Depart the USA for China.
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will meet your local guide and be transferred to your hotel.
Today we will visit the Imperial Palace known as Forbidden City in the heart of the capital, and walk in the world's largest public square - Tian'anmen Square. The tour then will take us to the Summer Palace, which used to be the imperial summer resort in Qing dynasty with temples, pavilions and halls set in a park around the vast Kunming Lake.
We will have a full day excursion to the Great Wall at Badaling, where you will have plenty of time to walk along the historic ramparts and marvel at its size and grandeur. Later we will drive to the Ming Tombs, and visit the most famous Emperors' mausoleum of Ming Dynasty with 500 years history - Chang Ling and Sacred Way, the main way which the Ming Dynasty Emperors had to pass along to worship their forefathers. On return to the city, we'll drive by landmark 2008 Olympic Venues: the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) & National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) for viewing and picture taking.
In the morning we will visit the Temple of Heaven - an ornate wooden structure built in 1420 and used by the Emperors to perform sacrificial rituals for good harvests. After lunch, there will be a transfer to the airport for an afternoon flight to Xian. Upon arrival in Xian, you'll meet your local guide and have a walking-tour through the Muslim Quarter and local market before arriving at your hotel.
Today we will head to the Terra Cotta Museum - Qing Emperor's Tomb where 8,000 life-size terra cotta warriors and horses were unearthed in 1974. The afternoon tour will include Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xian Historical Museum.
In the morning we will visit the Ancient City Wall - built in the 13th century in Tang Dynasty on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Dunhuang, where you will be met by your local guide and taken to the hotel.
Today we will see the Mogao Grottoes; it took over a millennium to construct them, from the 4th to the 14th century. These caves hold the world's richest treasure, house of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures. Our next stop will be at the Crescent Spring and Echoing-Sand Mountains - 6 km south of Dunhuang in the Singing Sand Mountains, it is quite literally an oasis in the desert. The spring's name derives from the crescent moon shape in which the small pool of spring water had formed between two large sand dunes. The day's trip will end by a transfer to the railway station for an overnight train to Turpan.
In the morning we'll arrive in Turpan, meet our local guide and visit Suleiman Minaret - the biggest ancient pagoda existing in Xinjiang and the only Islamic one in the country. Then continue our travel to the Grape Valley with its shady vineyards and trees, you may take a seat under the vintage frames, savor various grapes, dancing with the beautiful Uighur girls in their ornate costumes. Walking along the grape corridor, you will find drying rooms on nearby slopes. In the second half of the day we will make a visit to the Karez Well, which is the irrigation system of wells connected by underground channels, considered to be one of greatest ancient projects in China.
Today we will tour the Ancient City of Jiaohe - Jiaohe Ruin; its history goes back over 2,300 years. This is the largest, oldest and best preserved earthen city in the world. Then we will drive to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Municipality.
We will have a full day excursion to Heavenly Lake - a beautiful mountain lake formed more than a million years ago in the 4th glacial epoch, where we will take a short cruise and enjoy the pure and icy water in the lake as well as fabulous scenery, steep forested hills and high meadows with snow peaks behind.
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for morning flight to Kashgar, meet your local guide and visit Id Kah Mosque - built in 15th century. It is one of the largest and busiest Mosques in China. At midday on Fridays around 10,000 people gather to pray and study the Koran. Later we will stroll along the Old Street - close to Id Kah Mosque to see an amazing range of goods being crafted by hand for sale, from strictly utilitarian cookware to exotic musical instruments.
Today we will tour the Sunday Bazaar - famous throughout Asia, this ancient market attracts locals and merchants from all over Xinjiang area and nearby countries such as Pakistan and Kirghizstan. After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight back to Urumqi.
Today you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Tashkent. On arriving there, after Customs and Immigration clearance, you will be met by the guide and taken to the hotel for some free time and rest.
In the morning, after breakfast we will begin our exploration of Tashkent with a visit to the Museum of Fine Art, which contains a large collection of Suzanne and other textiles of Uzbekistan.
Today we will drive from Tashkent to the major Silk Road city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan's most glorious city. After arriving in Samarkand, we will have a short sightseeing tour in order to get the feel of the city.
