risk agreementis required fortripparticipation. enrollment andis availabletoprospectivetravelersupon request. A signedreleaseofliability/assumption of Travel andMIRCorporationforlossof property, injury,illnessordeathwillbeprovidedtopassengersupon Responsibility: residents only isavailable for purchase. Inquire at MIR. Insurance: shared accommodationscannotbe guaranteedandasinglesupplementratewillapply. Single Travelers: that younotpurchaseinternationalflightsuntilinstructedbyMIRCorporation. penalty incurredbythepurchaseofanon-refundableticketinconnection withthistour. Itisrecommended Note: the recoverablecostofunusedservicesandaccommodationsberefunded, ifany. general welfareofthetourgrouporindividualparticipant,and subject onlytotherequirementthat expense, whensuchactionisdeterminedbytourstafftobeinthebest interestofthehealth,safety,or as aparticipantintour,ortorequireanywithdrawfrom atouratanytimehis/herown tour announced(i.e.,cancelatour). MIR Corporation reservestherighttodeclineacceptanyperson Club Travel andourtouroperatorMIRCorporationreservetheright,without penalty,towithdrawthe cannot bemadetopassengerswhodonotcompletethefulltourfor anyreasonatall. Commonwealth 50% oflandtourcostperperson;thosereceived30daysorlessbeforedeparture,norefund. Refunds the $500perpersonnon-refundable deposit;thosereceived31daysto60beforedeparture,forfeit following cancellationchargeswillapply:Cancellationsreceived61ormoredaysbeforedeparture,forfeit Cancellations andRefunds: check orbanktransfer only. land andaircostsisduebyAugust11,2017,60dayspriortodeparture. Paymentofthebalanceisdueby Corporation-CA Trust) orcreditcardinformationtoTheCommonwealth Club. Balanceofpaymentforall Reservations andPayments: areaccept localstandards essentialtotheenjoyment ofamenitiesandservices ofthisprogram. an amountsuitablefor personalusein originalpharmacy-labeledpackaging. Flexibilityandthewillingnessto personal usewithaforeign prescription. Travelers are advisedtobringalternative medications, only andcarry others), whichare somewhat common intheU.S., are prohibited inUzbekistanand Turkmenistan, even for at museums andmany oftherestaurants. painrelievers Certain suchas Tramadol andHydrocodone (among bags withoutassistance. Availability ofwestern toiletsonthetripisunreliable, and squattoiletsare prevalent tours andmuseum visits. Border crossings may require walking uptoamileonfoot whilehandlingyour own over uneven terrain whilekeeping upwiththegroup, andstandfor extendedperiodsoftimeduringwalking adventure, travelers must beabletowalkatleasttwo milesaday (withorwithouttheassistanceofacane) walking andstairclimbingrequired. The tourisnotwheelchairaccessible. To reap thefullrewards ofthis What toExpect: willbesent recommendedby ourtouroperatoruponconfirmation. flightitinerary of theglobalnature ofourmembersandpatrons, there isnogroup flight for this program. Informationa on Air Arrangements: as telephonecalls,laundry,excessbaggagefees, visafees with reservations•TravelinsuranceMealsnotspecifiedasincludedtheitineraryPersonalitemssuch Not Included:Internationalairfareto Tashkent/from Baku. OurtouroperatorMIRCorporationcanassist pre-departure packet local guides, drivers, Tour Manager and restaurant staff • during Comprehensive included meals • Visa support where •Baggagehandlingatthehotelsandairports available;Manager throughout theitinerary gratuitiesto • Specialculturaleventsandextensivesightseeing,includingentrancefeesEnglish-speakingguides Tour to from Merv Ashgabat and Ashgabat toBaku• All overland transportationperitineraryby privatevehicles departing onscheduledstart/enddays•Internalairfare Arrival/departure transfersforpassengersarriving/ per itinerary(B=breakfast,L=lunch,D=dinner)• Included:

Single Supplement: $995 Land Program Rate: $6,995 (per personbasedondoubleoccupancy) Neither Commonwealth Club Travel norMIRCorporationacceptsliabilityforanyairlinecancellation

All accommodation, hotel taxes • Meals Allaccommodation,hoteltaxes•Meals

A TravelGuard medical/evacuation andtripcancellation/interruption insurancepolicyfor U.S.

