Uzbekistan WITH DRS. PHILIP & NANCY WOOD September 26 – October 7, 2019

Join a modern-day caravan through along the fabled Silk Route. These ancient lands were sought after and conquered by history’s legendary leaders and still today appeal to true travellers who seek out old-fashioned exploration. Traverse memorable landscapes and visit magnificent examples of Islamic architecture in streetscapes and grand buildings.

From the modern capital of Tashkent, we set off to the remote valleys of Central Asia surrounded by the Tien Shan Mountain Range where Alexander the Great founded a city in 329 BCE and where traders from China created the in the 1st century BCE. See the beautifully intact architectural ensemble of , the living museum of to explore this still very much lived-in old centre filled with madrassahs, minarets, a royal fortress and a mulberry tree-shaded oasis in its heart. In discover the magnificent monuments of Tamerlane and Square, possibly the most awesome single sight in Central Asia.

The incredible sky-blue tile work, woven brick constructions and brilliant fabrics of the Silk Road form a mosaic of vivid snapshots and the warm hospitality is pervasive.

TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9 KAZAKHSTAN

UZBEKISTAN

Urgench Tashkent Khiva Gijduvan

Bukhara Samarkand TURKMENISTAN

YOUR HOSTS Drs. Philip and Nancy Wood Dr. Philip Wood is a retired surgeon who has worked for many years in central Africa and has presented several popular courses for The Life Institute and for Learning Unlimited, most recently a course entitled “Central Asia and the Silk Road”.

TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9 Detailed Itinerary

Thursday, Sept. 26: Arrive in Tashkent Arrive in Tashkent, where our local representative provides a transfer to our hotel in the heart of Tashkent. This afternoon, meet Philip and Nancy Wood and our Uzbek Tour Director for a briefing, followed by dinner together. Overnight: Asia Hotel, Tashkent

