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Day 1 Arrival in Tashkent
Today we arrive in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan (hotel check-in from 2 pm).
Overnight in Tashkent.
Included Meal(s): Dinner
Day 2 Tashkent - Fly to Nukus - Ayaz Kala - Toprak Kala - Khiva
This is a full-day of travel and sightseeing. This morning we fly to Nukus (approx 2 hours), the capital of the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan (arguably the "Sixth Stan" of our tour to Central Asia) to visit the famous Savietsky Museum with its avant-garde art collection. Karakalpakstan is considered to be autonomous due to their ethnic and cultural similarities with neighbouring Kazakhstan. The Soviets once included Karakalpakstan within the boundaries of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic but transferred it to the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in 1936 as part of Stalin's divide and rule strategy in Central Asia.
Our destination within Karakalpakstan is the region known for the Ellik-Qala, or Fifty Fortresses. These ruins date as far back as 2,000+ years ago and they represent the varied settlements of the famed Khorezm empire. We will visit two of the well-known Qalas (fortresses) on our journey. We begin with Toprak Qala (4th-5th century A.D.), now left as a series of mud walls and excavated rooms that entails a short hike up to the top of the complex for great views of the surrounding area. Nearby is Ayaz Qala, commanding a great view over the arid plains surrounding this promontory.
We continue our road journey to Khiva, once the most remote of the Silk Road's oasis cities. Upon arrival in the late afternoon we check into our hotel.
Overnight in Khiva.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3 Khiva: City Tour
Legend has it that Khiva was founded when Shem, son of Noah, discovered a well here. The town certainly existed by the 8th century, as a minor fort and trading post on a Silk Road branch to the Caspian Sea and the Volga. In the early 16th century, Khiva was made capital of the Timurid Empire, becoming a busy slave market and pivot of the khanate for the next three centuries. Khiva is an ancient walled city and looks much like it did in centuries past; it is one of the few sites in Central Asia where one can easily imagine life during the time of the emirates.
We will spend the morning wandering its maze of ruins and great mosques. Our tour includes Ichan Kala (walled city), Kalta Minor Minaret, Kunya Ark (inner citadel), and Madrassa Rakhimkhon. Later we walk to see Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud, Islam Khodja Minaret and Museum, the medieval Friday Mosque, and Tashauli Palace and Harem.
Your afternoon is free to further explore the walled city.
Tomorrow's journey to Turkmenistan: Your Tour Leader can arrange to have our big bags shipped ahead to Bukhara for us, which can make the border crossing into Turkmenistan crossing easier as it involves a "no man's land" of a considerable distance between border posts, over which you much carry/wheel your luggage (there is no one available/allow to help). This is not mandatory, but if you choose to go this route, please bring a collapsible bag (ie duffle) that you can fill with things you will need until we arrive in Bukhara.
Overnight in Khiva.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4 Khiva, Uzbekistan - Darvaza Gas Crater, Turkmenistan
Today we travel by road to the Turkmenistan border, arriving about mid-morning.* We complete immigration and customs formalities and then proceed to the nearby Turkmen city of Dashauz (Dashoguz), where we will have the opportunity to have some lunch.
We then embark on our drive (4WD vehicles) to the Darvaza gas crater, known locally as the "Door to Hell" or ''Gates of Hell". This is a natural gas field collapsed into an underground cavern located in Derweze (Darvaza). Legend has it that Soviet archaeologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning continuously since 1971. We'll travel to/from the crater in 4WD vehicles; on arrival we'll have our initial view of the crater. We'll then enjoy a BBQ dinner at the nearby yurt camp, after which we'll view the crater again.
Tonight we will overnight in the yurt camp situated very close to the gas crater. The yurts are basic but comfortable. Toilets and showers are located approximately 25-70 metres from the yurts.
* This border crossing involves crossing a "no-man's land" of about 1km. This is made easier by the availability of vans to ferry group members across (it may take several trips). This can be a long day with the border crossing acting as a bit of a "wild card."
