English
FrenchGrand Silk Road Tour - Western China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbijan, Georgia and Armenia - 37 Days
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive Urumqi (China) |
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Arrive to Urumqi in the evening. On arrival transfer to hotel.
Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Urumqi.
(Dinner)
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Day 2 - Urumqi (China) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to Xinjian regional museum to see archeological treasures from the Silk Road and Xinjiang’s minority cultures. A display of well-preserved 3000 years old mummies excavated from Loulan a Takla Maka desert. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight in Urumqi.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 3 - Urumqi- Turpan - 200 km (China) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Turpan. Full day sightseeing around Turpan: visit picturesque Tuyoq ancient village to see the oldest in Turpan area Buddhist caves dated back to the 4th c. Visit local Uygur families enjoy beautiful mountain and grapes sceneries. Later visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves on the flanks of the Flaming Mountains, Grape Valley. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Turpan.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 4 - Turpan – Urumqi - 200 km (China) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Visit remarkable Karez system, an old engineering miracle designed to bring water to the dry desert town (2000 years old). Later visit the notable Emin Minaret (44 m high, accomplished in 1778 year) and mosque. Excursion to Jiaohe ancient city – Juaohe ruins.
Afternoon drive to Urumqi. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Urumqi.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 5 - Urumqi-Kashgar – 1078 km (China) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Kashgar by CZ 6803. On arrival visit colorful unique chaotic Great Sunday bazaar where you will see numerous sections: silk, cotton, knives, hats, pots, pans, fresh vegetables, fruits, carpets and jewellery. Later visit the largest mosque in China Idkah mosque (1442 year), Apak Khoja’s Tomb( the holiest place in Xinjiang for Sufis (1640 year), Old part of the town. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Kashgar.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 6 - Kashgar - Urumqi –Almaty – 1941 km(China / Kazakhstan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to Mor Stupa which is the remand of the big Buddhist temple and Atush village (30 km). Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Urumqi by JD5230. On arrival take connection flight to Almaty by CZ 6011. On arrival transfer to hotel. Lunch and dinner en route. Overnight at hotel in Almaty.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 7 - Almaty (Kazakhstan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Full day sightseeing in Almaty: visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Wooden constructed Cathedral, St.Nicholas Cathedral, National Musical Instruments Museum, Central State Museum, Almaty's Green Bazaar, Panoramic view at observatory. Overnight at hotel in Almaty.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 8 - Almaty – Bishkek – 240 km (Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a newly built highway (270km-4h). En route watch the natural landscapes. Afternoon arrive to Bishkek. Check in to the hotel. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon sightseeing of Bishkek: visit the Central Museum, Panfilov park, local bazaar. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Bishkek.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 9 - Bishkek – Issyk Kul Cholpon Ata - 260 km (Kyrgyzstan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Issyk Kul Lake – the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. En route visit Burana Tower. Lunch at Kyrgyz family in Tokman town. Keep on driving to Issyk Kul valley through Boom Canyon. Visit Petroglyphs of Paleolithic era (riverhead of the Sary-Djaz river and nearby Cholpon-ata city), local museum in Cholpon Ata. Arrival to hotel and check in. Dinner at hotel restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Issyk Kul Lake.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 10 - Issyk Kul Cholpon Ata–Grigorevka Gorge – Bishkek – 260 km (Kyrgyzstan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to visit Petroglyphs, the rock carvings lying under the open sky, then drive to Grigorevka gorge full of lush green Alpine meadows and fur trees, easy hike in the gorge. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon return to Bishkek. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Bishkek.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 11 - Bishkek - Tashkent – 474 km (Kyrgyzstan/Uzbekistan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Tashkent by HY 778 04:10/04:50 AM hrs. After short rest, full day sightseeing in Tashkent: visit the old part of the city – Khast Imam complex as well as possessing a rich Islamic Library with highlight immense Osman Koran (1200 y.o.), Chorsu bazaar, Kukeldash medresse (XVI c.). Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon visit: Independence (Mustakillik) Square with governmental buildings, A. Navoi theatre square, A. Temur Museum. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Tashkent.
