11 Days Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan – The Silk Road Less Travelled Travel date 07 Apr - 19 Apr 2020 TOUR INFORMATION TURKMENISTAN & UZBEKISTAN INTRODUCTION We invite you to join us in the fabled and faraway lands of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan which beckon on this journey along the Silk Road Less Traveled. The enigmatic desert republic of Turkmenistan is often overlooked by visitors, but for the intrepid few that journey across this fascinating country, there are treasures to be found, including Ashgabat’s “City of Love” and space age marble architecture. Uzbekistan holds some of Central Asia’s most spellbinding secrets. The heart of the ancient Silk Road that once stretched across Asia and Europe, this rugged and remote landscape is home to magnificent Persian fortresses and remote tribal villages, along with sprawling modern cities that are ushering in a new age for the Uzbek people. Experience something completely different and immerse yourself in Central Asia’s enigmatic charm. SPECIALS • Express train transfers on business class • Exclusive visit the Turkmen ‘Akhal-Teke’ horses at local horse farm • Private puppet show with puppet making tour • All meals included with unlimited drinks • Small group size of maximum 16 people • Escorted by Scott Dunn Travel Concierge • Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter included • Comprehensive Travel Insurance included DEPARTURE DETAILS ITINERARY DAY BY DAY • Land Tour Price: Day 01 08 Apr (Wed) Arrive Ashgabat Twin Sharing: S$ 8,480/-; Single Supplement: S$ 1,480/- Day 02 09 Apr (Thu) Ashgabat • Airfare (subject to availability) Day 03 10 Apr (Fri) Ashgabat/Tashauz/Kunya/Tashauz/Khiva Economy from S$ 2,005/- Day 04 11 Apr (Sat) Khiva Business from S$ 5,549/- Day 05 12 Apr (Sun) Khiva / Bukhara • Deposit amount: Day 06 13 Apr (Mon) Bukhara S$ 2,000/ per person Day 07 14 Apr (Tue) Bukhara / Samarkand • Registration Closing Date: Day 08 15 Apr (Wed) Samarkand 02 Dec 2019 or when tour is fully subscribed Day 09 16 Apr (Thu) Samarkand / Tashkent • Early Bird Promotion: Day 10 17 Apr (Fri) Tashkent First8 guests will enjoy a S$200/- Day 11 18 Apr (Sat) Tashkent discount per person Day 12 19 Apr (Sun) Depart Tashkent Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3158 6530 | Travel Licence No: 029233 Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3165 4050 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com ITINERARY TURKMENISTAN & UZBEKISTAN DAY 01 - 08 APR (WED) - SINGAPORE ASHGABAT Flight: 07 Apr - Singapore / Dubai SQ 494 1510/1825 (7h 15m) 07 Apr - Dubai / Ashgabat FZ 731 2335/0321+1 (2h 25m) Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for rest, early check-in is guaranteed. After breakfast, meet the main group and start the day in Ashgabat, City of Love (“ashk” from the Arabic means “to love”) – the biggest city in Turkmenistan. For almost 10 centuries, the city served as a caravan stop on the Great Silk road, until the Mongols destroyed it in 13th century. By the end of 19th century Ashgabat became the major Trans-Caspian town, chosen by the Russians, and was graced with European shops and hotels. Ashgabat today is a completely modern creation. We will visit Park of Independence, Earthquake monument, Palace Square, Arch of Neutrality, Ertogrylgazy mosque, will be the highlights not to miss places. Spend time at Gulistan bazaar (or the so-called Russian bazaar) for souvenirs. After dinner, enjoy a night panoramic tour in Berzengi district. Accommodation: Yyldyz Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner DAY 02 - 09 APR (THU) - ASHGABAT This morning we visit archaeological site of Old Nissa, the capital of Parthian Empire, which existed more than 2000 years ago. followed by a tour at National Museum of History, which contains massive exhibits archaeological and ethnographical finds throughout the country. In the afternoon we drive to the local horse stable (approx. 1 hour) for a private tour to meet the special Turkmen Akhal-teke horses, one of the oldest breed of horses which is about 5,000 years, it is part of the sovereign Turkmenistan’s national emblem. This is a good chance to learn about these unique horses’ history and their different coat, especially the distinctive metallic sheen through the riders or trainers. Accommodation: Yyldyz Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3158 6530 | Travel Licence No: 029233 Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3165 4050 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com ITINERARY TURKMENISTAN & UZBEKISTAN DAY 03 - 10 APR (FRI) - ASHGABAT | TASHAUZ | KUNYA | TASHAUZ | KHIVA Transfer to the airport for an early flight to Tashauz. Flight: 10 Apr - Ashgabat/Tashauz T5 101 0700/0750 (50m) Start the day with excursion to Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO site). We will also visit Turabek Khanum mausoleum, the Kutlug-Timur Minaret, Tekesh