Overnight at Darvaza Gas Crater yurt camp.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 Darvaza - Ashgabat: Afternoon City Tour
We depart early this morning for our drive by 4WD toward Ashgabat (Ashkhabad), meeting our coach halfway between the crater and the capital to continue the drive (total drive time of 4+ hours).
Ashgabat is located in a spectacular natural setting, between the Kara-Kum Desert and the Kopet-Dag mountain range. A settlement on the site of the city was successively occupied by the Parthians, Seljuk Turks, and the Mongols. Under Russian control, it became the administrative capital of the Trans-Caspian oblast, and was the centre of trade between the Russian empire and Persia; the Trans-Caspian railway reached here in 1885. The transliteration of the town's name was changed in 1992 to more accurately reflect the Turkmen original.
After a break for lunch we have an afternoon tour of Ashgabat, including a guided tour of the incredible collection at the Carpet Museum, a visit to the National Museum, and an orientation tour of the capital's incredible architecture. We will also have the opportunity to see the famous Akhal-Teke horses of Turkmenistan, a source of immense pride for the Turkmen people.
Overnight in Ashgabat.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 Ashgabat: Morning City Tour - Fly to Merv (Mary)
After breakfast, we continue our touring of the capital. We begin by driving out to the ancient Parthian capital of Nissa, a short drive away from the city. We then continue to the massive Spiritual Mosque of Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan's first president. We will then continue to the city centre to explore the Russian Bazaar.
Later this afternoon we fly to the city of Mary, located nearby the famous Silk Road city of Merv. Several cities have existed on this site, which is significant for the interchange of culture and politics at a site of major strategic value. It is claimed that Merv was briefly the largest city in the world in the 12th century. The site of ancient Merv has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Upon arrival at the airport, we will transfer to our hotel in Mary.
Overnight in Merv.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7 Merv, Turkmenistan - Bukhara, Uzbekistan
This is a full day of travel and sightseeing; our border crossing can also impact the overall length of our day.
After an early breakfast, we will depart for our drive to the vast site of ancient Merv, visiting the ancient Hellenistic fortress of Gaiyur Kala, and the sites of Erk Kala and Sultan Kala. We shall also see the impressive mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, one of the most powerful Khorezmian rulers.
After our visit and a chance for lunch we travel by road across the Karakum Desert (“Black Desert”) toward the city of Turkmenabat. We will cross the border in the late afternoon and back into Uzbekistan to drive to Bukhara,* former capital of the once powerful Emirate of Bukhara.
En route we stop at the Chor Bakr Necropolis**. With buildings spanning 1,000 years of history and a thoroughly lived-in city centre that hasn't changed much in two centuries, Bukhara is one of the best places in Central Asia to catch a glimpse of pre-Russian Turkestan. Most of the city centre is an architectural preserve and includes a massive royal fortress, plenty of former madrassas, a number of ancient public baths and the remnants of a once-vast market complex.
* This border crossing also involves a "no-man's land" over which we should be able to utilize vans to bridge the distance. You will still need to be independent with your luggage between buildings.
** If our border crossing delays us longer than expected, we will take the opportunity to visit Chor Bakr later in our time in the Bukhara area.
Overnight in Bukhara.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8 Bukhara: City Tour
We spend today exploring the old quarter of Bukhara on foot.
The region around Bukhara has been inhabited for at least five millennia and the city itself has existed for half that time. Located on the Silk Road, the city has long been a center of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion. The historic center of Bukhara has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The highlights of today tour include Labi-hauz, a 17th century plaza built around a pool; three domed bazaars; the 12th century Kalan Minaret, once the tallest building in Asia; and the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, the town's oldest structure (completed around AD 905) and surely one of the most elegant in Central Asia.
Overnight in Bukhara.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 Bukhara - Train to Samarkand
This morning we depart Bukhara and travel via Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara. The first structures in this picturesque area were built in the mid-19th century during the rule of Emir Nasrullakhan. In the 1880s, his successor Muzaffarkhan built a palace for his beloved wife Sitora-bonu. The most skillful Bukhara craftsmen were sent to Russia to learn the best practices of country residence construction. Soon after that they constructed a sumptuous set of rooms, including throne room, which had a peculiar mixture of European and Asian architectural styles.