A detailedstatementoflimitations and exclusionsofliabilityCommonwealth Club Thistripismoderately active duetothesubstantialdistancescovered andtheextensive

We makeeveryefforttomatchsingletravelerswhorequestaroommate. However, Program ratesdonotinclude internationalairfare to Tashkent/from Baku. Because All cancellations must be made in writing to MIR Corporation and the AllcancellationsmustbemadeinwritingtoMIRCorporationandthe

Please mail the completed registration form with check (payable to MIR Please mailthecompletedregistrationformwithcheck(payabletoMIR ©2017 MIRCorporation, allrights reserved. Photos: MIRCorporation

MIR Corporation: CST#2082306-40. WST #601-099-932.

Please mail the completed registration form with check (payable to MIR Corporation-CA Trust) or credit card information to The Commonwealth Club of California, P.O. Box 194210, San Francisco, CA 94119. Balance of payment for all land and air costs is due by August 11, 2017, 60 days prior to departure. Payment of the balance is due by check or bank transfer only. Space is limited. Reservations will be processed in order of receipt, subject to availability. The enclosed non-refundable deposit of $ ______($500 per person) to hold ______place(s). The Commonwealth Club of California  Enclosed check, payable to MIR Corporation-CA Trust  Visa  Mastercard  American Express  Discover P.O. Box 194210 ______San Francisco, CA 94119 Credit card number Exp date CVC ______Billing Address (if different from mailing address) ______Signature of cardholder ______Full name #1 (as listed in passport) Date of birth ______Full name #2 (as listed in passport) Date of birth ______Mailing address (no PO boxes please) ______City State/Province Zip Country ______Phone (Home) (Work/Cell) Email Please note preferences:  I am traveling alone and prefer a single room wherever available at the single supplement rate ($995).  I will share accommodations with ______ I would like to share with a  Non-smoker  Smoker (shares are not guaranteed) International airfare is not included in the tour price. Information on the recommended flight itinerary will be sent by our tour operator upon confirmation. Please send me a recommended air itinerary and fare estimate between my home city ______and Tashkent/ Baku in:  Business class  Economy class

For more information, contact The Commonwealth Club at (415) 597-6720 or [email protected] Journeyfrom T Tashkent October 10-24, 2017

