Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Cover photos: Ashgabat mosque, Turkmenistan © Gary Wintz; on bottom, top photos - Uzbekistan © Gary Wintz; lower photos - Samarkand; Ashgabat market © Edith Zeller
2. CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY: reason whatsoever, including too few participants or territories. Gary has worked on humanitarian projects
Notification of cancellation of this program and any logistical problems such as strikes, wars, acts of God,
throughout Asia, and has contributed his expertise to devel- boundaries. While the geography of the other ’Stans varies from ruggedly mountainous
independent travel arrangements must be received in or any other circumstances that may make operation
writing by ECO. At the time we receive your written of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will opment projects in Ethiopia for UNICEF. In 1981 he taught Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the deserts and irrigated fertile belt of Turkmenistan, there is
cancellation, the following penalties will apply: be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the
as a foreign expert at Chengdu University of Science and a shared commonality of historical development among the ’Stans, with Kazakhstan’s his-
limit of ECO’s liability. ECO is not responsible for any
• 120 or more days prior to departure: $300 per person expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for Technology in Sichuan Province in China. In 1982 he was employed by Tibet University tory representational of the region.
• 60 through 119 days prior to departure: 50% of the trip, including nonrefundable or penalty-carrying in Lhasa, thus becoming one of the first Westerners to actually reside in Tibet since the
expedition fare airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or The earliest recorded inhabitants were probably from Persia, followed by Alexander the
other trip-related expenses. communist Chinese occupation. Gary has met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama many
• 59 days prior to departure through day of departure:
Great’s armies of the 4th century B.C. Two centuries later, the Silk Road trading route was
10. PARTICIPATION: ECO reserves the right times. Since 1987 Gary has worked as a consultant with development organizations and
100% of expedition fare well established between the lands of the East (China and India) and the West. This over-
to decline to accept any individual as an expedition for media projects throughout Southeast Asia, and has lectured on contemporary issues
Some air fare may be nonrefundable. Once an expedi- member for any reason whatsoever. land caravan route would predominate until the Portuguese found a faster route by sea in
at various institutions, including Harvard, Yale, and the World Affairs Council. He is a
tion has departed, there will be no refunds from ECO
11. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILIT Y: This section
the late 15th century.
for any unused portions of the trip. The above policy longtime member of the Association of Asian Studies, the Central Eurasian Studies
also applies to all extensions and independent travel defines ECO’s responsibility with respect to all of our
trips, including extensions and independent arrange- Society, and the American Institute of Afghanistan Studies. Gary continues to lead Meanwhile, the strategically located future ’Stans were visited by waves of succeeding in-
arrangements made in conjunction with this program.
ments. Please read it carefully. travelers regularly into inner Asia as well as Central Asia. vaders and empires, including the Parthians, Kushans, Huns, more Persians, and then the
3. TRIP CANCELLATION AND INTERRUP-
TION INSURANCE: We strongly advise that all ECO, its Owners, Agents, and Employees give notice Turkic peoples of the 6th century who settled and became the ancestors of today’s popu-
travelers purchase trip cancellation and interruption that they act only as the agent for the owners, contrac-
tors, and suppliers providing means of transportation RON WIXMAN (SEPTEMBER DEPARTURE) – lace. They were nomadic herders who lived in yurts—portable, dome-shaped tents made
insurance as protection against an emergency that may
force you to cancel or leave from an expedition while it and/or all other related travel services and assume no Professor Ron Wixman, a specialist in world cultural geog- of felt. Arabs conquered these tribes, followed by Mongols under Chinggis Khaan in the
responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss, or 13th century, Tamerlane in the 14th century, Uzbeks in the 15th century, and later by
is in progress. A brochure describing coverage will be raphy, is well versed in both the ancient and modern societies
sent to you upon receipt of your reservation. damage to person or property in connection with any
service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, of the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Japan, Southeast Russians in the 19th century, who attempted massive settlements of Russians into these
4. SHARE POLICY: Accommodations on all ECO annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Ron is conversant territories. The Soviets claimed dominion over these lands after ousting the royal tsarist
programs are based on double occupancy. If you are strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any
traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, in several languages, including Croatian and Bulgarian. For regime in 1917.
