Explore Central Asia’s historic Trans-Oxiana and Bactria regions where Empires once met and ‘Great Games’ flourished.
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The Last Mazar
Follow the path of Alexander the Great to the place where Empires met along the dusty edge of Central Asia’s great Oxus River.On this touring style journey we travel south from Bishkek into the Kyrgyz Tienshan mountains to historic Osh and wend our way into Tajikistan by the route taken by Alexander on his path to the Oxus river. There are ancient civilisations to ponder, ruined cities to explore and present day political intrigues to keep us on our toes along the way to Afghanistan and Mazar e Sharif.
ARRIVE EARLY ~ STAY LONGER
Talk to us about things to do if you would like to arrive in Bishkek a few days earlier, or stay a little longer in Uzbekistan at the end of our tour.
US$
We plan to operate this itinerary in 2019 at a similar time and hopefully at a similar price. We will update this information later in the year.all inclusive, prices subject to change.
Based on twin share and minimum of 6 travellers.
Single Room Supplement available
Escorted by
SRA tour leader for more than 6 travellers.
Trip duration
18 days
18 days
TEMPERATURE
25℃ - 35℃
25℃ - 35℃
ACCOMMODATION STYLE
Hotels and guesthouse
Hotels and guesthouse
MEALS INCLUDED
Included
Included
TRAVEL STYLE
Passenger van, 1 domestic flight
Passenger van, 1 domestic flight
SIGHTSEEING
Included
Included
DATES
Commence Bishkek
04/09/2018
Conclude Tashkent
21/09/2018
Commence Bishkek
04/09/2018
Conclude Tashkent
21/09/2018
GROUP SIZE
8
8
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 - Arrive Bishkek
Arrive Bishkek. After transfer to the hotel the rest of the day is free. Our arrangements commence with dinner this evening.
Day 2 - Bishkek
Today set out for a day on foot around the cultural and sites and monuments. The city is compact with an interesting soviet era and contemporary Kyrgyz history.
Day 3 - To Chychkan
This morning we are off into the Kyrgyz Ala Too mountains by way of the legendary Pamir Highway – the M41 of Soviet era fame. Our destination today is the Chychkan Natural Reserve.
Day 4 - To Osh
Our journey today takes us past the Toktogul reservoir and along the Naryn river valley to Uzgen where we’ll stop and visit the ancient minaret and mausoleums of 10-12 century AD Karakhanid State. Expect to arrive in Osh late PM.
Day 5 - Osh
Today we’ll take a break from the road and have a leisurely day out and about in Osh. Things to see include the Suleiman Mountain and the Osh Bazaar along with various ‘post-soviet’ trappings which include a statue of Lenin – 1 of 50 that the Kyrgyz have retained in honour of the “great communist leader”
Day 6 - Bakhoriston
We’ll be back on the road today heading for the Tajikistan border at Batken-Isfara. The road skirts the southern foothills of the Ferghana valley, dodging the Uzbekistan enclaves and delivering us to into the hands of our Tajikistan crew and overnight near the first of the Sridara River’s great reservoirs.
Day 7 - Khujand
Today we are off to historical Khujand where we will be right on the track of Alexander as we visit the key sites and monuments of this 2500 year old city. We plan to visit The Fortress and Historical Museum and Panjshanbe Market
Day 8 - Istaravshan
There is no need to get away early today. The drive to Istaravshan will take a couple of hours and sightseeing there will keep us occupied for the day as we visit the ‘Kok-Gumbaz’ mosque & madrassa, ‘Bobo Tago’ & ‘Chor-Gumbaz’ mausoleums, ‘Sari Mazor’ & ‘Khazrati Shokh’ complexes.
Day 9 - To Sarytag Village
This morning before continuing by road into the Turkmenistan mountains to Ayni in the Zeravshan valley reputed to be the home region of Roxana, the wife of Alexander the Great. At Sarytag village near Zeravshan we will overnight in a village guest house.
Day 10 - IskanderKul Lake
Today we plan to visit Iskanderkul Lake and Nature Reserve in the stunningly picturesque Fann Mountains for a relaxed day walking and sightseeing around the lake and its surrounding villages. Overnight at Sarytag.
Day 11 - To Dushanbe
This morning we will head off down country to Dushanbe. The down won’t last long though as the road treads a thin line along the Varzob river before climb into the mountains to tackle to Varzob tunnel. Dushanbe lies at the foot of the Varzob canyon.
Day 12 - Dushanbe
There is a bit to do today around sophisticated Dushanbe’s leafy boulevards and museums. The Dushanbe market and artists district are on our list as is an excursion to Gissar Fortress.
Day 13 - To Termez
Today we get back on the most southern leg of the Pamir Highway heading out of Dushanbe for Termez, Uzbekistan, the most southern terminus of the old Soviet Union on the Amu Dara (Oxus) river adjacent to Afghanistan.
Day 14 - Termez
We have a full day of sightseeing and excursions in Termez the present day site of an even older city with a 2500 year past buried in the Greco-Bactrian Empire of Alexander the Great. There are many important historic sites in and around the city.
