2020 HARVARD ALUMNI TRAVELS DISCOVER • LEARN • CONNECT • EXPLORE

Silk Road : The Five ‘Stans Kazakhstan • • Uzbekistan Tajikistan • Turkmenistan October 5-23, 2020 with Alexandra Vacroux, PhD, Executive Director of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies Caption Study Leader Join a modern-day exploration of ’s fabled Alexandra Vacroux “Five ‘Stans” — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, holds a PhD in and Turkmenistan — admiring their historic treasures and Government from Harvard University meeting the hospitable people who live and work in these where she is currently ancient, exotic lands. Trace the path of the great camel caravans executive director along the Old Silk Road, admiring the vaulted portals of the of the Davis Center for Russian and mosques and madrassahs, their domes cloaked in sky-blue Eurasian Studies. Her scholarly ceramic tiles. Discover five different UNESCO World Heritage work addresses many Russian and sites, including the historic Old Towns of the fabled Uzbek oases, Eurasian policy issues and she teaches Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Wander the fabulous bazaars popular courses on the comparative politics of Eurasia and post-Soviet and step into the past on the streets of Silk Road trade centers conflict. She is an active member of crowned with complex Persian architecture. Along the way, the bilateral Working Group on the tour a traditional Kazakh falcon farm, learn about Uzbekistan’s Future of U.S.–Russia Relations, and education system during a specially arranged visit to a private co-chairs the Davis Center’s long- school, attend an engaging performance of the Kyrgyz Epic of running Comparative Politics Seminar. Manas, and meet with representatives of a Tajik NGO. While living in Moscow for more than a decade in the 1990s, she was consultant to the Russian Privatization Agency, president of the American Activity Level 4: brokerage for the Brunswick Warburg investment bank, and member of the UP FOR A CHALLENGE board of United Way Moscow. She This trip is rated as rigorous touring due to the substantial distances covered; the also served as research associate length of some bus rides; the extensive walking and stair climbing required; and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. The itinerary features a at the Center for Economic and significant amount of touring on foot. Many streets are made of packed dirt, and Financial Research (CEFIR), a Russian some attractions are only accessible via steep staircases with tall uneven steps. think tank associated with the New Some sites and hotels may not offer elevators. Border crossings may require Economic School. As a commentator, crossing a relatively long distance by foot while managing your own bags — up she has been praised as “refreshing,” to about a half-mile. To fully enjoy this adventure, travelers must be able to walk “straightforward,” and “quick and to the at least two miles a day; flexibility and a willingness to accept local standards of point.” She has appeared on stations amenities and services are highly recommended as well. In true expedition style, ranging from WBUR, Fox News Radio, some delays or changes in the itinerary are likely. China Central TV, Hromadske TV (Ukraine), and speaks regularly TO BOOK A TRIP, CALL 800-422-1636 OR VISIT at community forums at home ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/TRAVEL and abroad. Trip Sampling

LAND & RAIL CRUISES RIVERS & LAKES

HMSC COLOMBIA: FROM BOGOTA MEDITERRANEAN MASTERPIECES: ELBE RIVER CRUISE ON ELBE TO CARTAGENA CADIZ TO NICE ON SEA CLOUD II PRINCESSE II MAR 12-23, 2020 APR 16-25, 2020 MAR 31 – APR 11, 2020 Jeffrey Quilter Joseph Greene Thomas F. Kelly DETROIT, THE MOTOR CITY: SAILING ANCIENT TRADE ROUTES THE PEARLS OF THE PO: FROM THEN & NOW ON SEA CLOUD II VENICE TO PARMA ON LA VENEZIA MAY 14-18, 2020 JUN 27-JUL 9, 2020 MAY 9-17, 2020 Alice DeLana Timothy J. Colton Joyce Chaplin HMSC ZAMBIA & NAMIBIA CRUISING ALASKA’S GLACIERS & GREAT JOURNEY THROUGH MAY 30-JUN 15, 2020 THE INSIDE PASSAGE ON LE SOLEAL EUROPE: THE RHINE RIVER AND Richard Wrangham & Elizabeth Ross JUL 29–AUG 5, 2020 SWITZERLAND Harvey Fineberg & Mary Wilson JUL 17-27, 2020 HMSC NATIVE AMERICAN VOICES Christie McDonald MAY 31 – JUN 8, 2020 CELTIC CLASSICS ON THE IRISH Philip Deloria SEA ON SEA CLOUD II ICONIC CHRISTMAS MARKETS: AUG 8-16, 2020 VIENNA TO NUREMBERG ON LANDSCAPES OF PEACE: Catherine McKenna AMAVIOLA THE LEGACY OF WWI IN BELGIUM DEC 6–14, 2020 & FRANCE ADRIATIC ODYSSEY: VENICE TO Sue Schopf JUN 15-23, 2020 CATANIA ON SEA CLOUD II R. Nicholas Burns OCT 4-12, 2020 Lino Pertile FAMILY ADVENTURES THE HOLY LAND: ISRAEL & PALESTINE SEP 6-16, 2020 SICILY BY SAIL: CATANIA TO NAPLES FAMILY ODYSSEY: Peter Machinist ON SEA CLOUD II THE PELOPONNESE ON RUNNING OCT 11-19, 2020 HBS INCREDIBLE BHUTAN ON WAVES Diana Sorensen OCT 5–19, 2020 JUN 18-27, 2020 NEW YEAR’S GALAPAGOS James Simpson KUMANO KODO: THE SACRED SITES ON ORIGIN & PILGRIMAGE ROUTES OF THE KII JAPAN FAMILY ADVENTURE DEC 26, 2020 – JAN 4, 2021 MOUNTAINS OF JAPAN (TOKYO, KYOTO & HIROSHIMA) James Costa NOV 6–14, 2020 JUN 27 – JUL 8, 2020 Gavin H. Whitelaw Ted Gilman

