expedition: following the footsteps of alexander the great accompanied by academician edvard...

Expedition:

Following the footsteps of Alexander the Great

Accompanied by Academician

Edvard Rtveladze

IRAN TURKMENISTAN

UZBEKISTAN

Expedition: Following the footsteps of Alexander the Great15.06.2010–29.06.2010(15 days / 14 nights)

IRAN· Tehran · Shiraz · Esfahan · Mashhad

TURKMENISTAN· Mary · Merv

UZBEKISTAN· Bukhara· Karshi · Termez · Shakhrisabz· Samarkand · Tashkent

Expedition: Following the footsteps of Alexander the Great

The Expedition is held on June 15-30, 2010 and lead by Academician Edward Rtveladze

Edward Rtveladze

Expedition: Following the footsteps of Alexander the Great

• The participants of this expedition are tourists from different parts of the world. The aim of expedition is to cover the route of Alexander the Great.

• During this tour you will visit remarkable spots related to Alexander the Great, participate in archaeological excavations, get acquainted with unknown historical facts, unique material and spiritual monuments. In addition, you will take part in scientific conferences held in Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, conducted by noble historians and prominent archaeologists.

• This expedition will bring you to a land where Alexander the Great married to a legendary Roxana from Amu Darya River and will shed a light on romantic and tragic story of deep but short-lived love, which contributed to the alliance between Greece and the Orient.

CITIES visited during the expedition and

the sightseeing spots related to Alexander the Great

I R A N

TEHRAN

• Tehran – the capital of Iran and one of the largest metropolitans of the world. Location on the slopesof the mountains, numerous parks with flowers blossoming throughout the year, alleys of young planted trees, water running down from the upper city along deep and wide gutters like small rivers – all these attributes make the city especially pleasant in any time of the year.

SHIRAZ

• Shiraz is the most romantic city in Iran it is famous for its wine, numerous gardens, and flowers. This city was a hometown for a number of famous Iranian poets, includingHafiz and Saadi.

PERSEPOLIS

• Persepolis – the ancient city of Iran, located 70 km from Shiraz. Founded by Darius I, once it was the capital of Persian Empire. After the conquest of Alexander the Great the city was burned. Nowadays the magnificent ruins of Persepolis, which remained till the present, impress visitors from all over the world.

PERSEPOLIS• The famous

highlights of Persepolis include: citadel of Persepolis, which is listed among UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Apadana Palace, the Gate of All Nations and other structures.

The Apadana Palace

PERSEPOLIS

The Gate of All Nations

PERSEPOLIS

• Naqsh-i Rustam – near Persepolis there is a number of monuments related to Achaemenid and Sassanid empires.

The significant monument is wall of rock, where tombs of Achaemenid kings are found.

One of the tombs was identified due to inscription on it: “Here was buried Darius the Great”.

Supposedly other tombs belong to Kserxs I, Artakserx I and Darius II.

ISFAHAN

Isfahan – the most beautiful city of Iran.

The Persian proverb says: “Isfahan is half of the world”. For more than 900 years the city was capital of largest province in the centre of the country. Isfahan overcame the invasion of Mongols and during the reign of Shah Abbas it became the capital of Persia as well as reached its pinnacle.Nowadays this city is famous for its Islamic architecture with lots of beautiful boulevards, bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets.

PASARGADAE• Pasargadae – well-known archaeological site and one of Iran's five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Once it was the first capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great.

The tomb of Cyrus the Great is the most significant spot in Pasargadae. Historians believe that Alexander paid a visit to the tomb and found out the inscription which proved that it was the place where Cyrus was buried.

MASHHAD

• Mashhad is considered to be the second largest holy city in the world.

It is said that the rich go to Mecca but the poor journey to Mashhad. Over 20 million Muslims a year make the pilgrimage to Mashhad.

TURKMENISTAN

MERV

• Merv – the treasure trove for archaeologists and excavating it is one of the biggest challenges.

The monuments of Ancient Merv are included in UNESCO world Heritage list.

MERVAlexandria or Erk Kala is the most impressive site of Merv.

The second city of Merv, known today as Antiokhia or Gyaur Kala was founded by Alexander's successors, in 238 BC.

UZBEKISTAN

BUKHARA

BUKHARAThe foundation of the city goes into the remote ages. The most ancient part of Bukhara is its citadel Ark, where archaeologists excavated the finds dating back to the 3rd century B.C.