Friday, Sept. 27: Tashkent Set off on a tour of the Uzbekistan’s modern capital, a mix of Soviet style buildings and mud-walled houses. See the oldest part of the city around the Khast Imam Square and visit the 16th century Madrassah. Delve into the bustling Chorsu Bazaar and stroll in the local parks. Attend a presentation by the Executive Director of the Tashkent International Clinic about contemporary issues in Uzbekistan’s health care field today. Overnight: Asia Hotel, Tashkent Monday, Sept. 30: Khiva Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Continue exploring Khiva on a guided walking tour this morning. Visit the fortress-like Toza Bog Summer Palace, a fascinating mix Saturday, Sept. 28: Tashkent of Central Asian and European design. The afternoon is at leisure Continue exploring the city today. See Independence Square, the to enjoy the city on your own. Shahid Memorial Complex and the Museum of Applied Arts, set in Overnight: Aminkhan Hotel, Khiva a lovely traditional mansion. Visit the Rakhimov ceramic art studio to Meals: Breakfast, Dinner see how a family is reviving the lost art of natural dyes and ancient techniques. Ride the metro system– the first metro in Central Asia Tuesday, Oct.1: Drive to Bukhara with each station decorated in a different theme and meant to be Set off by road this morning to Central Asia’s most ancient “art galleries for the people.” living city. Our drive takes us across the Kyzyl Kum, or Red Sands, Overnight: Asia Hotel, Tashkent Desert. This is the same route ridden by loaded Silk Road camel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch caravans; the landscape is made up of dunes silhouetted against distant mountains. An oasis in the desert, Bukhara offers cool Sunday, Sept. 29: Fly to Urgench, drive to Khiva shade and rest to the modern traveller as it did to those Silk Today we take the short flight to Urgench in western Uzbekistan and Road caravans. drive on nearby Khiva. Traces of human habitation have been found around Khiva dating from the 5th century BC. It was for hundreds Please note that the fast train service from Urgench to Bukhara is of years a stop on the old Silk Road and became the capital of the very likely to be operational by fall 2019 and if so, we will use the Khorezm Khanate in the 16th century. Explore this compact walled train service and have an afternoon free in Bukhara on arrival. city filled with minarets, a khan’s fort, cobbled alleys, mosques and Overnight: Old City Hotel, Bukhara tombs. The city has been extensively preserved and exists today Meals: Breakfast, Dinner much as it did hundreds of years ago. The beautiful turquoise dome of the mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud is a striking symbol of the city. Chorsu Bazaar Overnight: Aminkhan Hotel, Khiva Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9 Wednesday, Oct. 2: Bukhara Saturday, Oct. 5: Samarkand Bukhara has preserved its ancient architecture and design and Begin the day with a visit to the Registan, the centrepiece of the the Old Town has a unified feel, drawn together by the central city. The three emblematic madrassahs frame the square and reflecting pool and the structure of the domed bazaars and major loom over the empty space in the centre. Nearby is the Gur-Emir monuments. Today we’ll have a walking tour in the city, visiting Mausoleum, the final resting place of Tamerlane; its interior has the Lyabi-Hauz plaza shaded by mulberry trees and framed by been restored and is brilliant in gold leaf and fresh tile, and the 16th and 17th century madrassahs, the 10th century Samani Bibi Khanum Mosque build by Tamerlane to honour his favourite Mausoleum decorated with elaborate brickwork, the lovely wife. There’s time to browse the animated Siab Bazaar and enjoy Ulugbek Madrassah, and the 12th century Kalon Mosque and a demonstration of Uzbek bread making at the home of a local. Minaret. At the two-thousand-year-old Ark Citadel, enjoy an Overnight: Zarina Hotel, Samarkand on-site history lecture by the Director of the Ark. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight: Old City Hotel, Bukhara Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Sunday, Oct. 6: Train to Tashkent This morning visit the spectacular row of tombs and mausoleums Thursday, Oct. 3: Bukhara collectively called Shah-I-Zinda, elaborately decorated inside Just outside the city centre is the Palace of Moon and Stars, the and out. Pay a visit to Ulug Bek’s Observatory where Tamerlane’s Summer Palace of the last Emir of Bukhara. The beautiful grounds grandson found his true interest in the heavens. See handcrafted are heavily planted and wild peacocks stroll the park. The Museum paper made according to traditions handed down from the 8th of National Crafts here exhibits the vivid embroidered suzanis that century. This afternoon travel by high-speed train back to Tashkent. Uzbekistan is famous for. We’ll also visit the Sufi complex and the Overnight: Asia City Hotel, Tashkent Chor Bakr Necropolis. The afternoon is free to explore the city’s Meals: Breakfast, Dinner trade domes filled with artisans and handicrafts. Overnight: Old City Hotel, Bukhara Monday, Oct. 7: Depart Tashkent Meals: Breakfast, Lunch This morning we are transferred to the airport for homeward- bound flights. Friday, Oct. 4: Drive to Samarakand Meals: Breakfast Our drive today takes us to Gijduvan where we pay a visit to the ceramics workshop of the Narzulaev family, some of the most Note: The itinerary and accommodation described in this tour renowned ceramicists in the country. Continue along the fringes of brochure are subject to change due to logistical arrangements the Kyzyl Kum Desert to Samarkand, visited through time by many and to take advantage of local events. of the world’s conquerors, including Alexander the Great, , and Tamerlane who made it his capital city and gathered the finest architects, builders, and artisans of the time to enhance Optional Extensions its beauty. Overnight: Zarina Hotel, Samarkand Please enquire about extensions to Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan

TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9 Ark of Bukhara

TOUR DETAILS

Tour Cost (per person): US$3695

Single Supplement: US$495 We would be happy to try to match you with a suitable roommate. If we are unable to, the single supplement will apply. This will be collected at 90 days prior to departure.