We return to old town in Bukhara (our bus leaves to Samarkand with our luggage) and take the afternoon bullet train from Kagan train station (40 minutes' drive from Bukhara) to Samarkand (2 hours 15 minutes). Upon arrival in Samarkand we will be met by our tour bus and transferred to our hotel for a nicely-placed 3-night stay,.
Overnight in Samarkand.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10 Samarkand: City Tour
Samarkand, sometimes called the 'Rome of the Orient', was already flourishing when Rome and Babylon were founded. During the course of our full day tour we visit the Bibi Khanum Mosque, Mausoleum of Tamerlane, Observatory of Ulugbek, and the site where Uleg Bek, grandson of Tamerlane, made some of the greatest achievements of the pre-telescope era of astronomy in the 15th century. We also visit the regal mausoleums of Shah-i Zinda, site of Central Asia's most sacred Islamic shrine, and the museum on the site of the ancient Afrosiab archaeological site. The ancient core of Samarkand is located on the Afrasiab hill, named after the legendary Turanian king. The settlement arose in the 8th-early 7th centuries BC and occupied more than 200 hectares; river bluffs on the north and east and deep ravines in the south and west protected it. During the Achaemenids period, the city was encircled with a massive wall having an internal corridor and towers. Scholars identify Afrasiab with ancient Sogdian capital Marakanda, destroyed in the 4th century BC by Alexander the Great.
Overnight in Samarkand.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11 Samarkand: Registan Square
We keep our sightseeing program to a relaxing visit to the Registan Square this morning. The impressive Registan ("Sandy Place" in the Tajik language) has been compared favourably to the Wonders of the World. Here three Madrassahs stand solemnly: the Ulug Bek Madrassah (built 1417-1420) to the west, the Tilya-Kori Madrassah (built 1646-1660), and the Sher-Dor Madrassah (built 1619-1636). Our sightseeing will take us through a careful exploration of the Madrassahs, now filled with various arts and crafts demonstrations, old photos of the monuments taken before the reconstruction by the Soviets and many varied handicrafts for sale.
After our formal sightseeing visit, you are free for the rest of the day to further explore the Registan and other lane ways and alleys of Samarkand, the second largest city in Uzbekistan.
Overnight in Samarkand.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12 Samarkand, Uzbekistan - Penjikent, Tajikistan
We depart Samarkand by coach and transfer to the Uzbek-Tajik Jarteppa border connecting Samarkand with Penjikent,* Tajikistan's third largest city. After undergoing border formalities, we say goodbye to Uzbekistan and meet our small vehicles on the Tajik side to take us to the city, a scenic journey that takes in some of the foothills of the Fann Mountains. Upon arrival in Penjikent, we will visit the Ancient Panjikent Town ruins – a walled inter-city, Sarazm Settlement, Rudaki Museum of History and Regional Study, Olim Dodkho Mosque and Medressah.
* This is the longest distance (approx 700m) that you will be expected to transport your luggage between border points, though it is a flat surface and we will have plenty of time to stop and rest along the way. Presently there are usually no vans available.
Overnight in Penjikent.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13 Penjikent - Iskanderkul - Dushanbe
This is a full day of travel and sightseeing. After breakfast we drive to Dushanbe via Iskanderkul Lake where we will have some free time to enjoy photos and some easy walking by the lake. Afterwards we continue our panoramic drive through the dramatic mountains of Tajikistan towards Dushanbe, briefly reaching a peak of 2500m/8,200 ft (the highest point on our tour) before descending to Dushanbe (706m).
With a rural hinterland of grassy pastures and snow-capped mountains visible from downtown, Dushanbe is a delightful city built around parks, lakes and fountains. With the frenetic building project of the past decade mostly complete, there is a palpable air of satisfaction about the city centre. Its grand plane tree boulevard, Rudaki, threads past pastel-hued remnants of the Soviet era and just as proudly past the modern icons of statehood.