a roommate will be assigned to you whenever pos- civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or 20 years, he spent the summers living in shepherds’ villages
sible. When pairing roommates, we will always pair regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or The last decade of the 20th century was a tumultuous time of change for the Communist-
participants of the same sex. All shared accommoda-
in the Balkans. His extensive knowledge of the region has
hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable dominated societies of Russia, central Europe, and central Asia. All five of the ’Stans
tions are nonsmoking. If it is not possible to pair you changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed led to his work as a consultant to the State Department and
were part of the Soviet Union until that country of vastly different ethnic cultures began
FIVE ’STANS
with a roommate, you will be required to pay a Single advisable for the comfort and well-being of the pas- CIA on ethno-cultural conflict. He has traveled extensively
Supplement. Please note that single accommodations sengers. to crumble in the late 1980s. Like tumbling dominos, Communist-led governments suc-
are limited and cannot be guaranteed throughout. throughout Asia and Europe and is a consultant with a number of government agencies
As described in item 7 above, all prices are subject to cumbed one by one. The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, followed by the collapse of Communist
5. MEDICAL INFORMATION: Participation on an change.
in the U.S. and abroad on issues of ethnic, religious, and territorial conflicts in Eastern
rule in Czechoslovakia and Romania (1989), Yugoslavia (1990), and the Soviet Union itself
ECO program requires that you be in generally good Europe, the former Soviet Union and the post-Soviet states, and the Middle East. At
As described in item 9 above, in the event that an (1990), ending the Cold War between East and West. By 1991 Albania ousted its com-
HIDDEN HEART OF ASIA
health. It is essential that persons with any medical
expedition must be cancelled, ECO is not responsible home in Oregon, Ron is not only a well known professor at the University of Oregon, but
problems and related dietary restrictions make them munist rulers; Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia declared their independence; and President
known to us well before departure. We can counsel for any personal expenses incurred by trip members in he is also a regular commentator on radio and television as an expert on religion, culture,
preparing for the program. Gorbachev resigned, marking the final demise of the Soviet Union.
you on whether the expedition you have selected is geopolitics, and ethnicity.
appropriate for you. On advancement of deposit to ECO, the depositor
acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the By late December of 1991, the Five ’Stans had formed their own constitutional republics,
The tour leader has the right to disqualify any
participant at any time during the tour if he/she feels above recited terms and conditions, and agrees to be united together in a loose commonwealth of independent states. Unfortunately, a number
bound by them.
of political and economic difficulties have beset these countries, severely hampering their
WHAT TO EXPECT
the participant is physically incapable and/or if a
participant’s continued participation will jeopardize
ASHGABAT MARKET progress toward democracy and prosperity. Some of the republics are rich in agricultural
either the individual involved or the group. There will
be no refund given under these circumstances. lands, and others in mineral and petroleum resources; how they use these will determine
6. LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS: Luggage size The Five ’Stans are countries rarely visited by outside travelers. As such, they have poorly the future paths of the Five ’Stans.
and weight limitations for both checked and carry-on developed tourist infrastructures. It is our policy to always use the best available accom-
luggage, imposed by the airlines or as an operational
requirement due to type of aircraft, will apply for
modations, transportation, and services of the countries we visit, but lodgings and food
flights to/from/within this program. Specifications will are not always up to Western standards. Participants should also be aware that devia-
be provided with pre-departure materials. tions from the published itinerary are possible and that we may experience delays during
7. CURRENCY FLUCTUATION AND FUEL COST border crossings. Travelers should also be prepared to walk or stand for extended periods,
INCREASES: In order to keep rates as low as pos-
sible, we do not build into the trip fare an allowance to
and some days of the expedition will include long bus journeys over sometimes-rough
cover possible increases from currency fluctuations or roads. Despite the often-rustic conditions, delays, and bumpy roads, this will be a fasci-
fuel costs. Therefore, as currencies do fluctuate around nating journey, full of epic moments for the experienced traveler who possesses a sense of
the world and fuel-cost increases may occur, it may be
necessary for us to initiate a minor rate surcharge at humor, flexibility, and a true spirit of adventure.
