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The Ancient Silk Road by Private Jet
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 | | Copyright: Manuel Velasco |
Following in the Footsteps of Nomads,
Monks, Merchants & Kings
China • Mongolia • Uzbekistan • Armenia • Turkey
April 20-May 4, 2010
15 Days / 78 Travelers
with optional China & Tibet Pre-Tour
Chart the course of history along the world's most famous trade routes, where ancient cities and cultures have flourished and still resonate with their unique, glorious pasts. In the heart of China in Xi'an, marvel at the Qin terra-cotta warriors and a kung fu performance by Shaolin monks, or venture to the legendary Famen Temple to see the Sui and Tang dynasty riches of the largest religious vault ever discovered in the country. In China's desert frontier, step into the fourth-century cave monasteries of Dunhuang, filled with awe-inspiring Buddhist art that few have ever seen. In Mongolia, search for dinosaur fossils at the Flaming Cliffs and spend an unforgettable night in a comfortable ger camp. In Uzbekistan, admire Samarkand's markets and traditional Islamic architecture. In Armenia, visit the oldest churches in the world's first Christian nation. And in Turkey, explore the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Hagia Sophia at Istanbul, legendary wonders of the ancient world.
Travel by Private Jet
An ideal way to reach these remote cultures, we fly on a Boeing 757 private jet with 2x2 VIP-style seating for only 78 travelers. We set our own schedules, avoid the hassles of commercial travel, and land in smaller airports closer to our destinations, to provide the ultimate in luxury, convenience, and safety.
Make a Difference in the World
By joining The Ancient Silk Road by Private Jet expedition, you will automatically support efforts to enhance the conditions of the places and peoples we visit—there is no further commitment necessary on your part. Our expedition will provide supplies to medical clinics and schools, as well as contribute funds for essential projects that many people depend on.
Follow Your Passion with a Flexible Itinerary
And throughout the journey, as you are whisked from one destination to the next by private jet, enjoy the ultimate in convenience, security, expertise, and service. Travel with world-renowned experts. Enjoy the finest local cuisine and traditional entertainment. Unwind in the regions' finest accommodations. And follow your passion with your choice of personalized excursions along the way: Whether you want to take a cooking class, visit a school, or hike off the beaten path, we will ensure that your travels are tailored for you.
Extend Your Journey to Other Lands, If You Wish
This expedition is one of three interconnected journeys, collectively named Hidden Corners Around the World. The other two journeys are Desert Crossroads & The Himalaya and Sacred Places of Asia.
Lecturers
Jack Daulton is an acclaimed lecturer on the art and architecture of non-Western civilizations. He has been a study leader on educational trips to more than 50 countries, including Mongolia, Vietnam, Bhutan, India, Ethiopia, and Mali. He is an expert on the art and architecture of Asia and Africa as well as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and other religions. Daulton is also a practicing attorney with an interest in international law relating to the preservation and conservation of the world's cultural heritage. In a widely reported 1995 federal case, he recovered a 1,000-year-old sculpture that had been stolen from a temple in Burma.
Jack will lecture on the following expeditions:
October 8-31, 2009 & September 29-October 20, 2010
Around the World by Private Jet Expedition
April 5-19, 2010 Sacred Places of Asia by Private Jet
April 20-May 4, 2010 The Ancient Silk Road by Private Jet
National Geographic photographer Bob Krist has shot several articles for National Geographic magazine and over thirty for National Geographic Traveler, where he is a contributing editor. His many assignments have taken him to all seven continents and have won awards in the Pictures of the Year, Communication Arts, and World Press Photo competitions. His latest book on travel photography, Travel Photography: Documenting the World's People and Places, was recently published in the Digital Masters series. Bob will be on hand to help you photograph the stunning scenery, vibrant cultures, and extraordinary wildlife we will encounter throughout the expedition.
Krist will join the following expeditions:
March 21-April 3, 2010 Desert Crossroads & The Himalaya by Private Jet expedition
April 5-19, 2010 Sacred Places of Asia by Private Jet expedition
April 20-May 4, 2010 The Ancient Silk Road by Private Jet expedition
Mark A. Norell is co-curator of the American Museum of Natural History's 2009 Silk Road exhibition. He is also the chair and curator-in-charge of fossil reptiles, amphibians, and birds in the Museum's Division of Paleontology. He is an expert on dinosaurs and has developed new ways of looking at fossils using CT scans and other imaging tools. His work has taken him to Patagonia, Cuba, the Chilean Andes, the Sahara, West Africa, and Mongolia. He received his Ph.D. from Yale University.
