18D Silkroad Adventure,
Beijing to Kashgar
Beijing, Great Wall, Xi’an, Terracotta Warriors, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Heavenly Lake, Taklamakan Desert, Kashgar
USD $1,295 per person; local payment of USD $300 per person
Tour prices DO NOT include international airfare and taxes.
A journey along the ancient information super-highway will have you travelling from the heart of modern China, through incredible landscapes and desert oasis towns deep into the heart of Central Asia. Explore bazaars, caves and the ancient Terracotta Warriors on this adventure of a lifetime.
A vendor in Kashgar, a city along the famous Silkroad
Highlights
• Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City guided tour • Entrance to Great Wall • Terracotta Warriors tour • Entrance to Jiayuguan Fort • Guided tour to Mogao Buddha Caves • Entrance to the Mingsha Sand dunes with Camel ride • Guided day tour including entrance to Turpan sites • Kashgar Sunday Market
Itinerary
Day 01 / Arrive Beijing
Arrive in Beijing at any time.
Days 02-03 / Beijing
Explore the vast expanses of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, making sure to scout the various markets scattered throughout the city. Wander through the alleyways (hutongs) in Beijing’s Old City and perhaps visit the Tibetan Monastery. Walk the ancient steps of the Great Wall.
Days 04-06 / Xi’an
This charming city is the traditional starting point of the westbound caravan routes and home to the Terracotta Warriors. Explore the live archaeological site. Visit the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter, a wonderfully serene place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and climb the city walls that surround Xi’an for an impressive view of the city.
Days 07-08 / Jiayuguan
The seldom-visited far end of the Great Wall is a lonely outpost overlooking the desert, guarding China’s western frontier. Spend the day exploring its ruins and surrounding forts.
Days 09-11 / Dunhuang
Dunhuang is a lovely, relaxing oasis town and nearby, lies the Mogao Caves containing China’s richest Buddhist heritage and the towering Mingsha sand dunes. Don’t miss one of the greatest sunsets in the world.
Days 12-13 / Turpan
Relax beneath the grape trellises or discover Uyghur culture and silk road relics in the surrounding oasis villages.
Days 14-15 / Heavenly Lake
Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and green meadows, this alpine lake lives up to its name. Spend a memorable night in a local yurt. Enoy the evening feasting on local Kazak food and gazing into the fire.
Days 16-17 / Kashgar
Set astride ancient trade routes, Kashgar is a true Central Asian oasis town of mosques, mausolems, bazaars and Turkic peoples. Arrive in time for the Sunday market, where people gather from all over to sell their wares. You can find anything from goats’ hooves to colourful painted wooden saddles. It is in this medieval setting that our trip comes to an end.
Day 18 / Depart Kashgar
2008 Dates
- Apr 18 - May 05
- May 02 - 19
- May 16 - Jun 02
- May 30 - Jun 16
- Jun 13 - 30
- Jun 27 - Jul 14
- Sep 05 - 22
- Sep 19 - Oct 06
- Oct 03 - Oct 20
- Oct 17 - Nov 03
Group Size
- Minimum 04, Maximum 15, Average 10
Group Leader
- Tour leader, local guides
Accommodation
- Hotel (12 nights), sleeper train (4 nights), shared yurts (1 night).
Transport
- Train, local bus, aircon bus, walking, bicycle (optional)
Meals Included
- No meals included
Meal Budget
- Allow USD $270 for meals not included
Flight Budget
- USD $350 for the flight from Kashgar to Beijing at the end of the trip
Recommendation
- Continue on to Pakistan with our 12D Karakorum Highway adventure
cforms contact form by delicious:days
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
[...] is an extention of our 18D Silk Road [...]