Page 6 - The Stans of Central Asia: Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan

Uncover

the legacy of the ancient Silk Road …

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Khiva, Uzbekistan Samarkand, Uzbekistan
The capital of Turkmenistan, located Dating perhaps as far back as the sixth One of the oldest inhabited cities in the
between the Kara Kum Desert and the Kopet century BC, Khiva was the first city in world, Samarkand was once described as
Dag mountain range, Ashgabat grew out Uzbekistan to be added to the UNESCO a “very large and splendid city” by Marco
of the Silk Road city of Konjikala. Situated World Heritage List. Some say it is the Polo. This remarkable Uzbek city was once
within an oasis near the border with Iran, finest example of an old Silk Road city in the capital of the empire ruled by Tamerlane,
Ashgabat is known as a center of Asian Central Asia, with remarkably preserved the 14th-century conqueror of much of Asia
craftsmanship, producing beautiful and madrassahs, mosques, and mausoleums. Its who sought to restore the Mongol Empire.
intricately designed Turkmen carpets. minarets once beckoned caravans of traders Our discoveries in Samarkand include a visit
During our stay in Ashgabat, we’ll also head across the sands. On our way to Khiva, our to Ulug-Bek’s Observatory, where a grandson
out to an Akhal-Teke horse farm to view small group of 8-16 travelers will experience of Tamerlane once observed the stars and
the golden stallions considered the pride of legendary Uzbek hospitality when we sit mapped out the sun, moon, and planets at
Turkmenistan, and meet with the farm’s down to lunch with a local family and one of the most advanced observatories of
owner to learn about one of the oldest listen to the melodic sounds of traditional the ancient world.
equine breeds in existence. Karakalpak throat singers.

Tamerlane’s Mausoleum, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
The Stans of Central Asia: Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan

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