• Samarkand Ashgabat ashkent toBaku •

• Baku Bukhara

• Merv

• The Commonwealth Club 415-597-6720 [email protected] Day by Day Itinerary Program Highlights • Enjoy a privately guided tour of Tashkent’s Museum of Oct 10 Depart USA Oct 17-20 Merv, Turkmenistan • Ashgabat Depart USA on flights bound for Tashkent, Uzbekistan. (In flight) Crossing the border into Turkmenistan, explore the remains of the five ancient Applied Arts, housed in the former mansion of a wealthy cities of Merv, and admire Ashgabat’s gleaming marble monuments. Venture outside czarist diplomat. Oct 11-12 Tashkent, Uzbekistan the city to visit a horse-breeding farm devoted to the renowned Akhal-Teke horse, • In Tashkent, visit the private art studio of a sixth-generation Start with an introductory lecture, followed by a tour of modern Tashkent, including the arguably the oldest cultured breed of horse in the world. Visit the UNESCO Uzbek ceramicist whose family has been making pottery Shahid Memorial Complex, honoring the people killed during Stalin’s purges in 1938. In World Heritage Site of the ancient Parthian Kingdom of Nisa, led by a professional since the 1790s. the old part of Tashkent, view the Uthman Koran, considered by Sunni Muslims to be local archaeologist. Stop at Kipchak Mosque, a huge $100-million-dollar mosque the oldest Koran in the world. Visit the private art studio of a sixth-generation Uzbek big enough to hold 10,000 people; its 164-foot golden dome had to be lowered in • Converse with your hostess at a convivial meal in the home ceramicist, and enjoy a privately guided tour of the Museum of Applied Arts, admiring place by helicopter. Mary: Hotel Mary or similar; Ashgabat: Hotel Oguzkent or similar of a local family in Samarkand. the embroidered Uzbek wall coverings called suzani. Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace or (4B, 4L, 4D) • Participate in an exclusive meeting with the Senior Advisor similar (2B, 2L, 2D) Oct 21-23 Baku, Azerbaijan for Bukhara’s Ark Museum. Fly in to Baku, and take a walk through the UNESCO-listed Old City, or Icheri Oct 13-14 Samarkand • Explore the extensive ruins of the ancient city of Merv, and Take the morning express train from Tashkent, and begin exploring the World Heritage Shere, completely encircled by the old city walls with their medieval gates. Enjoy a learn about its turbulent history from an expert guide. Site of Samarkand in the majestic Registan, centerpiece of the city. Visit the Gur-Emir curator-led tour of the State Museum of Azerbaijani Carpets and Applied Folk Art, Mausoleum, the final resting place of Tamerlane, and the Bibi Khanum Mosque, which which beautifully displays the vivid colors and bold designs of Azeri, Caucasian and • Discover UNESCO-listed Gobustan, an important site of he built to be the largest mosque in the Islamic world. Wander the row of tombs and Iranian carpets. Visit Gobustan, an important site of ancient petroglyphs that was ancient petroglyphs on the Absheron Peninsula below Baku. mausoleums called Shah-i-Zinda, and pay a visit to Ulug Bek’s medieval observatory. added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007. Quarry workers discovered the rock carvings here by accident in the 1930s. Discover the Absheron Peninsula • Enjoy a private tour and champagne reception at Baku’s Drop in at a private kindergarten for an opportunity to meet with children, teachers where flaming natural gas vents may have inspired Zarathustra, a local resident Nobel Oil Club, the Nobel Brothers’ museum. and administrators, and discuss the system of education in Uzbekistan. Take a tour of a workshop where hand-crafted paper is made according to traditions handed down from around 1000 BC, to include fire rituals in his Zoroastrian religion. Tour the the 8th century, when paper-making began in Samarkand. Enjoy dinner at a private home. Zoroastrian Fire Temple here, originally built over a burning natural gas vent. Emir Han Hotel (2B, 2L,2 D) Enjoy a private tour and champagne reception at the Nobel Oil Club, the Nobel Brothers’ Museum, followed by a farewell dinner featuring authentic Azeri dishes and traditional mugham music. Hilton Hotel Baku, (3B, 3L, 2D) Oct 15-16 Bukhara Make the drive to Bukhara, stopping for lunch in the village of Vobkent to meet with Oct 24 Depart Baku villagers and learn about Uzbekistan’s rural life. Begin exploring at the Ark Citadel, The tour concludes with transfers to the airport for international departures. (B the original fortress of Bukhara, likely dating back two thousand years or more. Meet flight time permitting) the Senior Scientific Advisor of the Ark in charge of renovations and projects. See the infamous Zindan Prison, Lyabi-Hauz Plaza at the center of the Old Town, and the lovely Ismael Samani Mausoleum, the 10th century resting place of the founder of the Persian Samanid Dynasty. Visit a madrassah to enjoy a performance by local artists. Sasha & Son Hotel (2B, 2L, 2D) risk agreementis required fortripparticipation. enrollment andis availabletoprospectivetravelersupon request. A signedreleaseofliability/assumption of Travel andMIRCorporationforlossof property, injury,illnessordeathwillbeprovidedtopassengersupon Responsibility: residents only isavailable for purchase. Inquire at MIR. Insurance: shared accommodationscannotbe guaranteedandasinglesupplementratewillapply. Single Travelers: that younotpurchaseinternationalflightsuntilinstructedbyMIRCorporation. penalty incurredbythepurchaseofanon-refundableticketinconnection withthistour. Itisrecommended Note: the recoverablecostofunusedservicesandaccommodationsberefunded, ifany. general welfareofthetourgrouporindividualparticipant,and subject onlytotherequirementthat expense, whensuchactionisdeterminedbytourstafftobeinthebest interestofthehealth,safety,or as aparticipantintour,ortorequireanywithdrawfrom atouratanytimehis/herown tour announced(i.e.,cancelatour). MIR Corporation reservestherighttodeclineacceptanyperson Club Travel andourtouroperatorMIRCorporationreservetheright,without penalty,towithdrawthe cannot bemadetopassengerswhodonotcompletethefulltourfor anyreasonatall. Commonwealth 50% oflandtourcostperperson;thosereceived30daysorlessbeforedeparture,norefund. Refunds the $500perpersonnon-refundable deposit;thosereceived31daysto60beforedeparture,forfeit following cancellationchargeswillapply:Cancellationsreceived61ormoredaysbeforedeparture,forfeit Cancellations andRefunds: check orbanktransfer only. land andaircostsisduebyAugust11,2017,60dayspriortodeparture. Paymentofthebalanceisdueby Corporation-CA Trust) orcreditcardinformationtoTheCommonwealth Club. Balanceofpaymentforall Reservations andPayments: areaccept localstandards essentialtotheenjoyment ofamenitiesandservices ofthisprogram. an amountsuitablefor personalusein originalpharmacy-labeledpackaging. Flexibilityandthewillingnessto personal usewithaforeign prescription. Travelers are advisedtobringalternative medications, only andcarry others), whichare somewhat common intheU.S., are prohibited inUzbekistanand Turkmenistan, even for at museums andmany oftherestaurants. painrelievers Certain suchas Tramadol andHydrocodone (among bags withoutassistance. Availability ofwestern toiletsonthetripisunreliable, and squattoiletsare prevalent tours andmuseum visits. Border crossings may require walking uptoamileonfoot whilehandlingyour own over uneven terrain whilekeeping upwiththegroup, andstandfor extendedperiodsoftimeduringwalking adventure, travelers must beabletowalkatleasttwo milesaday (withorwithouttheassistanceofacane) walking andstairclimbingrequired. The tourisnotwheelchairaccessible. To reap thefullrewards ofthis What toExpect: willbesent recommendedby ourtouroperatoruponconfirmation. flightitinerary of theglobalnature ofourmembersandpatrons, there isnogroup flight for this program. Informationa on Air Arrangements: as telephonecalls,laundry,excessbaggagefees, visafees with reservations•TravelinsuranceMealsnotspecifiedasincludedtheitineraryPersonalitemssuch Not Included:Internationalairfareto Tashkent/from Baku. OurtouroperatorMIRCorporationcanassist pre-departure packet local guides, drivers, Tour Manager and restaurant staff • during Comprehensive included meals • Visa support where •Baggagehandlingatthehotelsandairports available;Manager throughout theitinerary gratuitiesto • Specialculturaleventsandextensivesightseeing,includingentrancefeesEnglish-speakingguides Tour to from Merv Ashgabat and Ashgabat toBaku• All overland transportationperitineraryby privatevehicles departing onscheduledstart/enddays•Internalairfare Arrival/departure transfersforpassengersarriving/ per itinerary(B=breakfast,L=lunch,D=dinner)• Included:

