photo: Peter Guttman Once Forbidden Lands of Central Asia ......Ashkabad Capital of Turkmenistan,...

Once Forbidden Lands of

Central Asia & lran

2014

photo: Peter Guttman

© 1996-2014 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 2

From earliest recorded history, these lands have exchanged rulers, architecture, spiritual beliefs, science, education and culture. The glorious Persian architecture of Iran, influenced and enhanced by the tech-niques of the Turkic peoples of Central Asia, appears in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Walk through Sa-markand’s Registan and Isfahan’s Imam Square, admiring the rhythmic arches and the swelling domes covered in gorgeous glazed tiles. Observe the old men playing backgammon in Bukhara’s Lyab-i-Hauz Plaza, or sipping saffron tea in a cafe near Isfahan’s Zayande River, and get a sense of the timeless con-nection between these once forbidden lands. Experience the boundless hospitality of the Uzbek, Turkmen and Iranian people, who often welcome a visitor like a long-lost friend.

Two departures in 2014 – Premier Series – 20 Days

April 28-May 17 • November 10-29

Once Forbidden Lands of Central Asia & lranFrom Tashkent to Tehran via Turkmenistan

photo: Ann Schneider


Daily ItineraryDay 1, Monday Arrive TashkentDay 2, Tuesday Tashkent • SamarkandDay 3, Wednesday SamarkandDay 4, Thursday Samarkand • Gijduvan • BukharaDay 5, Friday BukharaDay 6, Saturday Bukhara • KhivaDay 7, Sunday KhivaDay 8, Monday Khiva • Tashauz • fly to AshkabadDay 9, Tuesday AshkabadDay 10, Wednesday Ashkabad • MashadDay 11, Thursday Mashad • fly to TehranDay 12, Friday Tehran • fly to YazdDay 13, Saturday YazdDay 14, Sunday Yazd • ShirazDay 15, Monday ShirazDay 16, Tuesday Shiraz • Persepolis • Isfahan Day 17, Wednesday IsfahanDay 18, Thursday IsfahanDay 19, Friday Isfahan • Kashan • Qom • TehranDay 20, Saturday Depart Tehran

MIR Signature Experiences • Visit with a sixth generation ceramics master in Tashkent.• Applaud the unsurpassed majesty of the Registan and learn about the architectural wonders of fabled Samarkand.• Converse with your hostess at a convivial meal in the home of a local family in Uzbekistan.• Experience the timeless character of Bukhara’s Old Town with its winding streets, colorful markets, and chaikhana (tea houses).• View plush hand-loomed carpets in Ashkabad’s Carpet Museum.• Join devout Muslims as they approach one of the holiest sites in the Islamic world, the Shrine of Imam Reza in remote Mashad.• Stand in the shadow of the colossal marble pillars of Persepolis, erected more than 2,000 years ago.• Marvel at the stunning architecture at Imam Square in Isfahan.

Trip Highlights Tashkent Capital of Uzbekistan, Square of Independence, the Navoi Theater, Kukeldash Madrassah, Kaffal-Shashi Mausoleum, Palace of Peoples’ Friendship, ceramic master’s studioSamarkand “Crossroads of Culture” (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Registan, Uleg Bek’s Observatory, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Shah-i-Zinde, Bibi Khanum MosqueBukhara “Historic Centre of Bukhara” (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Lyab-i-Hauz Plaza, Kukeldash Madrassah, Kalon Mosque and Minaret, Ark Citadel, Zindan Prison, Ismael Samani Mausoleum, Emir’s Palace of Moon and Stars, Museum of National Crafts, performance and dinner at local madrassah Khiva Ichon-Qala (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Kyzyl Kum Desert, Amu Darya River, Tash-Hauli Palace, Dzhuma Mosque, Kunya Ark, ancient well of KhievakAshkabad Capital of Turkmenistan, National Museum of Turkmen Carpets, Akhal-Teke horse farmNisa Parthian Kingdom of Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Kopet-Dag MountainsMashad Shrine of Imam Reza (exterior)Tehran Reza Abassi Museum, Carpet Museum, Archaelogical Museum Yazd Fire Temple, Dowlat Abad Garden (UNESCO World Heritage Site), badgirsShiraz “City of Roses and Nightingales,” Tomb of Hafez, Tomb of Sa’di, Narenjestan Gar- den, Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, local baazarPersepolis Ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings, (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Naghsh-e Rostam, burial sites of Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes, Kabe- Zardosht fire temple and sanctuary, Sassanian rock-reliefsIsfahan Imam Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Ali-Qapu Palace, Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam mosques, bridges of Shahrestan, Khajur and Sio-se-pol, Armenian Quar- ter, Vank Cathedral, Friday Mosque (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Ali Minaret, Jewish Quarter, Royal QeisariehKashan and Qom Bagh-e Fin Garden (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Tappeh Sialk, Shrine of Fatima al-Masumeh


Daily ItineraryImportant note: Please see the notes later in this document under “Pre-tour Information” for details on hotel check-in time at the beginning of the program, and the best arrival times in Tashkent.

Day One, MondayArrive Tashkent

Arriving in Tashkent, check in to the hotel to rest and refresh before a welcome dinner tonight at a lo-cal restaurant.Meals: D – Tashkent Palace Hotel or similar

Day Two, TuesdayTashkent • Samarkand

Touring begins today after breakfast. Although it doesn't look it today, Tashkent is one of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan. Rock paintings in the Chatkal Mountains about 50 miles away show that humans have been here since perhaps 2000 BC. In the 2nd century BC, the town was known as Ming Uryuk. A major

caravan crossroads, it was taken by the Arabs in 751 and by Genghis Khan in the 13th cen-tury. Tamerlane feasted here in the 14th cen-tury and the Shaibanid khans in the 15th and 16th. The Russian Empire arrived in 1865, and Uzbekistan was not an autonomous country again until 1991.

Tashkent lost much of its architectural history in a huge earthquake in 1966, and although it is an old city, most of it has been built since then. Today, the city is a jumble of wide tree-lined boulevards, oversized 20th century So-viet buildings and reconstructed traces of the old city with mud-walled houses, narrow winding lanes, mosques and madrassahs (Is-lamic religious schools).