Overnight in Dushanbe.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 14 Dushanbe: City Tour
Today we include a tour of the Museum of Antiquities in Dushanbe. The huge reclining Buddha, the burial place of the Sarazm princess, Tajikistan antiques and ancient wall paintings from Penjikent can all be found here. Dushanbe means "Monday" in Tajik, and the name reflects the fact that the city grew on the site of a village that originally was a popular Monday marketplace. Our tour will also include a visit to the privately funded Navruz Palace, a magnificent cultural centre recently completed by skilled local artisans. We will also tour the city's beautiful Botanical Gardens, and we will take a walk through the Bag-i-Rudaki (Rudaki Gardens), featuring the towering statue to Tajik hero, Ismail Somoni.
Overnight in Dushanbe.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 15 Dushanbe, Tajikistan - Fly to Almaty, Kazakhstan
Today we fly to Almaty. Depending on our flight time, we may accomplish some Almaty sightseeing shortly after arrival. We will aim to visit Zhenkov's Cathedral, built in 1904, and an extraordinary example of a Russian Orthodox church built in wood. We will also take the opportunity to visit Panfilov Park in which the Cathedral is located, enjoying the afternoon family atmosphere. Furthermore, we will have a chance to visit the recently reopened Museum of Musical Instruments, also located in the park.
This is a fairly easy-going day; however, the flight time can impact the convenience factor.
Overnight in Almaty.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 16 Almaty: City Tour
Today we have a full-day tour of Almaty.
Compared to other cities in Central Asia, Almaty is quite young. It was founded in 1854 by Russians in the valley of Almaty and was just a fort at first. Its name was Zailisky, then it was named Verny. In 1921 it became Alma-Ata ("Father of Apples") and in 1929 it became the capital of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1993 the name was changed to Almaty.
We will begin our tour of the Almaty area with a visit to the high-altitude speed-skating complex of Medeo and the Medeo Dam. We will also visit Kok-Tobe, a large promontory featuring stunning views over the city and the nearby Zailiyskiy Alatau mountain range.
Back in Almaty we'll visit the Central State Museum with its excellent displays of Scythian art and some rock drawings depicting the ancient Nestorian pilgrim movement on the Great Silk Routes. A hall dedicated to the nomadic tribes of Kazakhstan is the highlight of the ethnic section of the museum.
We may also take the opportunity to have a short visit of a couple of the Almaty metro stations (completed quite recently in 2011). The metro currently features two lines, with several stations adorned with unique and artistic designs, reflecting local culture and history.
Overnight in Almaty.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 17 Almaty, Kazakhstan - Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
This morning we travel by road across the border* to Bishkek in the Kyrgyz Republic and embark on a city tour on arrival.
Originally, Bishkek was called Pishpek. In 1926 Pishpek became the capital of the Kyrghiz Autonomous Republic. In 1936, as the capital of the Kyrghiz Soviet Socialist Republic, Pishpek was renamed Frunze in honour of a major political organizer of the Civil War who was born in Pishpek to a Moldavian family. Today Bishkek is a modern city with vast squares, crowded bazaars, impressive administrative centers, and educational institutions.
Our tour includes Oak Park, Central Square, Statue of Manas, and Victory Square. We will also visit the National Historical Museum. At the northern end of Bishkek's central square, this enormous example of socialist realist architecture was once the Lenin Museum, entirely devoted to the man himself. After independence, two of its three floors were cleared to make way for exhibits that reflected Kyrgyzstan's new status as an independent state. Luckily for visitors one floor has been preserved, along with a huge centrepiece statue of Lenin leading the revolutionary masses.
* This is an easy crossing with a short distance across a bridge.
Overnight in Bishkek.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 18 Bishkek - Lake Issyk-Kul
Today's scenic drive takes us along the shores of scenic Lake Issyk-Kul (1607m/5,272 ft), the tenth largest lake in the world by volume and the second largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea. Although it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, it never freezes; hence its name, which means "warm lake" in the Kyrgyz language.
