- Travel over 2000 kilometers, retracing the Silk Road, in search of lost ancient civilizations along the Silk Road;
- Visit to several minorities villages to experience the colorful ancient traditions. A Tajik village we will enter is the is the ultimate symbol, as it hosts a Caucasian minority that roots in China;
- Visit the Kizil Grottoes, which have a longer human history than those of Dunhuang, and listen to experts’ explanation;
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Destination
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Trip duration
9 days, 8 nights
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Min/Max travelers
Min. 10 Max.16
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Transport
Van
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Accommodation
Hotel
Situated in the middle of Asia, Xinjiang is the meeting place of the great cultures of East and West. It is also a vital gateway to the Silk Road, which is the world’s oldest and most historically important trade route with over 2000 years’ history. The ancient Silk Road started from Xi’an in the east and went Westwards through Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang (in Gansu) and Turpan, Urumqi, Kashgar in Xinjiang, and then it went further then further to Central Asia, from where it diverted and several routes ended up in South Asia, Africa and the Roman Empire. Among all the lands of the Silk Road, Xinjiang was the most mysterious place with significant natural landscape, many preserved historical sites and colorful minority traditions. Especially the Westernmost city Kashgar will amaze you with hidden treasures of Silkroad.
- Taste delicious Xinjiang food all way;
- Private coach and guide serve you for the whole journey;
- Choose high-end hotels throughout the journey;
Day 1
Arrival Urumqi - Turfan
Take domestic or international flights arriving Urumqi --Capital city of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Meet and transfer to Turpan City--The hottest, driest, lowest and sweetest city of China. In the evening, enjoy the sunset at the Old City of Jiaohe.
Food
-/-/D
Accommodation
4 star hotel
Day 2
Turfan
After breakfast, we drive to the old city of Gaochang and enjoy the mythical flame mountain along the way (no entry). The old city of Gaochang is the most well-preserved capital city in the 36 countries of the Western Region. Master Xuanzhuang has traveled here and formed a deep friendship with King Gaochang.
Afterwards, we move on to Tuyugou Mazha Village, an Uyghur village with a history of more than 1,700 years, known as "Oriental Wheat Plus". It was once a holy place for Buddhism and Islam. Enjoy a special homemade lunch here. After lunch, we return to Turfan and go to the Turfan Museum to learn about the Silk Road culture, where amongst others well-preserved corpses are visible. Visit Karez Underground Irrigation System, that displays irrigation skills of the ancients, accustomed to local conditions, and then go to the vineyard to experience grape picking.
Food
B/L/-
Accommodation
4 star hotel
Day 3
Turfan - Koral
After breakfast, drive to Korla , enjoy the scenery of Tianshan, Gobi Beach, and the vast inland freshwater Bosten Lake along the way. Taste the grilled fish of Lake Bosten at noon. In the afternoon, we will visit Luobu, and will be shown a mixed scene of poplar forest, desert and oasis, and an ancient looking fishing and hunting village.
After, we continue to Tiemen Pass. This used to be a key path from the north to the south of Xinjiang.
Upon arrival in Koral we check into the hotel.
Food
B/L/-
Accommodation
4 star hotel
Day 4
Koral - Kuqa
Kuqa is the capital of the ancient Qiuci Kingdom. Qiuci is also the third largest country among the 36 countries in the Western Regions of the Han Dynasty.
After breakfast, drive to the mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon (70 kilometers, 1 hour and 30 minutes) to experience the magical power of nature. Then go to Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (85 kilometers, 1 hour and 40 minutes by car). Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves is known as "the second Dunhuang Mogao Caves". The murals reflect the glorious state of Buddhism in the ancient tortoise country and listen to experts explain the Kizil Grottoes. At noon, we will have a light meal in the Kizil restaurant. During this period, we can communicate with the staff of the local research institute to learn more about the story behind the Kizil mural.
Food
B/L/-
Accommodation
3 star hotel
Day 5
Kuqa - Hotan
After breakfast, drive through the sea of death - Taklimakan desert to Hotan (650 km, 8-9 hours). Taklimakan desert highway is the world's longest grade highway running through the mobile desert. On both sides of the highway are endless and rolling sand dunes. Along the way, you can enjoy oasis villages, thousand year old Populus euphratica forest, Hongbai mountain, and rewak Buddhist temple ruins.
Hotan is an important town on the ancient "Silk Road", famous for its "Hotan jade", "Hotan blanket" and "Hotan silk". Hetian jade has a history of at least 7000 years in China and is the main body of Chinese jade culture.
