ITINERARY

Special Middle East Tour
April 13 and September 21, 2010

AZERBAIJAN

Morning free.

BAKI (BAKU)
Baki, the capital of Azerbaijan, is the biggest metropolis in Trans-caucasia with a quarter of Azerbaijan’s population. This beautiful city is built around a perfect harbor. Baki Bay is a notch in the underside of the Apsheron Peninsula.

There has been one settlement or another since at least the 5th century. It was run by Arabs, Turks, Persians and finally by Russians. Oil has been scooped since the 10th century and large scale oil extraction since the 1870's. In 1935, the drilling began offshore. Hitler’s drive to Strangel  the flow of oil was stopped at Stalingrad (now Volgagrad). The production has now fallen as oil deposits have been discovered in Siberia. But the city is still surrounded by pipelines and refineries. Baki is a composition of actually three cities, old town, boomtown and Russian town with the old walled city to the west and the modern city to the East and North. The compact medieval fortress, whose original walls were built between the 12th and 16th century, was strong enough to withstand a long Mongol Tartar siege in the 13th century, has been recently restored.

1:00 PM - Baku Sightseeing with visit to Shakhiler Khihabany Park with Panoramic view of Baku.
Visit to the Azerbaijan History Museum
Visit of the Old city by foot.
During this walk through Icheri Sheher, the historic center of Baku situated within the ancient city walls, you will see such architectural monuments as Maiden Tower and the Shirvanshakhs’ Palace, Karavansarays ancient mosques, etc.
Visit to the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum

BAKU

Excursion to Gobustan.
Excursion to the volcanic desert to southwest of Baku slong the Caspian shore.  Here you will see rock paintings made by ancient people who used to live there in caves more then ten thousand years ago.

Optional: Day excursion to Nakhichevan, the new addition to the TCC.

NAKHICHEVAN

Arrive NAKHICHEVAN Airport

This semi-desert region is separated from the main portion of Azerbaijan by Armenia.  The city is rich in architectural heritage.  We will visit the Mausoleum of Momine Khatun (12th  Century) the tomb of Yusuf Kuseir, downtown area.  Enjoy a delicious lunch.

Leave BAKU by TK #1333

Arrive ISTANBUL
HOTEL ST. SOPHIA

Leave ISTANBUL by TK #826
Arrive MARDIN

Leave MARDIN for a day trip into

IRAQ, KURDISTAN

We will visit several villages and return in the afternoon to Mardin.

Leave MARDIN by TK #827

TURKEY

Arrive ISTANBUL

Afternoon city tour.

Leave ISTANBUL by TK #874

IRAN

Arrive TEHERAN
HOTEL LALEH

TEHERAN

Leave TEHERAN by IR #325
Arrive SHIRAZ
HOTEL HOMA

Full Day excursion to Persepolis and Shiraz City.
Excursion to Persepolis (the achemenian complex built by Dairus I) and the Sassanian bath relieves of Naghsherostam and Naghshe Rajab. Drive back to Shiraz and visit of the Tomb of Hafez and Saadi,  The Citadel of Karim Khan, the Pars Museum, The Vakil Mosque and Bazaar.

Leave SHIRAZ by IR #328
Arrive ISFAHAN
HOTEL KOWSAR

ISFHAN

Full day city tour.
Visiting: Eight paradise palace (Hashtbehesht), Jaame mosque, Vank Cathedral and Isfahan’s historical bridges (33 arches, Khajou and Shahrestan)

THU. Apr 22 Leave ISFAHAN by IR #23611:50 AM
B,DArrive TEHERAN12:50 PM
HOTEL LALEH

Leave ISFAHAN by IR #236
Arrive TEHERAN
HOTEL LALEH

3 Leave TEHERAN by FG #704

AFGHANISTAN

Arrive KABUL
HOTEL SERENA

KABUL

Full day sightseeing.

Kabul Museum: It was once hailed as one of the great museum of the world. But the Taliban decided to destroy all non Islamic statues & objects and left the museum in ruins.
Bagh-e-Babur (Babur Garden):
6 hectares of walled gardens are going to be one of the most beautiful spots in the city. The gardens were built in the mid -16th century at the behest of the first Mughal emperor of India, Zahir-ed-din Mohammad
Dar-ul-aman Palace: Dar-ul-aman palace was built by King Amanullah in 1920AD. It was once an impressive 4-mile avenue leading up to the Palace. Today it lies in ruins but still impressive.
Paghman Valley: Paghman is located some 20km / 12miles from Kabul at altitude of 2200m / 7218f and affords a delight sample of Afghanistan’s countryside. This town is also known as Birthplace of King Amanullah, the most celebrated King of Afghanistan.
Qargha Lake: Qargha Lake is picturesque lake nestled within the mountains. The Lake was created as a cherished project of Mohammad Daud, Founder and President of the Republic of Afghanistan.