In and around the town of Cholpon-Ata, on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, we will have the opportunity to view the Petroglyphs located above the town. Most of these etchings are from the time of the Saka-Usun peoples who lived in the area before the arrival of the Kyrgyz. These carvings are between 1,900 and 2,800 years old. Many of the carvings depict animals such as wolves and deer, and include the hunters that pursued them. We will also visit a small regional museum that feature many artifacts from the region and ethnological displays.
This is another full day but quite leisurely with plenty of sightseeing stops.
Overnight at Lake Issyk-Kul.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 19 Lake Issyk-Kul - Bishkek
This morning we depart for our drive back to Bishkek along the same road that we took to get to the lake. On the way back to Bishkek, we will stop and visit the Burana Tower, located at the mouth of the Shamsy Valley. An eleventh century monument, restored by the Soviets in the 1950's, you may choose to climb the minaret to get a view over the old city walls of Balasagun, a fortification built by the Sogdians.
Nearby Burana Tower, we will have an opportunity to witness a demonstration of some of the nomadic games carried out on horseback. Young men from the village will perform examples of "horse wrestling" (where two riders compete with one another to try and wrestle each other off of the horse); snatching up bags from the ground while the horses gallop at top speed; and a game of "Kok-Boru" or horse polo. However, in this version, instead of a ball they take a headless, limbless goat and use that as the object to score into the opposing team's goal. The effort to wrestle and carry this off demands great strength and skill as the two teams face off against one another. The winners get to keep the goat which will be used for the evening meal in their village.
This is a full day but a relatively short distance broken up with several stops of interest. This evening back in Bishkek we'll enjoy our last Central Asian dinner.
Overnight in Bishkek.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 20 Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic - Kashgar, China
Today we transfer to the airport for our flight to Kashgar (via Urumqi in the westernmost Chinese Province of Xinjiang), arriving late in the evening. We will be met on arrival driven to our hotel for our overnight stay. If we are left with time in Urumqi between flights we can visit the Urumqi Museum before flying to Kashgar.
For centuries this cross-roads has been a major trading town. In fact the inhabitants of Kashgar still make their living by trade. Kashgar is a triumph of commerce over both nature and ideology. Historically, it was the junction of at least four branches of the Silk Route, despite being surrounded by awesome physical barriers: the Tien Shan to the west, the Pamirs and Karakoram to the south and the Takla Makan desert to the east. About 300,000 people live here, the majority being of the Uighur ethnic group.
Overnight in Kashgar.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 21 Kashgar: City Tour
We begin our city tour with a visit to a huge statue of Mao -- one of the few left in China. We continue on to the Tomb of Abakh Hoja. This is an unusual piece of Islamic architecture set on the edge of this oasis town. Buried here with Abakh Hoja is one of his daughters. She is also one of Kashgar's famous women, for she was the girl who became known all over China as the Fragrant Concubine. Stolen, or given as a gift to the Emperor Qianlong (there are many legends surrounding her fate), she was said to exude from her body a sweet jasmine fragrance.
We return to the city centre for a walk through ancient Kashgar's walled city. Here we will visit the Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China. Later we will wander through the local bazaar. The daily bazaar comprises myriad tiny intersecting streets where craftsmen, woodworkers, blacksmiths, coppersmiths, cobblers and other artisans supply the people of the Kashgar area with their daily wares. We will also visit the old town and perhaps have a chance to visit a local family in their home; our local guide will do their best to organize this.
Overnight in Kashgar.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 22 Kashgar Market - Urumqi
Today we witness one of the most colourful outdoor markets anywhere in the world. Together with crowds who have journeyed from all over Xinjian, and from as far away as Pakistan, Tajikstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Russia and elsewhere, we will make our way to this weekly event. Kashgar's Sunday Market is bustling with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle and horses, piled high with saddles and ropes, silk fabrics and cottons, fur hats and woven baskets, dried lizards and pickled snakes, cut glass jewelry, brooms and carpets and even freshly made carts and newly trained young donkeys to take it all home. The Chinese government recently constructed new facilities to house the market and it has lost some of its exotic atmosphere, but the visit is still very much worthwhile.
Later today we board our flight to Urumqi.
