UZBEKISTAN October 15-31, 2015 Registration deadline, June 15, 2015

This travel program is organized by Alberta College of Art + Design, Extended Studies. Everyone is welcome. Please contact ACAD Extended Studies at 403 284 7640 or [email protected] for information and to register.

16 days starting and ending in Tashkent. Maximum 15 travelers.

HIGHLIGHTS • Travel in comfort with professional drivers. We will use a combination cars, luxury tour bus, airline and bullet train to travel between our destinations. Each mode of transportation is chosen for comfort, safety and efficiency to make best use of your time and to ensure a safe travel experience. • Drive through a spectacular mountain pass and great swaths of desert, see cotton fields, camels, orchards, nomadic lifestyles and small towns with historical ruins. • Shop local markets known for exotic silks and carpets as well as fresh produce and household goods. • Photograph colourful costumes and friendly people. • Visit numerous World Heritage Sites showcasing the ancient splendor of Silk Road caravan stops Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. • Touch the turquoise Islamic tiling of ancient mosques and madrasas, marveling at their complexity. • View silk production, carpet weaving, traditional ceramics, and Ikat weaving by hand. • Join in private studio visits to master craftspeople maintaining traditional skills. • Tour modern Tashkent with its Soviet-era architecture and take in a ballet or opera at the critically- acclaimed Navoi Theatre

This travel program is subject to a minimum of eight confirmed participants by June 15, 2015. If the minimum is not reached, the trip will be cancelled and any fees paid will be fully refunded.

UZBEKISTAN 15 ITINERARY

ACAD Travel Programs are designed to delight you with worry-free days saturated in cultural history, in remarkable built environments with gorgeous natural settings. We specialize in off-the-beaten-track destinations that provide that rarest credential – lived experience, close-up with worlds unknown to nearly all Westerners.

When you travel with ACAD Extended Studies, the logistics are handled for you so that every day is free to fully enjoy. Our groups are small and the days are organized so that you can choose to remain with the group or to venture on your own. Solo travelers are welcome and the small group makes it easy to develop friendships. We travel with a Canadian expert as well as a local guide, in our own vehicle.

What to expect: • We stay in clean, comfortable and modest accommodations. • In-country transportation is by private vehicle with a professional driver. If the distance is long, we may fly between sites. • A medium fitness level is required. You should be able to carry your own bag, including up stairs, and be able to walk several kilometers unassisted over the course of a day. • Our Trip Escort is well-versed in the area and we add detail and colour to his knowledge with a local guide. Whenever possible, we will connect you with local artists, experts, and families. • In true expedition tradition, you will need to accept local standards and be flexible. Some delays and changes to the itinerary are likely.

UZBEKISTAN TASHKENT, FERGANA VALLEY, SAMARKAND, BUKHARA, KHIVA, TASHKENT

The cities of Uzbekistan have been cultural crossroads where East meets West for over a thousand years. Invaded, conquered and ruled by a shifting mélange of Persian, Ottoman, Muslim and Christian warriors, Uzbekistan is rich in archeological treasures: palaces, mosques, and mausoleums immortalizing emperors, tyrants, and khans; ancient cities and markets. The sweeping scale of the landscape is a perfect counterpoint to the elaborate detailing of the turquoise mosaics that cover many structures.

Join us on our modern day caravan off the beaten track to see the splendor, vastness, and exotic markets of the rich Fergana Valley and the Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Based in the capital city of Tashkent, we will explore this Russian-influenced, modern city then travel by private vehicles with a local guide and our Trip Escort, Architect Gerald Forseth, to ancient sites, jumping on a plane when the distance is great.

This Travel Program brings a small group to Uzbekistan when harvest is underway and the local food is diverse, fresh, and plentiful. We will view the historical treasures of each city, visit the studios and workshops of master craftspeople, and explore local markets with their silks, carpets, brass work and other traditional crafts. Expect to eat well at restaurants and the produce markets, see fabulous structures and scenery, walk ancient streets with people in local dress, and participate in timeless rituals like bargaining in the bazaars. Our Uzbek guide will increase your understanding of the history, sights and activities and fill you in on contemporary life in Uzbekistan. Every day is full with activities and different destinations, which you are free to join or to venture off on your own. Registration deadline: June 15, 2015 Group limit: 15 crn 25002 Thu – Sat, Oct 15-31, 2015 fee $3599 shared accommodation

Includes twin accommodation, breakfasts, events, private vehicles with driver, in- program flight, local guide, and ACAD Escort.

