Day 1 ~ Depart USA on overnight flight.

Day 2 ~ En Route
 In flight; arrival in Europe and transfer to flights to Tashkent.

Day 3 ~ Tashkent
Arrival late this evening in Tashkent; we will meet you at the airport and after Customs and Immigration clearance; you will be transferred to your hotel for some rest. After some breakfast we will begin our exploration with a visit to the Museum of Fine Art, which contains a large collection of Suzanne and other textiles of Uzbekistan.

Day 4, 5~ Ferghana
After leaving Tashkent, we will drive through the magnificent Pamir AlayMountain Range and its breath-taking passes to Ferghana in the center of the ancient and picturesque Ferghana Valley.

Our  three days tour includes a visit to the city of Margilan, known for its handmade silk production. The owner of the private silk workshops will take you around and show all the stages of traditional Uzbek silk production. We will have the opportunity to visit local villages where silk moths enclose themselves in cocoons. We can also wander the colorful markets where farmers display and sell their cocoons, and have the chance to feel the world famous Uzbek's Suzanne.

A visit to Rishtan, a village known for its traditional ceramics, is also scheduled. One of the famous local artisans – Mr. Rustam Usmanov – will lead you on a tour of  his workshop and show how a piece of clay becomes a piece of art in his hands.

Day 6, 7 ~ Samarkand
We will continue to drive via Tashkent to  the major Silk Road city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan's most glorious city. In Samarkand, the Samarkand Silk Carpet Workshop makes dreams from all over the world come true. Here they produce hand knotted silk carpets of the most varied styles, all in 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 in Samarkand you will have the opportunity to witness the different stages the silk yarns go through before they reflect their beauty as part of a one-of-a-kind memory from Samarkand. Then we will continue our exploration here 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 in gold, and the Ulugbek and Sherdor Madrassah.

Day 8, 9 ~ Bukhara
This morning we will head to Bukhara with a stop in Shakhrisabz, the city where Tamerlane was born. In Shakhrisabz we will see the famous Ak Saroy (White Palace), Kok Gumbaz, Doru Saodat and Doru Tillovat.

Bukhara is a centre for local artisans, an historic, holy, city, and much of the old city centre is an architectural preserve of ancient buildings and 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, and we visit some of the local markets and colorful bazaars.

While in Bukhara, we will visit the old city, the Ark Fortress, the Bolo Hauz Mosque, Ismail SamaniMausoleum, 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 AttoriMosque, Lyabi Hauz Square, Kukeldash Madrassah, Nadir Divan Begi Madrassah, and the Indian style Chor Minor of the 19th century. Than we will visit Karavan Saray (Trade Domes), with it's private small workshops of Suzanne production and gold embroidery. Then we have a tour of the Gold EmbroideryFactory with its museum of gold embroidery products. Here we will watch how skilled hands produce gilded public art of the Orient.

Bukhara is a centre for local artisans, an historic, holy, city, and much of the old city centre is an architectural preserve of ancient buildings and 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, and we visit some of the local markets and colorful 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 of the 19th century.. Than we will visit Karavan Saray (Trade Domes), with it's private small workshops of Suzanne production and gold embroidery. Then we have a tour of the Gold Embroidery Factory with its museum of gold embroidery products. Here we will watch how skilled hands produce gilded public art of the Orient. We will drive approximately 50 km to a small Vabkent town. Here we visit the house of craftswoman, Matluba Khatamova, and watch her make Bukharian Suzanne products.

Day 10~ Khiva
Today we travel through the Kizil Kum desert and crossing the AmuDarya River to Kiva. 

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.

Day 11 ~ Dashoguz
After some leisure time to explore more of this Silk Road city that has been frozen in time, we will travel to to the border crossing point at Dashoguz between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and after border formalities, we will drive to the famous city of Konye-Urgench whose almost complete annihilation by Genghis Khan more than 800 years ago is a palpable example of the incredible destructive power of Khan and the legendary Tamerlane. Rebuilt during the relatively calm period that followed, Urgench grew into an important trading city before Tamerlane, considering the area a rival to his own Samarkand, effectively completed its demolition.

