MIR Corporation Announces 2011 Kazakhstan Tour Dates

Online, February 23, 2011 (Newswire.com) - More than 2,000 years ago, the great trade routes that linked Europe and China opened Central Asia to foreign cultures, customs and religions. Join a modern-day caravan on an epic journey to five of these exotic countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Today MIR Corporation announces departure dates for their '5 Stans' tour featuring Kazakhstan.

This Kazakhstan tour is part of MIR Corporation's Premier Series tours. With a maximum of 16 travelers, Premier Series tours feature some of MIR's most distinctive tour concepts and including uncommon and educational experiences, including visits to small towns and villages outside the major urban areas and capital cities. While all trips feature comfortable, well-located hotels, Premier Series trips take advantage of five star (or best in class) properties along the way, wherever possible.

To learn more about this Kazakhstan Tour visit: http://mircorp.com/tour_jtca.asp
Itinerary for 2011 '5 Stans' Tour Featuring Kazakhstan:
Days 1-2: Almaty

Begin the tour in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. Seated at the foot of the Tien Shan mountain range, Almaty may have been the place where apples were first cultivated.

Days 3-8: Lake Issyk-Kul, Bishkek, Tashkent, Fergana Valley
Travel through the soaring rock formations of Charyn Canyon to beautiful alpine Lake Issyk-Kul. The majestic Kyrgyz Alatau range hovers over Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. From Bishkek, fly to Tashkent, and drive into the fabled Fergana Valley. According to ancient Chinese sources, the Fergana Valley was thriving as early as the 4th century BC. Spend a night back in the capital, then drive on to Samarkand.

Days 9-16: Samarkand, Shakhrisabze, Penjikent, Bukhara, Khiva
Explore Uzbekistan's blue-tiled mosaics of Samarkand, UNESCO-listed Shakhrisabze, the interlocking brickwork of Bukhara with its fabulous covered bazaar, and the winding alleys of Khiva. Cross the border into Tajikistan for a day visit to the 5th century ruins of Penjikent.

Days 17-21: Tashauz, Ashkabad, Nisa, Merv
The last stop is Turkmenistan, heir to more than 2,500 years of stormy history. Explore the ruins of the Parthian city of Nisa and those of mythical Merv, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Get a final taste of Turkmen culture as you stroll the Tolkuchka Bazaar in Ashkabad, admiring the deep red carpets and handcrafted jewelry.
Departure dates for the Kazakhstan tour, also including visits to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are April 12-

May 2, 2011, May 3-23, 2011, August 23-September 12, 2011, September 20-October 10, 2011, October 11-31, 2011. Pricing for this Kazakhstan tour is $6995/pp, with a single supplement of $1195. For more information on tours to Kazakhstan visit: http://mircorp.com/tour_jtca.asp or call MIR Corporation on 800-424-7289.

About MIR Corporation
MIR (from the Russian word meaning both "peace" and "world") specializes in bringing people together to discover more about the world and, consequently, about themselves. MIR Corporation is celebrating 25 years guiding travelers across Russia aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway, along the Silk Road, to St. Petersburg and beyond. 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.

Press inquiries should be directed to:
Liz Riley
MIR Corporation
liz (at) mircorp (dot) com
85 South Washington St Suite 210
Seattle, WA 98104
800-424-7289