Now it's time to explore Samarkand more. In this magnificent city, the Samarkand Silk Carpet Workshop makes dreams from all over the world come true. Here they produce hand knitted silk carpets of the most varied styles, all with hand dyed Uzbek silk, just as they were made hundreds and hundreds of years ago. Today we will have a tour of the workshop. The carpet producing process is fascinating and here you will have the opportunity to witness the different stages the silk yarns go through before they reflect their beauty, which Samarkand is so famous for. Then we will continue our exploration by visiting the Registan Square with its three Madrassah, where for centuries students learned the Law of God and other secular subjects. You will see the sumptuous Tillya Kari Mosque, all covered with gold, and the Ulugh Beg and Sherdor Madrassah.
This morning we will head to Bukhara with a stop in Shakhrisabz, the city where Tamerlane, one of the greatest conquerors in the history of the world, was born. In Shakhrisabz we will see the famous Ak Saray (White Palace), Kok Gumbaz, Doru Saodat and Doru Tillovat.
Bukhara is a historic, holy city and the centre for local artisans. Much of the old city centre is an architectural preserve of ancient buildings; we will be able to watch many at work on a variety of handicrafts at the Bukhara Artisan Development Centre. At the Bukhara Carpet Workshop we will see silk carpets being woven on traditional platforms, as well as visit some of the local markets and colourful bazaars.
While in Bukhara, we will visit the old city, the Ark Fortress, the Bolo Hauz Mosque, Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub, Kalyan Minaret, and the Trading Domes with all kinds of handicrafts, carpets and jewelry being sold there. We will also explore the Maggoki Attori Mosque, Lyabi Hauz Square, Kukeldash Madrassah, Nadir Divan Begi Madrassah, and the Indian style Chor Minor from the 19th century. Then we will visit Caravansary (Trading Domes), with its private small workshops of Suzanne production and gold embroidery. We will have a tour at the Gold Embroidery Factory with its museum of gold embroidery products, to watch how skilled hands produce gilded public art of the Orient.
We will drive approximately 50 km to a small Vabkent town to visit the house of a craftswoman, Matluba Khatamova, and watch her make Bukharian Suzanne products.
Today we will travel through the Kizil Kum Desert and cross the Amu Darya River to Khiva.
Our sightseeing in Khiva will include: a visit to Ichan Kala, the inner fortress; the Muhammad Aminkhan Madrassah and its minaret; Kunya Ark and the Juma Mosque with 218 wooden pillars; the Harem of Khiva Khans; and the Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud, a famous ancient wrestler and poet who patronized Khiva.
Today we will cross the border and drive to Dashoguz, Turkmenistan, for our flight to Ashgabat. After arriving in Ashgabat, we will be met by our local guide and transferred to the hotel to have some free time and rest.
In the morning we will start the sightseeing of Ashgabat ('city of love' in Arabic), the capital city of Turkmenistan since its independency in 1991, which is going through dramatic changes. Probably the highlight in Ashgabat will be a visit to one of the Central Asia's markets Tolkuchka Bazaar with its rugs, and all imaginable kinds of goods (optional, as it is open only on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays)
This morning we will take an early flight from Ashgabat to Mary, the third-largest city in Turkmenistan. On arrival, we will travel to ancient Silk Road city of Merv, the same as Gonur Depe, the largest archaeological excavation in the Near East which experts have confirmed, to be the site of the fifth great center of civilization (joining Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and India). Some of the highlights of Gonur Depe include the palace excavations, the Zoroastrian temple "Temenos", the Necropolis, and the Temple of Water. We will return to Mary to spend the night.
This morning we will get to Saraghs to cross the border into Iran. After the border formalities we will drive to Mashhad.
Mashhad- the important ancient Silk Road city in the past is now one of the largest cities in Iran and one of the holiest ones in the Shia world. It is also notably known as the resting place of the Imam Reza, the seventh descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the eighth of the Twelve Imams.
This morning we fly to the beautiful city of Shiraz, the heartland of Persian culture, known as the center of education and sophistication. It is a romantic city of nightingales; poetry, roses and wine (remember the Australian wine called Shiraz!). Before arriving in Shiraz we will make a detour to visit the amazing site of Bishaboor, including the Sassanian city, the Anahita Temple and the impressive bas reliefs of the Sassanian Kings.