Single Supplement: $995 Land Program Rate: $6,995 (per personbasedondoubleoccupancy) Neither Commonwealth Club Travel norMIRCorporationacceptsliabilityforanyairlinecancellation

All accommodation, hotel taxes • Meals Allaccommodation,hoteltaxes•Meals

A TravelGuard medical/evacuation andtripcancellation/interruption insurancepolicyfor U.S.

A detailedstatementoflimitations and exclusionsofliabilityCommonwealth Club Thistripismoderately active duetothesubstantialdistancescovered andtheextensive

We makeeveryefforttomatchsingletravelerswhorequestaroommate. However, Program ratesdonotinclude internationalairfare to Tashkent/from Baku. Because All cancellations must be made in writing to MIR Corporation and the AllcancellationsmustbemadeinwritingtoMIRCorporationandthe

Please mail the completed registration form with check (payable to MIR Please mailthecompletedregistrationformwithcheck(payabletoMIR ©2017 MIRCorporation, allrights reserved. Photos: MIRCorporation

MIR Corporation: CST#2082306-40. WST #601-099-932.

Please mail the completed registration form with check (payable to MIR Corporation-CA Trust) or credit card information to The Commonwealth Club of California, P.O. Box 194210, San Francisco, CA 94119. Balance of payment for all land and air costs is due by August 11, 2017, 60 days prior to departure. Payment of the balance is due by check or bank transfer only. Space is limited. Reservations will be processed in order of receipt, subject to availability. The enclosed non-refundable deposit of $ ______($500 per person) to hold ______place(s). The Commonwealth Club of California  Enclosed check, payable to MIR Corporation-CA Trust  Visa  Mastercard  American Express  Discover P.O. Box 194210 ______San Francisco, CA 94119 Credit card number Exp date CVC ______Billing Address (if different from mailing address) ______Signature of cardholder ______Full name #1 (as listed in passport) Date of birth ______Full name #2 (as listed in passport) Date of birth ______Mailing address (no PO boxes please) ______City State/Province Zip Country ______Phone (Home) (Work/Cell) Email Please note preferences:  I am traveling alone and prefer a single room wherever available at the single supplement rate ($995).  I will share accommodations with ______ I would like to share with a  Non-smoker  Smoker (shares are not guaranteed) International airfare is not included in the tour price. Information on the recommended flight itinerary will be sent by our tour operator upon confirmation. Please send me a recommended air itinerary and fare estimate between my home city ______and Tashkent/ Baku in:  Business class  Economy class

