Silk Road Holidays

Food and Drink

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:24:53 +0000

Food and drink along China’s Silk Road varies from Xi’an to Kashgar. Although most cities and towns have restaurants specializing in Sichuan, Cantonese and Beijing or Shanghai cuisine,each region has its own speciality to explore.

Night markets (ye shi) and small restaurants (xiao chi) are by far the tastiest places to eat. Each night around dusk, street vendors set up stalls and tables on prearranged streets throughout the various cities. These lively night markets provide an excellent opportunity to stroll and sample from the various cauldrons, woks and grills that line the street. Small restaurants are best for authentic local dishes and distant regiona fiavours. The best way to order is by pointing to what others are having or by going into the kitchen and picking out various meat and vegetable combinations. With few exceptions, hotel restaurants offer expensive and unexciting meals, a last resort when deciding where to eat. The Practical Information section for each city contains useful information on night markets, small restaurants and local specialities.

The most popular of all foods in the northwest is barbecued mutton on skewers (kao yangrou), which tends to be less spicy the further west you go and is eaten with a wide variety of fiatbreads (bing) that can be sweet, salty or plain. In Gansu, hot pot (huoguo), a cross between the spicy Sichuan and more functional Mongolian styles, is a common way of cooking and eating skewers of vegetables and meat as well as other favourites such as liver, coagulated blood and skewered entrails. Boiled mutton dumplings (yangrou shuijiao) are served either in soup or with a spicy soy/vinegar sauce. In Xinjiang, most meals consist of noodles or bread served with mutton in one form or another. The most common dish is latiaozi fresh noodles served with sauted lamb, tomatoes, aubergine and hot green peppers. A more detailed description of Uygur cuisine is contained in Uygur Food, Drink and a Few Words. Both Xinjiang and Gansu produce a wide variety of fruit (shuiguo), which is in season in summer months–apricots (xingzi), plums (meizi) and mulberries (sangshu) in June; melons (gua) in July; peaches (taozi), figs (wuhuaguo) and grapes (putao) in August; pome- granates (shiliu), apples (pingguo) and pears (lizi) in September. There are over 50 types of Hami melons and many different species of watermelon (x/gua, or western melon), which first came to China from Africa via the Silk Road.

Tea (cha) is taken with meals or just bread. In Xi’an and Gansu, the most common variety is a smooth green tea, whereas in Xinjiang people drink a rough black tea re- sembling sticks and twigs. Beer (pijiu) and rice wine (baijiu) are popular, particularly among the Muslims, and often accompany meals. Each province and city tends to have its own beer, none of which tastes as good as those of east and southwest China, but can still be satisfying when it is cold and you are hot. Most types of refreshments that you may desire in the desert heattfrom Coca-Cola to fiavoured water, thick fresh yoghurt to fruit juice as well as ice cream, frozen yoghurt and popsicles—are available from vendors with refrigerators on almost every street comer.

Weather

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:23:04 +0000

Throughout July, August and September, the temperatures in Xi’an reach an average high of 38~C (100OF) and can be extremely humid. Visitors in the summer should wear light cotton garments and a hat to guard against sunburn.
In deference to Muslim sensibilities, long pants or skins should be worn by both sexes whenever possible. Visitors would do well to imitate the locals by staying in the shade around midday. Shoes should be solid and comfortable; even in the summer it is advisable to have thick-soled shoes, for the ground temperature can get extremely hot, especially at sites in the desert.
Winters are raw and severe.

During December and January, Xi’an averages around -4~ or -5~C (25~ or 23~F). The average temperature in Ur~mqi is -10~C (14~1:) and is considerably lower in the mountains and northern Junggar Basin. Woollen layers, a thick coat made of down or gortex, and warm boots are essential protection against the piercing winds and cold. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for travel, with April marking the beginning of the warm season in Xinjiang.
Travellers should also be prepared for dust storms, especially in Turpan, which often begin in the early afternoon and last for several hours: abrasive, blasting sands whipped up by strong winds, bringing all activity to a halt. The dust is particularly bad news for your camera. (Fuji colour film is widely available, but bring your own black and white.) It is important to carry a good torch, especially when visiting unlit Buddhist caves. A sturdy pair of sunglasses and water bottle are also highly recommended.

