Pakistan — North & Central Asia, China & Tibet — Explore Worldwide 2009/10 online holiday brochure

Echmiadzin Monastery km YEREVAN 0 160 Selim Caravanserai S Noravank Monastery Mt Ararat 5165m Ar TURKEY Ambered Fortress Garni & Gegard Nanga Parbat 8126m In Taxila Islamabad City tour INDIA du s Peaceful Gulmit & Mythical Hunza We stay in the peaceful village of Gulmit; the starting point for day walks to nearby settlements and glaciers. In Karimabad, the capital of Hunza, an old princely state that still maintains a strong separate identity, we can explore the restored 14th century Baltit fort with its incredible views over the Hunza valley to the high peaks on the skyline. Hundreds of stone irrigation channels have transformed the valley sides into a verdant oasis of fields of wheat and maize, and orchards abundant with fruit. Ancient Taxila & Lahore Buddhist remains lie scattered along the KKH, remnants of the rich Gandharan Buddhist civilisation which flourished from the 6th century BC to 500 AD. From Islamabad, we Decorative highway lorry/Clare Eton Jhelum PA K I S TA N Badshahi Mosque Shalimar Gardens Wagah Border Changing of Fort the Guard LAHORE 0 km 150 C ha nab Exploring Armenia This mountainous land is dominated by Mount Aragats (4090m) and the looming presence of Mount Ararat (5165m). In Yerevan, we see the Matenadaran library, which houses one of the finest collections of ancient manuscripts in the world. We visit the great monastery of Echmiadzin and walk on the slopes of Mount Aragats to mighty Amberd Fortress. On the old Silk Road we discover Selim Caravanserai and Lake Sevan, famous for its ever changing hues. Tbilisi & the Georgian Military Highway' Crossing into Georgia we visit Tbilisi, the fascinating capital. In the twisting alleys of the old quarter a mix of cultures are ever present churches are cheek-by-jowl with mosques, Orthodox priests rub shoulders with Armenian Jews. A dramatic drive takes us via the ancient capital Mtskheta to Kutaisi, Georgia's cultural heart, and then on to Bakuriani, our base for exploring Vardzia, the impressive underground cave city hewn from the cliff face by early Christians. We then make a spectacular journey on the old Georgian Military Highway' to Gudauri, sited below the lofty peaks of the Caucasus range. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Yerevan. 2 Arrive Yerevan; excursion to Garni and Gegard. 3 & 4 Visit Zvartnots Cathedral, Echmiadzin Monastery and excursion to Amberd Fortress. 5 Drive via Noravank to Selim Caravanserai; continue to Chambarak at Lake Sevan. 6 Via Dilijan to Aghartsin and Aghpat Monasteries and on to Tbilisi (Georgia). 7 Sightseeing tour. 8 Via Mtskheta to Kutaisi. 9 In Kutaisi; visit Gelati and Motsameta Monasteries. 10 Drive via Ubisi Church to Bakuriani. 11 Visit Khertvisi Castle and Vardzia. 12 Drive to Gori and on to Gudauri. 13 Visit Kazbegi; walk in Caucasus Mountains. 14 Drive via Winery to Telavi. 15 Visit Alaverdi Cathedral and Gremi Fortress; drive Tbilisi. 16 Fly London. Itinerary Ref. GFA Azerbaijan Extension: Days 1 to 14 Same as above. 15 Visit Alaverdi Cathedral and Gremi Fortress; on to Sheki via Azerbaijan border. 16 Drive to Kish village; visit village church and walk to castle. 17 Continue to Baku. 18 & 19 In Baku; walking tour of old town; optional excursion to Qobustan and mud volcanoes. 20 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 12nts hotel, 3nts guesthouse all hotels graded standard, guesthouses graded basic; 15 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 8 dinners included. GFA Azerbaijan Extension: additional 4nts hotel graded standard; 4 breakfasts & 2 dinners included. See insert p2 & tour dossier for details. Mode of Travel: Bus/Minibus/On foot. Comment: We discover the fascinating and diverse cultures of the Caucasus and experience the exceptional hospitality of their peoples. Although primarily a cultural rather than active tour, you should be able to walk around sites and cities and be aware that tourism is still in its infancy: be prepared for limited facilities and some rough roads. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leaders (one in Armenia, another for Georgia and Azerbaijan) plus driver(s), and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 15 to 20. journey to the site of the ancient capital at Taxila, a centre of Gandhara sculpture and art, once visited by Alexander the Great. Our final destination is Lahore, renowned for its magnificent Mughal architecture where we wander through the bustling bazaar. A unique experience is to visit the Indian border at Wagah, to witness the competitive spirit of the changing of the guard. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Islamabad. 2 Arrive Islamabad; city tour. 3 Fly Gilgit; explore town. 4 Drive Gulmit; walks. 5 Walks in and around Gulmit. 6 Drive Khunjerab Pass (4733m) via Sost; return Gulmit. 7 Drive Karimabad. 8 Jeep excursion to Hopar Glacier and Ganesh. 9 In Karimabad; drive Gilgit. 10 Fly Islamabad; visit Taxila. 11 Drive Lahore; visit Shalimar gardens and excursion Wagah Border. 12 City sightseeing. 13 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 11nts hotel hotel in Islamabad graded comfortable, all others as standard; 11 breakfasts included. See insert p2 & tour dossier for details. Transport: Bus/Jeep/Flight/On Foot. Comment & Activity Level: A journey of discovery along one of the world's most spectacular mountain highways. As all walks are optional, no particular level of fitness is required to enjoy this tour, although it is not suitable for those with vertigo due to the nature of the mountain roads. Tour Staff: Explore Tour Leader and driver(s) plus some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 13 to 18. Wool spinning with locals/Sean Hughes Extend your tour... 5-DAY AZERBAIJAN EXTENSION Heading east, we cross into Azerbaijan. We journey along an ancient caravan route, which for centuries has connected Baku on the Caspian Sea with Tbilisi and the West. Pausing at Sheki, once famous for its silkweaving and embroidery, we visit the exquisite Khan's Palace and enjoy a walk into the Caucasus foothills. Our tour ends at Baku, with ample time to wander the backstreets and bazaars of the Old Town, a treasure trove of shops and street cafés Ref. GFA. See Factfile for further details. JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 162 JFMAMJJASOND JFMA For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk as NORTH & CENTRAL ASIA, CHINA & TIBET PAKISTAN Hunza Valley, Karimabad/Clare Eaton ARMENIA * GEORGIA Kazbegi & Caucasus Mountains Land of the Golden Fleece DISCOVERY From Ref Flight inclusive GF / GFA Land only £1775 From £1160 16 DAYS HOTELS/GUESTHOUSES IN ARMENIA AND GEORGIA Karakoram Highway DISCOVERY Flight inclusive From Ref KKH Land only From £1550 £920 * * * Uncover Armenia's tempestuous history in the shadow of Mount Ararat Visit Georgia's diverse cultural sites from churches to cave cities Journey through the impressive landscapes of the Caucasus Mountains RUSSIA 13 DAYS HOTELS PAKISTAN'S SPECTACULAR MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY C A U C A S * * * Exhilarating journey on the upper reaches of the Karakoram Highway Meet the fascinating peoples of Pakistan's North Visit ancient Buddhist sites & Mughal Lahore Karakoram Highway Ref KKH CHINA AFGHANISTAN To the Khunjerab Pass Flying into Gilgit, we travel the Highway all the way to its very highest point, the Khunjerab Pass (4733m), from where we gaze down onto the high altitude grassy plateaux of China. The scenery is simply awesome; hanging waterfalls tumble down sheer cliff walls, immense glaciers stretch right to the edge of the road, whilst below us the mighty Indus and Hunza rivers crash across huge boulders with terrifying power. The glistening snow peaks of some of the world's highest mountains can be seen from the road, Nanga Parbat (8126m) and Rakaposhi (7788m) to name but two. K a r a k Khunjerab Pass o r Sost 4733m a m Passu Glacier KARIMABAD N o r t h W e s t Baltit fort & GULMIT jeep trip to Frontier Hunza Walks Hopar glacier Rakaposhi Province i n d GILGIT 7788m Kazbegi Azerbaijan Extension Ref GFA Gremi Alaverdi Fort Lagodekhi Cathedral GUDAURI Zoroastrian GEORGIA Kish village A Ananuri BAKU Fire Temple TELAVI l a z a Gelati & Walk to castle Surakhani Uplistikhe Motsameta Mtskheta Gori Monasteries SHEKI Winery Qobustan Khan's Palace TBILISI Visit mud Caravanserai Kur ni volcanoes' Petroglyphs a R i o KUTAISI BAKURIANI (optional) Aghpat Monastery Cathedral Khertvisi CASPIAN Aghartsin Monastery Castle Vardzia AZERBAIJAN SEA Cave town CHAMBARAK Mt Kazbeg 5033m ni U S Land of the Golden Fleece Ref GF ARMENIA Lake Sevan IRAN

North & Central Asia, China & Tibet (14 pages)… Pakistan