any time before departure if there are exceptional cost
increases beyond our control. Due to the extensive time involved to procure the number of visas required for this pro-
8. ITINERARY CHANGES & TRIP DELAY: gram, participants must plan to relinquish their passports for three months prior to the
Itineraries are based on information available at the departure date. If you have interim international travel scheduled during that time, you
time of printing and are subject to change. ECO
must obtain a second passport. Please contact our office if you have questions about this
© Edith Zeller
© Edith Zeller
architectural knowledge, has elegant façades
FIVE ’STANS
rank
settlement, today’s modern Bishkek is an furt and an interior covered in delicate carved Ashgabat, the country’s capital, located at the
© Edith Zeller
architectural knowledge, has elegant façades
FIVE ’STANS
rank
settlement, today’s modern Bishkek is an furt and an interior covered in delicate carved Ashgabat, the country’s capital, located at the
© Edith Zeller
architectural knowledge, has elegant façades
FIVE ’STANS
rank
settlement, today’s modern Bishkek is an furt and an interior covered in delicate carved Ashgabat, the country’s capital, located at the
© Edith Zeller
architectural knowledge, has elegant façades
FIVE ’STANS
rank
settlement, today’s modern Bishkek is an furt and an interior covered in delicate carved Ashgabat, the country’s capital, located at the
Cover photos: Ashgabat mosque, Turkmenistan © Gary Wintz; on bottom, top photos - Uzbekistan © Gary Wintz; lower photos - Samarkand; Ashgabat market © Edith Zeller
2. CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY: reason whatsoever, including too few participants or territories. Gary has worked on humanitarian projects
Notification of cancellation of this program and any logistical problems such as strikes, wars, acts of God,
throughout Asia, and has contributed his expertise to devel- boundaries. While the geography of the other ’Stans varies from ruggedly mountainous
independent travel arrangements must be received in or any other circumstances that may make operation
writing by ECO. At the time we receive your written of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will opment projects in Ethiopia for UNICEF. In 1981 he taught Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the deserts and irrigated fertile belt of Turkmenistan, there is
cancellation, the following penalties will apply: be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the
as a foreign expert at Chengdu University of Science and a shared commonality of historical development among the ’Stans, with Kazakhstan’s his-
limit of ECO’s liability. ECO is not responsible for any
• 120 or more days prior to departure: $300 per person expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for Technology in Sichuan Province in China. In 1982 he was employed by Tibet University tory representational of the region.
• 60 through 119 days prior to departure: 50% of the trip, including nonrefundable or penalty-carrying in Lhasa, thus becoming one of the first Westerners to actually reside in Tibet since the
expedition fare airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or The earliest recorded inhabitants were probably from Persia, followed by Alexander the
other trip-related expenses. communist Chinese occupation. Gary has met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama many
• 59 days prior to departure through day of departure:
Great’s armies of the 4th century B.C. Two centuries later, the Silk Road trading route was
10. PARTICIPATION: ECO reserves the right times. Since 1987 Gary has worked as a consultant with development organizations and
100% of expedition fare well established between the lands of the East (China and India) and the West. This over-
to decline to accept any individual as an expedition for media projects throughout Southeast Asia, and has lectured on contemporary issues
Some air fare may be nonrefundable. Once an expedi- member for any reason whatsoever. land caravan route would predominate until the Portuguese found a faster route by sea in
at various institutions, including Harvard, Yale, and the World Affairs Council. He is a
tion has departed, there will be no refunds from ECO
11. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILIT Y: This section
the late 15th century.
for any unused portions of the trip. The above policy longtime member of the Association of Asian Studies, the Central Eurasian Studies
also applies to all extensions and independent travel defines ECO’s responsibility with respect to all of our
trips, including extensions and independent arrange- Society, and the American Institute of Afghanistan Studies. Gary continues to lead Meanwhile, the strategically located future ’Stans were visited by waves of succeeding in-
arrangements made in conjunction with this program.