Dr. Norell will lecture on the following expedition:
April 20-May 4, 2010 The Ancient Silk Road by Private Jet
Leaders
Micheline Place has been successfully leading trips, including dozens of private jet expeditions to the far reaches of the globe for more than 25 years. She is fluent in French, German, and Italian, and lives in France, where she regularly guides select groups throughout her home country.
Micheline will lead the following expeditions:
November 1-24, 2009 Around the World by Private Jet
February 26-March 20, 2010 Around Africa by Private Jet
April 20-May 4, 2010 The Ancient Silk Road by Private Jet
Micheline will be an Assistant Expedition Leader on the following expedition:
October 20-November 10, 2010 Legendary Cultures by Private Jet
For more information or to book your private jet vacation,
please contact us at 800.710.1008 or 415.864.4581.
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| Call (800) 710-1008 for more information or to book today! Mention code 8690479 | | TCS & Starquest Expeditions | | Offer valid through 4/20/2010 | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | 1-2 | Xi’an | Xi’an, China
Tuesday & Wednesday, April 20 & 21.
In Xi’an, meet fellow travelers and the expedition staff at a welcome dinner accompanied by a gravity-defying Shaolin monk kung fu performance. Please note that most travelers from the U.S. will need to take an overnight flight departing April 19 in order to arrive in time for the dinner on Tuesday. Begin your exploration of this ancient city with a visit to one of the most significant archaeological finds of the last century—the life-sized funerary army of Emperor Qin’s tomb, meant to accompany and protect the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty into the afterlife. Incredibly, each warrior and horse is unique, totaling over 7,000 in number, and representing a variety of squadrons in full uniform, ready for battle.
Sofitel on Renmin Square, Xi’an
Option - In addition to an activity or excursion in the main itinerary, choose the following:
While in Xi’an, you may also peruse the souk-like markets of the Muslim Quarter; see the Great Mosque of Xi’an, built during the Ming dynasty; and stroll the ramparts of the Old City Wall, one of the best-preserved examples of an ancient wall in the world. Or, visit the famed Big Wild Goose Pagoda; stop at the Shaanxi Provincial Museum; and at the Yangling Tombs, marvel at the exquisite funerary treasures of Emperor Liu Qu and Empress Wang.
Alternate - Instead of an activity or excursion in the main itinerary, choose the following:
Or, instead of Xi’an, you may visit the Famen Temple outside of the city and admire the 13-tiered pagoda and the largest religious vault ever discovered in China, where Sui and Tang Dynasty riches, including colored glazeware, jewelry, silks, gold artifacts, and one of the few remaining relics of the Lord Buddha, were protected in secret for centuries. Enjoy lunch at the temple before returning to Xi’an in the afternoon.
| | 4-5 | Dunhuang | Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, Dunhuang, China
Thursday & Friday, April 22 & 23.
Board our jet for China’s most westerly province, Gansu, once a key gateway to the west. Stop at Dunhuang, ancient Silk Road oasis, and follow in the footsteps of early pilgrim Fa Hsien here as we explore the treasures of the Mogao Caves, set into a cliff wall of the Echoing Sand Mountains. For more than 1,500 years, this extensive network of cave monasteries has been an important site of pilgrimage for traveling monks and houses countless carvings, murals, paintings, and other priceless Buddhist artifacts. Take a camel ride along the Mingsha Sand Dunes to Crescent Moon Lake, a rare and paradoxical spring deep in an arid landscape.
Dunhuang Hotel
Our expedition will support the disabled artisans of Guojiapu Village who create detailed paper cuttings, also known as “Window Flowers”—an art form that began in the Han Dynasty.
| | 6-8 | Mongolia | Ulaanbaatar & The Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Saturday, Sunday & Monday, April 24, 25 & 26.
Continue by private jet, briefly stopping in Urumchi for departure clearance, to Mongolia—the legendary land of Genghis Khan. Experience the vast expanse of the beautiful steppe that is inextricably intertwined with the nomadic lifestyle of its people. Visit the renowned Gandan Monastery, one of only a few monasteries to survive the political upheaval of the 1930’s. Then visit the Museum of Natural History, featuring a dinosaur skeleton and eggs recovered from the Gobi Desert.