Transportation

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:22:16 +0000

TRANSPORTATION
Details of routes, connections, timetables and booking offices are contained in the Practical Information section for each city.

BY AIR
Airphnes link most of the cities along the Silk Road; frequency of flights can vary from several times each day to once a week. Airplanes are the most efficient, comfortable to all of China’s open cities and areas, a list in constant flux but generally expanding.

BY RAIL
The Lanzhou Urumqi rail line was completed in 1963, ending Xinjiang’s economic isolation, with the completion of the railway between Urumqi and Kashgar made the train travel on the Silk Road more extended. So far train tickets are not possible to booked or purchased outside China.Once you are in China you can purchase it easily directly from the main train station (be prepared that you may have to stay in a long line in high seasons.Alernatively, We can book it for you and make it available to you on your arrival.For which you have to pay US$ 6 as a service fee for per ticket.

There are several ticket options are available :

1) Hard Seat – A bald seat, only slightly more expensive than a bus ticket, which is the most crowded, sometimes with unassigned seats unless you buy your ticket at the train’st originating station.

2) Hard Sleeper – A hold sleeper, consisting of open compartmems with six berths, is usually the most difficult to obtain, roughly the cost equals to the one forth of the Airfare for the same distance.

3) Soft Sleeper – is ail enclosed compartment containing four berths similar m Eastern European coaches, The price is roughly equals half the price of the Airfare for the same distance.
Soft Sleepers are not very difficult to purchased as it was before (when you have to obtain special permits to get the Soft Sleeper – as they are reserved for the Government Officials). Still on high seasons seats may seaily sold out.

During the train journey,boiled water and expensive mediocre food are,available on the train; drinks and snacks can be purchased at most station

BY ROAD
Buses, the most inexpensive method of transportation, tend to be slow moving, especially in Xinjiang, where they regularly depart one or two hours behind schedule, or the desert sucks the life out of everything thing that moves or attempts to do so the three-day’ bus ride from Urumqi to Kashgar (with overnights in Korla and Aksu) is highly recommended for the hardy traveller, offering spectacular views of the Hear only Mountains and interesting glimpses of the oasis towns along the northern rim of the Taklamakan Desert. Note that in Gansu, foreigners are required to purchase an insurance policy (Y20 FEC) and to produce the receipt when buying subsequent tickets, Bus company employees are fairly figid about this rule. which seems to be non-existent west of Jiayuguan.
Another option is to hire a land cruiser or mini vail, enabling you to visit sites far from cities or towns that would othervise be inaccessible. Costs can he minimized if you are in a group. Prices should be based on the number days hired and kilometers travelled

Visa

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:21:31 +0000

All visitors entering China must have a valid passport and visa, but this is usually a straightforward process. Tourists travelling in a group are listed on a single group visa issued in advance to tour organizers. Tourist visas for individual ‘travellers can be obtained directly through Chinese embassies and consulates around the world. Certain travel agents and tour operators can arrange individual visas for their clients. Visa fees and their duration vary considerably, depending on the source of the visa and the time taken to issue it. In Hong Kong, for instance, some travel agents can et a three-month tourist visa in a few hours for around US$30, while the same visa obtained directly from the Visa Office of the Foreign Ministry of the PRC (26 Har- bout Road, 5th Floor, Wanchai, Hong Kong, tel 835-3794) takes one day and costs less than US$15; three- to six-month multiple-entry business visas are also available and can cost up to USS100. All that is needed is a completed application form and one passport photograph.

In order to cross over the Khunjerab Pass into Pakistan, all travellers must have a valid Pakistani visa. If you did not get yours before entering China, apply at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Beijing, at 1 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Sanlitun, tel 52-2504, 52-2695 or 52-2581. During the tourist season the border is open daily, including national holidays.

