For anyone hooked on the romance of the ancient Silk Road, this epic, month-long tour has it all. You get to experience the full gamut…
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Tailor-made Tour 23 days from £7595 per person
Places Visited: Beijing, Xiahe, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Kashgar, Torugart, Issyk Kul, Bishkek, Samarkand, Bukhara, Tashkent
Follow in Marco Polo’s footsteps on a journey from the imperial heartland of China’s eastern seaboard to the dry, dusty capitals of Central Asia – Kashgar, Bukhara and Samarkhand – whose names are synonymous with the ancient caravan trade across the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts, and with the near-mythical figures of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Timur the Lame. This vast and remote region offers a unique holiday experience for the adventurous traveller.
Featuring desolate places, lost cities, ancient trading outposts and vibrant markets, this adventurous tour takes you on a grand exploration of the fabled Silk Road.
Holiday Types
Cultural Holidays River Cruising Holidays Adventure Holidays
Suggested itinerary
Day 1
UK
Fly to Beijing.
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Day 2
Beijing
Arrive Beijing in the morning. Stay at the Kapok hotel for the night. Day is at leisure to rest after your long flight.
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Day 3
Xiahe
Fly to Lanzhou today and drive to Xiahe. Stay at the Labrang Hotel for two nights.
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Day 4
Xiahe
Enjoy a tour of Labrang Monastery and visit the stunning grasslands of Ganjia.
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Day 5
Xiahe
Drive back to Lanzhou, visit the Gansu History Museum and board an overnight soft sleeper train to Dunhuang.
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Day 6
Dunhuang
Arrive in Dunhuang in the morning and transfer to the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel for the night. Take a trip to the extraordinary Mogao Caves to see some of the world's finest examples of Buddhist art. After lunch visit the nearby Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Oasis. Board the overnight soft sleeper train to Turpan.
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Day 7
Turpan
Arrive in Turpan and transfer to the Turpan Silk Road Hotel for two nights. Visit the remarkable Karez system, Emin Minaret and Mosque, and a local market in town. Enjoy a traditional Uyghur musical performance.
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Day 8
Turpan
Visit the impressive ruins at Gaochang. Later visit the Beziklik Caves on the flanks of the Flaming Mountains.
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Day 9
Urumqi
Drive to Urumqi and stay at the Urumqi Sheraton for two nights. Later visit Red Hill Park for some great views of the city.
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Day 10
Urumqi
Enjoy a full day excursion to the Heavenly Lake scenic area outside Urumqi.
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Day 11
Kashgar
Take the first available flight to Kashgar. Transfer to the Barony Hotel for three nights and enjoy some free time.
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Day 12
Kashgar
Visit the peaceful Id Kah Mosque and the lavishly decorated Abakh Khoja tomb.
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Day 13
Kashgar
Stroll through the old city and have lunch with a local family. (Visit the Sunday Market if your stay coincides with this weekly spectacle.)
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Day 14
Torugart
In the morning complete border formalities, then cross the Torugart pass into Kyrgyzstan. Arrive at the ancient Tash Rabat caravanserai and spend the night in a basic traditional yurt. Have dinner with a local family (optional stay in a guesthouse at nearby Naryn, if preferred).
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Day 15
Issyk Kul
Spend the morning around the caravanserai. In the afternoon drive to Issyk Kul and stay at a lakeside hotel for two nights.
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Day 16
Issyk Kul
Explore the beautiful lake area. A visit to the nearby town of Cholpon-Ata can be arranged where you can observe local life and see some ancient petroglyphs.
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Day 17
Bishkek
Drive through the spectacular countryside to Bishkek and stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel for one night.
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Day 18
Samarkand
In the morning fly to Tashkent and complete border formalities. Afterwards drive to Samarkand and check in to the President Hotel for two nights.
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Day 19
Samarkand
Enjoy a visit to the Registan, one of the most impressive madrassah complexes in the world. Later visit the Gur Emir Mausoleum and the stunning Albukhary complex.
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Day 20
Bukhara
Enjoy leisure time in Samarkand before driving to Bukhara. Check in to the Bukhara Palace Hotel for two nights.
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Day 21
Bukhara
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bukhara's many madrassas, its minaret and trading domes. Afterwards explore the quiet backstreets or the interesting markets on your own. Perhaps try a traditional hammam to unwind in the evening.
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Day 22
Tashkent
Enjoy a day at leisure. In the evening fly to Tashkent and stay the night at the Grand Orzu Hotel.
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Day 23
Tashkent, UK
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK, arriving the same day.
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Tailor-made Tour 23 days from £7595 per person
What's included
✓ International flights from the UK in economy
✓ 21 nights accommodation
✓ Domestic flights in economy
✓ All road travel and transfers by private chauffeur-driven vehicles
✓ English-speaking guides
✓ Breakfast daily in China, half board in Uzbekistan and full board in Kyrgyzstan
✓ Entrance fees to sites and monuments listed in tour itinerary
Places and Experiences in this tour
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