Join a University of Chicago featured faculty leader and walk in the footsteps of the great camel caravans that redistributed languages, architecture and spiritual practices across a huge region as they carried their cargo along the old Silk Road. Today, the fascinating Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uz-bekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are finding themselves again at the center of international interest.

OverviewDay 1: Depart USADays 2-3: Bishkek, KyrgyzstanDays 4-5: Almaty, KazakhstanDays 6-7: Tashkent, UzbekistanDay 8: Khujand, TajikistanDays 9-10: Samarkand, UzbekistanDay 11: ShakhrisabzeDays 12-14: BukharaDay 15: KhivaDays 16-19: Ashkabad, Turkmenistan

October 18-November 5, 2016

Program Highlights• Observe demonstrations of Kyrgyz traditional horse games and felt-

making crafts.

• Witness a presentation of traditional Kazakh falcon-hunting.

• Discuss ongoing humanitarian projects with members of a local Tajik NGO.

• Visit a private kindergarten in Samarkand to observe the Uzbek educational process at work.

• Meet with a Bukharan architect for a look into the city’s historical architectural renovation.

• Attend a Khalfi folk concert in Khiva with singing, drumming and dancing.

• Explore Turkmenistan’s UNESCO-listed Nisa, once a major center of the ancient Parthian Kingdom.

Exploring Central Asia’s Five ‘Stans: A Journey Along the Silk RoadKyrgyzstan • Kazakhstan • Uzbekistan • Tajikistan • Turkmenistan

Day by Day Itinerary

Days 1-3 Depart USA • Bishkek, KyrgyzstanUpon arrival in the Kyrgyz capital, meet with a resident who par-ticipated in the 2010 revolution, and together visit the “Ata-Beiit” Memorial complex. Lunch with a village family, attend a display of traditional Kyrgyz horse games, and learn how the Kyrgyz make felt. Days 4-5 Drive to Almaty via Small Almaty Gorge, and observe traditional Kazakh falconry at a falcon farm. In town, visit the candy-colored Zenkov Cathedral, browse the local bazaar and ride the aerial tramway to the top of Kok-Tobe.

Days 6-8 Tashkent, Uzbekistan • Khujand, TajikistanFly to Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, and explore Independence Square and the Courage Monument. Admire the Uthman Koran, written on deerskin 19 years after the death of Mohammed. Visit the private studio of a sixth-generation Uzbek ceramicist and tour the Applied Arts Museum, featuring the Uzbek embroidered coverlets called suzani. In Khujand, visit the Timurmalik Fortress, the Sogdian Museum, with its reconstructed medieval city gate, and the covered Panshanbe Bazaar. Take part in a dis-cussion of humanitarian projects with representatives of a Tajik NGO.

Days 9-10 Samarkand, UzbekistanDrive to Samarkand and explore graceful UNESCO-listed Registan Square. Visit the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of Tamerlane; the Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Tamerlane for his favorite wife; the row of tombs and mausoleums called Shah-i-Zinde; and Ulug Bek’s medieval observatory. Stop at a private kindergarten to observe the Uzbek educational process and visit the studio of an international fashion designer.

Days 11-15 Shakhrisabze • Bukhara • KhivaDrive to Shakrisabze, the birthplace of Tamerlane, to admire the ruins of UNESCO-listed 14th century Ak Saray (White Palace). In Bukhara, discover the Kalon Assembly, Zindan Prison, and the Ark Citadel, and attend an exclusive lecture by a local archaeologist. Visit the Summer Palace of the last Emir, and enjoy a performance by local artists at a madrassah. Drive to Khiva across long stretches of the Kyzyl Kum Desert. Inside Old Town Khiva visit the Tash Hauli Palace, the 9th century Dzhuma Mosque with its 115 carved wood columns, and the 5th century Kunya Ark. Enjoy a performance of Khorezmian music and dance.

Days 16-19 Tashauz • AshkabadDrive to Tashauz, Turkmenistan and fly to Ashkhabad. Visit a horse-breeding farm devoted to the re-nowned Akhal-Tekke horse and tour UNESCO-listed Nisa, center of the ancient Parthian Kingdom, with a local archaeologist.

The Five ‘Stans 19 Days October 18-November 5, 2016

From $7,195 per person, double occupancy

Single supplement: $1,195

Included• All accommodations based on

double occupancy• Included meals per itinerary• Group arrival / departure trans-

fers for passengers arriving to Bishkek on Oct 19 / departing from Ashkabad on Nov 5

• All internal air, train tickets and land transportation by private coach per itinerary

• Cultural events and extensive sightseeing, including entrance fees

• Special welcome and farewell din-ners

• Services of a tour manager throughout the land program

• Gratuities to tour manager, guides, drivers and baggage handlers

• Comprehensive pre-departure packet.

Not Included• Travel insurance• Roundtrip airfare from / to your

home city. MIR can assist you with reservations

• Passport and visa fees; US pass-port holders receive visas for Tajikistan, Uzbekistan & Turkmeni-stan

• Personal items such as telephone calls, alcohol, laundry, excess bag-gage fees; items not expressly listed as included

• Single supplement

Air ArrangementsProgram rates do not include inter-national airfare. Because there are a number of flight options available, there is no group flight for this pro-gram. Information on recommended flight itinerary will be sent by our tour operator upon confirmation.

University of Chicago: Exploring The Five ‘Stans

© 2015 WST# 601-099-932 • CST# 2082306-40Photos: MIR Corporation

Almaty, Kazakhstan

o Please send me/us a detailed 2016 Exploring The Five ‘Stans itinerary

________________________________________________________

Name as listed on passport Name as listed on passport

________________________________________________________

Street Mailing Address (no PO Box number please)

________________________________________________________________________________

City State Zip Code Email Address

________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone (Home) (Business) (Mobile)

Enclosed is my/our check(s) for $__________ as deposit ($500 per person)

Make checks payable to MIR Corporation. Deposits can also be made by credit card.

I/we autorize you to charge my/our deposit to: o Visa o Mastercard

________________________________________________________________________________

Card Number Expiration Date Signature as it appears on card

Tour Number: XXX-XX/XX/XX-XXX

Send to: The University of Chicago 2016 Exploring The Five ‘Stans MIR Corporation 85 S Washington St, Suite 210 Seattle, WA 98104 800-424-7289

From $7,195 per person, double occupancy (land tour only)