For slightly over a month, we follow the ancient trading routes that played a pivotal role in shaping the contemporary faces of Europe and Asia and get to grips with the many and abundant bounties of China. After comprehensive exploration of Beijing, the frenetic capital that displays a fascinating blend of modernity and antiquity, we journey to Xi’an, where we have the chance to take in the breathtaking sights of the Terracotta Warriors and the Great Mosque. We stop in at Kashgar, a city that historically lay at the junction of four branches of the Silk Road, to peruse stalls at one of the most colourful street markets in the world and we then make route for the Gobi Desert, the second largest desert on Earth, where we investigate the Mogao Caves and soak up the friendly atmosphere in quaint oasis towns.
We bring our China leg of this exciting tour to a close by walking the Great Wall, admiring the Summer Palace and exploring the Forbidden City. Crossing into Mongolia, we find a mysterious land that is at times reminiscent of the world as it was centuries ago and one that was virtually inaccessible to outsiders until the last decade of the 20th century. Untouched nature and barren yet beautiful landscapes serve as the most idyllic of backdrops as we experience the nomadic lifestyle of the ever-welcoming inhabitants by overnighting in a traditional ‘ger’, a moveable domed structure made from latticed wood and layers of felt and canvas that has been used by nomads for centuries.
On the fringes of the Gobi Desert, we stop off at archaeological sites of interest, keeping a lookout for local wildlife, like herds of the endangered Asiatic Wild Ass, and maybe embarking on a camel trek or horse ride. We take time to explore the Jalman Meadows and enjoy the rural settings afforded by the Tuul River Valley and the Hustai Nuruu Reserve, hopefully seeing some wild horses, wolves, lynx, bears, deer, gazelle or moose en route. Heading up the mountainside to marvel at intricately carved monasteries and checking out the biggest annual festival in Mongolia, the Naadam Festival, are the perfect round-offs to our spectacular adventure.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Breakfast and dinner (at local restaurants and some hotels), and some lunches are included daily
- All transport, accommodation, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary
- Gratuities for drivers, ships crew, restaurant staff, porters, local guides
- Airport transfers for land / air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
Price Excludes:
- Tour Leader gratuities, some lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), domestic and international (if applicable) air taxes, visa fees, and any excursions referenced as 'optional'
- Airport transfers for early / late arrivals / departures or Land Only customers
- Optional trip cancellation insurance
- Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on shopping, not included meals, visas and locally paid departure taxes.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Mongolia
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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