The city tour in Shiraz will include visiting Delgosha Garden, Kahn Theological School, Vakil Bazaar with Moshir Saray and inlaid's Workshops, beautiful Emamzadeh Ali Ebn-e Hamzeh with cemetery yard and mirror tiles interior. We will also see the Tomb of the celebrated poet Hafez and the beautiful Orange Garden (Bagh-e Naranjestan), a pleasant garden with a pool, the Government Palace from the Qajar period which now contains art galleries, and the Koran Gate, as well as Shah Cheragh Sanctuary from outside and visit Ali Ebn-e Hamzeh Mausoleum.
Today we will start our journey from Shiraz to Esfahan, Paris of Iran. Of the many ancient sites we will visit in Iran, Persepolis is the crown jewel. The most extensive, impressive and inspiring site, it was just a summer capital or possibly a religious shrine of the Achaemenian Kings. After 2,500 years, the site is still overwhelming, with its City Walls, Entrance, Palace of 100 Columns, Apadana Palace and Staircase, Royal Palaces, Museum, Treasury and Tombs. Nearby we will visit the famous Necropolis (Nagsh-e Rostam) with its incredibly dramatic rock carving of the Royal Tombs of Elamite, Achaemenian and Sassanian Kings. We will also see the four fine Sassanian bas-reliefs at Naghsh-e Rajab from the reign of Ardeshir I and Shapur the Great.
This is a full day city tour in Esfahan beginning from Imam Square with Imam and Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosques, Ali Qapu Palace and Bazaar with Inlaid's Miniature, engraving and traditional textile workshops. We'll stroll along old bridges.
We will also visit Chehel Sotun Palace, Vank Church and old Friday Mosque, as well as Ali Qoli Aqa Bath. A visit to a carpet weaving workshop will end the tour of the day.
This morning we will continue on to the fascinating village of Abyaneh, once a Zoroastrian village with its magnificent view across the valley, it is now under the protection of UNESCO. The village is dominated by ochre-colored houses with lattice windows and fragile wooden balconies.
Then we will drive to Mahallat, which was a famous Hellenistic and Zoroastrian city in the past, and at present, it is a major flower producer and exporter in Iran.
Today we will drive to Hamedan, ancient Ecbatana, the capital of Median empire and later the summer residence of the Achaemenian kings because of its high elevation at the foot of Alvan Mountains.
Here we will visit the mausoleums of Esther and Mardochius (Mardocai), and Avicenna famous for his medical knowledge and books of five volumes.
Our destination today is Tehran, crowned by the Alborz Mountains, it is the largest city in Iran, and has been the capital since 1789. It is an intriguing and sophisticated city, the center of Iran's great museums which celebrate the renaissance of the Qajar Dynasty, founded by Agha Mohammad Khan.
We begin our full day tour with a visit to the Archaeological Museum, one of the highlights of our trip. Its outstanding collections include a 6th century BC relief from the Treasures of Darius the Great from Persepolis and a stone winged lion of Shush. Nearby is the Museum of Islamic Period with its fine selection of Islamic arts including calligraphy, carpets, ceramics, woodcarving, stone carving, miniatures, brickwork and textiles. Then we will head to the Carpet Museum to see the collection of the oldest carpets in Iran, with beautiful and elaborate designs. The Glass & Ceramic Museum is housed in a beautiful building which dates back to Qajar times and was the home of a prominent Persian family. With blending features of both Eastern and Western styles, the museum has a lovingly displayed collection of ceramics and glassware dating back to the 2nd millennium BC, including works from Neishabur, Kashan, Rey and Gorgan.
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Damascus. After your arrival, you will be met by the guide and taken to the hotel for some free time and rest.
Damascus is the most important trade center and the capital of Syria. In the 1st century, this city was also the capital of Nabatea for a short time. However, through the conquest of the Romans, it served as the capital of the Roman province of Arabia. Because it lies on the path to Amman, it also held a special position. The old town of Damascus is a well-constructed sightseeing paradise for visitors, because here one can see the antiquities of the Islamic, Roman and Byzantine periods all at once. Damascus is the most cultivated and oldest continuously inhabited city in the Middle East.
Today we will visit the National Museum, which houses the richest antiquity collections in the East. Then we will stroll through the famous Damascus Hamidiyah Bazaar, which dates back to Roman times and was once the part of the Temple of Jupiter. We will visit the nearby Omayyad Mosque, one of the most beautiful buildings of the Islamic world. It was erected by the Omayyad Khalifs on top of the temple yard of the Roman Jupiter sanctuary that was built in the 1st century AD.
