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Cultural tour (C-8)
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Turkia-Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan
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 The Caucasus &
Trans Caspian (TCT)
In Turkey we travel to
Cappadocia, visiting the moonlike landscape and underground
cities of the Goreme Valley. Skirting the Black Sea, we cross
into Georgia to witness the spectacular mountain scenery of
the Caucasus. We visit many monasteries and churches of
Orthodox Christianity. Georgia is an amazingly friendly
destination, with great history and no visit would be complete
without a visit to its wine-growing region. In Azerbaijan, we
spend a night in a beautiful ancient Caravanserai and visit a
remote metal smith village. The people in this country rarely
see visitors and are exceptionally hospitable. Moving east we
cross the Caspian Sea and enter the vast Karakum Desert of
Turkmenistan. We travel to the historic ruin of Nissa and then
onto the extraordinary modern city of Ashgabat, an oasis of
modernity in a desert of antiquity. |
Trip Information
Length of Trip:
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23 Nights |
Route:
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Istanbul to Ashgabat or
v.v. |
Accommodation:
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45% camping, 55%
hotels
Hostel/hotel, campsites, bushcamps.
Kitty does not cover food while staying in hotels
or hostels. |
General Notes:
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Visas for this trip can
take many weeks to be issued - BOOK EARLY. Because
of ferry sailings on the Caspian Sea, nightstops
and itinerary may vary. |
Kitty Notes:
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Kitty does not cover
food while staying in hotels or hostels. |
Adventure Rating:
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Moderate |
Cook:
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There is no cook for
this trip. |
Community Project:
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There is no community
project for this trip. |
Next Departure:
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From
Istanbul on the 03 Jun
'05 |
Trip Notes:
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Get
the Trip Notes for The Caucasus & Trans
Caspian. | |
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Nights 1-6: |
Turkey: Istanbul, Topkapi Palace, Aya Sophia,
Blue Mosque; Goreme; Cappadocia, tour of troglodyte cities;
Sumela monastery; Black Sea.
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Nights 7-11: |
Georgia: Batumi and Black Sea Coast; Kutasi,
visit Bagrati Cathedral; Shovi, opt. glacial hike in remote
stunning mountains; Travel through spectacular mountains &
lakes.
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Nights12-14: |
Georgia: Gori, visit Stalin’s
house, Uplistsikhe Complex, rock caves and ancient
theatre; Mtskheta, ancient capital; Tbilisi, city tour,
cathedrals, monasteries and Narikala Fortress; Telavi,
visit Tsinandali Winery and Shaumta Monastery.
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Nights 15-18:
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Azerbaijan: Sheiki, stay in
beautiful old Caravanserai; Lahji Coppersmith's village;
Absheron Peninsula, mud volcano, Zoroastrian Fire
Temple; Baku, Maiden Tower, Shirvan Shakh Palace.
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Nights 19-23: |
Turkmenistan: Caspian Sea ferry crossing;
Turkmenbashi; Bakharden, underground lake and hot springs; If
time a visit to Nissa Fortress and Geok Tepe; Ashgabat, modern
city with great atmosphere, Tolkuchka Sunday Bazaar (perhaps
the world's most spectacular local market).
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