A tour of Tashkent begins with a stop at Navoi Theater. Alisher Navoi, who lived

and wrote at the end of the 15th century, is Uzbekistan’s most beloved poet. The Navoi Opera and Ballet Theater was built in 1947 by Japanese prisoners of war, and includes six foyers representing the main cit-ies of Uzbekistan. Each foyer is decorated differently, using carved and painted plaster (ganche), wood-carving and frescoes. The repertory of the theater includes Uzbek music and dance, and international operas and ballets. Note, the Navoi theater may be under reconstruction during this time period, but you will visit if possible.

Continue on to the Square of Independence. The history of Independence Square (Mustakillik May-doni) is revealed in the different names it has borne throughout its existence. First named Cathedral Square in honor of the Orthodox cathedral built here by Konstanin Kaufman, the first Russian Governor-


General of Turkestan, it became Red Square in 1917. In 1966 it was designated Lenin Square, and it was not until 1992 that it became Independence Square.

Known as Halqlar D’ostligi in Uzbek, the Friendship of Peoples’ Palace is a large, imposing building of concrete and marble. It commemorates the diversity of all of the people of the former Soviet Union.

Kulbobo Kukeldash, builder of the 16th century Kukeldash Madrassah, was the foster brother of Khan Abdullah. Located on a hill above Chorsu Plaza, the Kukeldash Madrassah is one of the largest 16th cen-tury madrassahs remaining in Central Asia. Constructed of baked brick with only one facade decorated in majolica and glazed bricks, the madrassah was part of an ensemble that marked the center of the Old Town and included the newly restored Jummi Mosque.

In the midst of the Old Town, on Khast Imam Square, the 16th century Barak Khan Madrassah was founded by one of Tamerlane’s descendants. The Arabic calligraphy and mosaics are unique to Tashkent. In the center of the complex is a lovely rose garden. This is the administrative center of the Mufti of Uzbekistan.

Also on Khast Imam Square in the Old Town, the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum dates from the 16th century. A shining silvery dome tops the mausoleum of this revered Muslim theologian, scientist and poet.

Pay a visit to a local ceramics masterwho, through research and his own artistic skill, has resurrected many of the long-forgotten ancient techniques.

After lunch set off for Samarkand, a UNESCO World Heritage Site called the “Crossroads of Culture.” Modern Samarkand is built on the ruins of ancient Afrosiab, and once went by the name of Marakanda. Its location between China and the Western world secured its impor-tance as a trade center and a clearing-house for cultural exchange. Islamic beliefs from the Near East crossed paths with spices from Southeast Asia and silk from the Middle Kingdom. Its strategic location, cultural wealth and worldly riches made Samarkand an attractive target for the world’s most famous conquerors. Alexander the Great, upon his arrival in the 4th century BC said, “Everything I have heard about the beauty of the city is indeed true, except that it is much more beautiful than I imagined.”

If time permits upon arrival in Tamerlane’s great city, enjoy a short introductory tour of the city's high-lights, and transfer to the hotel for check-in and dinner. Meals: B, L, D – Registan Plaza Hotel or similar


Day Three, WednesdaySamarkand

Today, explore glorious Samarkand, the city where Tamerlane amassed the greatest pool of artistic tradi-tion anywhere. Sightseeing begins with Registan Square, the centerpiece of Samarkand, and the most recognizable landmark for visitors. Three emblematic madrassahs frame the square, and loom over the empty space in the center. It was this central space that originally gave the place its name, for “registan” simply means “place of sand.” This sandy place was at the center of ancient Samarkand and was a public square and marketplace before the Ulug Bek, Tillya-Kori, and Shir Dor madrassahs were built. In its re-construction, the square maintains the majesty that it has radiated through the ages.

Visit Ulug Bek’s Observatory. Though concerned with conquest, politics and other matters of terres-trial importance, Tamerlane’s grandson Ulug Bek found his true interest in the heavens. The astronomer-king was fascinated by the stars and the cosmos and built one of the most advanced observatories of the ancient world. The observations, which he undertook with the naked eye only, predated the telescope by over 150 years. They were aided by the building itself, which housed a large vertical half-circle, only a quarter of which remains today. By using careful methods, rigorous observation and meticulous record-ing, Ulug Bek calculated the length of the year to within a minute of the modern accepted value. He also created the most comprehensive (to that date) catalog of the heavens, earning his place in history.

See the sandy hills where excavation con-tinues on the remains of the 7th century Sogdian civilization, and stroll through the city’s colorful bazaar, dwarfed by the massive Bibi Khanum Mosque, one of Central Asia’s largest. In addition, visit the Gur-Emir Mausoleum where Tamerlane and his three sons are buried. Tamerlane’s tomb-stone is one solid slab of green jade.

The row of tombs and mausoleums collec-tively called Shah-i-Zinde, or “place of a living king,” stretches between the present and the past. At its front is living Samar-kand, and at its back the dusty slopes at the edge of ancient Afrosiab. Even on hot sum-mer days the mausoleums remain shady and cool, and seem to lure the traveler to ap-proach the oldest tomb at the far end. Be-

hind the complex and set into the hill lies an active cemetery with gravesites dating back as far as the 9th century, and as recently as the present day.

Visit the Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Tamerlane to be the largest mosque in the Islamic world, and dedicated to the memory of his favorite wife. Architects from India and Persia were brought in to build the mosque, and 95 elephants were reportedly used to transport the marble and other building materials from India to Samarkand.

This evening enjoy a cultural program of song and dance followed by dinner at a local home or res-taurant.Meals: B, L, D – Registan Plaza Hotel or similar


Day Four, ThursdaySamarkand • Gijduvan • Bukhara

This morning set out for Bukhara after breakfast, with a stop in the the town of Gijduvan on the way. Pay a visit to the ceramics workshop of the Narzulayev family, some of the most renowned ceramicists in Uzbekistan. Their Gijduvan-school ceramics are characterized by the use of flower ornamentation and natural colors, with an emphasis on greens and browns. Tour the kilns and the studio, and enjoy a meal in the showroom, where glowing handmade ceramic plates and bowls are on display. After lunch, continue on to Bukhara for check-in at the bed and breakfast and a late dinner.

The name Bukhara comes from the Sanskrit word vikhara, meaning monastery. Due to its ideal location along a major trade route, Bukhara became a cultural and trade center of Central Asia. For centuries it was a center of Judaism, until the Arabs invaded and took power during the eighth century. From that time on, Bukhara became a nucleus for Islamic studies. Modern-day Bukhara has over 140 architectural monuments and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site as the “Historic Centre of Bukhara.”