Leave KABUL by FG #313

PAKISTAN

Arrive ISLAMABAD
Leave ISLAMABAD by PK #653 
Arrive LAHORE  

Drive into

INDIA

Arrive AMRITSAR

Leave ARMITSAR by IT #4304
Arrive DELHI
HOTEL RADISSON

Leave DELHI by IT #3301

KASHMIR

Arrive SRINAGAR
We will transfer to our deluxe houseboats on Dal Lake.

Afternoon tour.

SRINAGAR

Full day sightseeing.

Dal Lake will be your main memory of your visit to Srinagar.  Srinagar has many beautiful gardens with terraced lawns. We will visit the old city and its Moslem meeting hall, the Jama Masjid Mosque, which has room for 33,000 persons.

Leave SRINAGAR by IT #3302
Arrive DELHI
HOTEL RADISSON

Leave DELHI by KB #203
BHUTAN

Arrive PARO
HOTEL OLATHANG

PARO

Full day sightseeing.
Visit Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasamhava flew on the back of a tiger and landed there in the 8th century, and meditated for three months. The monastery was later built in this holy place in 1684.

In the afternoon visit the Ta-dzong which was converted into the National Museum in 1967, and is filled with antique thankha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor. Drive to the Rinpung dzong, built in 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders.  The dzong is now used as an administration center and monastery for monks.  Stroll in the local market.

PARO

Full day Thimphu.

Morning drive to Drugyel dzong, a ruined fortress where the Bhutanese army fought the Tibetan invaders in the 16th century.  The sacred mountain, Chomolhari, 7314 mts. (Abode of the Godess Chomo) looms directly over the dzong on a clear day.  Also visit the Kyichu Lhakhang a 7th century shrine built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, the Dungtse Lhakhang, 14th century and local farmhouse.

Return to Paro.

Leave PARO by KB #202

NEPAL

Arrive KATHMANDU
HOTEL DWARIKA

Afternoon city tour.

Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu, “City of Glory” a city with exotic setting, situated at 4423 ft. (1340 m) above sea level is surrounded by tier upon tier of green mountain walls above which tower mighty snowcapped peaks. 
In Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, to cross a street is to travel across centuries.  Shrines, temples, Palaces, Palace-squares, ageless sculptures and legends that are part of every brick and stone and gilded masterpiece make living museum of Kathmandu Valley. 

Leading tourist attractions:

Kasthamandap: This temple is to be constructed of wood of a single tree in the 16th Century.
Temple of Living Goddess: Kumari, who is also known as the Virgin Goddess.
Hanuman Dhoka: It is here that Kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations are solemnized.
Taleju Temple: An ancient pagoda temple of Goddess Taleju.
Kalbhairab: A huge sculpture of God Kal Bhairab, God of  Terror.
Swayambhunath: The Buddhist stupa, more than 2,500 years old is set majestically high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu valley.

KATHMANDU

Early morning Mt. flight around Mt. Everest.

Full day Bhadgaon, Pashupatinath, & Bodhanath
Bhadgaon is the home of medieval art and architecture. 
Visit Durbar Square, the Picture Gallery, the lion and Golden Gate, the Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla and the pagoda styled by King Bhupatindra Malla.  Nyatapola Temple is built on five terraces.  The next stop is at Pashupatinath, the most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.  Built in pagoda style with a gold gilt roof and richly carved silver doors.  Finally stop at Bodhanath with its clossal Stupa.  This is one of the world’s largest and stands with four cardinal directions.

KATHMANDU

Morning tour to Patan, “The City of Fine Arts”.
The ancient city of Patan is situated across the river Bagmati and is about 5 kms southeast of Kathmandu. Patan is a museum in open air with numerous Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples with fine bronze gateways and wonderful carvings. Leading attractions include:

Durbar Square: The square is full of temples and shrines and an ancient Malla Palace noted for their exquisite carvings.
Tusahity: Ancient Royal Bath where the Malla Kings took bath in past.
Krishna Temple: It is the only temple in Nepal which has 21 shrines and is completely made of stone.
Golden Temple of Lord Buddha: The temple built in 12th century has a wealth of gem like carvings on its walls and a complete life of Buddha in gold leaf.
Patan Industrial Estate: It is well known for Nepali Handicrafts such as wood carvings, metal crafts, carpet weavings, thanka paintings and the like.

Leave KATHMANDU by IC #414
Arrive DELHI1
Leave DELHI by VS #301 
Arrive LONDON (LHR) 
Overnight - Airport hotel

Leave LONDON (LHR) by VS #3
Arrive NEW YORK (JFK)

Tour Costs:

Air from New York: $6,500
Land cost, sharing twin bath: $11,500
Single room supplement: $1,300

The tour will be limited to 15 persons, so please book early.