Historical centers of Bukhara are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Citadel Ark

TERMEZ

Termez – formed on the right side of Amu-Darya River, it was developing as one of the leading city of Bactria and then Kushan Empire. The founding of ancient city is traditionally attributed to Alexander the Great.

Archeological Museum in Termez

TERMEZ

Among archeological remains related to different epochs and empires you can witness archaeological site of Kampyr Tepa, discovered by Edward Rtveladze, and participate in archaeological excavations of this unique spot. The excavations in Kampyrtepa have proven that on the place of this settlement was located Alexandria Oxiana.

Kampyr Tepa

TERMEZ

Among discovered artifacts in Kampyr Tepa there are Greek inscriptions – graphite markings on fragments of small ceramic vases that testify to the presence of a Greek population in this area. A copper coin of the first century BC with a depiction of the ruler in a diadem with the inscription “Geliokolus” was also discovered. Other interesting finds are ceramic jugs and crockery with vegetation and geometrical symbols similar to Greek amphora. This in turn made the epoch Kampyr Tepa a very significant ancient site in regards to the monuments discovered.

TERMEZ

SHAKHRISABZ

Schakhrisabz – the ancient names of this city are Gava, Sugda, Nautaka, Kesh. Shakhrisabz is included in UNESCO World heritage list.

SAMARKAND

Samarkand (Marakanda), founded in 700 BC was the capital of Sogdiana.

When in 329 BC Alexander the Great arrived and took the city, he said: “Everything I have heard about the beauty of the city is indeed true, except that it is much more beautiful than I imagined”. The unique buildings of ancient architecture, heritage of scientific and art schools, centers of national handicrafts available in ancient city are famous today all over the world. The city is included into "The World Heritage" list of UNESCO – so great the significance of material and spiritual values concentrated here.

TASHKENT

The scientists consider Tashkent to be 25 centuries old – from the first settlements till the modern megalopolis with the towering buildings, crowded avenues and heavy traffic.

Tashkent – the capital of Uzbekistan and the premier metropolis of Central Asia

Dates Cities Activities Meals

Day 01 Tue

15/06/2010

• Tehran Evening arrival in Tehran.

Accommodation in hotel.Overnight in Tehran.

Dinner: Restaurant

Day 02 Wed

16/06/2010

• Tehran• Shiraz

Sightseeing tour in Tehran: Visit to National Museum of Ancient Iran, Golestan Palace, Carpet museum in the North of Laleh Park.

Introductory conference with participation of scientists from Iran. Evening flight to Shiraz.

Arrival in Shiraz.Accommodation in hotel.Overnight in Shiraz.

Breakfast: HotelLunch: RestaurantDinner: Restaurant

Day 03 Thr

17/06/2010

• Shiraz• Persepolis• Shiraz

Excursion to Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rostam.

Observing the archaeological ruins of ancient city.

Overnight at the hotel in Shiraz.


Day 04 Fri

18/06/2010

• Shiraz• Pasargadea• Isfahan

Drive to Isfahan (428km).En route visit to Pasargadea and Izadkhast.

Arrival in Isfahan.Accommodation in hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast: HotelLunch: Lunch boxDinner: Restaurant

Day 05 Sat

19/06/2010

• Isfahan Sightseeing tour in Isfahan: Visit to Naghsh-é Jahan Square, Masjed-é Sheikh Lotfollah, Masjed-é Emam and Shah mosques (17th century), Ali Ghapu Palace.




Day 06 Sun

20/06/2010

• Isfahan• Mashhad

Domestic flight to Mashhad (IR-943, 08:30, 1222 km).Arrival in Mashad. Accommodation in hotel.

Sightseeing in Mashhad: Visit to Gowharshad Mosque, The Nader Shah Mausoleum, tomb of Nader Shah Afshar, the National Park, Kooh Sangi Promenade.



Day 07 Mon

21/06/2010

• Mashhad• Sarakhs • Mary

Morning transfer to Serakhs Border.Crossing Iranian/Turkmen border Serakhs. Drive to Mary.Arrival in Mary.

Accommodation in hotel.

Visit to History Museum of Mary. Observe archaeological finds, ethnography expositions.

Conference with participation of noble scientists from Turkmenistan in the conference hall of the museum.