mausoleum, Mamun Academy, Fakhreddin Razi mausoleum (Il-Arslan), Tash Kala caravanserai, Najmuddin al Kubra mausoleum. Return to Tashauz for lunch. After that, transfer to Turkmen-Uzbek border point “Shavat”. Border crossing to Uzbekistan. Drive to Khiva (approx.1.5-2 hrs drive). Accommodation: Orient Star Khiva Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included DAY 04 - 11 APR (SAT) - KHIVA Spend your full day exploring fantastic Khiva. Walking into Ichan Kala, architectural complex of the inner city, surrounded by the large fortress wall with four gates. There are more than sixty architectural monuments: palaces, mosques, madrassahs, minarets and mausoleums inside the inner town: Muhammed Aminkhan Madrassah and its minaret; Kunya Ark and Juma Mosque with 218 pillars (one of the most ancient structures in Central Asia; Tash Khauli palace (the Harem of Khiva Khans); Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud; Islam Khodja complex and other monuments. Enjoy a private puppet show during the visits. Accommodation: Orient Star Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included DAY 05 - 12 APR (SUN) - KHIVA | BHUKHARA Depart Khiva in the morning and take the High-speed train to Bukhara. Train: Khiva / Bhukhara 08:57 / 14:50 (6h 33m) Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for rest after a long day on the train. Accommodation: Omar Khayyam Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (lunch box on the train) & Dinner included Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3158 6530 | Travel Licence No: 029233 Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3165 4050 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com ITINERARY TURKMENISTAN & UZBEKISTAN DAY 06 - 13 APR (MON) - BUKHARA Architectural heritage of Bukhara is very rich – caravan-sarais and trading domes, public baths and big pools, defensive walls and city gates, khanakas and mausoleums, mosques and madrassahs, individual structures and big complexes. Decorative methods, splendor designs and original ideas of architects strike the imagination of anyone. Full day tour of Bukhara, to name a few: Liabi-Khauz Complex: Nodir-Divan-beghi madrassah, Magoki-Attari mosque (XII c., XVI c.), Chor Minor, a colorful madrassah with four peculiar looking towers, which was used as a library for students. During the day we have our tea pause at the Tea house “Silk Road Spices” (taste teas with different spices and flavours: cardamom-anise-starry-clove-cinnamon-oregano). Accommodation: Omar Khayyam Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included DAY 07 - 14 APR (TUE) - BUKHARA / SAMARKAND In the morning, we will visit many more special places in Bukhara: Fortress Ark (citadel), a fortified residence of Emirs of Bukhara);Bolo-Khauz mosque; Chashma-Ayub shrine known as a curative source; the Samanids Mausoleum, the most precious Bukhara monument dated back to the 9th century, which is considered to be the treasure of Islamic architecture in Central Asia. We will have a home hosted lunch of national dish “Plov” before transferring to take the high- speed train “Afrosiab” to Samarkand. Train: Bukhara / Samarkand 15:48 / 17:20 (2h 12m) Accommodation: DiliMah Premium Luxury Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner DAY 08 - 15 APR (WED) - SAMARKAND Samarkand has witnessed a lot of upheavals during the times of Alexander the Great (Macedonian), the Arabic Conquest, Ghengis-Khan Conquest and lastly Tamerlane’s. Hence, Samarkand’s culture was developed and mixed together with the Iranian, Indian, Mongolian and a bit of the Western and Eastern cultures. Today we explore Samarkand: Gur-Emir Mausoleum (graves of Tamerlane and his descendants, 15c); Registan Square (meaning “sandy place”), an official centre of Samarkand since Tamerlane the Great’s time, surrounded by the Ulugbek’s madrassah, the Sher-Dor madrassah and Tilla- Kori madrassah; Mosque Bibi-Khanum (named in honor of Timur’s eldest and favorite wife); Necropolis Shakhi-Zinda and ensemble of mausoleums of the 11th-19th centuries (According to the legend, the ensemble was erected around the grave of Kussam, a son of Abbas and cousin of Mohammed). Accommodation: DiliMah Premium Luxury Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3158 6530 | Travel Licence No: 029233 Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3165 4050 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com ITINERARY TURKMENISTAN & UZBEKISTAN DAY 09 - 16 APR (THU) - SAMARKAND / TASHKENT Samarkand has many more to offer, this morning we will exploreSiab bazaar, Afrosiab museum of city foundation, Observatory of Ulugbek (Ulugbek, Timur the Great’s grandson, was the founder of the unique constructions of the observatory (1428-1429) and visit to the Silk Paper Center to watch ancient method of paper making revived by local artisans. In the evening, transfer to the railway station for high-speed train “Afrosiab” for Tashkent.