Visa extensions can be easily obtained, one month at a time for a maximum of two, at the Public Security Bureau (PSB) in most major cities, but usually only within a week of the original visa’s (or previous extension’s) expiration.

Trekking Around Bogda Peak

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:20:25 +0000

Climbing to Bogda Peak - Trekking Around Bogda Peak

This incredible adventure is designed to show you the best of this vast region in a short time span of only two weeks and we assure you that each moment of this trip will carve a lasting impression on your memory.

Silk Road Programme

DAY	ITINERARY
1	Arrive at Beijing
	Arrive at Beijing and transfer to hotel.
2	Beijing
	After a hearty American style breakfast, leave Beijing by deluxe motor coach. Today you will climb the Great Wall, one of the world’s fantastic architectural achievements. The tour continues to the renowned Sacred Way leading to the famous Ming Tombs. In the evening, return to Beijing for a special Peking Duck dinner party.
3	Beijing
	This morning, explore the best of Beijing with a visit to Tian’anmen Square, the world’s largest square, and the incomparable Forbidden City. After lunch, visit the spectacular and vast Summer Palace with an optional boat ride on Lake Kunming. Evening enjoy a memorable Peking Opera performance.
4	Beijing – Urumqi
	After breakfast fly to Urumqi, Our guide in Urumqi will meet you at Urumqi airport. Urumqi, the capital of Xinjang Uygur Autonomous Region, looks no different than any other Chinese city; the streets are lined with modern concrete buildings and its population is dominated by the Han Chinese. But visit the lively market at Erdaoqiao, where anything from Uigur handicrafts, silk carpets to fruits and kebabs are sold, and you will be reminded that you have indeed arrived at a waystation along the ancient Silk Road.
5	Urumqi to Tianchi (Lake of Heaven)
	We will take a 2-3 hour bus ride up a mountain and across desert to reach Heavenly Lake(1,980 m/6,496 ft), a small alpine lake surrounded by lush spruce forests and snow-capped mountains. We will hike along the lake to get to the other end.
6	Heavenly Lake to Dapingtai (3,200 m/10,499 ft)
	We will start the day early to begin our hike to Bogda Peak. We will hike through forests and meadows for 5 to 6 hours, arriving at Dapingtai, where we will spend the night.
D.7	Base Camp at Bogda Peak (3,800 m/12,467 ft)
	As we make our ascent, the surrounding scenery will change gradually from dense forests to rocky hills. We will approach the snow line and the peak 6-7 hours from the start of the trek.
8	Bogda Peak
	In the morning we will visit the glaciers, the main water source in the area. On the way you will see the xuelian, or snow lotus, a rare plant indigenous to the region. We will wrap up early today to prepare for the long hike tomorrow.
9	Tianshan Meadow
	After leaving the base camp we will trek south along a valley facing other peaks in the mountain range. As we descend, we will return to the forest. We will continue trekking until sunset, arriving at Tianshan meadow where we will camp for the night.
10	Tianshan to Urumqi via Turpan
	A 2.5-hour drive will take us to Turpan, an entirely different world from where we have spent the last week. Located 150 m (492 ft) below sea level, Turpan is one of the lowest spots in the world as well as the hottest and driest in China. It is famed for its grapes and melons. The town was a former garrison of the Chinese army and an important stop on the Silk Road. We will visit Gaochang, a nearby town which was once the capital of the Uighurs, and later on the Grape Valley, where we could drop by at a winery or sample some of their grapes. We will take a bus back to Urumqi in the evening.
11	Urumqi – Beijing
	A.M free at leisure P.M fy to Beijing from Urumqi.
12	Free day in Beijing.
	Free day in Beijing for shopping or walking tour around the streets.
13	Departure from Beijing.
	Departure from

