The government is planning to construct ecotourism infrastructure in Akcha Kul zone of Ellikala district, as well as a tourism complex and ethnographic park at Ustyurt zone of Kungrad district. The program also includes measures on creation of new tourist itinerary for pilgrims from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan (Karakalpakstan hosts historical and archeological complexes Mizdakhan and Sultan Vays Baba, sacred places attractive to pilgrims), as well as development of infrastructure of tourist sites.

Ancient fortresses Kyrg-Kyz, Ayaz-Kala, Janbas-Kala, Ichan Kala mausoleum, Toprak-Kala ancient settlement and other historical and archeological monuments, located in Karakalpakstan, are of huge scientific and cultural interest for local and foreign tourists. In the near future new hotels in Nukus and Turtkul district are planned, whereas Nukus Hotel in Karakalpak capital is to be reconstructed.

The trip begins in Uzbekistan. Guests will arrive in Tashkent, the capital, to explore ancient mausoleums, mosques and the Chor-Su Bazaar. While in Uzbekistan, guests visit the best-preserved cities of the Silk Road including Khujand, located not far from the border of Uzbekistan, for a day trip to one of the most ancient cities of Tajikistan; Samarkand, a city more than 2,750 years old to visit several sites including the Registan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is now the main location for Uzbek’s international music festivals; and Bukhara, another World Heritage Site, to experience local hospitality with an Uzbek family and a folk-show in Medreseh Nodir Divan Begi.

From Bukhara, guests will drive to Turkmenistan and through the Kara Kum desert from Mary to Merv. Once belonging to the Achaemenian Empire in the 6th century BC until the invasion by Alexander the Great, Merv is the oldest well-preserved heritage city of the Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guests will then head to the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, a haven of museums and bazaars. Here guests will discover the ruins of the ancient Parthian state capital currently being restored by UNESCO, along with fortresses, the National Museum of History and Ethnography and the Carpet Museum. Guests will take a sightseeing drive to Khiva, one of the three historical cities on the ancient trade route, to explore Uzbekistan’s open-air museum of unparalleled examples of architecture.

Continuing onto Kazakhstan, guests will arrive in Almaty, the former capital which is situated at the foot of the Zaili Alatau Mountain Range. Guests will visit the gardens, parks and promenades at Alatau Park and see the Chimbulak mountainous area. Across the Kazakh Steppe, guests will drive to one of the greenest cities in Central Asia, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. Originally a caravan rest stop from China to Europe, Bishkek now features bazaars offering foods, clothes, woodcarvings, and more. The last full days will be spent on the beaches of Issyk Kul (Warm Lake), one of the largest and deepest alpine lakes in the world which, although surrounded by the snowy Ala-Tau mountains, never freezes.

Price includes all costs aside from consular fees at the Embassies, gratuity for the guides and international airline flights; visa support; domestic airline flights; ground transportation; English-speaking guides/escort; accommodations in three- and four-star hotels; meals including breakfast and dinner; entrance fees to museums, monuments and parks; folklore show in Bukhara; pre-departure travel package; and Silk Road gifts. For more information, call 888-745-7670 or email info@silkroadtreasuretours.com

Packed with 120 exciting holidays, there are 23 fabulous new treks and tours in addition to lots of old favourites.

Highlights include four new trips to the must see destination of 2012, Burma, some wild and remote treks in Nepal, and the southernmost trek in the world in Tierra del Fuego.

Once again the Mountain Kingdoms Early Bird booking incentive will reward those keen to book, and this year applies to all 2012 flight inclusive holidays featured in the new brochure.
Clients booking before the 30th November 2011 will receive a £50 discount – visit www.mountainkingdoms.com  for details and conditions.

NEW TREKS & TOURS

Bhutan

Birding in Bhutan – an exceptional specialist tour created for true birding enthusiasts in a paradise of rare and endemic birds.

Dragon Kingdoms of Burma & Bhutan – an easy walking and sightseeing holiday to two of the world’s most remarkable Buddhist kingdoms.
Mount Chomolhari & the Bonte La – magnificent high mountain trekking beneath snowy peaks, through remote valleys and across high passes.

Nepal

Village Trails of Nepal – the perfect gentle walking holiday combining relaxed day walks, comfortable hotels and the spectacular Himalaya.

Annapurna & Everest Panorama Trek – two short tea house treks amidst the breathtaking scenery of Nepal’s two most famous mountain ranges.

Everest Base Camp in Style – exhilarating strenuous trek to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar, staying in the Khumbu’s best lodges.

Rolwaling & Bigu Gompa – a glorious trek to one of Nepal’s best ‘off the beaten track’ mountain valleys, next to the Tibetan border.

