Highlights of the Silk Road Westbound - 56 Days
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Overview
Highlights
- Xi'an - marvel at the sculpted army of Terracotta Warriors which was created to protect Emperor Qin Shihuang in the afterlife
- Mt Kongtong - discover one of the holiest sites in Chinese Taoism and stroll around the temples which dot the mountain
- Jiayuguan - visit the impressive Jiayuguan Fort which marks the most westerly point of the legendary Great Wall of China
- Urumqi - stroll around dazzling Heavenly Lake and admire the rugged mountains and pristine scenery that surround the lake
- Kashgar - enjoy an included visit to Shipton's Arch which is the tallest natural archway in the world
- Bishkek - browse the Osh Bazaar or explore the central Ala-Too Square as you enjoy free time in Kyrgyzstan's charming capital
- Song Kol Lake - camp in traditional felt yurts beside the shimmering lake and meet local nomadic farmers
- Kyrgyz Fergana Valley - overland for two or three days in the breathtaking valley, stopping for numerous hikes in the region
- Tashkent - explore the Soviet-style Uzbek capital independently and opt to visit the world's oldest copy of the Koran at Hast Imam Square
- Samarkand - take in highlights of the Silk Road city including the stunning Registan and Bibi-Khanym Mosque
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Details
Destinations
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- 35 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 15 dinners
- 39 nights in hotels and guesthouses
- 11 nights camping (including 7 nights wild camping and 4 nights camping without facilities)
- 5 nights camping in traditional yurts
- All necessary camping equipment (excluding sleeping bags)
- Transportation in an overland expedition vehicle
- Services of two crew (drivers/tour leaders) and local guides along the way
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Excursion to see the Terracotta Warriors near Xi’an
- Visit to the Great Wall and fortress at Jiayuguan
- Eagle hunter demonstration in Kyrgyzstan
- Guided tours of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva
- Guided tour of Ashgabat and visit to the Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan
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Itinerary
Welcome to China! On arrival in Xi'an, make your way to our joining hotel. There will be a group Welcome Meeting at 18:00 during which you will meet your group and tour leader. The rest of the day is free to explore the city.
Today we climb aboard our overland truck for the first time and enjoy an excursion out of Xi'an to see the incredible Terracotta Warriors. This sculpted army, 7-000 strong, was built to protect Emperor Qin Shihuang in the afterlife in around 210BC. There's a guided tour of the army before we return to Xi'an for a free afternoon.
Xian - Pingliang. On day 3 we drive to Pingliang, at the base of Mt Kongtong. The mountain is one of the holiest in Chinese Taoism and we have plenty of time to explore the temples and pilgrimage routes with a full day included excursion on day 4. The rest of our stay...
Pingliang - Xiahe. We continue to the town of Xiahe on day 5, our base for the next three days. Xiahe is a very rural town and is populated largely by native Tibetans. There’s plenty of time to explore the town - take a guided visit to the Labrang Monastery, a popular...
Xiahe - Liujiaxia. This morning we visit the famous Bingling Si Caves, located along the Yellow River. The main attraction of the site is the centrepiece Maitreya Buddha statue. This 27m-tall statue is dug into the cliff. However, there are over 180 caves and more tha...
Liujiaxia - Zhangye. Today is a travel day as we head towards the beautiful Zhangye Rainbow Mountains. We find a suitable spot to camp along the route.
Zhangye - Jiayuguan. Today we drive to the breathtaking Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains. This incredible mountain range has earned its name because of the colours of the rocks in the area. Tectonic movement has led to the deposits of sandstone and minerals over the l...
Jiayuguan - Dunhuang. On day 11 we visit Jiayuguan Fort. This impressive fortress marks the western starting point for the legendary Great Wall of China. Construction on this mudbrick section of the wall began in 1372 CE and took around 170 years to complete. The fort...
Dunhuang - Turpan. On day 13 we have a long drive to the Turpan Basin, the hottest place in China. Average temperatures in summer can easily reach over 30° Celsius but the lack of humidity makes the heat bearable. The oasis town of Turpan was a crucial stop for trader...
Turpan - Urumqi. On day 15 we leave Turpan and drive to Urumqi, the capital of the province of Xinjiang. We’ll spend two nights here and on day 16 we visit nearby Heavenly Lake. This dazzling lake is surrounded by mountains and is one of the most beautiful spots in the region. There will be opportunities for walking in the area and possibly boating on the lake.
Urumqi - Korle - Aksu. On day 17 we say goodbye to Urumqi and begin our drive through the 250,000 square kilometre Taklamakan Desert. Some Uyghur sources claim that the name “Taklamakan” translates to “once you get in, you'll never get out” due to the size and remoten...
Aksu - Kashgar. On day 19 we journey to Kashgar, once an important stop on the ancient Silk Road. During our three days in the city there's an included visit to the animal market and the sprawling Sunday Bazaar. Optional activities in Kashgar include a visit to the Id...
Today we have a short meeting to explain the next few days in Kyrgyzstan. We then enjoy an included hike to the impressive Shipton's Arch, the largest natural archway in the world. After our hike, we return to Kashgar for a final evening.