The next day, fly by private local aircraft deep into southern Mongolia and spend two nights at a traditional ger-style encampment in the Gobi Desert. Explore the foothills of the Gobi-Atlai Mountains, one of the best-protected ecosystems in the Asian continent. This area is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including the Gobi bear, ibex, blacktailed gazelle, and more than 250 species of birds. At the Flaming Cliffs, search for dinosaur fossils with an expert guide. During the 1920s, adventurer and paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews was the first to find dinosaur eggs, jaws, and skulls here, which we can see at the Museum of Natural History in Ulaanbaatar. Marvel at the ancient petroglyphs by our camp, ride Bactrian camels into the sand dunes, and watch the sun set over the desert’s golden expanse.
Kempinski Hotel, Ulaanbaatar and Three Camel Lodge, Gobi Desert
Our expedition will provide funding to purchase traditional Mongolian instruments for the Hanhongor Sum School Children’s Music Club.
| | 9-10 | Uzbekistan | The Silk Road Outpost of Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Tuesday & Wednesday, April 27 & 28.
Fly by private jet to the Silk Road outpost of Samarkand, traditional home of Tajik merchants who established this city as a major trade center. Discover the city’s vibrant bazaars and grand monuments, most notably Registan Square, an assembly of some of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the world, including the sparkling turquoise Gur-e Amir Mausoleum and exquisitely decorated madrassahs with fluted domes and minarets.
In the event that a U.S. travel warning is still in effect for Uzbekistan prior to our arrival, we will visit Almaty, Kazakhstan, a remote outpost of the Mongol empire. Unwind at the Arasan Baths and meet Kazakhs who continue the tradition of hunting with golden eagles and falcons in the Eurasian steppeland.
President Hotel, Samarkand
Our expedition will support the Hayot Center in Samarkand, which is devoted to integrating disabled people and their families into society. Our donation will fund the purchase of materials that members of the center use to create souvenirs they sell to support the center.
| | 11-12 | Armenia | Spiritual Heritage of Armenia
Thursday & Friday, April 29 & 30.
Fly to Armenia, the world’s first Christian nation.Step into the Matenadaran Museum, an important repository of medieval written literature, including exquisite illuminated manuscripts. The next day, go to Vagharshapatto explore one of the world’s first churches, the Mother See of Etchmiadzin, founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator. Then visit Armenia’s only Greco-Roman structure, Garni Temple, with views of the wildly scenic Garni Gorge, and join Armenian villagers for a picnic lunch. Travelers may then venture to the spectacular Khor Virap Monastery near the beloved Mount Ararat, where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years before he converted King Trdat III to Christianity and helped found the Armenian Church. Or instead of the monastery, visit the Armenian History Museum and the National Art Gallery to peruse marvelous collections of Armenian paintings, miniatures,and frescoes.
Marriott Yerevan
Our expedition will support the Pyunic Association for the Disabled in Yerevan, devoted to helping Armenians with disabilities including those who were injured in the devastating earthquake of 1988. We will donate art supplies to the association’s school, and purchase traditional wooden crafts made by its students.
| | 13-14 | Istanbul | Ephesus & Istanbul, Turkey
Saturday, Sunday & Monday, May 1, 2 & 3.
Fly by private jet to Izmir and transfer to Ephesus, a former trading port connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. Gaze up at the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Peek into a small chapel believed to be the Virgin Mary’s last home, and go on a special excursion to see the ‘palaces on the slope,’ inhabited by the wealthiest social class of the ancient city. Enjoy a festive dinner at the Celsus Library, a rare example of a public library of the Roman Empire.
The next day, land amidst Istanbul’s exotic skyline of graceful domes and soaring minarets, an iconic scene that has captured the imagination of countless travelers and conquerors for centuries. Visit the colossal Hagia Sophia, a sixth-century Byzantine jewel, whose dome influenced architecture around the world for 1,500 years. Discover some of Istanbul’s finest Byzantine art at the Chora Church. Explore the Topkapi Palace, housing the opulent jewels, furnishings, and other treasures of Ottoman sultans. Enter the 17th-century mosque of Sultan Ahmet I, known as the Blue Mosque, due to its vivid azure iznik tile decor. Cruise the Bosphorus Strait that winds its way through the city. Stroll the Grand Bazaar brimming with jewelry, pottery, spices, and carpets. And in the evening, enjoy a gala farewell dinner.
Kismet Hotel, Kusadasi and Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet
Alternate - Instead of an activity or excursion in the main itinerary, choose the following:
Instead of exploring some of Istanbul’s main sites, take a cooking class at the Istanbul Culinary Institute, and try your hand at Turkish calligraphy, ebru paper marbling, or miniature painting at a local art school.