Taklamakan

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:19:18 +0000

Sighseeing tour along the Taklimakan Desert

Taklamakan Desert: With a total area of 337.6 thousand square kilometers, Taklamakan lies in the center of the Tarim Basin, it is the scond largest desert on the earth just next in area to the Sahara Desert in Africa. It is 1000km long and 400km wide.
In the Uygur language, Taklimakan means “never get back if you go in”. Hence it is known as “Sea of Death”. Due to size of the desert, shortage of the water resource and easily changable weather condition exploring the desert has been a game of the death and life.Thanks to the rich oil resources found under the Taklamakan desert many roads and constructions are built around and across the Taklamakan desert. One of the construction is the desert highway built from Bugur(Luntai) to Niya (Minfeng) which goes in the middle of the desert made it possible to cross this desert without any danger.
Dense forest of diversiform poplar trees and bushes line the two sides of Yeltin River, Hotan River and Chechon River around Taklimakan. Hence comes “oasis in desert sea”. There is rich quantity of underground water and petroleum

Silk Road Programme

DAY	ITINERARY
1	Arrive Beijing
	Arrive at Beijing. You will be received by our guide at the Beijing international airport, this person will assit with your baggage and tranfer you to the hotel. If time allows there will be short city sightseeing tour of Beijing.
2	Beijing
	After breakfast we will drive for exploring Great Wall of China followed by a visit of Ming Tombs. Evening enjoy the Peking Opera while enjoying the “Beijing Duck ” Banquet.
3	Beijing/Urumqi
	A.M visit Forbidden City-one of the well kept secrets of Emperial China. Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Urumqi. Arrive in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, meet at airport and transfer to hotel.
4	Urumqi – Korla
	Early morning drive 477 km from Urumqi to Korla, en route sightseeing ancient beacon towers, desert, oasis, gobi.
5	Korla – Kucha
	Drive 285 km from Korla to Kuqa, en route sightseeing primitive diversiform-leaved polar forest, oasis, ruins of Kusan ancient town, Zhaogul temple ruins, farmer home and apricot orchard.
6	Kucha – Aksu
	Drive 284 km from Kuqa to Aksu, en route sightseeing Kizil buddist carve, strange stones and mountains.
7	Aksu – Kashgar
	Drvie to Kashgar (510Km) which is a long drive with spectecular views of gobi deserts, poplar trees.
8	Kashgar
	Full day sightseeing tour of Kashgar – one of the travel hub on the silk road: Eidgah Mosques, Sunday Bazaar and Abbak Hoja Tomb.
9	Kashgar – Hotan
	Drive 150 km cross the desert along Hotan river course, en route sightseeing diversiform-leaved poplar, reed, thorn bushes, sheep, wild boar, fox, hare. Camping.
10	Hotan
	Visit Hotan silk factory, carpet factory, jade-carving factory, museum, or go to see the king trees of walnut and fig. Overnight Stay in hotel.
11	Hotan – Minfeng
	Drive to Minfeng, 320Km. On arrival tranfer to hotel. rest of the day free at leisure .
12	Minfeng – Korla
	This is a day you can enjoy fabulous views of the Taklamakan Desert while we driving the Desert highway crssing the heart of the taklamakan desert. The sun rise in the desert will be a scene you may never forget. Thanks to the desert highway which made the crossing the Taklamakan Desert a soft adventure, the highway is built recently due to the rich oil resources found this region.
13	Korla-Turpan
	Drive from Korla to Turpan which is one of the famous city with its dried mummies and many other historical sights.
14	Turpan – Urumqi
	Full day sightseeing tour of Turpan : Emin Minaret, Kariz Wells and Jiaohe Ancient City. Evening enjoy the folklore dance show.
15	Urumqi/Beijing
	After breakfast we will drive to Urumqi via motorway (200Km, takes 2.5 hours). and proceed to airport for fly back to Beijing. Receive at Beijing and transfer to Hotel.
16	Departure from Beijing.
	Transfer to Airport for homebound flight to departure from Beijing.

Silk Road Tours

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:15:15 +0000

ROMANCE OF THE SILK ROAD

The Silk Roads pass through some of the most enchanting and remote areas of the world.