Overnight at the hotel in Mary.


Day 08 Tue

22/06/2010

• Mary• Merv• Mary

Morning transfer to Ancient Merv. Meeting local archaeologists and restorers in reserve of Ancient Merv.

Full day excursion in Old Merv escorted by local archaeologists: Visit to Alexandria – Antiochia, “Keshk” remains.

Conference with participation of scientists from Turkmenistan.

Overnight in Mary.



Day 09 Wed

23/06/2010

• Mary• Bukhara

Morning transfer to check point Farab (280 km).Crossing Turkmen/Uzbek border, drive to Bukhara (80 km).

Accommodation in hotel upon arrival in Bukhara.

Sightseeing tour in Bukhara.

Overnight in Bukhara.


Day 10 Thr

24/06/2010

• Bukhara• Karshi • Termez

Transfer to Karshi (165 km).En route visit to Er Kurgan.

Transfer to Termez (270 km).Arrival in Termez.

Accommodation in hotel.

Overnight in Termez.


Day 11 Fri

25/06/2010

• Termez Sightseeing tour in Termez:Visit to Archeology Museum. Observe the collection of exhibits found on the territory of ancient Termez and archaeological spots from South of Uzbekistan, which include wall inscriptions graphite markings, ceramic objects, uncommon coins, tools, etc.

Transfer to Kampyr Tepa. Participation in excavation work.

Conference with participation of Edvard Rtveladze and other Uzbek scientists.

Overnight in Termez.



Day 12 Sat

26/06/2010

• Termez• Shakhrisabz• Samarkand

Transfer to Shakhrisabz (300 km).

Sightseeing in Shakhrisabz:Ak-Sarai Palace (14-15c), Kok Gumbaz Mosque (15 c), Dorus-Siadat (15c).

Transfer to Samarkand (170 km).

Arrival in Samarkand.Accommodation in hotel.

Overnight in Samarkand.


Day 13 Sun

27/06/2010

• Samarkand Sightseeing tour in Samarkand:Shahi-Zinda necropolis, Ulugbek observatory (15c), “Ruines of Afrosiab” – the excavation and museum of the ancient town. Visit to medieval architectural monuments.

Conference in Institute of Archaeology in Samarkand.

Overnight in Samarkand.


Day 14 Mon

28/06/2010

• Samarkand• Tashkent

Transfer to Tashkent.Arrival in Tashkent.Accommodation in hotel.

Visit to Art History Institute where artifacts are kept.

Sightseeing tour in Tashkent.

Overnight in Tashkent.


Day 15 Tue

29/06/2010

• Tashkent Transfer to the airport to take international flight back home. Breakfast: Hotel

Accommodation in

IRAN TURKMENISTAN UZBEKISTAN

TehranLaleh Hotel 5*

ShirazPars Hotel 5*

IsfahanAbbasi hotel 5*

MashhadPardisan Hotel 5*

MaryMargush/Yrsgal Hotel 3*

TashkentTashkent palace 4*

BukharaAsia Bukhara 4*

SamarkandAfrosiab Palace 4*

TermezMeridian Hotel 3*

Guaranteed Tour Price:

Pax 1

USD per pax 1995

Transport AC coach

SERVICES INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE: SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE:

Accommodation based on TWN rooms Meals – according to the itinerary Entrance fees for Sightseeing spots mentioned. Overland transportation by AC coach All airport-hotel-airport transfers Escort guide for the whole tour (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese-Mandarin, etc. speaking) All sightseeing as specified in the itinerary Folklore show in Bukhara Farewell dinner in Tashkent. Visa support to Iran, Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Portage services in airports and hotels 1 bottle of mineral water per day per pax

International airfares Domestic air fare Tehran – Shiraz – 55 USD p/p. Domestic air fare Isfahan – Mashad – 65 USD p/p. Camera and Video charges during the sightseeing. Single Supplement – 422 USD p/p. Excursions on different languages: German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese-Mandarin, etc.

Payment: 100% prepayment should be made not less than 3 days before the group’s arrival.

Cancellation fees: Cancellation prior 30 days – no penalty is charged Cancellation prior 15 days – 50% penalty is charged Cancellation prior 1 day – 100% penalty is charged

expedition: following the footsteps of alexander the great accompanied by academician edvard...

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