Api Base Camp with Tashi Tenzing – a reconnaissance trek led by Tenzing Norgay’s grandson, in a remote, little visited, corner of Nepal.

The Kagmara La Pass to Dolpo – a thrilling trek in ‘Wild Nepal’, from the calm waters of Rara Lake, over the Kagmara La to isolated Upper Dolpo.

India & Sri Lanka

Incredible India & Brahmaputra River Cruise – an enthralling tour encompassing both the frenetic energy and serene beauty of India.
Leh & Indus Valley Trails – a delightful short summer walking holiday to the mountains and monasteries of ‘Little Tibet’.
Trails of Buddha’s Island, Sri Lanka – a gentle walking holiday visiting the island’s main historical, cultural, wildlife and scenic highlights.

Mongolia & Central Asia

Genghis Khan Trails & Naadam Festival – take the Trans-Mongolian train from Beijing to experience ancient cities, desert travels, mountain walks and traditional festivities.

Nomads & Ibex Trek – a two week magical, mountain adventure in the remote northwest corner of Mongolia.
K2 & Gasherbrum Base Camps – a sensational trek through wild, dramatic and unspoiled scenery into the heart of the Karakoram mountains.

Burma

First Class Tour of Burma – a relaxed exploration of the cultural and scenic highlights of the Golden Land, staying in quality hotels throughout.

Dragon Kingdoms of Burma & Bhutan – an easy walking and sightseeing holiday to two of the world’s most remarkable Buddhist kingdoms.

Golden Trails of Burma – gentle walks, cultural highlights and comfortable accommodation – the best way to explore this remarkable country.
Mount Phongun & the Burmese Himalaya – trekking in the remote highlands of northern Burma, with an ascent of Phongun Razi (3,635m/11,920ft).

Other destinations

Northern Lights & Husky Sledding, Norway – an action-packed winter adventure in Norway’s icy north, aiming to see the dazzling Northern Lights and taking in a thrilling sledding experience.

Tierra del Fuego – the Ultimate Adventure – from the southernmost trek in the world to Patagonia, via a voyage through the Beagle Channel.

Bedouin Trails of Jordan – easy walking and sightseeing in Jordan, from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea.

Serengeti Walking Safari – unspoiled landscapes, impressive wildlife and luxury camping – the best way to experience wild Africa.

Ngorongoro Highlands & Serengeti Wilderness – a fabulous walking safari in style in two of Africa’s most pristine wildlife areas.

On some sections of the route the maximum speed of the train reached 150 miles per hour. The first train was delivered to Tashkent at the end of July. The second train will be delivered in September this year. The electric train consists of two locomotives, eight passenger carriages and one dining carriage. The train has VIP, first-class and economy class seats. The total capacity of the train is 257 passengers. For more information, visit www.uzbektourism.uz/en

The lecturers are with the clients throughout tour, making themselves available for informal discussions as well as occasional evening lectures and site-talks, which will supplement the local guides. Through their expertise and enthusiasm, the fascinating destinations come to life and the tours become truly enriching and educational experiences. In addition, most of the tours include special visits, access to artworks not open to the wider public or talks by curators of local exhibitions.

The following tours departing in the autumn still have spaces available:

Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand – 12 days from £1,945 per person
Diana Driscoll, an expert in the religion, history, culture and language of the Islamic world, is leading this tour, which will visit some of the finest cities of Central Asia including Bukhara, Samarkand and Kunya Urgench. The tour includes a visit to the Fayzulla Hodjaev House, where you can see the daily life of a Bukhara merchant in the early 20th century.

The Bay of Naples: Pompeii & Herculaneum – 7 days from £1,295 per person
In Pompeii, special private visits have been arranged to areas not usually open to the public including Casa del Menandro and Casa dei Vetti. Nigel Spivey, a lecturer of Classical Art and Archaeology at the University of Cambridge and author of books on Roman, Greek and Etruscan, will escort the tour, which visits the thermal springs at Baia, Pozzuoli amphitheatre, the Greek temples of Paestum and treasures of Naples Museum.

Florence: La Fantastica – 6 days from £1,475 per person
Fenella Billington, who has lectured for NADFAS, historical associations and art societies, is leading this tour to Florence. Billington has accompanied numerous tours to the city and will guide guests around the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell’Accademia. A walking tour of the city is also included to visit the magnificent Duomo and Piazza della Signoria.

Ravenna: Mosaics & Marble – 4 days from £975 per person
Private entry to see the 6th century mosaics in the Archiepiscopal Chapel has been arranged for this tour. On the final day, a special visit to San Pietro in Silvis, the oldest and best-preserved church in Ravenna, is included followed by lunch at Bagnacavallo. Sally Dormer, an art historian, is accompanying the tour. Dormer is also a lecturer for the V&A Museum’s Early Medieval course and lectures for NADFAS.