Although initially developed as military routes by the Chinese emperors to safeguard the remote western borders of their vast empire against the barbaric raiders from the Central Asian Steppes, these routes soon became popular but extremely dangerous trade routes on which a variety of precious cargo included silk was traded.

Apart from the hazard of raids from the barbarians the travelers constantly faced death from the natural elements, the vast expanse of waterless deserts which engulfed thousands of caravans in their ever restless sand, the high snow covered passes which killed men and beast from constant avalanches, falls, altitude sickness and extreme cold and the wild beasts which roamed this great wilderness. Traveling on these routes was always great adventure which only the most daring ones would undertake.

Even today traveling on these routes is the adventure of a lifetime. The two routes that we have chosen to trace passes through the most incredible landscape in the world including most of the famous mountain ranges in Asia (Himalayas, Hindkush, Karakorums, Pamirs, Tienshans, Altays and Farghana).

You will witness unbelievable mountain panoramas, beautiful valleys, high passes, high altitude deserts, lush green steppes, beautiful and deepest lakes and Central Asian deserts. You will see the legendary rivers of Oxus and Sirdarya, the rich historical monuments of Bokhara and Samarkand and witness the interesting lifestyle of the people enroute.

These people who were the first to tame and ride the horses were once the most incredible power in the world, these simple tents dwelling nomads who roam the lush steppes of the Central Asia once united under the flag of the great Chinges Khan and concurred half the world from Japan to Europe.

Silk Road By Train

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:13:48 +0000

DAY	ITINERARY
1	Arrive Beijing
	Arrive at Beijing. You will be received by our guide at the Beijing international airport, this person will assit with your baggage and tranfer you to the hotel. If time allows there will be short city sightseeing tour of Beijing.
2	Beijing
	After breakfast we will drive for exploring Great Wall of China followed by a visit of Ming Tombs. Evening enjoy the Peking Opera while enjoying the “Beijing Duck ” Banquet.
3	Beijing/Urumqi
	A.M visit Forbidden City-one of the well kept secrets of Emperial China. Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Urumqi. Arrive in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, meet at airport and transfer to hotel.
4	Urumqi
	Today we will enjoy the spectecular views of Heavenly Lake – a deep blue surrounded by mountain peaks and alpine meadows. Enjoy a unique afternoon visit with the nomadic Khazak community.
5	Urumqi/Turpan
	Morning city tour includes the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum, with exhibits of local arts and crafts. Enjoy the excitement of a Middle Eastern-type bazaar. After lunch, take a motor coach to Turpan. Upon arrival, explore the Jiaohe Ruins, the remains of an ancient walled capital of the Uighur with its large monastery and palace. After dinner, enjoy Uighur Traditional Singing and Dancing Show. Overnight stay at hotel.
6	Turpan/Jiayuguan
	Today’s tour includes the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (shown on right) in the Flaming Mountain and the Karez Underground Irrigation Channels, a 2000 year old system that delivers water from nearby snow capped moutains to Turpan and its agricultural fields. Taking overnight train with sleeping car to Jiayuguan.
7	Jiayuguan
	Morning arrival in Jiayuguan and check into the first class Jiayuguan Hotel. Tour to Jiayuguan pass, which is at the western end of the Great Wall.
8	Jiayuguan/Dunhuang
	Morning travel by deluxe motor coach on a scenic ride to the 2,000-year-old oasis town of Dunhuang. This oasis was a vital stopping-off post for caravans linking China and Central Asia. Overnight stay at hotel.
9	Dunhuang
	Whole morning sightseeing features the Mogao Grottoes, which contain the most impressive and best preserved examples of Buddhist cave art. Hundreds of sandstone caves hold more than 2000 statues and 45000 paintings of Buddha and Chinese mythological figures. Travel by deluxe motor coach to Crescent Moon Lake in the Singing Sand Dunes, where the oasis meets the desert. Take an optional camel ride.
10	Dunhuang/Lanzhou
	Morning flight to Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. In the afternoon, city tour includes a visit to the White Pagoda Park and Gansu Provincial Museum. Relax during a tranquil boat cruise on the Yellow River. Overnight stay at hotel.
11	Lanzhou/Xi’an
	Morning flight to Xi’an. After lunch, visit the 100% life-size Terra Cotta Warriors and the Banpo Neolithic Village Museum. Overnight stay at hotel.
12	Xi’an
	Full day tour includes the famous Shaanxi Provincial Museum and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Enjoy an elaborate Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show after dinner.
13	Xi’an/Shanghai
	Morning flight to Shanghai. Visit the Bund and Nanjing Road for shopping, after which you will enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnight stay at hotel.
14	Departure from Shanghai
	Depart Shanghai with a cherishable memories of China.

