The Silk Road of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - Bryn Mawr College

The Silk Road of Uzbekistan
and Turkmenistan
with Sergey Glebov, Assistant Professor of Russian History
Tashkent ◆ Samarkand ◆ Bukhara ◆ Khiva ◆ Ashkabad
May 9-22, 2010
The incredible sky-blue tilework, woven brick constructions and brilliant fabrics of the
Silk Road are some of humankind’s historical treasures, ready to be shared. Explore the
UNESCO-listed Old Towns of the fabled Uzbek oases – Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva
– as well as Tamerlane’s hometown, Shakhrisabze, where the ruins of his monumental
Ak-Saray Palace are also on the World Heritage List. In enigmatic Turkmenistan, visit
the ancient remains of the Parthian Kingdom’s capital, Nisa, and shop at the exotic
Tolkuchka Oriental Bazaar.

Tashkent ◆ Samarkand ◆ Bukhara ◆ Khiva ◆ Ashkabad
Dear Alumnae and friends,
The colleges of Smith and Bryn Mawr take great pleasure
in partnering on a visit to the great Silk Road cities of
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. These fabled oases linked
together the Eastern and Western worlds and formed the conduit
not only for the silks and spices that gave Europe its brilliance
and flavor, but also for ideas, art, architecture and religion
– the things that make us most human. Zoroastrianism,
Christianity, Buddhism and Islam all spread along the road
and took root near the watering holes of Central Asia.
Remnants of their rich cultures remain in the ageless buildings
of patterned brick and finely-glazed tiles.
The journey begins in Uzbekistan’s capital, modern Tashkent,
and continues overland to all four of Uzbekistan’s UNESCO
World Heritage Sites – magnificent Samarkand, Tamerlane’s
capital; Shakhrisabze, his birthplace; beautiful Bukhara, Central
Asia’s most ancient living city; and the museum-town of Khiva,
where the mud-brick walls enclose a traditional way of life.
Spend some time in Turkmenistan, admiring the UNESCOlisted
ruins of the ancient Parthian Kingdom of Nisa.
Today these countries are the hub of a new Silk Road network;
one made up of railroads and planned gas pipelines,
conduits that may propel the region once again into the center
of the global economy.
Sincerely,
Carrie Cadwell Brown, Ed.M’82
Executive Director
Alumnae Association of Smith College
Wendy M. Greenfield
Executive Director
Bryn Mawr Alumnae Association
For more information, contact MIR Corporation at
(800) 424-7289 or margie@mircorp.com.
Study Leader: Sergey Glebov
Tour Highlights:
Sergey Glebov, Five College Assistant Professor of Russian History at
Smith College, will be Study Leader of this expedition to Uzbekistan and
Turkmenistan. Dr. Glebov studied at Central European University in Budapest
and at Rutgers, with his specialty being nationalism and multi-nationalism in
the Russian Empire and the USSR. As former Soviet republics, Uzbekistan
and Turkmenistan played a significant role in the Soviet Union’s nationalities
policy. Dr. Glebov looks forward to sharing his insights into this corner of the
world in lectures and informal conversations.
� Visit Uzbekistan’s capital city, Tashkent, to get a
glimpse of modern life in the country’s biggest
urban center
� Admire graceful Registan Square in blue-tiled
Samarkand, where Tamerlane assembled the
greatest pool of artisans and craftsmen in the world
� Learn the full process of production at a local
carpet factory, where vivid silk and wool carpets
take shape on traditional looms
� Meet with a talented Bukharan architect to
discuss ongoing renovations to the ancient Ark
Citadel in Bukhara
� Spend a day walking the museum town of Khiva,
looking much as it did as the weary caravans made
their way through its gates from the harsh desert
� Wander one of Central Asia’s most exciting openair
bazaars, the Tolkuchka Sunday Market, near
Ashkabad, Turkmenistan’s capital