Our expedition will support the artisan communities of Kahramanmaras and Diyarbakir, who create traditional Turkish metalworks.
| | 15 | Homeward | Homeward
Tuesday, May 4.
After breakfast, depart Istanbul on an independent commercial flight to your home city, or reboard our private jet to London and depart in the early evening. Or, if you wish to extend your stay in Turkey, please call to make further arrangements.
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| | | | Architecture | Culinary | | History | |
| Desert Crossroads & The Himalaya (DC-10) March 21-April 3, 2010
Sacred Places of Asia (SP-10) April 5-19, 2010
The Ancient Silk Road (SR-10) April 20-May 4, 2010
Expedition Prices: DC-10: $34,950 per person, based on double occupancy ($4,950 single supplement). SP-10: $29,950 per person, based on double occupancy ($3,990 single supplement). SR-10: $29,950 per person, based on double occupancy ($3,990 single supplement). Travelers who go on more than one Hidden Corners Around the World by Private Jet expedition will save 5% off the total tour cost per person for the trips.
China & Tibet Pre-Tour
Cost Per Person:
$5,900 (double occupancy)
$900 (single supplement)
Airfare: We are happy to assist you in reserving commercial flights from your home city to the first destination of the expedition and to your home city, from the last destination of the expedition, in the class of service that you prefer. We can also arrange pre- or post-trip hotel accommodations. Ask for details.
Reservations & Payments: To reserve your place on one of the Hidden Corners Around the World by Private Jet expeditions, complete the Reservation Form and return it with your deposit of $2,500 per person payable by check. Or charge your deposit to Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. If you pay your initial deposit by credit card, it is fully refundable until you sign the Reservation Form. The second payment of $15,000 per person and final payment are payable by check or wire transfer only, made out to a secure escrow account.
Leaving an expedition in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions of an expedition. Starquest Expeditions reserves the right to cancel any expedition because of inadequate enrollment
that makes the expedition economically unfeasible to operate. If Starquest Expeditions cancels an expedition prior to departure, you will receive a full refund of monies paid. Any airline tickets issued are subject to the carrier's refund policy. We will not be responsible for any refund for nonrefundable airline tickets, or for any airline tickets purchased by the traveler directly from an airline or travel agent. We strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance; applications will be sent to you upon registration.
Insurance: Trip cancellation, health, and accident insurance are available for purchase; we will send you more information upon registration. These important protections can save you money if you are forced to cancel or alter your trip. Insurance premium payments are subject to the policies of the insurance carrier and are generally not refundable.
Single/Shared Accommodations & Suite Upgrades: A limited number of single rooms are available at an extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis. We will do everything possible to assist persons requesting a roommate. If one is not confirmed, the single rate will be charged. Suite rooms are available in some destinations; more information about them, including their extra costs, will be sent to you approximately four months before departure.
Itinerary Changes: The itineraries and staff presented in this brochure are subject to modification and change by Starquest Expeditions. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the expeditions as planned; however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require our itinerary to be altered, we reserve the right to do so for the safety and best interest of the group.
Health Requirements: This is an active program, which requires you to make a realistic assessment of your health. Prior to traveling, we recommend that you visit your personal physician for a check-up, so that you may discuss your ability to participate in this type of journey as described in the trip brochure. All participants are expected to be in active good health, to enjoy traveling as part of a group, and to be ready to experience cultural differences with grace. Walking and climbing stairs are required in many hotels and airports, to board the aircraft, and are part of many excursions. Please note: To go to certain destinations or participate in certain activities, such as visiting a high-altitude area (7,500 feet above sea level and higher), you will need to obtain your physician's approval. A form will be sent to you for your physician to sign. An alternate destination or activity can be arranged, if your physician recommends it. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment should be reported in writing when the reservation is made. If you require a slower pace, extra assistance, or the use of a cane or walking stick, arrangements will be made for private touring at each destination, if necessary, at the discretion of our tour staff. Any extra cost for such arrangements will be the responsibility of the traveler. If you would like to forego some of the scheduled sightseeing to rejuvenate and relax, please feel free to do so at any time. Malaria and other diseases are present in some of the countries featured in this itinerary; proof of yellow fever inoculation is required for DC-10 travelers. For the latest recommendations on specific health precautions for the areas you will visit, consult your physician and the Centers for Disease Control. |
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