ments. Please read it carefully. travelers regularly into inner Asia as well as Central Asia. vaders and empires, including the Parthians, Kushans, Huns, more Persians, and then the
3. TRIP CANCELLATION AND INTERRUP-
TION INSURANCE: We strongly advise that all ECO, its Owners, Agents, and Employees give notice Turkic peoples of the 6th century who settled and became the ancestors of today’s popu-
travelers purchase trip cancellation and interruption that they act only as the agent for the owners, contrac-
tors, and suppliers providing means of transportation RON WIXMAN (SEPTEMBER DEPARTURE) – lace. They were nomadic herders who lived in yurts—portable, dome-shaped tents made
insurance as protection against an emergency that may
force you to cancel or leave from an expedition while it and/or all other related travel services and assume no Professor Ron Wixman, a specialist in world cultural geog- of felt. Arabs conquered these tribes, followed by Mongols under Chinggis Khaan in the
responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss, or 13th century, Tamerlane in the 14th century, Uzbeks in the 15th century, and later by
is in progress. A brochure describing coverage will be raphy, is well versed in both the ancient and modern societies
sent to you upon receipt of your reservation. damage to person or property in connection with any
service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, of the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Japan, Southeast Russians in the 19th century, who attempted massive settlements of Russians into these
4. SHARE POLICY: Accommodations on all ECO annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Ron is conversant territories. The Soviets claimed dominion over these lands after ousting the royal tsarist
programs are based on double occupancy. If you are strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any
traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, in several languages, including Croatian and Bulgarian. For regime in 1917.
a roommate will be assigned to you whenever pos- civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or 20 years, he spent the summers living in shepherds’ villages
sible. When pairing roommates, we will always pair regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or The last decade of the 20th century was a tumultuous time of change for the Communist-
participants of the same sex. All shared accommoda-
in the Balkans. His extensive knowledge of the region has
hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable dominated societies of Russia, central Europe, and central Asia. All five of the ’Stans
tions are nonsmoking. If it is not possible to pair you changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed led to his work as a consultant to the State Department and
were part of the Soviet Union until that country of vastly different ethnic cultures began
FIVE ’STANS
with a roommate, you will be required to pay a Single advisable for the comfort and well-being of the pas- CIA on ethno-cultural conflict. He has traveled extensively
Supplement. Please note that single accommodations sengers. to crumble in the late 1980s. Like tumbling dominos, Communist-led governments suc-
are limited and cannot be guaranteed throughout. throughout Asia and Europe and is a consultant with a number of government agencies
As described in item 7 above, all prices are subject to cumbed one by one. The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, followed by the collapse of Communist
5. MEDICAL INFORMATION: Participation on an change.
in the U.S. and abroad on issues of ethnic, religious, and territorial conflicts in Eastern
rule in Czechoslovakia and Romania (1989), Yugoslavia (1990), and the Soviet Union itself
ECO program requires that you be in generally good Europe, the former Soviet Union and the post-Soviet states, and the Middle East. At
As described in item 9 above, in the event that an (1990), ending the Cold War between East and West. By 1991 Albania ousted its com-
HIDDEN HEART OF ASIA
health. It is essential that persons with any medical
expedition must be cancelled, ECO is not responsible home in Oregon, Ron is not only a well known professor at the University of Oregon, but
problems and related dietary restrictions make them munist rulers; Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia declared their independence; and President
known to us well before departure. We can counsel for any personal expenses incurred by trip members in he is also a regular commentator on radio and television as an expert on religion, culture,
preparing for the program. Gorbachev resigned, marking the final demise of the Soviet Union.
you on whether the expedition you have selected is geopolitics, and ethnicity.
appropriate for you. On advancement of deposit to ECO, the depositor
acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the By late December of 1991, the Five ’Stans had formed their own constitutional republics,
The tour leader has the right to disqualify any
participant at any time during the tour if he/she feels above recited terms and conditions, and agrees to be united together in a loose commonwealth of independent states. Unfortunately, a number
bound by them.