Arrive this evening, and check-in to the centrally-located bed and breakfast style hotel for dinner and overnight.Meals: B, L, D – Sasha and Son’s Bed & Breakfast or similar

Day Five, FridayBukhara

Spend today exploring Central Asia’s most ancient living city. An oasis in the desert, Bukhara offers cool shade and rest to the modern traveler as it did to the camel caravans that plied the Silk Road hundreds of years ago. Bukhara is as old as Sa-markand, and has preserved its ancient architecture and design to an arguably larger extent than that city. The Old Town in Bukhara has a unified feel, drawn together by a central reflect-ing pool and plaza, by commonality in the structure of the domed bazaars and by the major monuments ringing the Old Town – the Kalon Assembly, the Zindan Prison, and the Ark Citadel.

“Samarkand is the beauty of the earth, but Bukhara is the beauty of the spirit...”

This morning, sightseeing begins at Lyab-i-Hauz Plaza, lo-cated in the heart of the old town. With the feel of a true oa-sis in an oasis town, the plaza is at the center of Bukhara’s Old Town and is – as it has been throughout history – a place to meet friends, to eat, to drink, and to relax in the shade. The atmosphere is cooled by the long rectangular reflecting pool that makes up the center of the plaza, and by the shade of the trees that ring the plaza. The mulberry trees here are hun-

dreds of years old and frame the 16th and 17th century madrassahs that make up three of the four edges of the ensemble.


In a clearing in a tree-filled park a small plaza is marked with a single building, the Ismael Samani Mau-soleum. It is the 10th century resting place of Ismael Samani, founder of the Persian Samanid Dynasty, and was buried under centuries of sand and not discovered until the 20th century. Though small, it is de-tailed in a fashion not seen in many other Bukharan monuments. More than sixteen styles of brickwork adorn the face of this cubic memorial, and their elaborate pleats and layering are still fresh today. From inside, the transition from square walls to circular roof, created using bricks of identical size and shape, testifies to the engineering know-how of the designers. Walk three times around the mausoleum to have a wish come true.

Visit the nearby Kukeldash Madrassah, the largest of Central Asia’s Koran schools, which dates back to 1417. Stroll through the capmaker and spice bazaars and past street-level mosques and madrassahs, be-fore moving on to the Kalon Mosque and Minaret, the second largest mosque in Central Asia, after the Bibi Khanum in Samarkand. The 12th century Kalon assembly, including the Kalon Mosque and Mina-ret, and the Mir-i-Arab Madrassah, surrounds an open plaza that teems with merchants and local vendors. The minaret towers over the dusty square, looking down from a height of more than 150 feet, and casting its shadow between the mosque and the madrassah. The minaret can be seen from all over the Old

Town, as it is easily the tallest structure in the old part of Bukhara. When seen up close the detailed brickwork becomes apparent; fourteen distinct bands of brickwork circle the tower at intervals, and at the top of the minaret resolve into a traditional stalactite formation.

Located nearby is the Ark Citadel, the ancient fortress and seat of government for the Emirate of Bukhara for over one thousand years, and now a collection of museums and mosques. The current structure has been built and rebuilt on the same site throughout its history, and has pre-served something of the form, purpose and func-tion of the first Ark. Like the medieval castle complexes of Europe, the Bukhara Ark served the emirs of Bukhara as a residence, audience hall, as protection from neighboring enemies and for more mundane purposes, such as a trade

center and a police station. This evening enjoy a costume show in the teahouse of a local madrassah, with a special dinner following the show.

Continue touring this morning with a visit to the Summer Palace of the last emir and a stop at its Mu-seum of National Crafts. A short distance outside of the city, the emir’s Palace of Moon and Starswas built at the turn of the century after the Russians took control of Bukhara. The palace itself is some-thing of a showpiece, as it was designed to keep the emir in luxury, but removed from the city, in isolation and political impotence. The main palace is a mixture of local materials, regional influences, and Russian style. Western furniture abounds, but design choices reflect traditional Uzbek decorations.

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before overnight at the hotel.Meals: B, L, D – Sasha and Son’s Bed & Breakfast or similar


Day Six, SaturdayBukhara • Khiva

Following an early breakfast, depart Bukhara for the fabled city of Khiva, please note this is a long full-day drive. The route today passes across long stretches of the Kyzyl Kum, or Red Sands Desert. This is the same route ridden by loaded Silk Road camel caravans and once plagued by brigands on hand to plunder

their riches. Today travelers can see dunes, saxaul bushes and the distant mountains. Make a stop en route to take a look at the Amu Darya River, which loosely parallels the Uzbek-Turkmen border. Accommodations are in a small hotel located near the historic old town. Arrive by evening and enjoy dinner and overnight here.Meals: B, L, D – Asia Khiva Hotel or similar

Day Seven, SundayKhiva

Legend says that the ancient Silk Road oasis of Khiva was founded at the place where Shem, son of Noah, discovered water in the desert, and that the city got its name from Shem’s joyful shout, “Hey va!” at the discovery. Today the living city is part museum town, part re-creation of life hundreds of years ago. Archaeologists have found traces of human habitation around Khiva dating from the 5th century BC. It was for hundreds of years a stop on the old Silk Road and a fortress town, but it was not until the 16th century that Khiva became the capital of the Khorezm Khanate. The khanate ruled the surrounding area for over 300 years, and was a well-known slave-trading center. Today, Khiva evokes a remote and exotic feel

with its compact old walled city full of minarets, a khan’s fort, cobbled alleys, mosques, and tombs.

Spend the day exploring Khiva on foot. The tour includes the monuments of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, or Ichon-Qala, including the Tash-Hauli Palace, built in the 19th century for the reigning khan and his four wives; the Dzhuma Mosque with its interior forest of carved wooden pillars; the Kunya Ark, the original residence of the khans, partially destroyed in the Persian invasion of the 18th century; and the ancient well of Khievak, which made settlement here feasible.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the edge of the Old Town.Meals: B, L, D – Asia Khiva Hotel or similar

Day Eight, MondayKhiva • Tashauz • fly to Ashkabad

Depart today from Khiva by coach, and cross the border into Turkmenistan. The drive to the border takes a little over an hour. Customs formalities can be time


photo: Ana Filonov

consuming; afterwards, drive to the city of Tashauz to do some light touring and enjoy lunch at a local res-taurant.