*Flight to/from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, visa, Uzbek entry fee, airport transfers, lunches and dinners, personal shopping, tips, and Tashkent expenses before and after the program dates are not included. Please note that although our program fee is correct at the time of publishing, ACAD reserves the right to adjust the program fee due to currency fluctuations or local conditions beyond our control.

You can secure your space with a 50% deposit; balance must be paid in full by June 15, 2015. Due to the nature of this program, no refunds will be available after June 26, 2015.

TRIP ESCORT UZBEKISTAN 15 ITINERARY

Gerald (Gerry) Forseth, of Gerald L. Forseth Architects Ltd, is a Calgary architect, urban designer, researcher, teacher, writer, curator, exhibitor and traveler with keen interests in and contributions to the public realm, archaeology, culture, history, traditions, politics, contemporary art, sculpture and architecture. He has taught and lectured at the Universities of Calgary and Lethbridge, at SAIT, Mount Royal University and the Glenbow Institute. Gerald is a past-President of AAA and a Fellow of the RAIC. He curated the exhibitions “Calgary Modern” at the Nickle Arts Museum and “Lethbridge Modern” at SAAG.

A seasoned world traveler, Gerald Forseth selects destinations with important examples of ancient architectures and the cultures that created them.

ITINERARY

Tashkent – Fergana Valley – Samarkand – Bukhara – Khiva – Tashkent The following itinerary is a rough guide only. Conditions may require changes or substitutions at any point.

All travelers book their own flights to/from Tashkent. The cost of the Uzbekistan visa and airport transfers are not included in the travel program fee, but ACAD will assist with visa applications and make arrangements for airport transfers to/from the group hotel without additional charge. All travelers must stay in the selected hotel at each destination.

In Tashkent: prior to the program start date of October 15, 2015 and after the program end date of October 31, your Tashkent accommodation, meals and expenses are not included.

Everyone is required to meet with our Uzbek guide on the morning of October 16 for orientation to the travel program. Be sure to obtain Uzbek SOM in Tashkent prior to departure Oct 17 as access to local currency can be challenging outside Tashkent.

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DAILY ITINERARY (subject to changes at any time) Wednesday, October 14 Recommended day to arrive in Tashkent. Your pre-arranged airport transport will meet you at the airport and take you directly to the hotel where Gerald Forseth will be available to accompany you to dinner and to provide advice and support. You are free to walk the city and visit sites of interest to you, or rest and enjoy the hotel amenities.

Thursday, October 15 Join your ACAD Trip Escort, Gerald Forseth, after breakfast for a walking/public transit tour of Soviet-era architecture in Tashkent. Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union for most of the 20th Century and Tashkent’s architecture from that period is a fascinating reflection of Soviet aesthetics overlaid with Uzbek sensibility. Last day to arrive in Tashkent – group departs next day.

Friday, October 16 TASHKENT Meet your Uzbek guide after breakfast for an orientation to the program and a day seeing the sights in Tashkent. We will visit the Old City where one of Islam’s greatest treasures, the Uthman Quran, is housed within the Khast-Imam Complex. Other stops include lunch at Chorsu Bazaar and a studio visit to a master ceramist.

Saturday, October 17 FERGANA VALLEY and KOKAND Most of the day will be spent in transit to the Fergana Valley. We will caravan in private cars with professional drivers through a spectacular mountain pass, stopping at Kokand to visit Khudoyar-Khan Palace, continuing to Fergana city – our base in the valley. The Fergana Valley is Uzbekistan’s most conservative region and home to silk production, dyeing and weaving cottage industries.

Sunday, October 18 MARGILAN A short drive from our base, the small city of Margilan is home to many craftspeople who produce handmade carpets and silks. Shop Kumtepa bazaar, the largest market in the Fergana Valley, for textiles and local specialties. We will visit Yodgorlik Silk Factory to see traditional Ikat weaving, visit a family producing wool carpets and stop into the studio of a master craftsman.

Monday, October 19 ANDIJAN and RISHTON Andijan is the birthplace of Bobur, the Uzbek hero who founded India’s Mogul Empire. Lunch at the Andijan market where household goods and handmade tools compete with bursting produce stalls and traditional costumes for photo opportunities. We will continue to Rishton to visit internationally-known ceramist Rustam Usmanov in his studio and shop. The functional wares here are in a traditional Uzbek style, masterfully executed and well-priced.