Day-by-Day Day by Day Itinerary
Sunday-Monday, May 9-10
Depart USA Arrive Tashkent
Depart from your hometown and fly to Tashkent,
Uzbekistan. Tashkent Palace Hotel or similar
(Light snack)
Tuesday, May 11
Tashkent
Embark on a city tour of Tashkent, an odd mix of
wide tree-lined boulevards, oversized 20th century
Soviet buildings and reconstructed traces of the old
city. (B, L, D)
Wednesday, May 12
Tashkent drive to Samarkand
Drive overland along the same Silk Road that
many a merchant has traveled to Samarkand. Visit
the Registan, the centerpiece of Samarkand, and
the most recognizable landmark for visitors. This
sandy place was at the center of ancient Samarkand
and was a public square and marketplace before
the Ulug Bek, Tillya-Kori, and Shir Dor madrassahs
were built. In its reconstruction, the square
maintains the majesty that it has radiated through
the ages. Hotel Asia Samarkand or similar
(B, L, D)
Thursday, May 13
Samarkand
Admire the Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by
Tamerlane to be the largest mosque in the Islamic
world, and dedicated to the memory of his favorite
wife. Wander the row of tombs and mausoleums
collectively called Shah-I-Zinde, or “place of a liv-
ing king,” stretching between the present and the
past. The afternoon is yours to explore independently.
Admire the superb tile work, which uses
every motif permitted in Islamic art – floral images,
geometric patterns, spirals and bands of Kufic
calligraphy. Gather this evening for a folk performance
or a visit to the workshop of a local artist.
(B, L, D)
Friday, May 14
Samarkand drive to Bukhara via Shakrisabze
Depart for UNESCO-listed Shakhrisabze, the
birthplace of Tamerlane. Admire the ruins of Ak
Saray (White Palace), built in the 14th century and
one of Tamerlane’s most expansive undertakings.
Remaining is a massive portal covered with incredible
blue, white and gold ceramic tile mosaics and
standing over 131 feet high. Sasha & Son B&B or
similar (B, L, D)
Saturday, May 15
Bukhara
Spend today exploring Central Asia’s most ancient
living city. The Old Town in Bukhara has a unified
feel, drawn together by a central reflecting
pool and plaza, by commonality in the structure of
the domed bazaars and by the major monuments
ringing the Old Town: the Kalon Assembly, the
Zindan Prison, and the Ark Citadel. Meet with a
local Bukharan architect to discuss the current state
of historical architectural renovation in Bukhara.
(B, L, D)

Day-by-Day Itinerary (continued)
Sunday, May 16
Bukhara
Explore the Summer Palace of the last Emir and
stop at its Museum of National Crafts. The afternoon
is open for independent exploration or just
relaxing in the old town of Bukhara. This evening,
visit a local madrassah to dine and enjoy a performance
by local artists. (B, L, D)
Monday, May 17
Bukhara drive to Khiva
This morning, head for the last great city on the
Uzbek part of your itinerary, Khiva. The drive
today takes you across long stretches of the Kyzyl
Kum, or Red Sands, Desert. Arrive in Khiva in
time for dinner and overnight. Hotel Asia Khiva
or similar (B, L, D)
Tuesday, May 18
Khiva
Spend the day exploring Khiva on foot. Highlights
include the Tash Hauli Palace, once the home of
the Khan and his four legal wives, and an open
courtyard for enthroning the khans. Admire the
9th century Dzhuma Mosque with its unusual
wood ceiling and 115 carved wood columns,
creating a forest-like effect. (B, L, D)
Wednesday, May 19
Khiva drive to Tashauz fly to Ashkabad
Today cross the border into Turkmenistan and
transfer to the airport for a flight to Ashkabad.
Hotel Grand Turkmen or similar (B, L, D)
Thursday, May 20
Ashkabad Tolkuchka Market
Spend the morning at the Tolkuchka Oriental
Bazaar, one of the most exciting open markets in
Central Asia; its name means, literally translated,
“a lot of elbowing.” The huge market is brimming
with all types of goods, including traditionally patterned
carpets, Turcomen jewelry and animals for
sale. Later, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site
of the ancient Parthian Kingdom of Nisa.
(B, L, D)
Friday, May 21
Ashkabad
Today’s tour includes visits to the Lenin Monument,
the new mosque and Turkmen-Turkish cultural and
spiritual center, a local bazaar and the Berzenghee
Settlement. Ashkabad’s excellent Museum of
Carpets and Textiles displays an abundance of gorgeous
carpets, kilims, cushions and costumes and
explains the nuanced differences in carpet and textile
patterns among different Turkmen tribes and
regions. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner
at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)
Saturday, May 22
Depart Ashkabad
Depart Ashkabad in the early morning.
(In flight)

