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www.dragoman.com Dragoman Overland has sent truckloads of travellers out to the ‘Stans of Central Asia, from Istanbul but for whatever reason, a lesser number seem keen to take the return trip! The result is a bargain opportunity for those happy to travel against the flow, inbound from Kathmandu. Discounts of between 20% and 30% are available on one of the four 2 to 5-week component sectors, or a saving of £699 on the whole 12½-week overland immersion in the ‘Stans of Central Asia, departing Kathmandu 21st May 2006.
The Chinese Silk Route & Tibet – Kathmandu to Bishkek – 5-weeks
Departing Kathmandu 21st May 2006
Cost £1,015 (normally £1,450 – Save 30%) plus kitty US$450 (~£250)
A 5-week overland expedition from Nepal to Kyrgyzstan, travelling through some of the remotest and harshest landscapes in the world, through the Himalayas to Tibet, incorporating a trek to Everest Base Camp, the vast deserts of China’s Turkestan and over the mythical high passes of Kyrgyzstan.
Mountain Kingdoms of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek to Tashkent – 15-nights
Departing Bishkek 25th June 2006.
Cost £556 (normally £695 – Save 20%) plus kitty US$300 (~£176)
This is definitely a trip for lovers of trekking and mountainous regions, with much of the time spent traversing some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. There will be time for trekking and hiking and relaxing on Lake Issyk-Kul. It is also a trip about local people and the Kyrgyz are renowned for their hospitality. To get a real insight into the lives of rural Kyrgyz we will spend some time staying in traditional yurts with local shepherd families before returning via the ancient silk route to Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Samarkand & Tamerlane’s Testament – Tashkent to Ashgabat – 14-nights
Departing Tashkent 10th July 2006.
Cost £476 (normally £595 – Save 20%) plus US$360 (~£205)
In a period of ten years, starting from his capital Samarkand, Tamerlane the Magnificent annexed an empire from the Mediterranean to Delhi. His heartland was the Oxus River Valley, the lands of the Central Silk Route and the surrounding Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts. Dragoman Overland explore all of these, crossing the vast Karakum, meeting the nomadic Turkmen that live there. Travellers take a Bactrian camel safari out into the Kyzylkum and then explore the wonders of the Oxus Valley, including the great Khanate and Emirates of yesteryear, Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva. The Ashgabat Tolkuchka Sunday Bazaar is arguably the world's most impressive local market and a fantastic experience; where else will you find flying camels?
The Caucasus & Trans Caspian – Ashgabat to Istanbul- 25-nights
Departing Ashgabat 23rd July 2006.
Cost £764 (normally £955 – Save 20%) plus kitty US$530 (~£311)
Leaving the oasis of modernity that is Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat, Dragoman Overland cross the Karakum Desert before taking a ferry across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan. Later visits include a Zoroastrian Fire Temple and the mud volcanoes of Gobustan. Heading northwest a final night is spent at a well preserved ancient Caravanserai before crossing into Georgia and heading for the capital Tbilisi. Georgia is an amazingly friendly destination, with great history and a great wine-growing region… Skirting the Black Sea, travel steadily through Turkey’s Cappadocia and Goreme Valley before arriving at the crossroads of Asia and Europe at Istanbul.
The whole 12½-week journey from Kathmandu to Istanbul costs £2,811 (normally £3510 – Saving £699!) plus kitty US$1640 (~£937). All tours include transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s customised Mercedes Benz trucks, mixes of hotel and camping accommodation, all camp meals and the expertise of a two person crew sometimes joined by local guides and camp masters. International flights are not included but are available on request through Dragoman Overland. |