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Tuesday, October 20 TASHKENT We will caravan back through the mountains to our base in Tashkent to prepare for the next leg of our journey. Be sure to obtain Uzbek SOM because you will want to shop the bazaars in the remote and exotic towns coming up.

Wednesday, October 21 SAMARKAND Today we will ride the bullet train, reaching Samarkand around noon. Once settled, Gur Emir Mausoleum will be our first destination – to see its famous ribbed dome highlighted by the slanting evening light.

Thursday, October 22 SAMARKAND With a history going back to 1500BC, Samarkand is rich with ancient city sites and medieval monuments. We will start at the Registan, Central Asia’s best known historic square, taking in the nearby sites of Bibi- Khanum Mosque, and Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis – as well as others.

Friday, October 23 SAMARKAND Continue sightseeing with a visit to Afrasiab Museum, Ulugbek Observatory and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then explore traditional ways of making Samarkand paper from mulberry fibres at Konigil village. Free time this afternoon and evening to explore the old city or return to your favourite monument.

Saturday, October 24 SAMARKAND-URGUT Visit the largest traditional market in the region to shop for suzani, carpets, jewels, Urgut ceramics and household goods. Be prepared to bargain!

Sunday, October 25 SHAKHRISABZ-BUKHARA We will drive the main desert highway, a narrow road with indeterminate boundaries covered in shifting sand, in our comfortable tour bus. On the way to Bukhara, we will stop at Shakhrisabz, one of Central Asia’s most ancient cities and the birthplace of Timur, Uzbekistan’s national hero. Visit the remains of Ak-Saray palace and see the modest tomb Timur prepared for himself.

Monday, October 26 BUKHARA From our hotel in the heart of the old city, our Uzbek guide will take us on a walking tour to the Lyabi- Khauz complex with its 700 year old mulberry trees around the pool to the Ark walls, a fortress home to the city’s ruling Khans. See Ismail Samani tomb, a small, elegant architectural gem with intricate brick patterns replacing the glazed tiles seen elsewhere and Kalyan Minaret, once the tallest in Uzbekistan.

Tuesday, October 27 BUKHARA Travel a short distance outside the city to Sitorai Mikhi-Khosa. A unique combination of Oriental and Russian design, it was the summer residence of Bukhara’s last Emir.

UZBEKISTAN 15 ITINERARY

Bakhouddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum and Chor-Bakr Necropolis round out the day.

Wednesday, October 28 BUKHARA Free day to explore Bukhara. Take in a hammam, see a puppet show, explore the old Jewish quarter, shop or relax at the oasis.

Thursday, October 29 KHIVA Our comfortable drive across the legendary Kyzyl Kum Desert follows the Great Silk Road, stopping mid-way at a ‘truck-stop’ café for lunch. Watch for bird life and the occasional camel, enjoy the vast desert landscape. We will arrive in Khiva late in the afternoon.

Friday, October 30 KHIVA From our hotel located within Itchan-Kala, the old walled city, join our guide for a walking tour. Khiva’s importance as a World Heritage site is based on the integrity of its urban composition with structures from the 19th Century harmoniously integrated into traditional structures. Our old city tour will include Kunya-Ark – the palace city- within-a-city, Juma Mosque, Islam-Khoja Minaret (the tallest in Khiva), and Kalta-Minor (the fat minaret). Several mausoleums, mosques, and the local markets conclude the tour.

Saturday, October 31 KHIVA Free day to explore this fairy-tale city. Try climbing to the top of the Ark walls, minarets and the watch tower for fabulous photographs, visit the bazaar, shop the street merchants, take in a folklore show or lounge on a wooden divan listening to Uzbek music. In the evening we will leave Khiva, catching a short flight back to Tashkent. This is the last day of our travel program.

Sunday, November 1 TASHKENT Join the group and our ACAD Trip Escort for a last breakfast together. Free time until you depart. Whether you depart today or later, your taxi to the airport will be arranged for you.

UZBEKISTAN 15 ITINERARY

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

FITNESS You must be able to walk without assistance and carry your own luggage up two flights of stairs as a rough guide to the fitness level required. No assistance with luggage or daily activities will be available.