Day 12 ~ Damla
After early breakfast, we will leave Dashoguz and drive straight in to the Karakum Desert (second biggest in the world). On our way we will explore the desert and you can see Gazelle's natural bowls and varanus (giant/monitor lizard). We will stop overnight in the nomadic village of Damla where we can see nomadic people and their customs and handicrafts. You can experience Turkmen people's hospitality and their way of living. After dinner we will sleep in Turkmen National Yurta.

Day 13 ~ Darvaza
After early breakfast we will drive to oasis of Darvaza. On our way we will drive through the Ancient Uzboy or old Delta of Amuderya (Oxus) River. Before Genghiz Khan blocked and changed the delta of this river it was passing through the Karakum desert and end up in the Caspian Sea. We will also see the unusual Darvaza Gas Craters, the result of Soviet gas exploration in the desert. One of the craters is on fire, and its incredible blaze is visible during the night for several miles. We will stop there for dinner and overnight in tents.

Day 14 ~ Ashgabat

Leaving Darvaza, we will travel next to Ashgabat ( 'city of love' in Arabic),the capital city of Turkmenistan since its independency in 1991 and it is  undergoing through a dramatic changes. We will stop en route to visit the village of Erbent to discover everyday rural life. Probably the high light in Ashgabat  will be a visit to one of the Central Asia's market Tolkuchka Bazaar with its rugs, and any kind of imaginable goods (optional, it works only on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays)

Day 15 ~ Ashgabat
We will spend our day touring some of the sites in this ever-changing city.  We will see the Arch ofNeutrality ( erected in 1998 to celebrate Turkmenistan's endorsement of a policy of political neutrality, the top of the structure reached by glass elevator, has a great view of the city); Independence Square, surrounded by extravagant palaces and ministry buildings, and the National Museum with its fine collection of historic artifacts and relics

Day 16 ~ Ashgabat
Today we will take a side trip to visit the unique Kow Ata Underground Lake. Entering through a cave at the base of a mountain and following a staircase about 200 feet underground, you will discover a subterranean lake of clear warm water.  We will return to Ashgabat for a visit to the Carpet Museum, rich with history of Turkmen carpet weaving; and the "Spiritual Temple of Turkmen Nation mosque in Kiptchak.

Day 17 ~ Mary

This morning we will take an early flight from Ashgabat to Mary, the third-largest city in Turkmenistan.  On arrival, we will travel to Gonur Depe, the largest archaeological excavation in the Near East where experts have confirmed it 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

Day 18 ~ Mary

Today we will explore one of Turkmenistan's greatest attractions, the historic city of Merv. Vast and complex, this is the country's only UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered of vital significance to the culture of Central Asia.  We will visit the remains of Alexandria, Antiokhia, SultanKala, the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, Ibn Zaid, and the medieval castle “Keshk”. In the afternoon we will tour the Museum of History and the Mausoleum of Talkhatan Baba before

Day 19 ~ Ashgabat
This morning we will drive to Asgabat, reroute we will visit the Mausoleum of Abu Seyit Abul Hayr Mekheni who is famous by his local name “ Mane Baba”

Day 20 ~ Iran ~ Bajgiran-Bastam
After breakfast we will drive to Iranian Bajgiran border about 44 km. Pass the border and then drive on to Bastam for overnight.

Day 21 ~ Bastam- Tehran- Ahwaz
This morning we will drive to Tehran to visit the carpet museum before boarding our flight to Ahwaz. Transfer to our hotel and over night in Ahwaz.

