Bishkek To Beijing (35 Days)

DAY 1-9: BISHKEK TO SEMENOVSKRE GORGE We head northeast to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis and capital until 1997. Almaty is the largest and most ethnically and culturally diverse city in Kazakhstan. Set in the foothills of the Trans Lli Alatau mountains, the area has a ski resort (Shymbulak) at an elevation of 2,200 meters and enjoys a great amount of snow from November through to May. The city has many sights and attractions, including Ascension Cathedral in Panfilov Park; Abay Opera House; Golden Warrior Monument in the Republic Square and the giant Almaty Tower. Or for adrenaline lovers, why not ride the ‘Fast Coaster’ roller coaster, which is located on the side of a mountain and reaches speeds of 45 km per hour. We continue east looking for amazing camping areas to explore, before crossing back into Kyrgyzstan and the area of Lake Issyk-Kul, a mountain lake in the northern Tien Shan Mountains, once used by the Soviets to test their submarine torpedoes! The area of Altyn Arashan and its surroundings offer the outdoor lover many hiking and horse riding opportunities and we spend a few days here to take in the amazing scenery. We visit the vast red stone cliffs in Jeti-Oguz and visit the town of Karakol with its attractive houses and tree-lined streets. Behind it are the Terskay Ala-Too Mountains, an unspoilt wilderness populated only by nomadic shepherds. Continuing around the lake to Semenovskre Gorge the adventurous can hike through lush terrain, following the rivers that wind through the national reserve. As we travel around Kyrgyzstan we camp, but we also may have the opportunity to use some family homestays, where we are welcomed into a local home for the night. These are subject to availability, but if we can arrange them they offer a fantastic experience, allowing us to feel part of the family for a night and make some new friends! DAY 10-13: SEMENOVSKRE GORGE TO TASH RABAT Travelling south and leaving behind Lake Issyk-Kul, we make our way to the isolated and breathtaking Lake Song Kol, where we stay in traditional felt Yurts. There will be an opportunity to either hike or horseback ride and explore the surrounding area. If we are lucky we may even see a game of Ulak Tartysh - a Kyrgyz version of polo. We spend a couple of days driving south through the mountains towards the border with China. On the way, we cross vast high plains where Kyrgyz nomads, living in their traditional yurts, practice a lifestyle that has changed little over the centuries. We will stop off at Tash Rabat, an ancient Caravanserai on the old Silk Route. DAY 14: TASH RABAT TO KASHGAR The border is crossed via the Torugat Pass in the Tien Shan Mountains which at 3,752 m is one of the highest passes in the world. From here we leave the truck behind and change over to a private transfer to the border, where our Chinese Guide and new Oasis Leader will be waiting, before driving down the pass to Kashgar. DAY 15: KASHGAR Using the public buses around Kashgar, we have a full-day guided tour. Kashgar is home to one of the last remaining statues of Chairman Mao, still standing in a watchful gaze across the People's Square. Other highlights we hope to see are Apak Hoja Tomb, a beautiful example of Uyghur Islamic Architecture; Id Kah Mosque, the largest Mosque in the whole of China; Handicraft Street where we can view pots being made, traditional musical instrument workshops and wood craftsmen at work. If we are lucky enough to be in Kashgar on a weekend, we will endeavour to visit the Sunday Livestock Market. DAY 16-20: KASHGAR TO LHASA We take the overnight train to Jiayuguan and get our first glimpse of the Great Wall of China! We have time to explore in the afternoon and we will overnight here. Our next train journey takes us to Dunhuang, a city on the edge of the Gobi desert which is situated at a point of vital strategic and logistical importance, on a crossroads of 2 major trade routes on the old Silk Road. We visit the famed Mogao Grottoes (also known as the Qianfodong - the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas). This honeycomb of caves was constructed from the 4th to the 14th centuries and has an astonishing collection of 492 caves, which are one of the world's richest treasure houses of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures. We also take a trip to the edge of the oasis to Ming Sha Hill and the Crescent Moon Pool. Springwater trickles up into a depression between huge dunes, forming a crescent-shaped pond. Here we will be able to scramble up and slide down one of the giant dunes and there is the opportunity to ride on a Bactrian camel (the two-humped variety) over the dunes. Boarding our night train, we travel further East to Lanzhou, where we change trains and journey on to Lhasa. DAY 21-25: LHASA TO SHIGATSE Tibet, once home to the Dalai Lama. At 3,490 metres, Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world. We will have time in the afternoon to relax and acclimatise to the altitude. We have a full day to explore this interesting city, with our Tibetan guide. Must-see sights are the Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Square and the stunning Potala Palace. We hope to also visit the Sera Monastery, wherefrom mid-afternoon monks still debate with the aid of flamboyant arm movements! Boarding our private bus, we cross the mighty Gampala Pass (4790 metres) and we get our first glimpse of Yamdrok Tso Lake. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped peaks and in the distance, and on a clear day, you can see Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m). On arrival in Shigatse, we visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. Financed by local nobles, the Monastery was founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama. We overnight in Shigatse. DAY 26-28: SHIGATSE TO GYANTSE Continuing on our bus journey we arrive at Rongbuk Monastery, which is situated at 4980 metres and is claimed to be the highest in the world. Our accommodation tonight will be very basic, but (weather allowing) the views of Mount Everest will more than makeup for any discomfort. We visit Mount Everest Base Camp hoping for a glimpse of the peak, before driving to Tingri, a stopping point on the Friendship Highway, for our overnight stay. We continue on the Friendship Highway to Gyantse, where there is the option to visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. The Kumbum, which was built in 1497, is particularly interesting as the structure contains some 76 chapels through 9 levels. We overnight in Gyantse. DAY 29-31: GYANTSE TO XI'AN Once again we cross the mighty Gampala Pass, with time to visit Yamdrok Tso Lake, before heading back into Lhasa to catch the high altitude train to Chengdu. This is one of the world’s classic train routes and will take us almost 2 days to complete! It was said a track could never be built at such high altitudes or across such a landscape, but the Chinese have managed to achieve it! We will see snowcapped peaks, turquoise plateau lakes and grazing yaks from our window. We arrive in Chengdu in the early morning and transfer to our hotel, where we will be based for 2 nights. Our next stop will be the Panda Sanctuary where we can see these gentle giants. The Sanctuary was created in the 1980s to house six sick Panda’s and has become one of the most important centres for Panda breeding research in the world. We take the fast train to Xi’an and have an afternoon to explore the city. Xi'an is well known for its food and nightlife and there are some attractive restaurant districts to wander around in the evening. DAY 32: Xi'an Highlights in Xi'an you may wish to see are the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Bell and Drum Towers or maybe check out the well preserved City Walls, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses is probably the most famous, and there will be time for a visit if you wish to see them. These are the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century and work is ongoing at this site. Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13 in 246 BC, Qin Shi Huang began work on his mausoleum - before becoming the first Emperor of China. It took 11 years to finish and it is believed he built this vast terracotta army to accompany him into the afterlife. The museum covers over 16,000 sq metres - with armies of soldiers and their horses arranged in lines under a giant aircraft hanger type roof. There are over 7,000 figures and it is a remarkable sight. DAY 33-35: XI'AN TO BEIJING From Xi'an, we begin our last journey - by train to Beijing. After our 15 hr train journey - we will have the chance to explore China's capital and soak up the atmosphere. Beijing is a heaving, thriving place, an economic powerhouse of Asia, and the cultural centre of China. We include a trip to visit the superbly preserved section of the Great Wall, before enjoying our last night party in some of the many bars and clubs in the city. There is so much to see in Beijing so we recommend staying on for a few days to see all the main sights and also to relax. Well known places to visit here include the largest central square in the world - Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, as well as the largest sacrificial complex in the world, the Temple of Heaven. You will also see the towering skyscrapers and the endless stream of traffic. Nowhere else on earth will you find such a variety of gourmet Chinese restaurants offering the very best of the eight different styles of Chinese cuisine as well as western-style dishes. Then there is of course the shopping, and there are countless shopping malls and markets all over the city to pick up cheap Chinese made products. The nightlife too is worth exploring and there are plenty of pubs and clubs to visit before flying out or continuing with your travels. Your trip ends after breakfast on the last day of your tour, and we suggest allowing extra time to explore the city at your leisure (depending on the length of your visa).