Grand Silk Road Tour

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:09:22 +0000

GRAND SILK ROAD TOUR

Silk Road Programme

DAY	ITINERARY
01	ISLAMABAD/CHILAS: Drive by airconditioned vans to the incredible mountains of the Northern Pakistan. This exciting drive will take you to the ancient town of Chilas on the famous Karakorum Highway via the beautiful Hazara Plateu and the Indus river gorge passing through the beautiful and wild Kohistan region. Upon arrival in Chilas transfer to the Shangrila Midway House. All meals included. (Drive time 10-11 hours)
02	CHILAS/GULMIT: After an early breakfast drive to the beautiful Hunza valley passing right below the incredible masif of Nanga Parbat the nineth highest in the world (8125m), and beautiful Rakaposhi (7788m). Stop in the old town of Gilgit for lunch at the Serena Hotel. Visit the ancient forts at Altit and Baltit which ruled the Hunza valley for over nine hundered years. Upon arrival in Gulmit transfer to the Silk Route Lodge. Evening walk tour of the peaceful village of Gulmit and a visit to the small museum and the old Hunza house. Overnight at Silk Route Lodge. All meals included. (Drive time 6-7 hours)
03	GULMIT/SUST/PIRALI/TAXKERGAN: After an early breakfast drive throughthe beautiful upper Hunza valley to the Pakistani checkpost at Sust passing the huge glaciers of Passu and Batura (5th largest in the world) and with incredible views of numerous 7000m peaks. After clearing customs and immigration drive by the border transport over the famous Khunjarab pass (4700m) to the Chinese province of Sinkiang. In this high altitude desert landscape you will see marmuts and semi wild yaks. Visit a Yurt (round mongol tent covered with felts) dwelling and see the lifestyle of the free nomad herdsmen. Upon arrival at Taxkergon clear the customs and immigration and transfer to the Pamir hotel. Evening walk tour of Taxkergan and the old stone fort that gave the name to this city. Overnight at Pamir hotel. All meals included. (Drive time 8-9 hours)
04	TAXKERGAN/KASHGAR: After breakfast drive through the exciting landscape of the high passes, vast dry lakes, deserts and snow covered peaks to the ancient city of Kashgar which is the meeting point of all the Silk Roads for over two thousand years. Upon arrival transfer to the Semans Hotel. Afternoon tour of the old city and bazars with interesting traditional handicrafts. (Drive time 7-7.5 hours)
05	KASHGAR CSS: After breakfast take a full day sightseeing excursion of this ancient city. Visit Hajakoba Tomb, Eidgah mosque, Moor Pagoda and the old city (In case of sundays visit sunday market). Have a lunch in an orchard under grape wines in the traditional manner. Overnight at Semans Hotel. All meals included.
06	KASHGAR/TORUGART PASS/KIRGHIZ STEPPE: After an early breakfast drive by four wheel vehicles to the Tien Shan mountain range. Passing the oasis on the edge of the Takla Makan desert we ascend through narrow valleys and dry gorges to the top of the Turugart pass. After clearing customs and immigration formalities drive to the otherside of pass and meet the Kirghiz guide and transport. After clearing the customs and immigrations drive through the lush Kirghiz steppes in Tienshan range to the campsite with views of the Farghana range. Overnight in tents. All meals included. (Drive time 8-9 hours)