Other tours running this year include Prague: City of the Winter Queen, Ancient Lands of Eastern Turkey and The Temples & Treasures of Laos & Cambodia.

Cox & Kings will pay a fee to the Royal Academy for every booking on the arts tours programme.

8 day/7 night Uzbekistan tour from $1525 per person twin share with Fergana 4 day/3 night extension from $658 per person twin share. Departures until March 2013.

Gateway Travel is now offering an inspiring tour of Uzbekistan starting in Tashkent and visiting Bukhara, Shakhrisabz and Samarkand. Price of $1525 per person twin share for 2 people, includes accommodation, breakfast, transfers, sightseeing tours, entry fees, overland transportation, visa support, English speaking guide and 1st class train ticket from Tashkent – Bukhara and Samarkand-Tashkent.

Extension to Fergana is available from $658 per person twin share for 2 people, and includes accomodation, breakfast, sightseeing tours, entry fees, overland transportation and English speaking guide.

Prices will reduce for larger group numbers. Single supplement applies. Visa support is $150 per person.

Enquire now at Gateway Travel

www.gatewaytravel.com.au

Tel: (02) 9745-3333

The train travels on a weekly basis, leaving Bukhara on Wednesdays and departing from Urgench on Thursdays.

For more information, visit www.sairamtourism.com/uzbekistan

The film has earned accolades from the Los Angeles Times and KCRW’s ArtTalk. The New York Times recently published a review and an article about the museum.

Guests can tour a hall that contains hundreds of works painted by artists working in styles that were, in the time of Stalin, considered subversive. Concern for these works prompted an art cognoscente, Igor Savitsky, to bundle thousands of avant-garde paintings and take them far from the epicenter of Soviet power to remote Uzbekistan.

Savitsky also collected artifacts of the steppe, and today the museum is home to one of the largest collections of archeological objects and folk, applied and contemporary art originating in Central Asia. Celebrating 25 years of travel to this slice of the globe, MIR is the first American company to have an accredited office in Uzbekistan that is still flourishing today and providing a decided edge in on-the-ground operations in Central Asia.

There are several exclusive ways MIR can arrange an exploration of this region near the ever-shrinking Aral Sea. Guests can take a private side trip while in Central Asia on a select MIR small group tour.

Or a tour can be arranged as a pre- or post-tour extension for those traveling on MIR’s Silk Road Odyssey small group tour or Essential Silk Road independent journey.

MIR can also design a custom and private trip that could focus on Uzbekistan only or include some or all of the five independent “Stans” of the former Soviet Union — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. “The Desert of Forbidden Art” website schedules upcoming screenings across the U.S. and around the world, and offers a link to purchase a DVD of the movie.

MIR Corporation, whose name means “peace” and “world” in Russian, has specialized in Russia (and neighboring countries) since 1986. Offering scheduled and custom journeys to Russia, along the Trans-Siberian and across the Silk Route, MIR’s Seattle-based experts design imaginative trips that take travelers far from the familiar, and work closely with local affiliates in Western Russia, Siberia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan to carry them out. MIR has twice been named one of National Geographic Adventure’s “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth,” and is a preferred operator for museum, alumni and special interest organizations across the country.

For more information, call 800-424-7289 or visit www.mircorp.com

Highlights include:

Family China – a new family itinerary which takes in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin and Longji as well as two nights in Hong Kong. Activities include the Sony ExploraScience centre in Beijing, a Kung Fu lesson, a cycle ride around Xian’s city walls, the aquarium in Shanghai, a cruise up the Li river, the rice terraces around Longji and perhaps a visit to Disneyland in Hong Kong!

This 16 day itinerary costs from £2,950 per adult and £2,300 for children under 12, based on a family of four travelling together.

Avoid the Crowds in China – Audley focus on getting clients away from the crowds as much as possible. Even on a Classic China itinerary they will try to steer clients towards areas that are slightly off the beaten track.

So instead of going to see the Great Wall in Beijing they will take clients out to Jinshanling, a bit further away but much quieter and more dramatic.

As well as the Terracota Warriors they will recommend clients go to the Hanyanling Tombs and on the Li River they will encourage clients to take a private boat trip instead of one of the larger shared boat options.

The brochure also focuses strongly on Yunnan Province where it is still possible to see the rural and unspoilt China and where there are many different tribes and minorities.

For example Audley recommend the village of Shaxi with its wonderful weekly market and Lake Lugu where you can go walking, take boat trips in a traditional dugout canoe or simply relax and take in the beautiful views.

