An Archaeological Study Tour

Central Asia: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan & Turkmenistan
September 4– 24, 2008
Led by Dr. Trudi Kawami

The magical names of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva conjure up wonderful images of the ancient caravan routes and the monumental architecture of the cities of Central Asia. The breakup of the Soviet Union has brought into new prominence the Central Asian peoples who occupy the territory through which the Silk Road ran and whose Khanates once maintained their palaces and mosques with the riches derived from their control of the flow of treasures through their territories. These newly independent states, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Khirgizstan and Kazakhistan, now look to new sources of wealth -- their gold is now “white” (cotton), “black” (oil) and “blue” (natural gas), as well as other resources -- as they seek to put themselves on a secure footing. Set amidst magnificent snow-capped mountains and vast deserts, the colorful markets, grazing camels and traditionally dressed people transport us in time. As we travel in the footsteps of Marco Polo, Alexander the Great and Kublai Khan, it is the juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern, our viewing of the magnificent relics of the past while observing the emergence of these new republics, that will make our journey through these fabled lands one of such interest and wonder.

Thursday, Friday, September 4 & 5: ALMATY: Depart New York on Lufthansa Airlines via Frankfurt arriving into Almaty in the evening. We will transfer to the five star Regent Hotel.

Saturday, September 6: ALMATY: Our full day of touring begins at the Archaeological Museum, which houses Kazakhstan's major treasures, including the armor of a Scythian warrior known as the Golden Warrior (replica on display). After lunch, we will visit the Archaeological Institute at Kazakh State University, stroll through the city's old quarter and visit St. Nicholas Cathedral. This evening we will meet for an opening lecture followed by dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Sunday, Monday, September 7 & 8: ALMATY: Sunday we will travel to an area known as Bes Shatyr (Five Tents). This necropolis houses 18 royal burials of the nomadic Sacae tribe, who lived in this region during the 1st millennium BC. This evening we have scheduled a musical program featuring traditional instruments. Monday we will travel into the Anrakhai mountains to see some of the 4,000 petroglyphs depicting sun-headed gods, hunting scenes, animal sacrifices and other scenes at Tamgaly. Nearby we will see the Scythian burial mounds, from which the Golden Warrior was excavated.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & 1-dinner

Tuesday, September 9: TASHKENT: This morning we fly to Tashkent and transfer to the centrally located Hotel Inter-Continental. Our touring begins at the newly installed Archaeological Museum.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Wednesday, September 10: TASHKENT: After visiting the Institute of Restoration touring continues at the Applied Arts Museum, which displays traditional household goods and crafts within an Uzbek-style residence built in 1907. Our walking tour in the Old Town includes Barak Khana Madrasa, Tilya Shaikh Mosque and Kukeldash Madrasa, as well as the Chorsu Market.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Thursday, Friday, September 11 & 12: SAMARKAND: A drive of several hours brings us to Samarkand in time for lunch and our first vist to the Registan with its spectacular Shir-dar Madrasa. We heartily agree with Alexander the Great, who, after capturing Samarkand (Maracanda) in 329 BC, wrote, “Everything I have heard about the beauty of Maracanda is true, except it is more beautiful than I could imagine.” Friday touring of the city’s glorious monuments continues to the small Museum of Samarkand History and the nearby ancient site of Afrasiab. After lunch, our touring continues at the Ulugh-Beg Observatory and Gur Emir (Tamerlane’s tomb). Hotel President Palace.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily

Saturday, Sunday, September 13 & 14: SAMARKAND: Saturday morning we will drive to Penjikent to see the remains of the Old Sogdian city and to visit the Rudaki Museum, returning to Samarkand to visit the small History Museum, which houses a copy of the Afrasiab frieze. In the evening we will attend a folkloric program at the Registan. We complete our touring on Saturday morning at Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the lane of mosques and tombs known as Shakh-i Zinda, leaving the remainder of the day at leisure to visit the market and reexamine this beautiful place on our own.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily

Monday, September 15: BUKHARA: Driving south through Zadargomsky Steppe terraces which date to prehistoric times, we reach ancient Shahr-I Sabz. Here Tamerlane, who was born in a nearby village, built the famous Ak-Sarai (White Palace) to celebrate his victory against Khorezm. After examining the remains of these monuments, we will drive through the plains and fields of central Uzbekistan, arriving at the Bukhara Palace Hotel in time for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, September 16, 17 & 18: BUKHARA: Touring begins at the museums and mosques in the Ark Citadel (ancient city fortress) and the Samanid Mausoleum, built in striking brick designs by the founder of the Samanid Dynasty, and continues at the Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, Kalyan Minaret and Mosque, Bolo-Hauz Mosque, renowned for its wooden pillars and the Lab-i Hauz Fountain. Wednesday, a short drive brings us to the ancient city of Varaksha, famous for its wall paintings, which we shall see later during our visit to the Hermitage. The full afternoon will be at leisure to stroll along the winding streets of this ancient city, making our own discoveries in the small shops that have opened in the old city and the wonderful bazaar below the ancient city walls. A program of traditional dance has been arranged for this evening. Thursday morning we visit the ancient city, Pikent, which is still being excavated. Returning to Bukhara, we visit the palace of the last emir, Alim Khan, Chor-Bakr, a 16th-century necropolis, and the tomb of Bakhautdin Naqshband, the 14th-century founder of the Naqshbandis, a very ancient and important Sufi order.
Meals, Breakfast & lunch daily & 2- dinners

Friday, September 19: KHIVA: An early start on our drive across the Kizyl-Kum Desert brings us to Urgench by midday. Touring begins at Khiva, the capital of the Khivan Khanate from the 16th century until its incorporation into the Soviet Union. The palace with its 18th-century harem and open courtyard and the 9th-century Dzhuma Mosque, with its unusual wooden ceiling and 115 carved wooden columns, are among the many architectural treasures we will see. The view from the watchtower of the Kunya Ark provides a spectacular end to this exciting day. Hotel Asia Khiva.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Saturday, September 20: ASHKABAD: This morning we cross into Turkmenistan and visit Kunya Urgench (ancient Gurganj), capital of Khorezm and a major city on the northern caravan route until 1388, when Tamerlane’s fifth campaign against the city left it in rubble. After visiting the remaining monuments, including Turabeg Khanym and Nadjmuddin Kubra Mausoleums and the Kutluk Timur minaret, the tallest in Central Asia, we fly to Ashkabad. A former garrison town, Ashkabad is situated in the center of the Akhal-Teke Oasis, surrounded on one side by the Kara-Kum Desert and the other by the Kopet-Dag Mountains. We will spend four nights at the Hotel President.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Sunday, September 21: ASHKABAD: Every Sunday morning the villagers come from throughout the region to sell their animals, vegetables and other goods at the Sunday Market. We will find many handmade Bukhara-style rugs and colorful traditional clothing on sale at this lively market. After lunch we will visit the newly installed Archaeological Museum.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Monday, September 22: MARI/ASHKABAD:This morning we will fly to Mari and drive out to the site of ancient Merv, an amazing historical treasure-house and capital of the Parthian province of Margiana. Among its ruins is the tomb of Sultan Sanjar and the fortress Erk-Kala, perhaps rebuilt by Roman prisoners taken by the Parthians at the battle of Carrhae in 53 BC. After examining the artifacts from the ruins of ancient Merv at the Archaeological & Ethnographic Museum, beautifully installed in a caravanserai, we return to Ashkabad.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Tuesday, Wednesday, September 23 & 24: ASHKABAD: Our last day in Central Asia begins at Nisa, a capital of the Parthian empire (3rd century BC to 3rd century AD), and continues at 4th-millennium Anau, first excavated by the American archaeologist R. Pumpelly in 1904. The day ends at the Carpet Museum. This evening we will meet for our farewell dinner and toast the completion of our great adventure. Wednesday we board our Lufthansa flights for home.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner daily


Please Note: This is an adventuresome and somewhat strenuous tour. It requires walking over rough terrain, step climbing and some long driving days. All participants are expected to be physically active and able to walk independently throughout our full touring days. Tourist facilities in Central Asia are not well developed. Hotels are simple, menus are limited and airline schedules are not fixed. Situations may arise that warrant a revision to the itinerary. Every effort will be made to maintain the integrity of the program. Only those willing to accept some discomforts should consider taking this tour.