07	CARAVAN SARAI TASH-RABAT: After breakfast drive through the beautiful steppes with herds of wild horses and yurt dwelling nomads to the ancient caravans sarai of Tash-Rabat which was an important landmark on the Silk Road. Camp at the caravan sarai and explore this beautiful area full of wildlife. Overnight in tents. All meals included. (Drive time 3-4 hours)
08	TASH-RABAT/ISSYKUL LAKE: After breakfast drive to Narin which is the first small city in Kyrghizstan. Continue your journey through the Tienshan mountains and beautiful valley of Cho river to the lovely region of Issykul lake. This 80 miles by 40 miles lake is nestled between the Tienshan range and the Allatu range and is considered the second deepest lake in the world. Upon arrival transfer to the Issykul Health resort which is the most popular resort hotel in this region. Evening walk to the lake. Overnight at the health resort. All meals included. (Drive time 7-8 hours)
09	ISSYKUL LAKE EXCURSION: After breakfast drive along the shore of the lake and see the ancient rock drawings and inscriptions left behind by Sakis (Scythians) who were the first along with Parthians to ride horses, invent riding armour and trousers and developed a kind of small bows which were used while riding the horse back (Parthian shot). This region was also the favourite of Tamerlane who had a pleasure palace on one of the islands in the lake which is now submerged. Enjoy the afternoon by the shores of the lake. Overnight at the health resort. All meals included.
10	ISSYKUL/BURANA TOWER/BISHKEK: After an early breakfast drive to Bishkek (formaly called Fronze) which is a modern city and is the capital of Kyrghizstan. Upon arrival transfer to the Bishkek Hotel. All meals included. (Drive time 08 hours)
11	BISHKEK/TASHKENT: After breakfast drive to Tashkent which is the capital of Uzbekistan. Upon arrival transfer to the Government Rest House. Evening excursion of the city center. All meals included.
12	TASHKENT/SAMARKAND: After breakfast drive to Samarkand. This is the magnificient region of Oxus and Syrdirya. Upon arrival at the magnificient town of Samarkand transfer to the Government Guest House. Evening excursion of the old city including a thorough tour of the Rajestan Square. Overnight at Guest House. All meals included. (Drive time 6-7 hours)
13	SAMARKAND: After breakfast have a full day sightseeing tour of this great city including a visit to the famous Madrasas, the Gur Amir or Topmb of Tamerlane, Urlug Beg’s observatory and many other monuments dating between 12th and 17th century. Overnight at Guest House. All meals included.
14	SAMARKAND/BOKHARA: After breakfast drive to the great city of Bokhara which was once the capital of this region. Upon arrival visit the Minerat square, the Madrasas, and the ancient mosques. Overnight at Government Guest House. All meals included.
15	BOKHARA/TASHKENT/ISLAMABAD (BY PK-262): After breakfast visit the ancient covered bazars dating back to the 12th century and the Bokhara fort. Transfer to the airport for flight back to Tashment and connect to the PIA flight to Islamabad leaving in the late afternoon. Breakfast and lunch included.