Traveler Information
Included: All accommodation, hotel taxes • All
meals per itinerary • Group arrival / departure transfers
for passengers arriving / departing on scheduled
start / end days • All land transportation per itinerary
including one-way domestic flight from Tashauz
to Ashkabad and motor coach • Special cultural
events and extensive sightseeing, including entrance
fees • Welcome and farewell dinners • Services
of a tour manager throughout the land program
• Gratuities to tour manager, guides, drivers and
baggage handlers • Comprehensive pre-departure
packet • Lecture series by Sergey Glebov
Not Included: Travel insurance • Roundtrip airfare
from / to your home city. MIR can assist you with
reservations. • Passport and visa fees • Personal
items such as telephone calls, alcohol, laundry,
excess baggage fees • Single supplement • Items
not expressly listed as included
Air Arrangements: Program rates do not include
international airfare. Because there are a number
of flight options available, there is no group flight
for this program. Information on recommended
flight itinerary will be sent by our tour operator
upon confirmation.
What To Expect:
This trip is moderately active due to the substantial
distances covered and the extensive walking
and stair climbing required. Travelers must be able
to walk at least a mile a day; flexibility and a willingness
to accept local standards of amenities and
services are highly recommended as well. In true
expedition style, some delays or changes in the
itinerary are likely.
Please note that at the time of printing, a State
Department travel warning for Uzbekistan remains
in place, despite the fact that there have been no
violent incidents since May 2005. The warning was
issued in May 2005 after violence erupted in the
Fergana Valley town of Andijan following a prison
break. Our itinerary does not include the Fergana
Valley region.

General Terms and Conditions
Please read this information carefully, as your deposit payment
represents your acceptance of the following Terms and
Conditions.
PROGRAM COST INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS / AIR
ARRANGEMENTS: Please see the Traveler Information
on reverse.
RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS: To reserve space, complete
and return the reservation form with your non-refundable
deposit ($500 per person). Mail payment and registration form to:
MIR Corporation, 85 South Washington Street, Suite 210, Seattle,
WA 98104. Or, if using a credit card for your deposit, call 800-
424-7289 or fax your information to (206) 624-7360. If paying by
check, make payable to MIR Corporation-Trust. Check payments
for reservations made by phone must arrive within one week to
confirm space. We cannot confirm reservations without a nonrefundable
deposit. Balance of payment for all land and air costs,
payable by check (payable to MIR Corporation-Trust) or wire
transfer only, is due by February 8, 2010, 90 days before departure.
All tour prices and airfares quoted in this brochure are based on
tariffs, costs, and exchange rates of the United States dollar that
were in effect at the time of publication. Consequently, prices
herein are subject to change. The Alumnae Association of Smith
College (AASC) , the Alumnae Association of Bryn Mawr College
(BMAA) and MIR Corporation (Tour Operator) reserve the right
to accept or decline any person as a participant at any time.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: All cancellations must
be made in writing to MIR Corporation and are effective upon
our receipt of your written notification. At the time the cancellation
is received, the following cancellation charges will apply:
Cancellations received 91 or more days before departure, deposits
paid or due in full of $500 per person; those received 61 days to
90 days before departure, 50% of land tour cost per person; those
received 60 days or less before departure, no refund.
Refunds cannot be made to passengers who do not complete the
tour for any reason at all. AASC, BMAA and MIR Corporation
reserve the right, without penalty, to withdraw the tour
announced (i.e., cancel a tour). MIR Corporation reserves the
right to decline to accept any person as a participant in a tour, or
to require any participant to withdraw from a tour at any time at
his/her own expense, when such action is determined by tour staff
to be in the best interest of the health, safety, or general welfare of
the tour group or of the individual participant, and subject only
to the requirement that the recoverable cost of unused services
and accommodations be refunded, if any.
Note: Neither AASC, BMAA nor MIR Corporation accepts
liability for any airline cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase
of a non-refundable ticket in connection with this tour. It
is recommended that you not purchase international flights until
instructed by the tour operator.
INSURANCE: Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is highly
recommended and should be considered for your financial protection.
Also important is medical insurance and emergency medical
evacuation coverage. Upon receipt of registration, alumnae will
receive information on insurance from their alumnae association.
For more information, contact either BMAA at 610-526-5316 or
AASC at 800-225-2029.
HEALTH: All participants should be in good health and capable
of walking over rough terrain. By forwarding the deposit for passage,
the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any physical
or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for
him- or herself or other passengers.
DISCLAIMER: MIR Corporation acts only as agent for the
suppliers of travel conveyance, transport, accommodations or
other service. AASC, BMAA and MIR Corporation have no
responsibility for any delays, delayed departure or arrival, missed
carrier connections, loss, death, damage or injury to person or
property; or accident, mechanical defect, failure or negligence of
any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodations,
transportation or other services; or for any substitution of
hotels or of common carrier equipment, with or without notice;
or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby. Dates, program
details, and tour costs, although given in good faith and based on
tariffs, exchange rates and other information current at the time of
printing, are subject to change at or before the time of departure.
No revisions of the printed itinerary or its included features are
anticipated; however the right is reserved to make any changes,
with or without notice, that might become necessary, with the
mutual understanding that any additional expenses will be paid
by the individual passenger. Baggage and personal effects are the
sole responsibility of the owners at all times. If the entire program
is cancelled for any reason, participants shall have no claim other
than for full refund. By forwarding the deposit, the passenger
certifies that he/she has no physical, mental, or other condition of
disability that would create a hazard for him- or herself or other
passengers and accepts the terms of this contract. The airlines
and other transportation companies concerned are not to be held
responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers
are not on board their conveyances. The passage contract
in use, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the
company(ies) and the passenger and/or purchaser of this trip.
A detailed statement of limitations and exclusions of liability of
AASC, BMAA and MIR Corporation for loss of property, injury,
illness or death will be provided to passengers upon enrollment
and is available to prospective travelers upon request. A signed
release is required for trip participation.
TOUR OPERATOR: MIR CORPORATION
Journeys to Legendary Destinations at the Crossroads
of Europe and Asia since 1986.
CST #2082306-40. WST #601-099-932.
©2009 MIR Corporation, photographs and all rights reserved.
Photos: Peter Guttman, MIR Corporation