Alumni Travels Left: caption. Right: caption.

MONDAY-TUESDAY, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, ceramics, jewelry, and carpets, OCTOBER 5-6 OCTOBER 9-10 then make a stop at the Courage USA/Almaty, , Kyrgyzstan Monument, commemorating the survivors of a major earthquake Kazakhstan Fly to Bishkek, the capital of in 1966. Admire Independence Depart USA bound for Almaty, neighboring Kyrgyzstan. Visit Square and the Shahid Memorial Kazakhstan. Most flights arrive some of the city’s beautiful Complex, dedicated to those late on Tuesday night or very green parks and buildings, killed during Stalin’s purges in early on Wednesday morning. including Victory and Oak Parks, 1938. After a lunch with spe- Upon arrival, transfer to a five- Ala Too Square, and the Statue cially invited local guests, stroll star hotel in the city center for a of Manas, commemorating through some of Tashkent’s three-night stay. Intercontinental Kyrgyzstan’s mythical hero. Meet oldest remaining monuments, Almaty Hotel or similar (in flight) with a local who participated including Khast Imam Square, in the Kyrgyz Revolution of the 16th-century Kukeldash WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY, 2010, and together visit the Ata Madrassah, and Chorsu Bazaar. OCTOBER 7-8 Beiit Memorial Complex to pay By special arrangement, view the Almaty respects to fallen Kyrgyz heroes Uthman Koran, considered by and leaders. Admire UNESCO- Sunni Muslims to be the oldest After an introductory lecture, listed Burana Tower, one of the Koran in the world, and visit the begin exploring Almaty, the only existing Silk Road watch- private studio of a sixth-gener- largest city in Kazakhstan. towers in Kyrgyzstan, and attend ation Uzbek ceramicist whose Start with a visit to Panfilov a lively demonstration of Kyrgyz family has revived the lost art of Park and candy-colored Zenkov horse games, followed by lunch natural dye use. Lotte City Hotel Cathedral, one of the few surviv- with a village family. Enjoy dinner Tashkent Palace or similar ing czarist-era buildings left in with a traditional performance of (2B, 2L, 2D) the city. Admire the traditional selections from the Kyrgyz tale instruments on display at the The Epic of Manas, a UNESCO TUESDAY, delightful Museum of Musical Masterpiece of Cultural Heritage. OCTOBER 13 Instruments, and enjoy a Hyatt Regency Bishkek or similar Khujand, Tajkistan breathtaking cable-car ride up to (2B, 2L, 2D) Kok-Tobe Hill with fantastic views Cross the Uzbek/Tajik border of the city. Outside of Almaty, SUNDAY-MONDAY, and continue to Khujand, visit the Olympic-sized Medeo OCTOBER 11-12 Tajikistan’s second largest city, Sports Complex, set in the foot- Tashkent, Uzbekistan founded by Alexander the Great hills of the gorgeous Zailiysky in the 4th century BC. Visit the Alatau Mountains, and attend Fly to the Uzbek capital, remains of the 10th-century a demonstration of traditional Tashkent, and explore its Timurmalik Fortress, the poet Kazakh falconry at a falcon farm, fascinating mix of ancient and Muslihiddin’s memorial com- where hunters put the beauti- modern sights. Enjoy a privately plex, and the Historical Museum ful birds through their paces. guided tour of the Museum of Sogdiana with its recon- Intercontinental Almaty Hotel or of Applied Arts, displaying structed medieval gate. During similar (2B, 2L, 1D) hundreds of colorful fabrics, dinner this evening, meet with