Silk Road Tour from Beijing to Kashgar

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:55:59 +0000

SILK ROAD TOUR FROM BEIJING TO KASHGAR

Silk Road Programme

DAY	ITINERARY
1	Arrive at Beijing Arrive at Beijing. You will be received by our guide at the Beijing international airport, this person will assit with your baggage and tranfer you to the hotel. If time allows there will be short city sightseeing tour of Beijing.
2	Beijing We explore the Forbidden City of Beijing today as well as the capital’s massive Tiananmen Square. Later this afternoon, we’ll hear tales of Empress Dowager Cixi as we stroll through her Summer Palace, China’s best-preserved royal garden. Tonight Peking Duck is on the menu, followed by a show of daring and agile acrobatics.¡¡
3	Beijing Walking the Great Wall of China is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and this morning we head to the small town of Huanghua to begin this incredible adventure. After a picnic lunch on the Wall we return to Beijing via the equally impressive Ming Tombs, and cruise canals in boats lit with traditional red lanterns. We’ll disembark in time to enjoy dinner with a local family.
4	Beijing/Xi’an We fly today to Xi’an, a former Chinese capital and important stop on the Silk Road as early as the third century BC. Our afternoon tour visits the Old City Wall and Shaanxi Provincial Museum, whose Forest of Steles boasts over 1000 carved stone tablets. Later, we’ll take a gander at the Grand Wild Goose Pagoda, a place of magic healing.
5	Xi’an The Terra Cotta Soldiers of Xi’an are one of the most important archaeological finds in the world, and we devote an entire day to exploring the site and surrounding area. After lunch with a noodle maker, we’ll take a cable car ride over Huaqing Hot Springs Park and visit Banpo, an old Neolithic (and possibly matriarchal) village.
6	Xian /Dunhuang After breakfast fly to Dunhuang,on Arrival you will bel met in the airport of Dunhuang – The City of the Sands, a former terminal of the ancient Silk Road perched on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Dunhuang is home to some of the finest Buddhist art. Artifacts discovered at Dunhuang span from the Northern and Western Wei to Northern Zhou and Tang dynasties, and include what is believed to be the oldest printed script in the world, dating back to 868 AD. After lunch, we head out to the Mogao Caves, which consist of 492 grottoes honeycombing a giant cliff face, each of them housing murals, Buddhist paintings and statues.
7	Dunhuang/Turpan This morning we will continue to explore the Mogao grottoes. In the afternoon we will visit Crescent Moon Lake, where the oasis meets the desert. The spring-fed lake is set amidst towering sand dunes from where you can take in a spectacular view of the green oasis surrounded by an endless desert landscape. In the evening we will board an overnight soft-sleeper train for Turpan.
8	Turpan Lying 154 meters (505 ft) below sea level, the Turpan Basin not only sits in the second largest depression in the world, but it is one of the hottest places China. Despite its desert location, Turpan boasts fertile land producing cotton and grapes, thanks to the karez, an ancient irrigation system. In Turpan, we will visit the Bezelik Caves, a set of Buddhist cave temples that was an important Buddhist center in the 6th to 13th centuries which today house rare examples of Buddhist mural art. We will also tour the ancient city of Gaochang and its necropolis, Astana, and wander the city bazaar in the evening.
9	Turpan/Urumqi Today we will drive to Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Urumqi is a growing metropolis inhabited mainly by Han Chinese and serves as a transport hub for those crossing to Tibet, Pakistan and Central Asia. Here you can visit the lively market at Erdaoqiao, where anything from Uygur handicrafts, silk carpets to fruits and kebabs are sold. We will also visit the Old Town area, where we will see how Uygurs live in today’s modern capital . In the evening we will take an eveningflight to Kashgar.
10	Kashgar Situated at the foot of the impressive Pamir mountains, Kashgar was once the key trading post bridging the East and the West on the Silk Road. Largely inhabited by the Uygurs, this ancient city is dotted with Muslim architecture and still retains the exotic feel of the Silk Road era. We will visit Kashgar’s lively markets, which attract thousands of people from the far corners of the region. They come here to sell, bargain, and trade everything ranging from camels to raisins. Our sightseeing tour will also include the the famous Eidgah Mosque and the tomb of Abbak Hoja. Our tour also includes visit to the most unique old town with typical Uyghur styled homes. We visit the various shopping alleys full of noodle shops, bakeries, teashops, blacksmiths and carpenters. Time has stood still – try a local taxi, which is a donkey cart.
11	Kashgar/Urumqi Today we will have a free day, allowing you to explore Kashgar’s old quarter, home to a fascinating mix of ethnicities – Uygurs, Tajiks, Kyrgyz and Uzbeks – or visit one of Kashgar’s many other sights. In the evening we will take a flight back to Urumqi.
12	Urumqi/Beijing Fly back to Beijing. Rest of the day free at leisure.
13	Departure from Beijing. Transfer to Airport for homebound flight to departure from Beijing.