refund of all payments you have made you specific visa and entry requirements to us. after you make a reservation. You Changes to Your Reservation are res­p­onsible for obtaining these We will not charge a fee for any changes documents. If you are not a U.S. made to your reservation outside of 95 citizen, please contact your embassy days before departure. From 94 to 30 or consulate to ensure you ­obtain the days before departure, if you make any proper documentation. changes to your reservation, a $100 per person administrative fee will apply, Health and Medical Issues in addition to any fees or penalties We welcome all travelers, but request that imposed by airlines, hotels, or other you be in good health to participate in third parties. Changes are subject to an Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. tour. All of availability and cannot be guaranteed. our tours involve a reasonable amount If your reservation changes from double of walking (typically two to three miles occupancy to single occupancy for per day), often uphill or on uneven or any reason or at any time, you will be cobblestone streets. You must be able charged the single supplement. No to get on and off motorcoaches and changes to your reservation can be made boats on your own. We regret that we within 30 days of departure. cannot provide individual­ assistance; in

2 G e n e r a l T e r m s a n d C o n d i t i o n s such cases you must be accompanied by a resulting from cancellation of this tour or companion who will assist you. Please note changes in this tour. that many of our itineraries, for reasons beyond our control, do not accommodate Responsibility wheelchairs. Please call or e-mail us to The liability of the University of Minnesota inquire, and we will do our best to answer Alumni Association, as sponsor, and any questions you may have. We reserve Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., as tour operator, the right to remove anyone whose physical is strictly limited. The University of condition or behavior, in our opinion, com­ Minnesota Alumni Association and Odysseys promises the operation of the tour or detracts Unlimited, Inc. purchase transportation, hotel from the enjoyment or safety of the other accommodations, and restaurant and other tour members. In that event, the University services from independent suppliers not under of Minnesota Alumni Association and our control. We serve only as agents for these Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. assume no financial suppliers in securing tour arrangements, responsibility­ for any unused portion of the and therefore will not accept responsibility tour. While we do our best to accommodate for wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary acts or food allergy concerns, we cannot guarantee omissions of these independent contractors, zero cross-contamination. or of their employees, agents, servants, or representatives. The University of Minnesota Air Transportation Alumni Association and Odysseys Unlimited, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. includes in its Inc. are not liable for injury, damage, loss, tour price round-trip economy air from accident, or delay that may be caused by designated gateway cities as shown and events not within our control, including, contracts with those airlines the company without limitation, acts of terrorism, war, feels provide the level of service, routings, strikes, the defect of any vehicle, or the and value necessary for your entire trip. negligence or default of any third party. All While another airline may offer a more coupons, receipts, and tickets issued are direct connection, it may be at a price subject to the terms and conditions specified unavailable at the lower group rates. You by the air carriers, cruise lines, and other will receive your preliminary air schedule independent suppliers. approximately 2½ months prior to departure. We will make every effort to operate our Please note that seat assignment on your tours as planned, but we reserve the right international flight is usually done at airport to make itinerary changes as necessary. check-in. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. is unable If unforeseen circumstances require us to guarantee any seat assignments. Due to to change a hotel, we will select alternative the nature of tour operator tickets, other accommodations of the same or better restrictions apply, including, but not limited quality. Cruise itineraries may change due to, frequent flyer mileage accrual, stopovers, to factors such as government regulations, alternate travel dates, upgrades, and airline water levels, or weather conditions. taxes and fees. If you prefer to make your own travel arrangements, booking the tour University of Minnesota Alumni “Land Only” is available on most tours. Association’s Disclaimer Since international and domestic air schedules The University of Minnesota Alumni are subject to change at any time, we recom- Association has engaged Odysseys mend that you do not purchase non-refundable Unlimited, Inc. to conduct this tour and tickets or those with high penalties for is not the tour operator. The Alumni changes. If you choose to make your own Association is not responsible for the acts air arrangements, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. or omissions of the tour operator, airlines, shall not have any liability for any loss hotels, restaurants, bus carriers, cruise

G e n e r a l T e r m s a n d C o n d i t i o n s 3 lines, or any other person or entity engaged acts of God); or for any losses or additional in carrying out tour arrangements (e.g., expenses occasioned thereby. The right is changes in flight times, hotel arrangements, reserved to decline to accept or to terminate or itinerary; fare changes; accidents, injury, participation of (without refund) any person damage, or loss); or for any other event on the tour, should such person’s health, or cause beyond the control of the Alumni actions, or general deportment impede the Association (e.g., sickness, weather, strikes, operation of the tour or compromise the civil unrest, acts of terrorism, quarantine, right or welfare of other participants.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA RESERVATION FORM

To reserve your place on tour, please call Odysseys Unlimited toll-free at 888-370-6765. Please have the information outlined below available to share with an Odysseys Unlimited Travel Counselor.

If you prefer, you may also complete this Reservation Form and mail it to Odysseys Unlimited’s office. Once this request is received, a Travel Counselor from Odysseys Unlimited will contact you within two business days to securely take your credit card information for the deposit. Your reservation is not confirmed until your deposit is paid and processed. Payment may be made by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA, or by personal check. If paying by check, please make check payable to Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and include with the form. Final payment is due at least 95 days prior to departure.

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This trip is available to University of Minnesota alumni, and their families and friends. For more information on UMAA travel opportunities, visit www.umnalumni.org/travel. For more information about the Alumni Association and membership, call 800-862-5867.

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