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/TRAVEL Nur-Sultan

Karaganda Semey

Atyrau KAZAKHSTAN Aralsk Lake Balkhash Aral Sea Kyzylorda Bishkek Almaty

KYZYL KUM DE SE Tokmok Khiva RT Tashkent Dashoguz KYRGYZSTAN KARA KUM Caspian MAP AREA DESERT UZBEKISTAN Khujand Sea TURKMENISTAN Bukhara Samarkand TAJIKISTAN Ashgabat Dushanbe

representatives of a local NGO and a UNESCO World Heritage residence of the Khivan , and hear their experiences of Site. Tour the 12th-century Kalon and the 10th-century Dzhuma living and working in Tajikistan. Assembly with its masterful Mosque with its 115 carved Hotel Khujand Deluxe or similar 150-foot minaret. Nearby is the wooden columns. The khans (B, L, D) Ark Citadel, the original fortress had several residences, but the of Bukhara, where you’ll meet Kunya Ark dates back to the 12th WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY, its Senior Scientific Advisor in century as the original residence. OCTOBER 14-15 charge of ongoing renovations. Asia Hotel Khiva or similar Samarkand, Uzbekistan Discover the infamous Zindan (2B, 2L, 2D) Prison where two of Britain’s After a morning stroll through finest Great Game players were WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, Khujand’s exciting Panshanbe imprisoned, and the 10th-cen- OCTOBER 21-23 Bazaar, drive back into tury Ismael Samani Mausoleum Uzbekistan and on towards Dashoguz • Ashgabat with its 16 different styles of the fabled Silk Road oasis of Set out across the border brickwork. Explore Bukhara’s Samarkand. Applaud the unsur- towards the Turkmen town of old Jewish Quarter, where more passed majesty of the blue-tiled Dashoguz, where you’ll fly to than 2,500 prosperous Jewish Registan, the city’s centerpiece the capital, Ashgabat. Get an families lived before the mid-19th and most recognizable land- introduction to Turkmen culture century, and enjoy dinner and a mark. Admire Tamerlane’s Bibi with a visit to the History and performance by local artists in Khanum Mosque and Gur-Emir Ethnography Museum, display- a madrassah. Visit the luxuri- Mausoleum; the row of 15th- ing numerous artifacts and ous Summer Palace of the Last century tombs and mausoleums exhibits that tell the story of Emir and its Museum of National called Shah-i-Zinda; and Ulug Turkmenistan through the Crafts, admiring the vivid suzani Bek’s remarkable medieval ages. Tour a farm that special- embroidery that Uzbekistan is observatory. Visit a private izes in breeding and raising the known for. Hotel Devon or similar kindergarten for an opportunity renowned Akhal-Teke horse, (3B, 3L, 3D) to meet with children, teachers, arguably the oldest breed of and administrators to discuss MONDAY-TUESDAY, horse in the world. Outside of Uzbekistan’s education system. OCTOBER 19-20 Ashgabat, explore the UNESCO- Tour a workshop where hand- listed ruins of Nisa, capital of crafted paper is made according Khiva the ancient Parthian Kingdom, to traditions handed down from Drive across long stretches of accompanied by a professional the 8th century, and enjoy dinner the Kyzyl Kum (“Red Sands”) local archaeologist. Marvel at the in a private family home. Hotel Desert to UNESCO-listed Khiva, enormous $100-million-dollar Grand Samarkand Superior or the best preserved of the ancient Kipchak Mosque in the former similar (2B, 2L, 2D) caravan cities. Explore the city’s Turkmen president’s hometown, atmospheric Old Town, or Ichon then toast your journey through FRIDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16-18 Qala, which has been extensively the five ‘Stans of Central Asia at Bukhara preserved and restored over sev- a farewell dinner. Oguzkent Hotel eral decades. Highlights include or similar (2B, 2L, 2D) Depart for Bukhara, Central the Tash Hauli Palace, a former Asia’s most ancient living city Program Highlights • Enjoy expert insights by Harvard Lecturer Alexandra Vacroux • Witness a presentation of traditional Kazakh falcon hunting • Enjoy a dinner of Kyrgyz delicacies with a special folk performance of selections from the Epic of Manas • View the Uthman Koran in Tashkent, considered by Sunni Muslims to be the oldest Koran in the world • Learn about the ongoing humanitarian projects Caption of a local Tajik NGO • Participate in an exclusive meeting with the Senior Advisor for Bukhara’s Ark Museum

Cost • $8,695 per person double occupancy • GROUP SIZE: 12-28 • $10,040 single occupancy

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING AIR ARRANGEMENTS: International airfare is not included in the program cost. Internal airfare per itinerary in economy class is included (Almaty-Bishkek, Bishkek-Tashkent, and Dashoguz-Ashgabat). The tour operator can assist you with your air arrangements. Neither the Harvard Alumni Association nor the tour operator accepts the liability for any airline cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable airline ticket. The air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned.