Day 22 ~ Ahwaz
This morning we will drive to Choqa Zanbil to visit the well-preserved 2,600 year old tombs of the Elamite Kings, Ziggurat and one of Iran's three World Heritage Sites. Ziggurat (pyramidal tiered temple), is the best surviving example of Elamite architecture anywhere. Nearby is the famous Shush, first a well-known prehistoric city dating back to the 4th millennium BC; later an important Elamite city around the middle of the 3rd millennium BC; and finally the capital of the Achaemenid Kingdom. We will stroll through the ancient Royal Town, once the quarter of the court officials; Apadana, where Darius the Great built his palace; and visit the nearby Tomb of Daniel. Our day will finishes with a visit to the pretty town of Shushtar, famous for its ancient Shadorvan and Bande-e Qaisar Bridges from the Sassanian period, and its Qajar water mills. Overnight in Ahwaz.

Day 23 ~ Shiraz
Our destination today is the beautiful city of Shiraz, the heartland of Persian culture, and known as a center of learning 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. Overnight in Shiraz.

Day 24 ~ Shiraz
City Tour in Shiraz with 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, Hafez Tomb, Dinner in Hammam Vakil Traditional restaurant, Shah Cheragh Sanctuary from outside ,visit Ali ebn Hamzeh Mausoleum. Overnight in Shiraz.

Day 25 ~ Shiraz
This morning we will have an excursion to Firuz Abad, where we will see some interesting Sassanian ruins including the Palace of Ardesir I, founder of the Sassanian dynasty. As an ancient fire temple, it is interesting to note that this was likely the first dome built on a square building and iwan. We will also see a fire tower from which the idea of minarets for mosques was developed. Here we will also see very colorfully dressed nomadic people crossing the Zagros Mountains. In the afternoon there are more treasures to explore in Shiraz; one of them is a stroll through the Bazar-e Vakil, probably the most famous bazaar in Iran with all kinds of spices, jewels, and carpets; the Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, the most beautiful mosque in southern Iran with its unusually deep shade of exquisite tiles; and finally the Mausoleum of Shah-e Cheragh, originally built in 835 and an important Shiite shrine of pilgrimage.

Day 26~ Yazd
Drive from Shiraz to Persepolis, Naghsh-e Rostam with rock graves and reliefs, continue our driving to Yazd via Passrgad with Cyrus Tomb, and then Abarkuh with Jame Mosque. Overnight in Yazd.

Day 27 ~ Yazd
Full day city tour in Yazd by visiting Dowlat Abad Garden with wind tower, Amir Chaqmaq Tower of Silence and Takieh. Fire Temple, Water museum, stroll in old quartets and visit Confectionaries with traditional and Famous confections, and then traditional textile work shop. Overnight in Yazd.

Day 28 ~ Esfahan
We start our Journey Isfahan, Paris of Iran via Meybod with Abbasi Caravansary with Pileless Carpet workshop and Museum, continue to Nain, in Nain visit Jame Mosque, and then in Mohamadiyeh village visit Aba Bafi workshop, continue to Isfahan. Stroll in the city. Overnight in Isfahan.

Day 29 ~ Esfahan
Full day city tour in Isfahan beginning from Imam Square with Imam and Sheikh Lotfollah Mosques, Ali Qapu Palace and Bazaar with Inlaid's Miniature, engraving and traditional textile workshop in Isfahan Bazaar. In the evening stroll along old bridges. We will also visit Chehel Sotun Palace, Vank Church and old Friday Mosque, and then Ali Qoli Aqa Bath. And visit of a Carpet weaving workshop. Over night Esfahan.

Day 30 ~ Abyaneh
Our journey is today takes us to Abyaneh, en rout have a short visiting of Jame Mosque in Natanz and Ceramic making workshop, then continue to Abyaneh village. Overnight in Abyaneh.

Day 31 ~ Tehran
We will spend the morning to explore this charming village of Abyaneh and than drive to Tehran. Crowned by the Alborz Mountains, Tehran 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 Ghajar Dynasty, founded by Agha Mohammad Khan.

Day 32 ~ Tehran
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. Near by is the Museum of Islamic Period with its fine selection of Islamic arts including calligraphy, carpets, ceramics, woodcarving, stone carving, miniatures, brickwork and textiles. Than on to the Carpet Museum, where we will see a 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 Oajar times and was the home of a prominent Persian family. 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.

Day 32 ~ Depart for Home
Transfer to airport to very early flight back home.