For more information, contact The Commonwealth Club at (415) 597-6720 or [email protected] Journeyfrom T Tashkent October 10-24, 2017

• Samarkand Ashgabat ashkent toBaku •

• Baku Bukhara

• Merv

• The Commonwealth Club 415-597-6720 [email protected] Day by Day Itinerary Program Highlights • Enjoy a privately guided tour of Tashkent’s Museum of Oct 10 Depart USA Oct 17-20 Merv, Turkmenistan • Ashgabat Depart USA on flights bound for Tashkent, Uzbekistan. (In flight) Crossing the border into Turkmenistan, explore the remains of the five ancient Applied Arts, housed in the former mansion of a wealthy cities of Merv, and admire Ashgabat’s gleaming marble monuments. Venture outside czarist diplomat. Oct 11-12 Tashkent, Uzbekistan the city to visit a horse-breeding farm devoted to the renowned Akhal-Teke horse, • In Tashkent, visit the private art studio of a sixth-generation Start with an introductory lecture, followed by a tour of modern Tashkent, including the arguably the oldest cultured breed of horse in the world. Visit the UNESCO Uzbek ceramicist whose family has been making pottery Shahid Memorial Complex, honoring the people killed during Stalin’s purges in 1938. In World Heritage Site of the ancient Parthian Kingdom of Nisa, led by a professional since the 1790s. the old part of Tashkent, view the Uthman Koran, considered by Sunni Muslims to be local archaeologist. Stop at Kipchak Mosque, a huge $100-million-dollar mosque the oldest Koran in the world. Visit the private art studio of a sixth-generation Uzbek big enough to hold 10,000 people; its 164-foot golden dome had to be lowered in • Converse with your hostess at a convivial meal in the home ceramicist, and enjoy a privately guided tour of the Museum of Applied Arts, admiring place by helicopter. Mary: Hotel Mary or similar; Ashgabat: Hotel Oguzkent or similar of a local family in Samarkand. the embroidered Uzbek wall coverings called suzani. Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace or (4B, 4L, 4D) • Participate in an exclusive meeting with the Senior Advisor similar (2B, 2L, 2D) Oct 21-23 Baku, Azerbaijan for Bukhara’s Ark Museum. Fly in to Baku, and take a walk through the UNESCO-listed Old City, or Icheri Oct 13-14 Samarkand • Explore the extensive ruins of the ancient city of Merv, and Take the morning express train from Tashkent, and begin exploring the World Heritage Shere, completely encircled by the old city walls with their medieval gates. Enjoy a learn about its turbulent history from an expert guide. Site of Samarkand in the majestic Registan, centerpiece of the city. Visit the Gur-Emir curator-led tour of the State Museum of Azerbaijani Carpets and Applied Folk Art, Mausoleum, the final resting place of Tamerlane, and the Bibi Khanum Mosque, which which beautifully displays the vivid colors and bold designs of Azeri, Caucasian and • Discover UNESCO-listed Gobustan, an important site of he built to be the largest mosque in the Islamic world. Wander the row of tombs and Iranian carpets. Visit Gobustan, an important site of ancient petroglyphs that was ancient petroglyphs on the Absheron Peninsula below Baku. mausoleums called Shah-i-Zinda, and pay a visit to Ulug Bek’s medieval observatory. added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007. Quarry workers discovered the rock carvings here by accident in the 1930s. Discover the Absheron Peninsula • Enjoy a private tour and champagne reception at Baku’s Drop in at a private kindergarten for an opportunity to meet with children, teachers where flaming natural gas vents may have inspired Zarathustra, a local resident Nobel Oil Club, the Nobel Brothers’ museum. and administrators, and discuss the system of education in Uzbekistan. Take a tour of a workshop where hand-crafted paper is made according to traditions handed down from around 1000 BC, to include fire rituals in his Zoroastrian religion. Tour the the 8th century, when paper-making began in Samarkand. Enjoy dinner at a private home. Zoroastrian Fire Temple here, originally built over a burning natural gas vent. Emir Han Hotel (2B, 2L,2 D) Enjoy a private tour and champagne reception at the Nobel Oil Club, the Nobel Brothers’ Museum, followed by a farewell dinner featuring authentic Azeri dishes and traditional mugham music. Hilton Hotel Baku, (3B, 3L, 2D) Oct 15-16 Bukhara Make the drive to Bukhara, stopping for lunch in the village of Vobkent to meet with Oct 24 Depart Baku villagers and learn about Uzbekistan’s rural life. Begin exploring at the Ark Citadel, The tour concludes with transfers to