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Day 12 - Tashkent – Samarkand – 293 km (Uzbekistan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Samarkand. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Afternoon visit: Afrosiyob Museum, Central bazaar in Samarkand, Paper Mills. Overnight at hotel in Samarkand.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 13 - Samarkand (Uzbekistan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing of Samarkand: visit Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum, Ulugbek’s Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Nekropolis, Bibi-Khanum Mosque. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Samarkand.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 14 - Samarkand – Shakhrisabz –Bukhara – 268 km (Uzbekistan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. In the morning depart Samarkand and drive to Bukhara via Shakhrisabz. Arrival to Shakhrisabz. Visit remains of Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, Khazrati Imom Ensemble. Lunch. After sightseeing Shakhrisabz continue driving to Bukhara. Arrival to Bukhara, check in to the hotel. Dinner at local restaurant followed by NDB show program. Overnight at hotel in Bukhara.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 15 - Bukhara, Uzbekistan |
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Breakfast at hotel. Full day sightseeing tour in Bukhara: visit Samanid dynasty mausoleum, Arc Fortress, Kalon ensemble, medresse Miri-Arab, Magoki-Attori mosque, Chashma-Ayub, medresse Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan, Kosh medresse, trade domes, Lyabi Hauz complex, medresse Chor-Minor. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Bukhara.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 16 - Bukhara, Uzbekistan |
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Breakfast at hotel. Continue sightseeing of Bukhara. Excursion to summer palace of Bukhara emirs Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa. Lunch at local restaurant. In afternoon excursion to Gijduvan – famous pottery house. Dinner. Overnight at hotel in Bukhara.
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Day 17 - Bukhara – Khiva – 503 km (Uzbekistan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Khiva. En route stop for excursion to Ayaz Kala, Toprak Kala ancient ruins. Picnic lunch en route. On arrival transfer to hotel. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Khiva.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 18 - Khiva, Uzbekistan |
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Breakfast at hotel. Full day sightseeing of Khiva: visit Ichan Qala fortress - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where monuments Allakulikhan madrasah, Muhammad Amin Khan madrasah, Kalta Minor, Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Islom Khoja Minaret, Juma Mosque, Toshhovli and other monuments are located. Overnight at hotel in Khiva.
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Day 19 - Khiva - Dashoguz - Kunya - Urgench – Ashgabat – 240 km (Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. In the morning transfer to Dashoguz. Arrival to Dashoguz, transfer to Kunya-Urgench (120km/1.5h). Sightseeing tour in Kunya Urgench: visit Portal of Caravansaray, Mamur Minaret, II Arslan Mausoleum, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Academy of Horezm, kutlug Timur Minaret, Turabek Hanum Mausoleum. After sightseeing, return to Dashoguz. Transfer to airport for flight to Ashgabat. Overnight at hotel in Ashgabat.
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Day 20 - Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast sightseeing of Ashgabat: visit Arch of Neutrality, Presidential Square, Gulistan Bazaar, Monument of Lenin, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Old Nissa – The Sanctuary of Parhian Kings, Health Path of Turkmenbashy, National Museum of History & Ethnography, Monument of Independency & Ruhnama. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Ashgabat.
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Day 21 - Ashgabat – Mary – Merv – Ashgabat -70 km(Turkmenistan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Mary. On arrival
Drive to Old Merv to visit: Gyz Gala & Oglan Gala, Complex of Askhabs, Gyaur Gala, Beni Makhan Mosque, Erk Gala, Soltan Gala, Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum, Inb Zeid Mausoleum. After sightseeing of old Merv drive back to Mary to visit a local Museum of History & Ethnography, The Regional Mosque, Central Theater, Central Park & Monument of Mollanepes, Regional Orthodox Church. After excursion, transfer to airport for flight to Ashgabat. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Ashgabat.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 22 - Ashgabat – Bajgiran Border – Mashad – 277 km ( Turkmenistan/Iran) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Turkmenistan/Iran border Bajgiran. After border formalities, transfer to Mashad. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Mashad.
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Day 23- Mashad – Gorgan – 564 km (Iran) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing of Mashad: visit the holy Shrine of Imam Reza, the Museums of Quran & Imam Reza, tomb of Ferdowski. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon drive to Gorgan via Golestan Park with excursion. On arrival transfer to hotel in Gorgan. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Gorgan.
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Day 24 - Gorgan – Tehran – 381 km (Iran) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Tehran through breathtaking mount landscapes of the Elborz Ranges. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants.
On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel in Tehran.
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Day 25 – Tehran |
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Tehran through breathtaking mount landscapes of the Elborz Ranges. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants.
On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel in Tehran.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 26 - Tehran – Baku (Iran/Azerbaijan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Baku.
On arrival transfer to hotel. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Baku.
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Day 27 - Baku – Gobustan – Baku (Azerbaijan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Visit ‘Gobustan’ more than 4000 rock-carvings which describe the mode of life of the ancient inhabitants, after lunch visit Art museum. Dinner at local restaurant with folk show. Overnight at hotel in Baku.