Food
B/L/-
Accommodation
4 star hotel
Day 6
Hotan - Shache
After breakfast, you can visit Baiyu River, silk workshop and mulberry paper mill. After lunch, you can take a bus to Shache (350 km). After arriving at Shache, you can visit the mausoleum of Yarkand Khanate and the mausoleum of Amani shahangji to learn about the creation process of the Uygur classical music "Twelve Muqam". Stay in a local hotel.
Shache has a history of more than 3000 years. It has become a famous tribal state in the western regions for several times, successively known as Shache state, Qusha state and Yeerqiang Khanate. It is the hub of the ancient Silk Road, an important military garrison, and also the hometown of Uygur twelve Muqam. Amanishahan, the famous mother of Muqam art in Xinjiang, was born here.
Food
B/L/-
Accommodation
5 star hotel
Day 7
Shache - Kashgar
After breakfast drive to ingabakh khoja tomb, which is the family tomb of Xiang Fei, the most favorite concubine of Emperor Qianglong (1711-1796). Visit the street of handicrafts and feel the rich ethnic customs of Kashgar.
Afternoon visit the Kashgar cattle and sheep big bazaar (the cattle and sheep big bazaar can only be visited on Sundays, other days will be arranged to visit the bazaar in Kashgar city), this is Xinjiang's largest live animal trading market, the transaction method is also very old, the two shake hands Bargaining back and forth in the hands is very distinctive.
Visit the Id Kah Mosque and Statue of Chairman Mao in people's Square.
In the evening, taste Kashgar barbecue at the residents of the old city, listen to the melodious musical instruments and interact with the locals.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
5 star hotel
Day 8
Kashgar - Tashkurgan - Kashgar
The Karakorum Highway from Kashgar to Tashkurgan is not only an important passage of the ancient Silk Road, but also today's "Sino-Pakistani Friendship Road". It passes through the Karakorum Mountains, Hindu Kush Mountains, Pamirs, the western end of the Himalayas and extends through Khunjerab Pass to northern Pakistan. The total length of the road is 1032 kilometers. More than 700 people in China and Pakistan have sacrificed their lives for the construction of this road, so this road is also known as the "Heroic Road".
Along the way we pass through Shufu County and visit Oytagh Glaciers Park and Lake Karakurl Lake. Karakurl Lake is located at the foot of Muztagh Ata Snow Peak, the father of the iceberg. This is also the best place to admire the beautiful shadow of Muztagh Ata Snow Peak. In the evening, we will arrive at Tashkurgan and visit the Stone City. It once was the capital of the ancient Puli Kingdom and an important stop on the Silk Road. The sunset can be admired on the castle holding a glass of champagne.
Food
B/L/-
Accommodation
5 star hotel
Day 9
Depart Kashgar
After breakfast, you will be transfered to the airport for the connecting flight to your next destination.
Food
B/-/-
Create the experience of your dream with our travel experts
Make your own trailIncluded
- Accommodation with meals as indicated in the programme
- Meals as described in program, (Meal Symbols: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner)
- Transfers, tours by A/C vehicle and entrance fees as indicated with services of an English-speaking guide in each city
- Insurance: travel agency liability insurance and overseas personal travel accident insurance
- Entrance tickets and special activities listed in the itinerary
Not Included
- Ticket(s) for international and domestic flights / trains
- Meals as not indicated in program
- Single supplement
- Tips for services of local guides and drivers
- Excess baggage fee: the cost of keeping luggage and checked baggage exceeds the prescribed excess weight fee (subject to the specific requirements of the airline);
- Expenditures of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.
- Wifi fee: International roaming fee or mobile WIFI is not included in the itinerary. If the guest needs it, we can assist in handling it.
- Overtime fee: drivers and tour guides work 10 hours a day, and overtime pay for drivers and tour guides shall be paid separately beyond the working hours.
- Other tours & meals than mentioned in the program
- Any personal expenses.
Payment and Cancellations
- Deposit: 25% of total pacakage to confirm the booking.
- Full payment is due 4 weeks before departure. We reserve the right to release all services in case of payment overdue
- Cancellation policy:
• Between 60 and 30 days prior to arrival : 25% of total amount
• Between 30 and 15 days prior to arrival : 50% of total amount
• Less than 15 days : 100% of total amount
Important notes
Few important details to frame the experience:
- Because some people can't imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you are able to hire bikes locally for the price listed on the tour pricing section.
- Please note that the itinerary and the order of the visits as described above is subject to change depending on local conditions
- Itinerary is subject to change depending on the confirmed flights, road conditions, and rooms availability. We reserve the right to replace above hotels by other hotels of similar or superior category
- Peak season supplements may apply during trade fair, public holiday or special events
- Prices are subject to change in case of VAT or other tax increases
- The price is valid from April to Oct 2020, for other period, price is on request