Later this afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight to Ashkabad. In spite of its location on a trade route, Ashkabad never achieved the status and influence of other Silk Road cities like Khiva or Bukhara. Originally known as Konjikala, the city was destroyed by Mongols in the 13th century. In 1881, the Rus-sians built a fortress on the site as a buffer against English-dominated Persia, and by the early 20th cen-tury Ashkabad was a prosperous and flourishing city. In 1948 a massive earthquake leveled Ashkabad, kill-ing over two-thirds of the population. Recently Ashkabad has seen a boom in new construction, which has had a major impact on the look of the city. Following the hour-long flight over the Black Sands De-sert, arrive in Ashkabad and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Meals: B, L, D – Sofitel Ozgukent or similar

Day Nine, TuesdayAshkabad

Following breakfast at the hotel, venture out-side the city to visit a horse-breeding farm devoted to the renowned Akhal-Teke horse, arguably the oldest cultured breed of horse in the world. The owner accompanies you on the tour to talk about the workings of the farm and about the breed. These elegant horses have long, slender necks, small heads, long legs and narrow chests. They are said to have lent their genes to both the Arabian horse and the American Quarter Horse.

Next visit the UNESCO site of the ancient Parthian Kingdom of Nisa. The beautiful Kopet-Dag Mountains rise up around Nisa, a site 15 miles outside of Ashkabad that was once a major center of the ancient Parthian Kingdom. More than two thousand years ago the Parthian Empire spread out from Nisa and took its place among such kingdoms as the Achaemenid under Cyrus the Great and the Macedonian under Alexander the Great. Though Nisa was ruled by a succession of dynasties, it remained an important center of the ancient world until the 13th century, when the Mongols sacked it. Today archaeological work continues at Nisa.

After a farewell-to-Turkmenistan lunch and performance this afternoon, visit Ashkabad’s excellent Na-tional Museum of Turkmen Carpets. Time permitting, also visit the huge $100-million-dollar Kipchak Mosque. Located in former Turkmen President Niyazov’s hometown of Kipchak, the Mosque was inaugu-rated in 2004. The mosque is big enough to hold 10,000 people, and its 164-foot golden dome had to be lowered in place by helicopter. Verses from Niyazov’s own spiritual book, the Ruhnama, are etched on the walls alongside Koranic verses. Niyazov was buried here in the family mausoleum that he built, along with the mosque, with government funds.

The evening is free for to rest, relax and pack. Dinner is independent.Meals: B, L – Sofitel Ozgukent or similar


photo: Ana Filonov

Day Ten, WednesdayAshkabad • drive to Mashad

Drive the short distance to the Iranian border for border formalities, and continue to the easternIranian city of Mashad. Arrival will be this evening after a full day on the road.

Mashad began as a small village called Sanabad. In 817 the eighth grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Reza, died here suddenly on a journey. Word spread that he had been poisoned, and pilgrims began arriving at his burial site, renaming the city Mashad, meaning “Place of Martyrdom.” The Imam’s tomb has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, and is now one of the holiest Shi’ite shrines in Iran, visited by 12 million Shi’ite Muslims a year.Meals: B, D – Homa Hotel or similar

Day Eleven, ThursdayMashad • fly to Tehran

Visit the areas of the Imam Reza shrine that are permitted to non-Muslims, the tomb and museum of Nadir Shah and the Khajeh Rabi Mausoleum. Located just outside the center of town, the tomb of Khajeh Rabi, who was either a companion to the prophet Muhammad himself or to Imam Reza, or to both, is decorated with the fine calligraphy of Al Reza Abbasi, Persia’s most famous calligrapher. The cemetery that surrounds the mausoleum is filled with more recent history – people who perished in the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.

This evening, catch a flight to Tehran, transferring to the hotel for check in on arrival.Meals: B, L, D – Laleh Hotel or similar

Day Twelve, FridayTehran • fly to Yazd

This morning after an early breakfast, get started on a full day of touring in the capi-tal. After the Mongols destroyed the Silk Road city of Rey, Tehran rose in its place as the region’s most important trading center. By 1789 Tehran had become the capital of Persia under the Qajar ruler, Agha Mohammed Khan. While the city grew in prominence, it remained basically unchanged until the massive moderniza-tion efforts of the 1920s. Since then, Te-hran has grown in population from less than 300,000 to a metropolis of several million. Modern Tehran is full of shops, museums, mosques, minarets, restaurants, teahouses and a sprawling bazaar.

A city tour of Tehran includes a sampling of Tehran’s best museums. Showcasing objects from Iran’s distant past through to



19th century calligraphy, the Reza Abbasi Museum gives a general overview of the development of decorative and applied arts throughout Iran’s long and storied history. Highlights include the metal and gold objects from the Sassanid Dynasty (about 650AD) and many paintings by the museum's namesake, Reza Abbasi, a 17th century painter of the Isfahan School famous for his miniature portraits.

Also visit the Archaelogical Museum and see the Carpet Museum. One of five major museums in Tehran, the Carpet Museum has a wonderful collection of 17th century pieces.

This evening fly to Yazd and check in on arrival. Meals: B, L, D (packed and eaten en route) – Dad Hotel or similar

Day Thirteen, SaturdayYazd

The city of Yazd was founded in the fifth century AD. Its isolated location and desert climate proved to be the city’s greatest assets, concealing it from the waves of invaders that destroyed other more favorably situated cities. Zoroastrians fleeing Arab invaders found safe haven in Yazd, as did artists and poets escap-ing the Mongols. Combined, they made Yazd a city of tolerance and beauty. Marco Polo called the city “noble.”

Stretched between two deserts, Yazd was a traditional center of Zoroastrianism, an ancient belief that was the state religion during various Persian dynasties. Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic belief system that stresses a dualism in the universe between good and evil. Practitioners are charged with thinking good thoughts, speaking good words, and executing good deeds. The religion is often confused with fire worship due to the use of fire during ceremonies, and is known for its Towers of Silence, used in a prac-tice similar to Tibetan sky burial. Yazd means “to feast and worship,” and many people in Yazd maintain their Zoroastrian traditions.

Yazd is renowned for its textiles, and in particular termeh, a type of silk brocade that has been produced in Yazd for centuries. Today the city is a well-preserved Persian marvel. Take an introductory tour of the town’s bazaars, the Friday Mosque, the Old Town, Alexander Prison, the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, and the Dowlat-Abad Garden. While strolling along the narrow, winding streets of Yazd, look for badgirs, or wind towers, built on the clay-colored adobe houses to direct breezes into the homes, like ancient air-

conditioners.