of political and economic difficulties have beset these countries, severely hampering their
WHAT TO EXPECT
the participant is physically incapable and/or if a
participant’s continued participation will jeopardize
ASHGABAT MARKET progress toward democracy and prosperity. Some of the republics are rich in agricultural
either the individual involved or the group. There will
be no refund given under these circumstances. lands, and others in mineral and petroleum resources; how they use these will determine
6. LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS: Luggage size The Five ’Stans are countries rarely visited by outside travelers. As such, they have poorly the future paths of the Five ’Stans.
and weight limitations for both checked and carry-on developed tourist infrastructures. It is our policy to always use the best available accom-
luggage, imposed by the airlines or as an operational
requirement due to type of aircraft, will apply for
modations, transportation, and services of the countries we visit, but lodgings and food
flights to/from/within this program. Specifications will are not always up to Western standards. Participants should also be aware that devia-
be provided with pre-departure materials. tions from the published itinerary are possible and that we may experience delays during
7. CURRENCY FLUCTUATION AND FUEL COST border crossings. Travelers should also be prepared to walk or stand for extended periods,
INCREASES: In order to keep rates as low as pos-
sible, we do not build into the trip fare an allowance to
and some days of the expedition will include long bus journeys over sometimes-rough
cover possible increases from currency fluctuations or roads. Despite the often-rustic conditions, delays, and bumpy roads, this will be a fasci-
fuel costs. Therefore, as currencies do fluctuate around nating journey, full of epic moments for the experienced traveler who possesses a sense of
the world and fuel-cost increases may occur, it may be
necessary for us to initiate a minor rate surcharge at humor, flexibility, and a true spirit of adventure.
any time before departure if there are exceptional cost
increases beyond our control. Due to the extensive time involved to procure the number of visas required for this pro-
8. ITINERARY CHANGES & TRIP DELAY: gram, participants must plan to relinquish their passports for three months prior to the
Itineraries are based on information available at the departure date. If you have interim international travel scheduled during that time, you
time of printing and are subject to change. ECO
must obtain a second passport. Please contact our office if you have questions about this
© Edith Zeller
Cover photos: Ashgabat mosque, Turkmenistan © Gary Wintz; on bottom, top photos - Uzbekistan © Gary Wintz; lower photos - Samarkand; Ashgabat market © Edith Zeller
2. CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY: reason whatsoever, including too few participants or territories. Gary has worked on humanitarian projects
Notification of cancellation of this program and any logistical problems such as strikes, wars, acts of God,
throughout Asia, and has contributed his expertise to devel- boundaries. While the geography of the other ’Stans varies from ruggedly mountainous
independent travel arrangements must be received in or any other circumstances that may make operation
writing by ECO. At the time we receive your written of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will opment projects in Ethiopia for UNICEF. In 1981 he taught Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the deserts and irrigated fertile belt of Turkmenistan, there is
cancellation, the following penalties will apply: be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the
as a foreign expert at Chengdu University of Science and a shared commonality of historical development among the ’Stans, with Kazakhstan’s his-
limit of ECO’s liability. ECO is not responsible for any
• 120 or more days prior to departure: $300 per person expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for Technology in Sichuan Province in China. In 1982 he was employed by Tibet University tory representational of the region.
• 60 through 119 days prior to departure: 50% of the trip, including nonrefundable or penalty-carrying in Lhasa, thus becoming one of the first Westerners to actually reside in Tibet since the
expedition fare airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or The earliest recorded inhabitants were probably from Persia, followed by Alexander the
other trip-related expenses. communist Chinese occupation. Gary has met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama many
• 59 days prior to departure through day of departure:
Great’s armies of the 4th century B.C. Two centuries later, the Silk Road trading route was
10. PARTICIPATION: ECO reserves the right times. Since 1987 Gary has worked as a consultant with development organizations and
100% of expedition fare well established between the lands of the East (China and India) and the West. This over-
to decline to accept any individual as an expedition for media projects throughout Southeast Asia, and has lectured on contemporary issues
Some air fare may be nonrefundable. Once an expedi- member for any reason whatsoever. land caravan route would predominate until the Portuguese found a faster route by sea in
at various institutions, including Harvard, Yale, and the World Affairs Council. He is a
tion has departed, there will be no refunds from ECO
11. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILIT Y: This section
the late 15th century.