Kashgar - Tash Rabat (Kyrgyzstan). On day 23 we have a full day's drive over the scenic Torugart Pass into Kyrgyzstan. We'll camp near the famous Tash Rabat caravanserai, which is one of the most well preserved caravanserais on the Silk Road. There's plenty of time to...
Tash Rabat - Kochkor or Naryn. Today we drive to the small village of Kochkor. We check in to our small, family-run guesthouses - this is a great experience and you'll get to meet the local people. We also visit the village museum and a women’s felt making cooperative...
Kochkor or Naryn - Bishkek. On day 26 we arrive in the friendly Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. The rest of today and tomorrow is free to explore the city. Perhaps browse the vibrant Osh bazaar or head to the central Ala-Too Square. We may be joined by new travellers for the...
Bishkek - Chong Kemin. We head out of Bishkek on day 28 - we may need to return to organise Uzbekistan visas for some of the group, so the next couple of days need to be fairly flexible. We will most likely spend the next two nights camping in the Ala Archa Nati...
Chong Kemin - Karakol. We drive to the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kol this morning, where we can admire the ancient petroglyphs at Cholpon Ata. After our visit here, we continue to the Russian-style town of Karakol, where the afternoon is free to explore. Perhaps pay a visit to the beautiful Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Karakol - Jeti Oguz. On day 31 we have a scenic drive up into the mountains of the Jeti Oguz region, dominated by towering red sandstone cliffs. The next day is free to explore this picturesque corner of Kyrgyzstan. Hike in the hills and mountains or opt for a horse-riding excursion with some local nomads. We’ll camp in the area for these two nights (weather permitting).
Jeti Oguz - Kochkor. Today we drive to the small village of Kochkor, stopping en route to watch a demonstration from a local eagle hunter, whose well-trained birds are used to catch wild animals for their skins and meat. On arrival in Kochkor, we check in to our...
Kochkor - Song Kol Lake. On day 34 we drive to shimmering Song Kol Lake, where we base ourselves for the next two nights. Song Kol is a remote and peaceful lake set in stunning scenery - Kyrgyzstan in all of its glory. We’ll stay in traditional felt yurts and experien...
Song Kol Lake - Kyrgyz Fergana Valley. We spend the next three days overlanding through the Kyrgyz Fergana Valley towards Arslanbob. We’ll make frequent stops to hike in the stunning mountain region and will camp in suitable spots on the route. Please note: If...
Kyrgyz Fergana Valley - Arslanbob. Today we finally arrive in the picturesque village of Arslanbob. There's free time to relax after a long few days of overlanding. Perhaps take a stroll in the famous walnut forest, the largest walnut grove in the world - the walnut was Kyrgyzstan's first known export to Europe.
Arslanbob - Fergana (Uzbekistan). We say goodbye to the mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan today, crossing the border into neighbouring Uzbekistan. Our drive takes us to the city of Fergana, where the evening is at leisure.
Fergana - Kokand - Tashkent. Day 41 sees us journey to Kokand, where we’ll visit the Khudayar Khan’s Palace and the Margilan Silk Factory. Traditional methods are still used here in the production of this famous textile. After exploring Kokand, we cross over the...
Tashkent - Samarkand. On day 43 we head towards the jewel in Uzbekistan's crown - the incredible Silk Road city of Samarkand. On arrival, the evening is free to head out and explore. We enjoy a guided tour of Samarkand on day 44, taking in highlights including t...
Samarkand - Nurata. Today we say goodbye to Samarkand and head into the striking Nurata Hills. Opt for a refreshing dip in Lake Ajdar Kul before we drive into the Kyzylkhum Desert. There’s an optional camel ride over the rolling dunes of the desert and we spend the night in yurts near the town of Nurata.
Nurata - Bukhara. We head out of the desert on day 47, reaching the beautiful and historic Silk Road city of Bukhara, where we'll be staying for the next three nights. We make a quick stop in Nurata en route. On day 48 we enjoy a guided tour of Bukhara, taking i...
Bukhara - Khiva. On day 50 we say goodbye to Bukhara and embark on a long drive to the welcoming city of Khiva. The next day there’s a guided tour of the city, taking in highlights including the incredible city walls, the turquoise Kalta Minor Minaret and the blue pal...
Khiva - Kunye Urgench (Turkmenistan). Today we leave Uzbekistan behind and cross the border into the closed off country of Turkmenistan. Browse the markets in the border town of Dashoguz before we explore the Kunye Urgench ruins towards the end of the day. Once ...
Kunye Urgench - Darvaza Gas Crater. We continue our journey through the desert today, reaching the incredible Darvaza Gas Crater, known locally as the 'Door to Hell'. The crater was created by accident in 1971 when Soviet oil drillers released gas into the atmos...
Darvaza Gas Crater - Ashgabat. On day 54 we complete our drive to Turkmenistan's bizarre capital city of Ashgabat. The city holds the world record for the highest concentration of marble clad buildings anywhere in the world. On day 55 we embark on a minibus tour...
Our tour comes to an end today and you are free to depart for your onward journey. If you wish, speak to our sales team about booking a few additional days accommodation in Ashgabat.
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International flights and visas
- Items of a personal nature, additional meals and drinks
- Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
- Sleeping bag and roll mat - please bring your own for camping
- Local payment - $1940pp, paid in USD
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18 and over. No upper age limit but anyone over 70 needs to complete a tour suitability form.
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