Originally founded in the 12th century and added to in the 14th and 15th, the Friday Mosque stands on the site of an ancient Zoroastrian fire temple. Its beautiful tiled entrance portal, or iwan, is the highest in the country. The dome and altar inside the mosque display lovely tile decora-tion and decorative brickwork, though much is restoration from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The UNESCO-listed Dowlat Abad Garden is a classical Persian walled garden, watered by a qanat and with the tallest badgir in the country. Originally built for Mohammad Tagi Khan-e Yazdi in 1783, the garden surrounds a small pavilion decorated with beautifully latticed doors and


stained glass.

Zoroastrians from around the world visit the Fire Temple in Yazd to see its eternal flame, said to have been burning since 470 AD. The flame is visible through a glass in the entrance hall; only Zoroastrians can enter the hall where it burns, attended by priests. The flame represents the Zoroastrian supreme being, Ahura Mazda.

Continue with a visit to the Towers of Silence. Built on hills or low mountains away from city centers, Towers of Silence played their part in a tradition practiced by Iranian Zoroastrians up until the 20th cen-tury. Zoroastrians consider the dead body unclean, and were prohibited from burying or cremating corpses, thereby polluting the earth or the air. Instead, they placed their dead on top of the Towers of Silence for consumption by vultures and then cleansing by sun and wind. Although no longer used, the ancient Towers of Silence remain on the outskirts of Yazd.

Enjoy dinner and an overnight at the hotel this evening. Meals: B, L, D – Dad Hotel or similar

Day Fourteen, Sunday Yazd • Pasargadae • Shiraz

Get started this morning on a drive to the city of Shiraz, and along the way make a stop to inspect the ruins of Pasargadae. Cyrus the Great founded Pasargadae, the first capital of the Achaemenid Empire, in the 6th century BC. Set apart from the other ruins is the limestone mausoleum of Cyrus, which had been looted by the time Alexander the Great paid it a visit in 324 BC. Darius I began building Persepolis and moved the capital to his city not long after Cyrus’ death. Pasargadae has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, and though little remains of the ancient city, its diverse architectural styles show that the empire respected the diversity of its subjects.

Late this afternoon, arrive in Shiraz. Dinner and hotel check-in on arrival. Meals: B, L, D – Homa Hotel or similar

Day Fifteen, MondayShiraz

The fabled city of Shiraz has a long and remarkable history stretching over 2,500 years. It is the capital of the Fars Province where the Persian language of Farsi originated. One of the most important cities of the Islamic medieval period, Shiraz has reigned as the capital of several Islamic dynasties. A major artistic, religious and academic center, the city is famed for its poetry, gardens, learning centers and architecture. Beautiful, romantic and hospitable, Shiraz is the favorite of many travelers, and remains one of the most enjoyable places to visit in Iran.

Set off after breakfast this morning for a full day tour of this “City of Roses and Nightingales.” Start by visiting the tomb of Iran’s greatest lyric poet, Hafez, set in a charming garden. Explore the lovely pink-tiled Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, constructed from 1876 to 1887. It is an explosion of color with some of the finest examples of Persian Islamic tilework and architecture in Shiraz.

Also visit the Narenjestan Garden with its beautiful cypress-lined avenues. Naranjestan Ghavam Mu-seum was once the grand house of the Qavam family who were wealthy governors in the Shiraz region. The house itself is a fine example of 19th century Persian architecture and the gardens have been kept


meticulously. Frescoes and carvings in the building depict lions (the family crest) and human figures along with flower motifs. In 1966, the house was donated to Shiraz University and was used as an Asian Art Museum until 1979. Now, it is a museum in and of itself.

Lunch will be at a local restaurant during touring today, while an independent dinner gives you the chance to explore this long-lived town on your own.

Overnight at the hotel.Meals: B, L – Homa Hotel or similar

Day Sixteen, TuesdayShiraz • drive to Isfahan via Persepolis

After breakfast, depart for one of the most important sites of the Ancient World – the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings, Persepolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Darius I initiated the building of Per-sepolis, a huge undertaking of art and architecture. Spend the day explor-ing this venerable city, some of the most fascinating ruins in the world. View the famous bas-reliefs showing kings, courtiers and gift-bearing rep-resentatives of the Persian Empire's tributary nations.

The tour continues to the tombs of Naghsh-e Rostam. The monumen-tal rock carvings at Naghsh-e Rostam are thought to be the tombs of Dar-ius the Great, Xerxes and Artax-erxes. Carved in the Elamite, Achaemenian and Sassanid periods, the cliff walls contain the façade of a palace. Admire the Kabe-Zardosht fire temple and sanctuary, and seven magnificent Sassanian rock-reliefs, including Shapur I's famous victory over Roman Emperor Valerian.

This afternoon continue on to Isfahan and check in to the exotic Abbasi Hotel upon arrival. Dinner to-night is independent.Meals: B, L – Abbasi Hotel or similar

Day Seventeen, WednesdayIsfahan

Set off for a full day tour of Isfahan. Under the rule of Shah Abbas the Great of the 16th century Safavid dynasty, Isfahan became a celebrated and beautiful city, referred to as Nesf-e-Jahan, meaning “half of the world.” Even after centuries of turmoil and destruction at the hands of foreign invaders, Isfahan’s grace is palpable.



See the famous bridges of Shahrestan, Khajur and Sio-se-pol, great places to bask in the atmosphere of Isfahan.

Visit the Armenian Quarter, location of several churches, including the Vank Cathedral. The sand colored stonework of Vank Cathedral conceals a beautifully ornate interior, with delicate tilework and gilt embellishments. Vank is an important historical reminder of the Armenian migration to Isfahan and is lo-cated in the Armenian neighborhood of New Julfa. During the 17th century, Armenians began settling at the southern bank of the Zayandeh Roud River and the cathedral dates from some of the earliest settle-ment in 1606. Used now as a museum, a memorial to the Armenian genocide, and as the home of a his-toric printing press, Vank is still at the heart of the community of Armenian-Iranians and houses over 20,000 volumes of literary and religious works in Armenian.

Continue touring after lunch. Visit one of the world's largest public squares, Maiden-e Naghsh-e Ja-han, also known as Imam Square. In the center of Isfahan, it is one of the largest urban squares in the world. Shah Abbas the Great built the graceful ensemble in the early 17th century after he moved the capital here. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the square was the symbolic center of the Safavid Empire.

The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is an exquisite small mosque on Imam Square built during Shah Abbas’ time, and dedicated to his father-in-law. This beautifully decorated 17th century mosque took nearly 20 years to complete. The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque was once called the Women’s Mosque, because of a tunnel running between it and the Ali Qapu Palace, which al-lowed the royal women to attend prayers without being seen in public.