Group Size: 10 ­– 18 participants

What’s Included: Not Included: • Airport transfers for passengers arriving and departing as per • Roundtrip airfare from your home to join the tour the group itinerary • Meals other than those mentioned above • Flight from Tashkent to Urgench • Beverages with meals • Accommodation based on double occupancy in hotels as • Visa fees (US$20 for Canadian passport holders) listed or similar • Fuel surcharges, if applicable • 11 Breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners • Excess baggage charges • Special Welcome and Farewell Dinners with beer/wine • Items of a personal nature • Transportation by private vehicle for touring in each city and • Travel insurance for overland transfers • Additional arrangements required due to any emergency • Bottled water on the coach or other situation • Train transportation by fast train one-way Samarkand-Tashkent • Any item not mentioned in “tour cost includes” above in economy class • All activities • Entrance fees to all sites in the itinerary Payment Details: • Educational lectures as stated in the itinerary A non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person is required to • Services of specialized English speaking guide reserve a space on this tour. A second payment of US$1000 per • Gratuities for escort, local guides, drivers, hotel and person is due six months prior to departure. Final payment is group meals due 90 days prior to departure. • Taxes • Fully escorted by Worldwide Quest Tour Director

TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9 WHAT TO EXPECT ADDITIONAL INFO

Level of Activity: Moderate Extend your Stay A good level of fitness is important for this trip. You must be If you are interested in exploring more of this region, we would comfortable walking on uneven terrain and irregular paving and be happy to design a personalized extension for you either before climbing stairs for at least three hours at a stretch. In many places or after this tour. Please let us suggest some options, based on access to sites is only on foot. your time available, budget and interests.

Accommodation Terms and Conditions We stay in carefully selected hotels, equivalent to three-star level, For additional information about our terms and conditions, located in the historic centre of each town. All hotels have private please refer to your booking form, the current brochure or facilities, TV, and WiFi. our website. All participants booking with Worldwide Quest are covered by the terms of the Ontario Travel Industry Act Transportation (Worldwide Quest International, Ontario - License # 2667946). We will be travelling in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle driven by a professional driver. This tour includes one internal flight and Cancellation Policy one journey by high-speed train. All payments are non-refundable, however you may transfer your initial deposit for any land tour to another tour 90 days or Weather more prior to your scheduled departure date. Initial deposits for We expect a mix of sun and cloud with average daytime cruises are non-refundable and non-transferable. Your second temperatures between 22 and 27°C and overnight lows of about payment and your final payment are non-refundable and non- 10°C. transferable. If you cancel within 90 days prior to trip departure, all associated trip costs are non-refundable. The tour price is Travel Documents quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credits will be given You will require a passport for this trip. Please ensure it is valid for for services not used. In the event of a cancellation, you must at least 6 months beyond your scheduled return home. Canadian notify Worldwide Quest immediately and in writing. citizens and most other foreign nationals require a tourist visa for Uzbekistan which must be obtained prior to departure. This visa Travel Insurance can be obtained on line. We urge you to ensure that you have adequate cancellation and medical insurance in place, should an unexpected event cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip or should the tour not be operable per our terms and conditions. We will offer you Manulife insurance coverage. Medical insurance including emergency medical evacuation coverage is mandatory on all our tours.

Worldwide Quest Explorers Club We’d like to make sure that you know about our Worldwide Explorers Club. Travel twice with us and we’ll say a special thank you by taking 5% off all your subsequent trips. The bonus applies to our brochure trips only, is non-transferrable, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or credit. Note that some exceptions may apply as indicated on the tour’s Detailed Itinerary.

TICO#: 2667946

TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9 The Worldwide Quest Experience Designing travel is an art and a craft. It’s creating a combination of special unforgettable experiences complemented by flawless technical proficiency. Making sure you travel well is a skill that comes with insider knowledge, know-how and imagination. It’s something we’ve been doing since 1970; creating unique itineraries for curious travellers to some of the world’s most intriguing destinations. Every trip we create features these essentials:

Discovery and Enrichment Our expert leaders and hosts, both North American and local, bring scholarship, specialized knowledge, and congeniality. They ensure not only that all the details of your travels are flawlessly taken care of but also provide a grass roots understanding of the context of what you’re seeing and experiencing.

Small Group Size Small truly is beautiful. Small allows us the joy of intimate experiences in accommodation and touring. Small means we can all sit around a table for meals and get to know each other, to hear what our tour leaders are saying, ask questions, and delve deeper.

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TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9