Day 15 - To Mazar e Sharif
Today we are proceeding to Afghanistan on foot by way of the ‘Bridge of Friendship”. There are border formalities to endure and by necessity a lengthy walk over the bridge to reach our crew waiting amidst the barbed wire on the Afghanistan side. Continue to Mazar e Sharif by road.
Day 16 - Mazar e Sharif
Today we plan an excursion out of Mazar to visit the site of the ancient Balkh fortress.
Day 17 - Mazar e Sharif / Termez
Our plan today includes a visit to the Blue Mosque, the tomb of Ali followed by a late PM transfer back to the Uzbekistan Border and return to Termez
Day 18 - Flight to Tashkent
Today we’ll catch a flight back to Tashkent. If flight schedules permit transfer to Homeward flights. If an additional night is required transfer to a hotel and take flights out on day 19.
Arrive Bishkek. After transfer to the hotel the rest of the day is free. Our arrangements commence with dinner this evening.
Day 2 - Bishkek
Today set out for a day on foot around the cultural and sites and monuments. The city is compact with an interesting soviet era and contemporary Kyrgyz history.
Day 3 - To Chychkan
This morning we are off into the Kyrgyz Ala Too mountains by way of the legendary Pamir Highway – the M41 of Soviet era fame. Our destination today is the Chychkan Natural Reserve.
Day 4 - To Osh
Our journey today takes us past the Toktogul reservoir and along the Naryn river valley to Uzgen where we’ll stop and visit the ancient minaret and mausoleums of 10-12 century AD Karakhanid State. Expect to arrive in Osh late PM.
Day 5 - Osh
Today we’ll take a break from the road and have a leisurely day out and about in Osh. Things to see include the Suleiman Mountain and the Osh Bazaar along with various ‘post-soviet’ trappings which include a statue of Lenin – 1 of 50 that the Kyrgyz have retained in honour of the “great communist leader”
Day 6 - Bakhoriston
We’ll be back on the road today heading for the Tajikistan border at Batken-Isfara. The road skirts the southern foothills of the Ferghana valley, dodging the Uzbekistan enclaves and delivering us to into the hands of our Tajikistan crew and overnight near the first of the Sridara River’s great reservoirs.
Day 7 - Khujand
Today we are off to historical Khujand where we will be right on the track of Alexander as we visit the key sites and monuments of this 2500 year old city. We plan to visit The Fortress and Historical Museum and Panjshanbe Market
Day 8 - Istaravshan
There is no need to get away early today. The drive to Istaravshan will take a couple of hours and sightseeing there will keep us occupied for the day as we visit the ‘Kok-Gumbaz’ mosque & madrassa, ‘Bobo Tago’ & ‘Chor-Gumbaz’ mausoleums, ‘Sari Mazor’ & ‘Khazrati Shokh’ complexes.
Day 9 - To Sarytag Village
This morning before continuing by road into the Turkmenistan mountains to Ayni in the Zeravshan valley reputed to be the home region of Roxana, the wife of Alexander the Great. At Sarytag village near Zeravshan we will overnight in a village guest house.
Day 10 - IskanderKul Lake
Today we plan to visit Iskanderkul Lake and Nature Reserve in the stunningly picturesque Fann Mountains for a relaxed day walking and sightseeing around the lake and its surrounding villages. Overnight at Sarytag.
Day 11 - To Dushanbe
This morning we will head off down country to Dushanbe. The down won’t last long though as the road treads a thin line along the Varzob river before climb into the mountains to tackle to Varzob tunnel. Dushanbe lies at the foot of the Varzob canyon.
Day 12 - Dushanbe
There is a bit to do today around sophisticated Dushanbe’s leafy boulevards and museums. The Dushanbe market and artists district are on our list as is an excursion to Gissar Fortress.
Day 13 - To Termez
Today we get back on the most southern leg of the Pamir Highway heading out of Dushanbe for Termez, Uzbekistan, the most southern terminus of the old Soviet Union on the Amu Dara (Oxus) river adjacent to Afghanistan.
Day 14 - Termez
We have a full day of sightseeing and excursions in Termez the present day site of an even older city with a 2500 year past buried in the Greco-Bactrian Empire of Alexander the Great. There are many important historic sites in and around the city.
Day 15 - To Mazar e Sharif
Today we are proceeding to Afghanistan on foot by way of the ‘Bridge of Friendship”. There are border formalities to endure and by necessity a lengthy walk over the bridge to reach our crew waiting amidst the barbed wire on the Afghanistan side. Continue to Mazar e Sharif by road.
Day 16 - Mazar e Sharif
Today we plan an excursion out of Mazar to visit the site of the ancient Balkh fortress.
Day 17 - Mazar e Sharif / Termez
Our plan today includes a visit to the Blue Mosque, the tomb of Ali followed by a late PM transfer back to the Uzbekistan Border and return to Termez
Day 18 - Flight to Tashkent
Today we’ll catch a flight back to Tashkent. If flight schedules permit transfer to Homeward flights. If an additional night is required transfer to a hotel and take flights out on day 19.
Custom-Made