As we drive north, our first stop will be at the picturesque village of Ma'lula, where Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ is still spoken. We continue to the beautiful, charming village of Sydnaya with its unique architecture before arriving in Palmyra.
Palmyra has come to be regarded as one of the most historic cities in the world and has the most to offer of all the antique markets throughout Syria. As early as the 2nd millennium BC, Palmyra has played a very important role in the history as a vital staging post for caravans traveling from the Mediterranean to the countries of the Gulf, and also acted as a link with the Silk Road. The city prospered from taxing the caravans, so in 130 AD when the ruling dynasty fell, the Roman Emperor Hadrian proclaimed it as a free city and allowed it to set and collect its own taxes. Queen Zenobia figured prominently in Palmyra's history in the 3rd century. The ruins are breathtaking and ancient; the Temple of Bel was already 2000 years old when the Persians, Romans, and Alexander the Great occupied the city. Here we will visit the Temple of Bel, Valley of the Tombs, the Arch of Triumph, the Colonnade Street, Bath of Queen Zenobia, the Theater and Agora.
We proceed through the coastal mountains to the imposing Crusader castle - Krack des Chevaliers, the virtually impregnable Crusader Castle, headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers, that fuses the Roman and Early Gothic art. Our next stop is in Hama, the famous city of Norias and Water Weels. Then Apamea, the city founded during the Hellenistic era by Seleucus Nicator. Whole buildings and groups of buildings: houses, villas, churches and markets which survived almost intact, provide a vivid impression of life in the late antique world. The site boasts the most stunning colonnaded avenue of the Antique World and vestiges of a fountain, church and villas. Our final destination today is Aleppo.
Today we will spend the entire day in the city of Aleppo. Along with Damascus, it is one of the largest cities in Syria, and during Roman times it was a thriving trade center as well as an important connection between Asia and Europe. In the 12th century, the Spanish-Arab traveler Ibn Jubayr wrote "...the city, as old as eternity, has never stopped being new, although it has always existed". We will explore the old town, which is inhabited both by Christians and Muslims; in fact is has the largest population of Christians in the Middle East. Then we will stroll through the Citadel and the Souk (bazaar) that surrounds it. It remains filled with donkeys and packs as in older days, and we will enjoy wandering through the exotic spice markets. Finally we will visit the Archaeological Museum which houses an extensive and interesting collection of artifacts of ancient Mesopotamia.
Today, we drive from Aleppo to Antakya, crossing the border between Turkey and Syria. After arriving at the hotel, you will have some free time to rest.
This morning we will visit the Archaeological Museum in Antakya, famous for its mythological themes, Roman fishing and hunting mosaics beautifully displayed in natural light. We will also visit the Grotto of St. Peter. In the afternoon we will tour Samandagi (ancient Seleucia Pieria), the port city which was once the capital of Antioch. This city was a master of Roman architectural design, with its underground water channel which saved the city from flooding.
Today en route to Konya we will visit the Selcuk Caravansary (camel palace) where caravans stopped to rest along the trading route.
While in Konya, the city where Mevlana founded the Mevlevi Order of Whirling Dervishes, our tour will include a visit to the Museum of Mevlana; the Karatay Medresesi, with its beautiful display of Selcuk tiles, as well as the Selcuk wood and stone carvings of Ince Minare Medresesi.
In the afternoon we will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Istanbul.
This morning we will start the exploration of Istanbul with a visit to Hippodrome, arena for political, cultural, and sports activities during Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman times. We will also visit the Blue Mosque, famous for its Iznik blue tiles; and St. Sophia, the largest Christian church in the world for more than 1,000 years. Nearby is the Underground Palace, or Basilica Cistern, with its mystical atmosphere and marble columns surrounded with water. Finally, we will visit the most famous museum in Turkey, Istanbul Archaeological Museum, which is the part of the complex including Ancient Orient Museum and tile museum (kiosk) as well.
Our motor coach will follow the ancient city walls of Istanbul to the Chora Museum, which has the most beautiful mosaics in Turkey. Afterwards we will have a Bosphorus cruise between the two continents to see the fabulous palaces and villas hugging the shoreline. Later we will have a tour of the old and new city, including the Galata and Pera districts.
This morning we will transfer you to Istanbul Ataturk airport for your flight home.
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