for any unused portions of the trip. The above policy longtime member of the Association of Asian Studies, the Central Eurasian Studies
also applies to all extensions and independent travel defines ECO’s responsibility with respect to all of our
trips, including extensions and independent arrange- Society, and the American Institute of Afghanistan Studies. Gary continues to lead Meanwhile, the strategically located future ’Stans were visited by waves of succeeding in-
arrangements made in conjunction with this program.
ments. Please read it carefully. travelers regularly into inner Asia as well as Central Asia. vaders and empires, including the Parthians, Kushans, Huns, more Persians, and then the
3. TRIP CANCELLATION AND INTERRUP-
TION INSURANCE: We strongly advise that all ECO, its Owners, Agents, and Employees give notice Turkic peoples of the 6th century who settled and became the ancestors of today’s popu-
travelers purchase trip cancellation and interruption that they act only as the agent for the owners, contrac-
tors, and suppliers providing means of transportation RON WIXMAN (SEPTEMBER DEPARTURE) – lace. They were nomadic herders who lived in yurts—portable, dome-shaped tents made
insurance as protection against an emergency that may
force you to cancel or leave from an expedition while it and/or all other related travel services and assume no Professor Ron Wixman, a specialist in world cultural geog- of felt. Arabs conquered these tribes, followed by Mongols under Chinggis Khaan in the
responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss, or 13th century, Tamerlane in the 14th century, Uzbeks in the 15th century, and later by
is in progress. A brochure describing coverage will be raphy, is well versed in both the ancient and modern societies
sent to you upon receipt of your reservation. damage to person or property in connection with any
service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, of the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Japan, Southeast Russians in the 19th century, who attempted massive settlements of Russians into these
4. SHARE POLICY: Accommodations on all ECO annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Ron is conversant territories. The Soviets claimed dominion over these lands after ousting the royal tsarist
programs are based on double occupancy. If you are strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any
traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, in several languages, including Croatian and Bulgarian. For regime in 1917.
a roommate will be assigned to you whenever pos- civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or 20 years, he spent the summers living in shepherds’ villages
sible. When pairing roommates, we will always pair regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or The last decade of the 20th century was a tumultuous time of change for the Communist-
participants of the same sex. All shared accommoda-
in the Balkans. His extensive knowledge of the region has
hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable dominated societies of Russia, central Europe, and central Asia. All five of the ’Stans
tions are nonsmoking. If it is not possible to pair you changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed led to his work as a consultant to the State Department and
were part of the Soviet Union until that country of vastly different ethnic cultures began
FIVE ’STANS
with a roommate, you will be required to pay a Single advisable for the comfort and well-being of the pas- CIA on ethno-cultural conflict. He has traveled extensively
Supplement. Please note that single accommodations sengers. to crumble in the late 1980s. Like tumbling dominos, Communist-led governments suc-
are limited and cannot be guaranteed throughout. throughout Asia and Europe and is a consultant with a number of government agencies
As described in item 7 above, all prices are subject to cumbed one by one. The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, followed by the collapse of Communist
5. MEDICAL INFORMATION: Participation on an change.
in the U.S. and abroad on issues of ethnic, religious, and territorial conflicts in Eastern
rule in Czechoslovakia and Romania (1989), Yugoslavia (1990), and the Soviet Union itself
ECO program requires that you be in generally good Europe, the former Soviet Union and the post-Soviet states, and the Middle East. At
As described in item 9 above, in the event that an (1990), ending the Cold War between East and West. By 1991 Albania ousted its com-
HIDDEN HEART OF ASIA
health. It is essential that persons with any medical
expedition must be cancelled, ECO is not responsible home in Oregon, Ron is not only a well known professor at the University of Oregon, but
problems and related dietary restrictions make them munist rulers; Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia declared their independence; and President
known to us well before departure. We can counsel for any personal expenses incurred by trip members in he is also a regular commentator on radio and television as an expert on religion, culture,
preparing for the program. Gorbachev resigned, marking the final demise of the Soviet Union.
you on whether the expedition you have selected is geopolitics, and ethnicity.
