Please note: THIS TOUR IS DESIGNED FOR A MINIMUM OF 2 PERSONS!
For 2,000 years the Silk Route, linking China with Europe, has attracted all manner of tyrants, traders, artists and spies. In ancient times Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and Marco Polo followed the scent of silk towards the Orient, later to be followed by Younghusband, Aurel Stein and Stalin from the modern age. There is no single Silk Route, rather the name signifies a series of ancient roads stretching from Central Asia and the Middle East across modern-day China. The myriad points of interest along the way can be visited in their own right or as part of one of the world's epic journeys, tracing the path of gold and ivory heading east, and the silk and jade returning to the west.
Follow in the footsteps of the pioneering traders and pilgrims of old on one of the world's greatest overland journeys, this spectacular expedition leads you west, through the harsh deserts and high mountains from the ancient capital of Xian to remote and dusty Kashgar in deepest Xinjiang.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Fly to Beijing.
Day 2: Arrive in Beijing where your afternoon is at leisure.
Day 3: After a morning sightseeing in Beijing fly to Xian.
Day 4: Visit the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and excellent Shaanxi History Museum, then take the late evening train to Tianshui.
Day 5: Drive to the awe-inspiring Maijishan Grottoes in their lush mountain setting, and continue on to Lanzhou.
Day 6: Take a boat up the Yellow River to the Bingling Si caves, before driving on to Xiahe.
Day 7: A day exploring the Labrang Tibetan monastery and the surrounding pastures.
Day 8: Return to Lanzhou and board the overnight train to Jiayuguan.
Day 9: In Jiayuguan visit the end of the Great Wall before continuing on to Dunhuang.
Day 10: Spend the day at the Mogao caves, the finest Buddhist Grottoes in China and climb the Singing Sand Dunes at sunset.
Day 11: Fly to Urumqi and drive into the cool mountains at Heaven Lake. Stay overnight in traditional nomads' yurts.
Day 12: Continue on to Turpan, where you visit the Emin Minaret and Grape Valley.
Day 13: Explore the ancient ruined cities of Jiaohe and Gaochang, the Flaming Mountains and Bezeklik Caves.
Day 14: After a leisurely morning drive back to Urumqi and fly west to Kashgar.
Day 15: Spend a day at the incredible Kashgar Sunday market.
Day 16: Fly back to Urumqi and onwards back to Beijing.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Airfares: USD 987 (Beijing/Xi'an, Dunhuang/Urumqi/Kashgar/Urumqi/Beijing)
Price Includes:
- All 4-star hotel accommodations based on double occupancy, including tax and service
- All meals as stated in the itinerary highlighting the local cuisine with water, tea, coffee, local beer, and soft drinks.
- Group airport arrival and departure transfers
- All ground transportation in private air conditioned vehicle with bottled water and snacks on coach
- All sightseeing, entrance fees
- Services of local guides, site experts, and other support personnel.
Price Excludes:
- International airfare
- Any en route stopovers, hotels, and meals to and from China
- Excess baggage charges and airport taxes
- Passport and visa fees
- Items of a personal nature such as, laundry, mail, phone calls, faxes, spa treatments, hard liquor
- Normal level of gratuities for local guides and drivers
- Trip cancellation, travel delay or baggage insurance.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Pilgrimage/Spirituality
Cultural Journey
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