Here, find the Ali-Qapu Palace, where Sa-favid Kings watched polo games from the bal-cony. The Ali-Qapu Palace was built at the end of the 16th century and was intended as a gateway to the royal palaces beyond. Its cen-tral feature is the tall verandah overlooking the square, its ceiling richly decorated with painted plaster. The music room on the sixth floor has a gorgeous ceiling punctuated with cutouts of vases and musical instruments, which served an acoustical as well as decora-tive function.

Admire the Ali Minaret before returning to the hotel for overnight. Dinner tonight is independent. Meals: B, L – Abbasi Hotel or similar

Day Eighteen, ThursdayIsfahan

Continue exploring Isfahan today. Visit the spectacular Friday Mosque, one of the world’s greatest mosques and an excellent example of Persian architecture. Isfahan’s Masjid-e-Jameh, or Friday Mosque, looks more austere from the outside than the mosques in Imam Square. Its interior, however,


encompasses over 800 years of Islamic architectural styles. With over 200 vaults, some of them decorated with the then-innovative muqarnas (small pointed niches or stalactite formations), the complex makes up the largest and most eclectic mosque in Iran. The Fri-day Mosque was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.

Take a walk in the former Jewish Quar-ter, called the Juibareh, one of the old-est neighborhoods in Isfahan. Jews no longer live here, although about a thou-sand still live in Isfahan. Jews trace their relationship with Persia to the 6th cen-tury BC, when they were exiled to Babylon and scattered throughout the area. It was Persian Emperor Cyrus the Great who allowed them to return to

the Land of Israel. Through the centuries the Jews in Persia were alternately tolerated and persecuted. In the 16th century, Shah Abbas I encouraged Jews to settle in Isfahan, although by the time Lord Curzon visited in the 19th century, many restrictions were in force. Before the Islamic revolution in 1979, there were perhaps 3,000 Jews in Isfahan, many of whom fled to Israel or the U.S. Today several synagogues hold Sabbath services in other parts of the city, including an unmarked synagogue on Meidan Felestin (Palestine Square) near the Abassi Hotel.

Isfahan’s Imam Mosque, at the far end of Imam Square, is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the world. Flanked by two tall turquoise minarets, its massive entry portal is 80 feet high, and deco-rated with cobalt, turquoise and lapis lazuli mosaic tiles and complicated stalactite moldings. The inner courtyard surrounds a reflecting pool, and four iwans, or portals, lead into four fabulously decorated sanc-tuaries. Begun in 1611 by Shah Abbas I, the Imam Mosque was dedicated in 1629.

Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight at the hotel. Meals: B, L, D – Abbasi Hotel or similar

Day Nineteen, FridayIsfahan • drive to Tehran via Kashan, Qom

Today head back to Tehran by private vehicle. Along the way, stop in Kashan and Qom. Located on the edge of the Dasht-e Kavir salt desert, Kashan gets its water from a nearby spring and a system of qanats.These provide water for one of Iran's most treasured gardens, UNESCO-listed Bagh-e Fin, with its centuries-old cypress trees. The museum located on the garden grounds displays items from an archaeo-logical dig at nearby Tappeh Sialk, one of the oldest inhabited areas on the Iranian Plateau.

The sacred city of Qom is home to the important Shi’ite shrine of Fatima al-Masumeh, sister of the 8th Imam. In 816, while traveling to be with her brother, Imam Reza, Fatima became ill and died at Qom. A shrine grew up around her grave, and became a pilgrimage site said to guarantee entry into Paradise.



Qom and Fatima’s shrine were plundered by the Mongols during the 13th century invasion and later by Tamerlane. In the early 17th century, Shah Abbas I rebuilt the shrine complex, and some of the buildings date from his reign. Many were restored, embellished or constructed at the beginning of the 19th cen-tury. Please note, non-Muslims may not enter the gates of the shrine.

If the opportunity presents itself, sample Qom’s signature sweet, called sohan, a sort of cookie flavored with saffron and pistachios.

Arrival in Tehran will be relatively late, and dinner is independent before check-in and overnight at the hotel.Meals: B, L – Laleh Hotel or similar

Day Twenty, Saturday Depart Tehran

The trip concludes with transfers to the airport.Meals: B

Dates for 2014 – Two Departures – Premier SeriesThe land itinerary is scheduled to be operated on the following dates. Please note you will need to de-part the U.S. at least one day prior to the tour start date, due to airline flight schedules.

April 28-May 17, 2014November 10-29, 2014

Package Prices5-16 travelers, $6,995 per person, twin sharePlus internal air $250 (economy class, subject to change)Single supplement, $1,095

Land Tour Price Includes• Shared accommodations in well-located first class hotels in the major cities and best available hotels elsewhere. • 19 breakfasts, 17 lunches, and 14 dinners. A few meals are not included so that you may enjoy a chance to experiment on your own.• Restaurant tips for included meals.• Services of an experienced, English-speaking MIR Tour Manager with local guides at specific sites.• Arrival/departure transfers. MIR will arrange for all travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure whether we make your airfare arrangements or not, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates in the tour start/end cities.• Transportation throughout itinerary by private coach or van (size of vehicle depends on group size).• Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees as outlined in itinerary.• Special events, excursions and cultural performances per the itinerary.• Baggage handling where available.• Gratuities to local guides and drivers.• Complete pre-departure information including detailed packing list, reading list, insurance information.• Touring with MIR handbook with country-specific information, maps, and travel tips.


• Customized visa application and instruction kit (please note, visa fees are not included in the tour price).• Final document packet including luggage tags, final updates, and more.

Not Included• International airfare or taxes – available through MIR; please call for rates.• Airfare Tashauz-Ashkabad, Mashad-Tehran, and Tehran-Yazd is quoted separately and subject to change

by airlines.• Meals not specified as included in the itinerary.• Alcoholic beverages.• Single supplement charge, if requested or required.• Items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, etc).• Gratuities to Tour Manager.• Visa fees. • Travel and trip cancellation insurance.

Interested in travel insurance?To learn more about all the benefits of purchasing a Travel Guard travel insurance plan, please visit www.travelguard.com/mircorp or contact Travel Guard at 1.866.385.4839.

Premier SeriesMIR’s Premier Series programs feature some of our most distinctive tour concepts and include uncom-mon and educational experiences, including visits to small towns and villages outside the major urban ar-eas and capital cities. While all MIR trips feature comfortable, well-located hotels, Premier Series pro-grams take advantage of five-star or best in class properties along the way wherever possible.