the airport for international departures. (B the original fortress of Bukhara, likely dating back two thousand years or more. Meet flight time permitting) the Senior Scientific Advisor of the Ark in charge of renovations and projects. See the infamous Zindan Prison, Lyabi-Hauz Plaza at the center of the Old Town, and the lovely Ismael Samani Mausoleum, the 10th century resting place of the founder of the Persian Samanid Dynasty. Visit a madrassah to enjoy a performance by local artists. Sasha & Son Hotel (2B, 2L, 2D) The Commonwealth Club 415-597-6720 [email protected] Day by Day Itinerary Program Highlights • Enjoy a privately guided tour of Tashkent’s Museum of Oct 10 Depart USA Oct 17-20 Merv, Turkmenistan • Ashgabat Depart USA on flights bound for Tashkent, Uzbekistan. (In flight) Crossing the border into Turkmenistan, explore the remains of the five ancient Applied Arts, housed in the former mansion of a wealthy cities of Merv, and admire Ashgabat’s gleaming marble monuments. Venture outside czarist diplomat. Oct 11-12 Tashkent, Uzbekistan the city to visit a horse-breeding farm devoted to the renowned Akhal-Teke horse, • In Tashkent, visit the private art studio of a sixth-generation Start with an introductory lecture, followed by a tour of modern Tashkent, including the arguably the oldest cultured breed of horse in the world. Visit the UNESCO Uzbek ceramicist whose family has been making pottery Shahid Memorial Complex, honoring the people killed during Stalin’s purges in 1938. In World Heritage Site of the ancient Parthian Kingdom of Nisa, led by a professional since the 1790s. the old part of Tashkent, view the Uthman Koran, considered by Sunni Muslims to be local archaeologist. Stop at Kipchak Mosque, a huge $100-million-dollar mosque the oldest Koran in the world. Visit the private art studio of a sixth-generation Uzbek big enough to hold 10,000 people; its 164-foot golden dome had to be lowered in • Converse with your hostess at a convivial meal in the home ceramicist, and enjoy a privately guided tour of the Museum of Applied Arts, admiring place by helicopter. Mary: Hotel Mary or similar; Ashgabat: Hotel Oguzkent or similar of a local family in Samarkand. the embroidered Uzbek wall coverings called suzani. Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace or (4B, 4L, 4D) • Participate in an exclusive meeting with the Senior Advisor similar (2B, 2L, 2D) Oct 21-23 Baku, Azerbaijan for Bukhara’s Ark Museum. Fly in to Baku, and take a walk through the UNESCO-listed Old City, or Icheri Oct 13-14 Samarkand • Explore the extensive ruins of the ancient city of Merv, and Take the morning express train from Tashkent, and begin exploring the World Heritage Shere, completely encircled by the old city walls with their medieval gates. Enjoy a learn about its turbulent history from an expert guide. Site of Samarkand in the majestic Registan, centerpiece of the city. Visit the Gur-Emir curator-led tour of the State Museum of Azerbaijani Carpets and Applied Folk Art, Mausoleum, the final resting place of Tamerlane, and the Bibi Khanum Mosque, which which beautifully displays the vivid colors and bold designs of Azeri, Caucasian and • Discover UNESCO-listed Gobustan, an important site of he built to be the largest mosque in the Islamic world. Wander the row of tombs and Iranian carpets. Visit Gobustan, an important site of ancient petroglyphs that was ancient petroglyphs on the Absheron Peninsula below Baku. mausoleums called Shah-i-Zinda, and pay a visit to Ulug Bek’s medieval observatory. added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007. Quarry workers discovered the rock carvings here by accident in the 1930s. Discover the Absheron Peninsula • Enjoy a private tour and champagne reception at Baku’s Drop in at a private kindergarten for an opportunity to meet with children, teachers where flaming natural gas vents may have inspired Zarathustra, a local resident Nobel Oil Club, the Nobel Brothers’ museum. and administrators, and discuss the system of education in Uzbekistan. Take a tour of a workshop where hand-crafted paper is made according to traditions handed down from around 1000 BC, to include fire rituals in his Zoroastrian religion. Tour the the 8th century, when paper-making began in Samarkand. Enjoy dinner at a private home. Zoroastrian Fire Temple here, originally built over a burning natural gas vent. Emir Han Hotel (2B, 2L,2 D) Enjoy a private tour and champagne reception at the Nobel Oil Club, the Nobel Brothers’ Museum, followed by a farewell dinner featuring authentic