XINJIANG is a huge and magic area, triple size of France, holding up as a treasure chest natural wonders, Muslim-influenced culture and vestiges, and much history. This unique departure represents the fantastic opportunity to explore these lands in one hassle-free solution
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Destination
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Trip duration
13 days, 12 nights
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Availability period
26 Jun. 2023 - 8 Jul. 2025
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Min/Max travelers
Min,2
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Transport
Train & Bus
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Accommodation
Train & Hotels
Over 5.000 km itinerary, more then 6 Uygur prefectures, 8 cities, numerous natural and historical attractions for 13 days of lifetime memories
■ The most luxurious travel train in China
■ King bed room cabin with private bathroom
■ 24 hours butler service on train, 1:1.2 passenger ratio
■ Free Flow during meals on Board
This itinerary provide a blend of the most historical and exotic location of Xinjiang, allowing to explore cities and villages that made history: the trading post of Kashgar , the hottest Turfan, the
buddhist reign of Kuche , and more; all ancient silk Road stations, retain their exotic central asia atmosphere laying on the border of Taklimakan desert.
Xinjiang
Day 1
Arrival Urumqi
Arrival in Urumqi, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer to hotel. Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, the farthest city from the ocean. It is Mongolian for 'beautiful farm'. Our bilingual tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.
Food
-/-/-
Accommodation
Urumqi Wanda Vista hotel
Day 2
Urumqi
After breakfast, visit Heavenly Lake on Tianshan (boat tour). The Mountain Lake stands 1980 meters above sea level and features picturesque scenery of snowcapped peaks. Lastly, visit Xinjiang International Bazaar. After dinner, take this deluxe train to Kuqa at 21:00pm. Have a nice night on the train with wonderful evening and morning views of local countryside. departure for Fuyun at 21:30.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Train Cabin
Day 3
Koktokay
Arrive in Fuyun at 09:00am. Bus transfer to visit a local family Koktokay, is the source of the Irtysh River, the only river in China flowing into the Arctic Ocean. Near there you will witness the largest mining pit in the world , a deposits of 84 kinds of minerals. Koktokay means "green forest" in Kazakh language and "blue river bend" in Mongolian, implying that it has been a beautiful place since ancient times.
After dinner, you can visit the "Night Market of Burqin", where you may taste the famous Ertzis Fish, sheep of course and typical Xinjiang street food.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Burqin lanting hotel
Day 4
Burqin-Kanas
After breakfast, transfer by bus to He Mu Village, a nice panoramic scenic site at the foot of the mount Altay, at the Kazakistan border - a paradise for the photographers. You may hike around the village and enjoy the beautiful sunset from the hills above the village. After dinner check into your hotel.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Jiadengyu guest house
Day 5
Beitun-Yining
After breakfast, Kanas Lake is your next destination: China's deepest freshwater lake. Known for its picturesque view, and to be home to 798 species of plants and 117 varieties of birds, Kanas is a comprehensive scenic spot area integrating glaciers, lakes, forests, grasslands, pastures, rivers, ethnic customs and rare animals and plants, which is known as the "Oriental Switzerland, photographer's paradise". Embraced by snow-capped mountains and dense forest, Departure for Yining at 21:30 pm.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Train Cabin
Day 6
Yining
Arrive in Yining 09:00AM. After breakfast, enjoy a leisure morning along the lake, before moving on to Sayram lake, renowned as “the pearl of the Silk Road”, the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang. In Mongolian language, sayram means 'a lake on the ridge'. In Kazak, sayram means 'blessing'. You may explore the filming place and take pictures, as the area was used as setting in several films.