Important Notes: Is This Trip Right For You?While the accommodations are as comfortable as possible for the region, they will vary from four and five star properties to relatively basic and simple hotels. It is important to keep in mind that the coun-tries of Central Asia and Iran are, in general, not up to the standards North American travelers expect. Services are improving in the region; nevertheless, you may encounter problems with plumbing, bureau-cratic service, road conditions, unpaved sidewalks, uneven surfaces and steps, variety of locally available foods, and availability and quality of public restrooms. You are traveling in some areas which, relatively speaking, have seen few travelers, and the infrastructure is not yet fully developed.

While this program is designed to be the most comfortable possible for travel in this region, it is rated as rigorous touring due to the daily walking involved, the length of some bus rides and the overall short-comings of the tourism infrastructure. This itinerary features a significant amount of touring on foot. Many streets are of packed dirt, and some attractions are only accessible via steep staircases with tall un-even steps. In particular, staircases at watchtowers involve steep steps inside narrow passageways with limited light. In addition, there are fairly steep staircases with roughly 80 steps at the Shah-i-Zinde site in Samarkand. At the archaeological site of Persepolis, an entire half-day is spent exploring on foot, without access to shade or seating. At Isfahan’s Ali Qapu Palace, there are approximately 80 steps to negotiate before coming to the rooftop viewing area. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day, keeping up with fellow travelers. Flexibility, a sense of humor and a will-ingness to accept local standards of amenities and services are essential components to the enjoyment of this trip.


Every effort has been made to make the information in this schedule accurate. However, trip itineraries are always subject to change. We will do our best to inform you in advance of any changes, but due to the nature of travel in Central Asia and Iran, this may not always be possible. Only those willing to accept these conditions should consider joining this program.

Another challenge for women travelers is the need to wear Islamic dress at all times when in public, even on the bus or at breakfast in the hotel. Women are expected to respect the local dress code of covered hair and no exposed skin except for the face and hands. This can consist of a headscarf and a loose long-sleeved over-garment, like a coat or tunic. Please call for more specific details.

We recommend that you read the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheet and travel warn-ing regarding travel to Iran. Check http://travel.state.gov/ for up-to-date travel information.

This tour might coincide with religious holidays in Iran. We may eat more lunches at our hotel during this time, as restaurants within city limits may not serve lunch. Some minor schedule changes may occur as a result of other religious holidays which take place frequently in Iran. Please note that alcohol is for-bidden in Iran.

Are You Prepared?A Travel Guard travel insurance plan can help cover your vacation investment, offset expenses from travel mishaps and provide you with emergency travel assistance. To learn more about all of the benefits of pur-chasing a Travel Guard travel insurance plan, please visit www.travelguard.com/mircorp

WeatherCentral Asia and Iran experience extremely hot summers and cold winters. Spring and fall are the best months to travel to these countries. Rain is minimal. May brings temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 de-grees Fahrenheit. October and November are cooler, but still quite nice, with averages ranging from 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. In general, air conditioning will be available at the hotels and in vehicles. Muse-ums and restaurants on this itinerary may not have air conditioning, or it may be unreliable.

International Airfare MIR’s in-house, full-service air department is available to assist with your air travel needs. Check with MIR before booking air on your own, as we are happy to research and compare the best fares available through multiple channels. Airfare varies depending on a wide variety of factors, such as dates of travel and seasonality, seat availability, special airline promotions, how restrictive ticket changes are, how long the fares can be held without purchase, routing considerations such as stopovers, and more. Tour dates are based on the land tour only. Our preferred carrier for this tour is Turkish Airlines, as they offer con-venient itineraries and competitive rates from multiple cities across the U.S. to Uzbekistan and Iran.

Please call us at 800-424-7289 to discuss air options and routings for this program, and to request a quote for your specific plans and dates of travel. We will be happy to put together a no-obligation sug-gested air itinerary and estimate for you at your request.

VisasThree visas are required for this tour: Uzbek, Turkmen and Iranian. You may also need a visa for any ad-ditional country you may transit through to join the tour (such as Russia or Turkey). Extensive pre-tour paperwork is necessary to obtain your visas. MIR will provide you with the necessary applications and


instructions. The processing time for the behind-the-scenes letters of invitation is time-consuming as this is a bureaucratic task executed by the various Ministries of Foreign Affairs. If you have travel plans that will require your passport in the three months prior to this tour, please advise your MIR specialist at once so we can map out a personalized timeline.

Total current visa cost for the three visas for U.S. passport holders, based on standard processing time, is $497. Visa costs are subject to change.

Pre-Tour InformationPlease note that touring begins on Tuesday, Day Two of the program. As listed in the itinerary, the only service scheduled for Monday, Day One, will be your airport arrival transfer and welcome dinner. Flights commonly arrive in Tashkent in the overnight/early hours. Therefore, for your convenience MIR has pre-booked the Tashkent hotel from the Sunday before Day One, with rooms available for check-in after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. Many clients will arrive late Sunday night or in the very early hours of Monday morning (1:00 a.m. or similar). These clients will have access to their rooms on arrival. Clients needing room ac-cess before 2:00 p.m. on the Sunday before Day One will need to have additional night or nights pre-booked at additional expense, which MIR will be happy to assist with.

Pre- and Post- ToursMIR can arrange for an extended program in the South Caucasus countries, China and Tibet, Western Russia or Eastern Europe. All of MIR's destinations are open to you, and all can be attached to this pro-gram. Please contact MIR for more details about exciting options for extended travel.

Essential Kyrgyzstan, 8 days. On this comprehensive journey among the soaring peaks, glacial lakes and steep valleys of the Kyrgyz outback, spend a night with a village family, learning the traditional way to make felt, bake flatbread in a clay oven and milk a mare. Visit with a seasoned eagle hunter and admire dramatic landscapes of ochre and umber sandstone formations.

Essential Tajikistan, 8 days. Rarely-visited Tajikistan is wreathed in spectacular mountains and colored with the influence of Persia, the Islamic world and Russia. Meet local people at Fergana Valley markets, explore the ruins of ancient Penjikent and share a meal in a warm Tajik home. Visit the country’s capital, Dushanbe, where a 1,600-year-old Reclining Buddha sleeps in the Museum of Antiquities.