PRE-TRAVEL § Please contact your physician or a travel clinic for up-to-date health requirements at least one month prior to departure. § For Canadians, Uzbekistan requires a passport that is valid for at least six months after your planned departure from the country, an Uzbekistan visa, and confirmation that you have access to a minimum of $500US cash. Extended Studies will provide advice on the visa application process, but IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION. § It is advisable to notify the Canadian Embassy of your travel dates in Uzbekistan. § Travel insurance including emergency evacuation coverage (and repatriation up to $100,000US) is compulsory. You will not be permitted to participate in the trip until Extended Studies has received a copy of your insurance coverage and other documents. § All travelers are required to submit a signed copy of the ACAD travel waiver and the Booking Conditions prior to the trip departure and to provide a copy of each to Extended Studies. § Photocopy all your documents and keep the copies separate from the originals while you travel.

FLIGHTS Flight arrangements are made by each individual and are not included in the trip fee or arrangements. We recommend that you arrive in Tashkent no later than Wednesday, October 14. This permits time to rest after your flight, and to see the sights. Please ensure you are checked into the hotel in Tashkent and available to meet with the group about 9:00am October 15th. You may like to extend your time in Uzbekistan either before or after the travel program, as well.

UZBEKISTAN 15 ITINERARY

You will receive an Uzbek exit card at the airport. Keep it safe with your passport. It is required to depart Uzbekistan!

Airport transfers to/from the hotel will be pre-arranged for you and the taxi will be waiting just outside the terminal. Expect to spend some time getting through customs; remember there is an entry fee of about $100US, cash only, that is not included in your fee.

TASHKENT Your expenses in Tashkent prior to October 15 and after October 31, including airport transfers, hotel and meals, are not included in the trip fee or arrangements. Extended Studies will arrange extra hotel nights in Tashkent if you require them

While in Tashkent, be aware that like all big cities, it is important to exercise common sense and caution at all times. Keep your valuables safe and to be aware of your surroundings. Avoid unknown areas and walking alone after dark. Always keep a copy of your passport, airline ticket and credit card numbers separate from where you keep the originals.

You will need cash for all your needs outside of Tashkent, there are few to no banks or ATM’s in the smaller centres, nor are credit cards accepted. Expect daily expenses of about $50CAD for lunch and dinner and small items. If you plan to purchase goods or services, more will be required. We recommend you over – rather than under – estimate the cash you will need to avoid disappointment. Bring US dollars for conversion to Uzbek som in Uzbekistan, other currencies may not be accepted.

DURING THE TRAVEL PROGRAM Accommodations and breakfasts are included in the Travel Program fee. Lunch, dinner, snacks and alcohol are on your own. We will eat breakfast together at our hotel, but lunch and dinner may be at restaurants or in markets. Accommodation is in a variety of types of hotels. Rooms are double occupancy with private bathrooms. We book 4 star accommodations where possible.

The trip is planned for pleasant weather, but we may encounter some rain, cold nights and cloudy days, or intense sun. Big temperature variations can occur in a single day. Layered clothing is highly recommended. We suggest you bring: § Travel umbrella § Warm sweater or fleece jacket § Weather-proof shell § Hat with a brim § Sturdy shoes for walking/hiking outside of the village § Day pack § Watch and travel alarm § Sunblock and sunglasses § Swim suit § Sport sandals § Lightweight gloves § Toiletries § Flashlight § Disposable wipes or hand sanitizer § First aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band-Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild diarrhea, re-hydration powder, Ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory), extra prescription medications that you may be taking in their original containers) § Casual, washable clothing including both long and short pants § Headscarf for visiting mosques § Hotel electrical service is 220V, 60Hz, AC with round prongs

Uzbekistan is a Muslim country and we will visit conservative areas. Please dress modestly.

Laundry services/facilities may be available. Bring a small amount of biodegradable laundry detergent.

NOTE: Remember that you must carry your own bag. If you bring extra luggage, you may want to leave it in storage in Tashkent.

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TIPPING Tipping your Uzbekistan guide is expected. Tipping your ACAD Trip Escort is not necessary. Tipping locals is expected, but not compulsory. It is a way of expressing satisfaction with the service you receive and is significant to the people who will take care of you. There will be several opportunities to tip in restaurants, for local services and our driver at the end of our journey. You may do this individually, or your Uzbekistan guide will offer to collect the money and tip as a group.

UZBEKISTAN 15 ITINERARY