Silk Road Tour With China Kindness Tours
Silk Road Tour in China. Beijing, Xian, Dunhuang, Mogao Grottoes, to Mingsha Mountain and Yueya (crescent moon) Spring, Liuyuan, Turpan, Emin Minaret, Urumqi and Tianchi (Heavenly Lake). October 2014. . Cultural tour with varying accommodations. Call Tropical Sails Corp for details 800-595-1003 Or visit:
MIR's Silk Road Tour: Journey Through Central Asia
Central Asia is home to the old Silk Road, with its great trade routes linking Europe and China for more than 2,000 years. Join one of MIR's most popular tours, Journey Through Central Asia: The Five 'Stans ( a modern-day caravan on an epic journey to five of Central Asia's exotic countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
These five 'Stans are laced together with traces of the old Silk Road, conduits for the silks and spices that gave the world much of its brilliance and flavor, as well as ideas, art, architecture and spiritual beliefs.
• Note: Click on CC icon (lower-third right side in video) for handcrafted closed captions.
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KEY SECTIONS:
1:44 Skip to: Kazakhstan
2:38 Skip to: Kyrgyzstan
3:53 Skip to: Uzbekistan
4:42 Skip to: Tajikistan
5:06 Skip to: Uzbekistan
7:56 Skip to: Turkmenistan
• Explore Central Asia in MIR's in-depth story filled with exotic, colorful photos: Silk Road Tour Spotlight: Journey Through Central Asia –
• Learn more about MIR's small group tours and handcrafted, private journeys to Central Asia – (
• For detailed information on each of these Central Asian countries:
Kazakhstan – (
Kyrgyzstan – (
Tajikistan – (
Uzbekistan – (
Turkmenistan – (
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MIR's YouTube channel, MIRCorpTravel:
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CONTACT:
MIR Corporation –
Destination Specialists since 1986
Small Group Tours • Rail Journeys by Private Train • Custom, Private Trips • Siberia & Western Russia • Central Asia & Silk Road • South Caucasus
1-800-424-7289
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PHOTO AND VIDEO CREDITS
Video script, creation and voiceover: Helen Holter
Photos: Christina Z. Anderson, Michel Behar, James Carnehan, Russ & Ellen Cmolik, Donna Collins, Jamshid Fayzullaev; Richard Fejfar, Ana Filonov, Lindsay Fincher, Jered Gorman, Douglas Grimes, Peter Guttman, Helen Holter, Dilshod Karimov, Martin Klimenta, Charles Lawrence, Andrew Mills, David Parker, Abdu Samadov, Ann Schneider, Kevin Testa, Bill Thornton, Vladimir Ushakov, Ji Wensheng
Video narrator and creator: Helen Holter
Video: Marina Karptsova, Jamshid Fayzullaev, David Parker, Abdu Samadov, Kevin Testa
Video thumbnail: Lindsay Fincher
Music: Karakalpak Musicians of Nukus; Khalfi Family of Khiva; Urda Bass Troupe of Almaty
VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION (HIGHLIGHTS)
00:00 – INTRO
More than 2,000 years ago, the great trade routes that linked Europe and China opened Central Asia to foreign cultures, customs and religions. MIR's iconic tour, Journey Through Central Asia: The Five 'Stans, is a modern-day caravan on an epic Silk Road journey to five of these exotic countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
01:44 – KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan is the largest and richest of the five 'Stans. We visit the country's former capital, Almaty, known as the Capital of Apples; Zenkov Cathedral; as well as a falcon farm for an up-close look at these beautiful birds used in hunting.
02:38 – KYRGYZSTAN
Mountainous, unspoiled Kyrgyzstan is Central Asia's best-kept secret. We visit Lake Issyk-kul; learn about horses and traditional horse games; visit Burana Tower; and in the country's capital, Bishkek, we listen to a portion of the famous poem, Epic of Manus – with nearly half-a-million verses.
04:42 – TAJIKISTAN
Tajikistan is a country infused with the influence of Persia, Islam, and Russia. We visit the 2,000-year-old city of Khujand; in this old Silk Road town we explore the colorful covered Panjshanbe Bazaar.
05:06 – UZBEKISTAN
Some of the most famous UNESCO-listed Silk Road sights are in Uzbekistan. We visit Osh and Rishtan in Fergana Valley; explore the country's capital, Tashkent; wander through Samarkand, known as the Crossroad of Cultures with Registan Square's blue-tiled mosaics, mosques, and madrassahs; and see Shakhrisabze, birthplace of Tamerlane the Conqueror. Bukhara was an oasis in the desert for Silk Road camel caravans long ago, and still is for modern travelers today. In Khiva, the Old Town called Ichon Qala looks much as it did centuries ago, while Nukus is known for its once-banned avant-garde Soviet art at the Savitsky Museum.
07:56 – TURKMENISTAN
Turkmenistan is a country of tribal culture and camels as well as modern cities and transportation. We visit three UNESCO-listed sites: Khorezm's Kunya Urgench and Kutlug-Timur Minaret, Merv, and the 2,000-year-old city of Nisa. The tour ends in Turkmenistan's capital of Ashgabat, filled with white marble buildings, as well as a nearby visit to an Akhal-Teke horse-breeding farm.
Central Asia Travel with Zulya Rajabova
Silk Road Treasure Tours specializes in travel to Central Asia and destinations all along the Silk Road Routes, from China to Turkey.
Central Asia proper consists of 5 countries: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. Travel to these countries is a rare experience; filled with fascinating cultural discoveries, amazing history and fantastic natural beauty. The travelers can follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo, Alexander the Great and Ghengis Khan. There is classical architecture, colorful markets, exciting festivals, deserts, mountains and everything in between!
Along with our first-rate team we provide expert, first-hand advice and information on the sights and cultures they encounter. Before the trip we cover every aspect of their travel plans; choosing the itinerary, visa requirements, travel insurance and airfare options. We tailor tour itineraries based on specific interests and prepare our travelers for a unique and extraordinary journey. We want our travelers to get the most out of their tours and bring back memories they will treasure forever!
We offer an array of Tours: cultural discovery, history, adventure, eco-friendly, business, religious, academic, shopping, sightseeing or a little of everything. Trips are designed to blend exploration and relaxation, comfort and adventure.
We can't wait for you to experience the beauty, fascinating cultures and spectacular mountains of Central Asia