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TOUR COST INCLUSIONS: CANCELLATIONS & To register, fill out this form and return to Harvard Alumni Lectures by Harvard study REFUNDS: Notification of Travels with your deposit of $1,000 per person. leader; accommodations and cancellation must be received meals as listed in the detailed in writing by Harvard Alumni Please return this form by mail to: itinerary; private coach for all Travels from the participant. Harvard Alumni Travels touring and transportation If cancellation is received 124 Mount Auburn Street, 6th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138 per the itinerary; train tickets 91 or more days before tour Or by FAX: 617-496-4011 for the high-speed express start, the cost of cancellation trains from Samarkand to is the non-refundable deposit Please call with any questions: Bukhara and from Bukhara of $1,000 per person. If to Khiva in economy class cancellation is received 90-61 800-422-1636 or 617-496-0806 (subject to schedules and days before tour start, the avail- ability); internal flights cost of cancellation is 50% How did you hear about this trip? in economy class from of land tour cost paid or due. Almaty to Bishkek, Bishkek to If cancellation is received 60 Tashkent, and from Dashoguz days or less before tour start, to Ashgabat; group arrival there is no refund. and departure transfers ITINERARY CHANGES: PROGRAM NAME START DATE if arriving / departing on Itineraries contained in the start / end dates; all this brochure are available sightseeing and excursions FIRST PERSON NAME ON PASSPORT DATE OF BIRTH at the time of printing and including entrance fees Harvard Alumni Travels and per itinerary; local English the Tour Operator reserve the EMAIL ADDRESS speaking guides; special right to change a program cultural features as stated in or accommodations as STREET ADDRESS itinerary; services of a tour conditions warrant. manager throughout the program; special Welcome & RESPONSIBILITY: Certain CITY / STATE / ZIP OR POSTAL CODE Farewell receptions; bottled other provisions apply / purified water with meals; regarding limitations of HOME TELEPHONE WORK TELEPHONE beverages, local beer and liability and rights of Harvard wine with lunches/dinners; Alumni Travels and the tour SECOND PERSON NAME ON PASSPORT DATE OF BIRTH all gratuities including to operator. The statement of tour manager, local guides, responsibility is available drivers; baggage handling at at https://alumni.harvard. EMAIL ADDRESS the hotels and train station edu/travel/trips/silk-road- where available; $200,000 odyssey-2020. If you are not STREET ADDRESS medevac emergency able to access the Internet, evacuation insurance. please call Harvard Alumni CITY / STATE / ZIP OR POSTAL CODE Travels at 800.422.1636 or TOUR COST EXCLUSIONS: 617.496.0806. International airfare between HOME TELEPHONE WORK TELEPHONE the U.S. and the start and DISCLAIMER: Every ending cities; air taxes or reasonable effort has been fuel surcharges; pre- or post- made to ensure the accuracy METHOD OF DEPOSIT tour services; independent of information presented travel arrangements, visa or in this publication. Harvard  CHECK (please enclose check)  MASTERCARD  VISA passport fees; medical and Alumni Association is not trip cancellation/interruption responsible for errors in or insurance; evacuation damages resulting from use CARD NUMBER costs; food or beverages not of the information contained included in group meals; herein. Information contained EXPIRATION DATE 3-DIGIT SECURITY CODE items of a personal nature in this catalog is subject to such as laundry, alcohol, change without notice. NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CARD telephone expense, excess QUESTIONS: Please baggage fees, photo/video call Harvard Alumni expenses inside museums  I/WE CONFIRM THAT I/WE HAVE READ AND ACCEPT THE GENERAL INFORMATION Travels at 800.422.1636 (where allowed); other FOR THIS TOUR, INCLUDING REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY or 617.496.0806, email: items not expressly listed CLAUSE AT ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/TRAVEL. [email protected]. as included. TOUR OPERATOR: MIR RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS, SIGNATURE CORPORATION & FINAL PAYMENT: To reserve a space on any CST #2082306-40. SIGNATURE Harvard Alumni Travels WST #601-099-932. program, a $1,000 deposit is ©2019 MIR Corporation, required per person. Please all rights reserved ACCOMMODATIONS either call us at 800.422.1636 or 617.496.0806 or fill out and Photos © MIR Corporation mail or fax the registration (will finalize once photos are CATEGORY PREFERENCE form found in the back of approved) this brochure. Reservations  DOUBLE ROOM  SINGLE ROOM  SHARE A ROOM WITH: are acknowledged in order of receipt until the maximum enrollment has been reached. ROOMMATE Final payment, payable by check, is due July 7, 2020, 90 days prior to departure. TRAVEL WITH HARVARD QUESTIONS? CONTACT US AT ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/TRAVEL • 800-422-1636 • [email protected]

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