STANTOURS: The ultimate Travel Agent for Turkmenistan and Central Asia

Culture & Adventure Tours:

The Great Silk Road

Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan

In 330 B.C. Alexander the Great defeated the last Achemenid Darius -3. In 329 he crossed Amu-Darya and occupied Central Asia. In 138 BC the Chinese general Chang Chien came to Fergana desiring to purchase famous Fergana "Heavenly Horses", which was supposed to sweat blood. He found that local merchants were very interested in his clothing made from silk. Parthia was the most voracious foreign consumer of Chinese silk at the close of the 2-nd century BC After Parthia silk was exported to Rome. In about 105, Parthia and China exchanged embassies and inaugurated official bilateral trade along the caravan route that lay between them.

With this the Silk Route was born. The Silk Route is one of the most magnificent achievement of ancient civilisation. It transported goods as well as cultural values. For the first time in the world history the Silk Route jointed different countries and people from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

Ashgabat - Konye-Urgench - Bukhara - Samarkand - Tashkent - Bishkek - Almaty were just some of the cities in-between.

Day 1	Arrive in Ashgabat - the capital city of Turkmenistan. Transfer to the hotel Nissa4*.
Day 2	In the morning visit the ancient fortress Nissa (III-II BC). Nissa is situated 18 km from Ashgabat near the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains. After visit the Turkmen Carpet Museum. After lunch we will visit the National Museum of Turkmenistan. Dinner and O/N.
Day 3	After breakfast, visit the Arch of Neutrality and City Mosque. After lunch visit Anau Mosque. Anau - the ancient settlement that dates back to the 6^th millennium B/C Dinner and O/N.
Day 4	Morning flight to Dashoguz (Tashauz). Visit Konye-Urgench. Transfer to Urgench and accommodation in hotel Jaikhun 3*.
Day 5	After breakfast we continue our excursion to Khiva.
Day 6	Full day drive to Bukhara. Accommodation in hotel New Bukhara. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7	After breakfast we'll enjoy an interesting and entertaining whole day city tour of Bukhara.
Day 8	Transfer to Samarkand via Sharezabs. Accommodation in hotel Afrosiab. Dinner and overnight.
Day 9	After breakfast we'll have a full day of sight seeing Samarkand.
Day 10	Morning visit to the History Museum. After lunch we continue our excursion to the Imam Al Bukhari complex.
Day 11	Before lunch drive to Tashkent. Accommodation in hotel Shodlik Palace.
Day 12	Transfer to Fergana via Kokand. Transfer to hotel Ziorat.
Day 13	After breakfast whole day excursion to Kuwa, Andijan and Margilan.
Day 14	Before lunch sight seeing of Osh and then drive to Karakul via Uzgen. Accommodation in hotel Intourist.
Day 15	Whole day drive to Bishkek. Transfer to hotel Dostluk.
Day 16	During whole day excursion to Ala Archa with picnic lunch.