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Day 28 - Baku (Azerbaijan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, sightseeing tour in Baku. Have a panoramic view of the city; visit Shirvan Shahs Palace (15th century), Maiden Tower architectural monument (12th century), Caravanserai. After lunch visit Absheron peninsula, Fire Worshippers Temple in Surakhany district, historic-architectural monument of the 17th century in which cell’s there are exhibits which describe mode of life of the worshippers. Visit to the Merdakan Fortresses, Acquaintance with the Oil Industry. Excursion to the ‘Yanar Dag’ (Firing Mountain). Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Baku.
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Day 29 - Baku – Shamakha – Maraza – Sheki (Azerbaijan) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Sheki. En-route visit Diri Baba mausoleum in Maraza, Yeddi Gumbez, Cuma masque in Shamakha. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Sheki.
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Day 30 - Sheki – Lagodekhi – Telavi (Azerbaijan, Georgia) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing of Sheki: visit Khan‘s palace, excursion to museum of history of Sheki and Shebeke. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon drive to Azerbaijan/Georgia border “Lagodekhi”. After border formalities, drive to Telavi. Dinner upon arrival. Overnight at guest house with shared facilities in Telavi.
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Day 31 - Kakheti region (Georgia) |
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Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, visit Kakhetian Duke’s beautiful garden and his house museum. Later drive to Nekresi Monastery (4th century). Lunch with a local family to enjoy the hospitality of the local people and sample some delicious home-made food and wine. Afterwards visit Telavi Farmers’ market and King Erekle’s palace museum. Time at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Telavi at a family guesthouse (shared facilities).
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Day 32 - Telavi – Sighnaghi – Tbilisi (Georgia) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Full day sightseeing of Kakheti region well known for its wine producing. You enjoy super views of Great Caucasus Mountains and valleys of Kakheti, acknowledge traditions and culture of the country and region, taste wines and delicious food. Visit fortified town of Sighnaghi, ethnographic museum in Sighnaghi. After lunch we drive to visit farmer’s house to see a unique 300 year-old wine-cellar. You get acquainted with the Georgian way of wine-making, quite different from the European one and drink typical Georgian wine straight from the clay jars. Afterwards drive to Tbilisi. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Tbilisi.
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Day 33 - Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gori – Tbilisi (Georgia) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to the ancient capital and religious center of Georgia – Mtskheta (3000 years old) and see its historical places: Jvari church (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) where the Robe of Christ is buried. Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit the town of Gori – the heart of Kartli region, have lunch and drive to visit Uplistsikhe Cave Town (1st millennium BC), that’s the place where the Great Silk Road used to pass. After lunch visit Stalin’s museum and his biggest statue still surviving in the city center. Later we drive back to Tbilisi. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Tbilisi.
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Day 34 - Tbilisi – Sadakhlo – Sevan ( Georgia/Armenia) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing of Tbilisi: visit different religious buildings – churches, synagogues, mosques, as well as famous 19th century houses with wooden multi-colored balconies, Old city, Georgian National Art Museum, Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi. Afternoon drive to Georgia/Armenia border “Sadakhlo”. After border formalities, drive to Sevan. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants.
Overnight at hotel in Sevan.
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Day 35 - Sevan – Khor Virap – Yerevan. (Armenia) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing of Sevan: visit Lake Sevan, Khor Virap Monastery, one of the romantically sited monasteries in Armenia with view to the twin peaks of Mount Ararat and to the 12th century, monastery complex of Noravank set in a canyon rich with rare flora. After picnic lunch excursion to the Selim pass with visit of medieval caravanserai on the Great Silk Road. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Afternoon transfer to Yerevan. Overnight at hotel in Yerevan.
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Day 36 -Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Yerevan (Armenia) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to the pagan temple in Garni and cave monastery in Geghard. Lunch. Visit National History museum. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Armenian folk show program. Overnight at hotel in Yerevan.
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Day 37 - Yerevan (Armenia) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing of Yerevan: visit Matenadaran, Genocide Memorial to the victims of 1915. Lunch. Excursions to the center of Armenian-Apostolic Church in Echmiadzin, visit to Main Cathedral and Hripsime church. Lunchd and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Yerevan.
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Day 38 - Departure Yerevan (Armenia) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to your destination.
End of tour.
(Breakfast)
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Prices and Reservations:
Price - $ 15,950.00 US
Price - $ 1,750.00 US (single suppliment)
Price Includes:
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Departure Dates 2013:
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