Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan with Luxury
&
Style (18 Days): A Sample Itinerary
ID #: DT-AKTU-18-4-24-12-BEDMC
DavidTravel
Itinerary Highlights include:
An
18 day tour
introducing our clients to the highlights of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, a collection of fascinating destinations
widely unexplored by the masses. Discover the captivating history,
old-world charms, intricate architecture and dramatic landscapes of
'The Stans' with complete confidence, comfort and security.
Overview:
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan's
location
has always made it a gateway between east and
west, and the country was an important stop on the Silk Route. Over the
centuries, Azerbaijan has been incorporated into most major regional
empires, including the Russian, Turkish and Persian and has been an
independent republic since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Taking in the stunning Caucasus Mountains to the north, the lush green
valleys of the south and large swathes of arid semi-desert in between,
Azerbaijan is a beautiful country with superb scenery, although it
remains virtually unknown to the average traveller. Visitors usually
base themselves in the capital Baku, from where it is easy to visit
most of the country's biggest attractions.
Turkmenistan
Almost all Turkmenistan's attractions
lie around the fringes of the desert and in
ancient ruins such as Merv (now Mary). The capital, Ashgabat, is a
modern city. It replaced the one founded in 1881, which was destroyed
in an earthquake in 1948. The Sunday market here is the best place to
buy Turkmen carpets. Mary, due east of Ashgabat, is Turkmenistan's
second city and lies near the remains of Merv, which was once the
second city of Islam until Ghengis Khan's son Toloi reduced it to
rubble in 1221.
Turkmenistan's harsh desert conditions and terrain mean that tourism
has been relatively undeveloped.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistanboasts
some of the finest architectural jewels among the
Silk Road countries, featuring intricate Islamic tile work, turquoise
domes, minarets and preserved relics from the time when Central Asia
was a centre of empire and learning. Good examples of this architecture
can be found in the ancient walled city of Khiva in Urgench, the
winding narrow streets of the old town of Bukhara and Samarkand, known
locally as the 'Rome of the Orient'.
The Ferghana Valley, surrounded by the Tian Shan and Pamir mountains,
still produces silk and is well worth visiting for its friendly bazaars
and landscape of cotton fields, mulberry trees and fruit orchards.
Uzbekistan's mountain ranges attract hikers, cyclists and backcountry
skiers, while experienced mountaineers come to climb some of the
world's highest peaks.
Kazakhstan
Unexplored by many, Kazakhstan
is an intriguing and little-known land
of vast plains, mountainous horizons and beautiful culture.
South Kazakhstan is a focus of Central Asian history, featuring many
famous monuments. It is a scenically diverse region where the
snow-capped peaks, lakes and glaciers of the Tian Shan range give way
to steppe and desert. The desert is home to the Singing Barkhan - a
sand dune 3.2km (2 miles) long, which, as it crumbles, produces a
peculiar singing sound.
Almaty was until very recently the former capital of Kazakhstan and it
enjoys a beautiful setting between mountains and plains; it is a city
of modern architecture, cool fountains, parks and spectacular mountain
views.