Transfer to hotel.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Yining tianyuan
Day 7
Yining
After breakfast, visit the Narat Grassland, which is one of the world's most massive grasslands. Hosts a large number of Kazakh ethnics, some of still following the traditional living way…
Board the train in order to depart to Turpan about 23:30pm.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Train Cabin
Day 8
Turpan-Kuqa
Arrive in Turpan 10:00AM. Enjoy the unmissable Flaming Mountains, close to one of the hottest and lowest lands on the whole planet. (expect summer temperature over 47 ° C ). On the way back the ancient Jiaohe (old of 2.000 years) will make wonders your thoughts. Depart to Kuqa at 22:00pm.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Train Cabin
Day 9
Kuqa- Kashgar
Arrive in Kuqa at 09:00AM, Kuqa is the capital of the ancient Qiuci Kingdom. After breakfast, drive to the mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon (70 kilometers, 1 hour and 30 minutes) to witness the magical power of nature.
After lunch, visit Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves. Known as "the second Dunhuang Mogao Caves". The murals reflect the glorious state of Buddhism in the ancient tortoise country.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Train Cabin
Day 10
Kashgar
Arrive Kashgar at 09:00AM, Take the Karakorum Highway Pass 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.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Kashgar radisson blue hotel
Day 11
Kashgar-Korla
After breakfast, visit the Old Town of Kashgar by walk. After lunch visit the Grand Id Kah mosque, the largest mosque in China and marvel at the intricate architecture of Kashgar’s historic Apak Hoja Tomb which is also known as fragrant concubine tomb).
Visit the 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.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Train Cabin
Day 12
Korla – Urumqi
Korla was known as Weili in ancient times and served as an important staging post in the middle of the Silk Road. After a pleasant breakfast, visit the Bosten Lake. Once named 'West Sea' and 'Qin Sea' in the Han Dynasty, Bosten Lake is rich in aquatic life with beautiful scenery, being famous as 'a bright pearl of the Oasis'.
Proceed to visit the Tiemen Pass. It is one of the 26 famous passes in China, and acquired the name 'Iron Gate' for it is solid and firm just like an iron gate. It was an important point along the route into the Tarim Basin in the ancient times.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Train Cabin
Day 13
Departure Urumqi
Arrive Urumqi at 08:00, after breakfast. Transfer to airport back home.
Food
B/-/-
Diamond Carriage
Train Cabin
At 10 sq metres Diamond Class cabins are the most spacious compartments available on the Shangri-La Express, featuring a large double bed, individual desk with freestanding chair, a large picture window and a double wardrobe.
Heritage Carriage
Train Cabin
Heritage Class cabins, featuring two lower berth single beds, a large picture window and luggage storage above the door. Towels, robes and slippers are provided with our compliments, in addition to tea, coffee and mineral water, available from your cabin attendant throughout the day.
Create the experience of your dream with our travel experts
Make your own trailIncluded
- 5* hotel or local best accommodation in sharing twin / double in mentioned hotels;
- En-Suite Diamond class/Heritage class accommodation on the New Orient Express.
- Transportation for off train tour and transfer by air-conditioned vehicle
- Tours and transfer with English – Speaking guiding service/assistance
- Freshly prepared meals on board, using the finest local ingredient
- Authentic dining experiences in local restaurants
- Generous drinks allowance, including international wines with lunch and dinner
- Luggage porterage throughout the journey
- 24-hour cabin attendant service
Not Included
- Ticket(s) for international and domestic flights
- Tips for services of local guides and drivers
- Other tours & meals than mentioned in the program
- Optional tours
- Porterage at the airports and at hotels (in and out)
- Visa fee for China (if guests enter China twice, then a double-entry visa is required)
- Excess luggage surcharge
- Any personal expenses.
Payment and Cancellations
- Full payment is due 4 weeks prior to arrival. We reserve the right to release all services in case of payment default.
- Intermediate bank charges and fees are the responsibility of clients.
- CANCELLATION POLICY:Between 30 and 21 days prior to arrival : 20% of total amount/Between 20 and 7 days prior to arrival : 50% of total amount/Less than 7 days: 100% of total amount.
Is this trip guaranteed to run?
- Best period (weather wise): from May to Early October. The Camp then shut down operation due to the cold season
Important notes
Few important details to frame the experience:
- Kindly consider the altitude (3,200mt) as a factor that may affect your stamina, while the program is easy to follow, without strenuous activities
- Monastery Areas: last minute closure of these premises basing on monastery reason are always possible. We thank you in advance for your understanding.