appropriate for you. On advancement of deposit to ECO, the depositor
acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the By late December of 1991, the Five ’Stans had formed their own constitutional republics,
The tour leader has the right to disqualify any
participant at any time during the tour if he/she feels above recited terms and conditions, and agrees to be united together in a loose commonwealth of independent states. Unfortunately, a number
bound by them.
of political and economic difficulties have beset these countries, severely hampering their
WHAT TO EXPECT
the participant is physically incapable and/or if a
participant’s continued participation will jeopardize
ASHGABAT MARKET progress toward democracy and prosperity. Some of the republics are rich in agricultural
either the individual involved or the group. There will
be no refund given under these circumstances. lands, and others in mineral and petroleum resources; how they use these will determine
6. LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS: Luggage size The Five ’Stans are countries rarely visited by outside travelers. As such, they have poorly the future paths of the Five ’Stans.
and weight limitations for both checked and carry-on developed tourist infrastructures. It is our policy to always use the best available accom-
luggage, imposed by the airlines or as an operational
requirement due to type of aircraft, will apply for
modations, transportation, and services of the countries we visit, but lodgings and food
flights to/from/within this program. Specifications will are not always up to Western standards. Participants should also be aware that devia-
be provided with pre-departure materials. tions from the published itinerary are possible and that we may experience delays during
7. CURRENCY FLUCTUATION AND FUEL COST border crossings. Travelers should also be prepared to walk or stand for extended periods,
INCREASES: In order to keep rates as low as pos-
sible, we do not build into the trip fare an allowance to
and some days of the expedition will include long bus journeys over sometimes-rough
cover possible increases from currency fluctuations or roads. Despite the often-rustic conditions, delays, and bumpy roads, this will be a fasci-
fuel costs. Therefore, as currencies do fluctuate around nating journey, full of epic moments for the experienced traveler who possesses a sense of
the world and fuel-cost increases may occur, it may be
necessary for us to initiate a minor rate surcharge at humor, flexibility, and a true spirit of adventure.
any time before departure if there are exceptional cost
increases beyond our control. Due to the extensive time involved to procure the number of visas required for this pro-
8. ITINERARY CHANGES & TRIP DELAY: gram, participants must plan to relinquish their passports for three months prior to the
Itineraries are based on information available at the departure date. If you have interim international travel scheduled during that time, you
time of printing and are subject to change. ECO
must obtain a second passport. Please contact our office if you have questions about this
© Edith Zeller
FIVE ’STANS
I/We would like to join the following Eco-Expeditions program:
o MAY 4 – 21, 2010 LEADER: GARY WINTZ
o SEPTEMBER 7 – 24, 2010 LEADER: GARY WINTZ
(preferred name)
(preferred name)
ADDRESS
FAX E-MAIL
o Charge the 25% per person deposit to o VISA o MasterCard o American Express
I/We have read and understand the enclosed Terms & Conditions for this program, and
agree to abide by them.
SIGNATURE DATE
SIGNATURE DATE
Please complete and return this Reservation Form with your deposit to:
ESTN1001-02
FIVE ’STANS
RATES
$10,780 per person, double occupancy $2,980 single supplement*
INCLUDED: All accommodations and meals as outlined in the itinerary; group trans-
fers; guided excursions as stated in the itinerary; entrance fees for parks, reserves, etc.;
all gratuities; air transportation within Turkmenistan.
NOT INCLUDED: Air transportation except as listed above; excess baggage charges;
airport arrival and departure taxes; transfers for independent arrivals and departures;
passport and/or visa fees**; travel insurance; items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar charges, alcoholic beverages, e-mail/fax/telephone charges.
AIR FARE: A tentative flight schedule is available upon request. Eco-Expeditions will
contact you approximately 180 days prior to the departure of this program to finalize
your flight plans. As of February 2009, the approximate economy air fare as listed in the
itinerary is $2,220 for New York/Frankfurt/Almaty – Ashgabat/Frankfurt/New York.
Additional fares from other cities will be quoted as needed.
All rates are per person, quoted in U.S. dollars, and must be paid in U.S. dollars. Rates
and itineraries are subject to change.