Azeri dishes and traditional mugham music. Hilton Hotel Baku, (3B, 3L, 2D) Oct 15-16 Bukhara Make the drive to Bukhara, stopping for lunch in the village of Vobkent to meet with Oct 24 Depart Baku villagers and learn about Uzbekistan’s rural life. Begin exploring at the Ark Citadel, The tour concludes with transfers to the airport for international departures. (B the original fortress of Bukhara, likely dating back two thousand years or more. Meet flight time permitting) the Senior Scientific Advisor of the Ark in charge of renovations and projects. See the infamous Zindan Prison, Lyabi-Hauz Plaza at the center of the Old Town, and the lovely Ismael Samani Mausoleum, the 10th century resting place of the founder of the Persian Samanid Dynasty. Visit a madrassah to enjoy a performance by local artists. Sasha & Son Hotel (2B, 2L, 2D) risk agreementis required fortripparticipation. enrollment andis availabletoprospectivetravelersupon request. A signedreleaseofliability/assumption of Travel andMIRCorporationforlossof property, injury,illnessordeathwillbeprovidedtopassengersupon Responsibility: residents only isavailable for purchase. Inquire at MIR. Insurance: shared accommodationscannotbe guaranteedandasinglesupplementratewillapply. Single Travelers: that younotpurchaseinternationalflightsuntilinstructedbyMIRCorporation. penalty incurredbythepurchaseofanon-refundableticketinconnection withthistour. Itisrecommended Note: the recoverablecostofunusedservicesandaccommodationsberefunded, ifany. general welfareofthetourgrouporindividualparticipant,and subject onlytotherequirementthat expense, whensuchactionisdeterminedbytourstafftobeinthebest interestofthehealth,safety,or as aparticipantintour,ortorequireanywithdrawfrom atouratanytimehis/herown tour announced(i.e.,cancelatour). MIR Corporation reservestherighttodeclineacceptanyperson Club Travel andourtouroperatorMIRCorporationreservetheright,without penalty,towithdrawthe cannot bemadetopassengerswhodonotcompletethefulltourfor anyreasonatall. Commonwealth 50% oflandtourcostperperson;thosereceived30daysorlessbeforedeparture,norefund. Refunds the $500perpersonnon-refundable deposit;thosereceived31daysto60beforedeparture,forfeit following cancellationchargeswillapply:Cancellationsreceived61ormoredaysbeforedeparture,forfeit Cancellations andRefunds: check orbanktransfer only. land andaircostsisduebyAugust11,2017,60dayspriortodeparture. Paymentofthebalanceisdueby Corporation-CA Trust) orcreditcardinformationtoTheCommonwealth Club. Balanceofpaymentforall Reservations andPayments: areaccept localstandards essentialtotheenjoyment ofamenitiesandservices ofthisprogram. an amountsuitablefor personalusein originalpharmacy-labeledpackaging. Flexibilityandthewillingnessto personal usewithaforeign prescription. Travelers are advisedtobringalternative medications, only andcarry others), whichare somewhat common intheU.S., are prohibited inUzbekistanand Turkmenistan, even for at museums andmany oftherestaurants. painrelievers Certain suchas Tramadol andHydrocodone (among bags withoutassistance. Availability ofwestern toiletsonthetripisunreliable, and squattoiletsare prevalent tours andmuseum visits. Border crossings may require walking uptoamileonfoot whilehandlingyour own over uneven terrain whilekeeping upwiththegroup, andstandfor extendedperiodsoftimeduringwalking adventure, travelers must beabletowalkatleasttwo milesaday (withorwithouttheassistanceofacane) walking andstairclimbingrequired. The tourisnotwheelchairaccessible. To reap thefullrewards ofthis What toExpect: willbesent recommendedby ourtouroperatoruponconfirmation. flightitinerary of theglobalnature ofourmembersandpatrons, there isnogroup flight for this program. Informationa on Air Arrangements: as telephonecalls,laundry,excessbaggagefees, visafees with reservations•TravelinsuranceMealsnotspecifiedasincludedtheitineraryPersonalitemssuch Not Included:Internationalairfareto Tashkent/from Baku. OurtouroperatorMIRCorporationcanassist pre-departure packet local guides, drivers, Tour Manager and restaurant staff • during Comprehensive included meals • Visa support where •Baggagehandlingatthehotelsandairports available;Manager throughout theitinerary gratuitiesto • Specialculturaleventsandextensivesightseeing,includingentrancefeesEnglish-speakingguides Tour to from Merv Ashgabat and Ashgabat toBaku• All overland transportationperitineraryby privatevehicles departing onscheduledstart/enddays•Internalairfare Arrival/departure transfersforpassengersarriving/ per itinerary(B=breakfast,L=lunch,D=dinner)• Included:

Single Supplement: $995 Land Program Rate: $6,995 (per personbasedondoubleoccupancy) Neither Commonwealth Club Travel norMIRCorporationacceptsliabilityforanyairlinecancellation

All accommodation, hotel taxes • Meals Allaccommodation,hoteltaxes•Meals

A TravelGuard medical/evacuation andtripcancellation/interruption insurancepolicyfor U.S.

A detailedstatementoflimitations and exclusionsofliabilityCommonwealth Club Thistripismoderately active duetothesubstantialdistancescovered andtheextensive

We makeeveryefforttomatchsingletravelerswhorequestaroommate. However, Program ratesdonotinclude internationalairfare to Tashkent/from Baku. Because All cancellations must be made in writing to MIR Corporation and the AllcancellationsmustbemadeinwritingtoMIRCorporationandthe

Please mail the completed registration form with check (payable to MIR Please mailthecompletedregistrationformwithcheck(payabletoMIR ©2017 MIRCorporation, allrights reserved. Photos: MIRCorporation

MIR Corporation: CST#2082306-40. WST #601-099-932.

Please mail the completed registration form with check (payable to MIR Corporation-CA Trust) or credit card information to The Commonwealth Club of California, P.O. Box 194210, San Francisco, CA 94119. Balance of payment for all land and air costs is due by August 11, 2017, 60 days prior to departure. Payment of the balance is due by check or bank transfer only. Space is limited. Reservations will be processed in order of receipt, subject to availability. The enclosed non-refundable deposit of $ ______($500 per person) to hold ______place(s). The Commonwealth Club of California  Enclosed check, payable to MIR Corporation-CA Trust  Visa  Mastercard  American Express  Discover P.O. Box 194210 ______San Francisco, CA 94119 Credit card number Exp date CVC ______Billing Address (if different from mailing address) ______Signature of cardholder ______Full name #1 (as listed in passport) Date of birth ______Full name #2 (as listed in passport) Date of birth ______Mailing address (no PO boxes please) ______City State/Province Zip Country ______Phone (Home) (Work/Cell) Email Please note preferences:  I am traveling alone and prefer a single room wherever available at the single supplement rate ($995).  I will share accommodations with ______ I would like to share with a  Non-smoker  Smoker (shares are not guaranteed) International airfare is not included in the tour price. Information on the recommended flight itinerary will be sent by our tour operator upon confirmation. Please send me a recommended air itinerary and fare estimate between my home city ______and Tashkent/ Baku in:  Business class  Economy class

For more information, contact The Commonwealth Club at (415) 597-6720 or [email protected] Journeyfrom T Tashkent October 10-24, 2017

• Samarkand Ashgabat ashkent toBaku •

• Baku Bukhara

• Merv

•