Reservation Details
The Silk Road of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan
with Sergey Glebov, Assistant Professor of Russian History
Tashkent ◆ Samarkand ◆ Bukhara ◆ Khiva ◆ Ashkabad
May 9-22, 2010
Please mail the completed registration form with check (payable to MIR Corporation-Trust) to: MIR Corporation, 85 South Washington Street,
Suite 210, Seattle, WA 98104. Or, if using a credit card for your deposit, call 800-424-7289 or fax your information to (206) 624-7360. Balance
of payment for all land and air costs is due by February 8, 2010, 90 days prior to departure. Payment of balance due by check or wire transfer only.
Reservations will be processed in order of receipt, subject to availability.
LAND PROGRAM RATE: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,995 (Per person land tour based on double occupancy)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $650 (Single availability limited.)
Registration Form
Enclosed is a non-refundable deposit for $ ___________
($500 per person) to hold ___________ place(s) on
The Silk Road of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
❏ Please make check payable to MIR Corporation-Trust
❏ Charge my deposit to:
❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ American Express
Acct# ________________________________________________
Exp date ______________
_____________________________________________________
Signature as it appears on credit card
Full name (as listed in passport) ___________________________
Date of birth ___________________________
Affiliation ___________________ Class year ______________
Full name (as listed in passport) ___________________________
Date of birth ___________________________
Affiliation ___________________ Class year ______________
Mailing address (no PO boxes please) ________________________
____________________ ________________________________
City/State/Zip __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Tel (Home) ___________________________________________
(Work) _______________________________________________
Fax __________________________________________________
E-mail ______________________________________________ __
Please note preferences:
❏ I am traveling alone and prefer a single room at the single
supplement rate ($650)
❏ I will share accommodations with:
_____________________________________________________
❏ I would like to know about possible roommates
(shares are not guaranteed)
❏ Non-smoker ❏ Smoker
International Airfare:
❏ Please arrange my air from __________________________
to Tashkent / from Ashkabad and send me a
sample itinerary and price.
❏ Business class ❏ Economy class
I/we have read and agree to the terms and conditions of the trip as
described in the brochure.
Signature _____________________________________________
Date _______________ _______
Signature _____________________________________________
Date _______________ _______
For more information, contact MIR Corporation
at (800) 424-7289 or margie@mircorp.com
alumnae.smith.edu/travel
www.brynmawr.edu/alumnae/travel

The Silk Road of Uzbekistan
and Turkmenistan
with Sergey Glebov, Assistant Professor of Russian History
Tashkent ◆ Samarkand ◆ Bukhara ◆ Khiva ◆ Ashkabad
May 9-22, 2010
For more information, contact MIR Corporation
at (800) 424-7289 or dmitry@mircorp.com
MIR Corporation
85 South Washington St, Suite 210
Seattle, WA 98104
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
MILWAUKEE WI
PERMIT NO. 4134