Essential Kazakhstan, 7 days. Begin in the new city of Astana, capital of Kazakhstan only since 1997. Fly to Almaty and explore spectacular Charyn Canyon, with its strange rock formations and color-ful strata. Visit with a Kazakh family and lunch in a yurt. Discover the historic city of Turkistan and its UNESCO-listed mausoleum of a revered Sufi sheikh.

Also Nearby...For more tours to Central Asia, you may want to check out

Flexible Essential Trips – Classic Private JourneysEssential Uzbekistan, 10 days. Beginning in the modern capital, Tashkent, roam the great Silk Road oa-ses of Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva, all of them UNESCO Sites. Admire their mosques, madrassahs and minarets clad in ceramic tiles the color of the desert sky.


Essential Turkmenistan, 12 days. From the golden monuments of Ashkabad and the ruins of Parthian Nisa, head into the mountains to overnight in a village home. Visit the Caspian seaport, Turkmebashi, ex-plore UNESCO-listed Merv and learn about traditional crafts. Camp at the “Door to Hell” and survey Kunya-Urgench, ancient capital of Khorezm.

Essential Iran, 10 days. Visit a trio of Iran’s finest cities to discover Persian treasures and modern Is-lamic daily life. See spirited Tehran, the country’s marketplace, romantic Shiraz with its miles of roses, and beautiful Isfahan, its arched bridges glowing in the evening light.

Essential Central Asia, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, 13 days. Explore the markets, mosques and minarets of oasis towns on the fringes of the Kyzyl Kum and Kara Kum deserts. Here spiritual beliefs were the greatest commodities to flow along trade routes, and civilizations blossomedamidst austere natural beauty.

Small Group ToursCentral Asian Epic Overland Adventure, 17 days. Get a taste of the incredible diversity along the Silk Road. Discover the Kyrgyz highlands with their summer pastures of nomadic herders, as well as the classic blue-tiled architecture of UNESCO-listed Samarkand and Bukhara. Overnight in a yurt camp near a 15th century caravanserai and drive over the spine of the Silk Road, 12,000-foot Torugart Pass, into Western China. Browse the incredible Kashgar animal market, enjoy a meal in an Uzbek home, visit a silk master’s private workshop and have lunch at a ceramics master’s studio.

Journey Through Central Asia: The Five ‘Stans, 21 days. More than 2,000 years ago, the great trade routes that linked Europe and China opened Central Asia to foreign cultures, customs and religions. Join a modern-day caravan on an epic journey to five of these exotic countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The Pamir Highway & Across Fabled Frontiers, 18 days. The Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan are some of the most rugged and beautiful on Earth, soaring upward where the Himalayas, the Tien Shan and the Hindu Kush meet. This adventurous journey over the Pamir Highway is a breathtaking route, in use since the time of the Silk Road.

Silk Route Odyssey: Caravan Across Uzbekistan, 15 days. The center of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is home to three of the most renowned of the Silk Road oases – Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Journey through these UNESCO Sites, the incredible Savitsky Museum in Nukus and the lush Fergana Valley, where Central Asia’s silk production began with two cocoons hidden in the headdress of a royal Chinese bride.

Chinese Turkestan and Central Asia, 24 days. Silk, spices, tea, precious metals and jewels, carefully lashed to pack camels, made their way from one world to another along the old Silk Road. Follow in the footsteps of early explorers who plied these trade routes connecting East with West.

Ancient Persia, Modern Iran, 18 days. Persia, the exotic land that is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, has been known in the west as Iran since 1935, and is a modern country of almost 69 million people. Explore Iran’s fabulous bazaars, admire its splendid architecture and complex ornamentation, discover its formida-ble archaeological sites and converse with the people who call it home.


Conditions of ParticipationYour participation on a MIR Corporation trip is subject to the conditions contained in the 2014 Tour Reservation Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement. Please read this document carefully and contact us with any questions.

Cancellation and Refund Policy Payment Terms: Non-refundable deposits are accepted by check, Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Final land payments may be made by check or credit card for reservations made directly with MIR. If booking through a travel agent, please contact your agent to find out what form of payment they accept. (MIR can accept final payment from travel agents by agency check only.) Air fares are subject to change until ticketed; payment policies vary by carrier.

If you cancel your trip please notify MIR in writing. Upon MIR’s receipt of notice the following charges apply to land tours (policies for air tickets, custom group trips vary):

Small Group ToursCost of cancellation, if received: 61 or more days prior to departure, deposit due or paid in full of $500; 31-60 days prior to departure, 50% of land tour cost; 30 days prior to or after trip departure, no refund.

ReferencesWe encourage you to speak directly with satisfied past travelers. Please request a list of references.

Why MIR?Regional knowledge is crucial to the success of any trip to our corner of the world. MIR combines de-tailed information about geography and infrastructure, history and art, language and culture, with the depth of knowledge that comes only from decades of regional experience. You may wonder how we dif-fer from other tour operators…

Destination SpecializationMIR focuses exclusively on the exceptional region at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. This area has been our overriding passion since 1986; we don’t do the rest of the world. Our hard-earned expertise gained over the last 27 years can take you from end to end of the largest country in the world – Russia – and to all of its neighbors. We specialize in travel to Siberia, the Silk Route, St. Petersburg & Beyond. Our destinations include: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, the Baltics (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia), the Balkans (Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Central Asia (the five ‘Stans), Iran, the South Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan), Mongolia, China, Tibet and Central/East Europe (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania).


27 Years of ExperienceA travel company doesn’t last 27 years in the business without a solid track record. MIR has helped thousands of individuals achieve their travel goals. Our dedication and experience have earned us their trust and the trust of many well-respected institutions. Today MIR is the preferred tour operator for mu-seum, alumni and special interest organizations across the country.

Recommended & RespectedMIR has twice been rated one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by National Geo-graphic Adventure. Several of our tours have won awards in top travel publications, such as Outside magazine and National Geographic Traveler. Our trips have been featured in books like Riding the Hula Hula to the Arctic Ocean and 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

More Questions?Please feel free to call us with questions at 1-800-424-7289, 8:30am-5:30pm Pacific Time.

MIR Corporation85 South Washington Street, Suite 210Seattle, WA 98104800-424-7289, 206-624-7289Fax 206-624-7360 [email protected]

Sellers of Travel: Washington#601-099-932, California# 2082306-40© Photos: MIR Corporation, Ana Filonov, Ann Schneider, Peter Guttman


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photo: Peter Guttman Once Forbidden Lands of Central Asia ......Ashkabad Capital of Turkmenistan,...

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