There are several suggested Yunnan itineraries in the brochure including the 14 day Yunnan Discovered which takes in Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shaxi, and the Tibetan town of Zhongdian. This itinerary costs from £2,000 per person.

21st Century China – the new brochure also includes a spread on modern China and its cutting edge art, architecture, design and engineering. For example a trip on the Maglev train in Shanghai, the 798 Art Zone and Olympic Park in Beijing and stylish modern hotels such as The Opposite House in Beijing and 88 Xintiandi in Shanghai.

Iran – following the controversial 2009 elections, visitors were put off going to Iran. However the political situation there has stablised through 2010 and things are likely to remain calm until new elections due in 2013.

This means that now is a good time to go and Audley suggest an eight day Iran Uncovered itinerary taking in Tehran, Yazd and Esfahan.

The Ukraine – often overlooked as a destination, the Ukraine has a wonderfully rich history as well as beautiful countryside and coastline. Audley suggest a one week itinerary that combines Kiev and Lviv and costs from £1,200 per person.

Russian River Cruises – a great way to see Moscow and St Petersburg as well as the beautiful countryside between and the Golden Ring towns including Uglich, Goritsy and Kizhi. Audley have started offering a new boat that is a higher standard than previously available with an eight day itinerary costing from £1,700 per person.

The Three Capitals – a 10 day trip to the three major cities of Kiev, Moscow and St Petersburg, providing a wonderful introduction to the culture and history of the Ukraine and Russia. This itinerary costs from £2,200 per person.

Great Journeys – Audley offer several different journeys through the region. These include the Silk Route, the Trans-Siberian railway, an overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu, the railway from Beijing to Lhasa and a trip following in the footsteps of the ancient tea traders in Yunnan.

On the Silk Route Audley have itineraries ranging from an 11 day Uzbekistan Discovered trip that takes in the legendary cities of Samarakand, Bukhara and Tashkent to a 21 day Classic Silk Route journey for those with more time, going through Western China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Audley also offer options for the Trans-Siberian Railway including both public trains and private trains.

The private Tsar’s Gold train is new to the brochure and although less authentic it offers a more comfortable way of doing the Trans-Siberian with a number of set itineraries from Moscow to Beijing, or vice versa, via Mongolia.

One of Audley’s favourite journeys is the overland route from Lhasa to Kathmandu as it is rich in culture and scenery. They suggest a 15 day trip that costs from £3,700 per person and takes in all of the highlights including Everest Base Camp.

Further details from Audley on 01993 838 200 www.audleytravel.com/nca

Follow Audley on Twitter www.twitter.com/audleytravel
Subscribe to Audley’s RSS feed of travel articles www.audleytravel.com/magazine

In recent significant developments for the company, the number of rooms it has under construction surged past 1,000 last week, fuelled by the injection of fresh investment capital.

Red Planet Hotels Chief Executive Officer Tim Hansing said the company is developing a portfolio of Tune hotels in China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Bangladesh.

It currently has 1,023 hotel rooms through six hotels in Jakarta, Bangkok, Pattaya, Angeles City and two in Manila, with more announcements expected soon.

All Red Planet-owned hotels operate under a franchise agreement with Tune Hotels. Tune Hotels is part of the Tune Group, the private investment group of Tony Fernandes, founder and group CEO of low-cost airline AirAsia and Team Principal of the Lotus F1 Racing team.

“Tune Hotels’ business model is solid and complements our investment methodology,” Hansing said at the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific in Hong Kong.

“Even though many investment companies have been looking to contain expenses and put expansion on the back burner, we were able to go out at the end of the global financial crisis in 2009 and raise significant capital.

To be able to raise funds and then to quickly secure sites and contracts to have over 1,000 keys under construction is a tremendous achievement and testament to the strength of our experienced management team and the Tune Hotels business model. We are looking for more opportunities to expand in Asia’s emerging markets with multiple sites in key cities, particularly those that Tune Hotels have interest in.”

Hansing said the limited-service hotel synergy presented Red Planet Hotels with some fantastic opportunities for expansion across the region and sites are continually being scoped and investigated. Tune Hotels is a rapidly growing chain of hotels that have embraced the limited-service model used by low-cost airlines and employs a self-service online booking system, encouraging guests to book early to enjoy low prices.

Using the demand-based pricing booking system, guests can book rooms at prices starting from $3 (or even lower during promotion periods) through the web at www.tunehotels.com.

It currently operates 10 hotels — seven in Malaysia, two in Indonesia and one in England, and has entered into strategic partnerships to open 20 hotels in India and a further 14 hotels in the United Kingdom.

For more information, call 011 66 (0) 2 207 2951, email tim@redplanethotels.com  or visit www.redplanethotels.com  or www.tunehotels.com