Overnight in Urumqi.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 23 Urumqi - Turpan: Jiaohe
Urumqi means 'beautiful pastures' in Mongolian. It stands 900 m (3,000 feet) above sea level, just below the northern foothills of the Heavenly Mountains. The snow-clad Bogda Peak dominates the skyline. The city is predominantly Han, but does include many other ethnic minorities.
This afternoon we drive through the desert to the oasis town of Turpan (pronounced 'toor-fan'). A short drive west of Turpan brings us to the ruined city of Jiaohe, which means "confluence of rivers". The layout of the city is still clear among the dusty ruins, including private homes, government buildings, watchtowers and a Buddhist monastery complex. Although the city developed many centuries earlier, most of today's remains are from the Tang Dynasty, a period when the population numbered more than 5,000.
Overnight in Turpan.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 24 Turpan - Gobi Desert - Overnight Train
The population of Turpan is predominantly Uighur. These people are famous for the raisins they make from the grapes grown in this oasis. This morning we will visit the Emin Minaret and Song Gong Ta Mosque, located at the edge of the oasis surrounded by vineyards and corn fields. This exquisite minaret is made entirely of mud bricks and stands 36 m (118 feet) high. The elegant tapering style is known as pre-Safvid, and originates in Iran.
We will also visit the ancient karez irrigation system. The water, which flows from the melting snows of the northern mountains, is supplied to Turpan by man-made underground channels or "karez". Over 1600km (992 miles) of these channels prevent the water from evaporating in the intense summer heat before reaching the town. Today the water is used to irrigate the grapevines, a key feature of the oasis.
In the afternoon we will visit the impressive ruins of the ancient city of Gaochong, 47km (29 miles) southeast of Turpan. Having come about as a garrison town and a Chinese base for grain production, this town eventually became the capital of the Kingdom of Gaochong. The practice of Buddhism led to the establishment of many tombs, monasteries, temples and large religious communities -- the ruins of which can still be seen today.
This evening we will board the southeast bound train for an overnight train ride (4 OR 2 person compartments, as available; single compartments NOT available; single supplements reflect sharing for this one night).
Overnight train.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 25 Arrival in Dunhuang
Today we will disembark from our train journey in Liuyuan where we board a bus for the remaining 3-hour road journey to the oasis town of Dunhuang. The people of Dunhuang are overwhelmingly Han, and one immediately feels one is in the China of the East.
Overnight in Dunhuang.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 26 Dunhuang: Mogao Caves & Dunhuang Oasis
Early this morning we will make a visit to the Mogao Caves, the greatest repository of Chinese Buddhist cave art, spanning the period from the Northern Wei to the Yuan dynasties (7th to 14th centuries). Begun in AD 366 and constructed over 1,000 years, these caves are filled with murals, dedicated mainly to Buddhism. In AD 33, a vision inspired a monk to cut the first hundred caves and over the next ten centuries, Dunhuang became a flourishing centre of Buddhist culture on the Silk Road. In the early days of the Silk Road, Dunhuang (meaning "Blazing Beacon"), was an important centre and the western-most outpost for China in the first century BC.
Later this afternoon we will take a short drive to the edge of the Dunhuang Oasis, where cultivation is brought to a halt by 40 km (25 miles) of sand dunes (the highest dune rises 1715 m / 5,660 feet above sea level). The spring-fed crescent lake is nestled amidst the high yellow sand dunes of Mingsha Shan. Camel rides into the dunes are available (optional expense), or you may choose to climb the dunes for a view of the Dunhuang Oasis and surrounding desert.
Overnight in Dunhuang.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 27 Dunhuang - Beijing
Today we fly from Dunhuang to Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China. While many of its elements are common to other Chinese cities, the sum of this city--its scope and presence in history--has no equivalent in China or anywhere else in the world.
Beijing is not only the political and administrative center of the People's Republic of China, it is also China's single greatest repository of monuments and treasures from the imperial era. It is also the second-largest and fastest growing municipality in today's China, the home and workplace of 9.3 million people.
Overnight in Beijing.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 28 Beijing: Great Wall & Summer Palace
This morning we travel north of Beijing to the Great Wall of China. A walk along the enormous undulating towered and turreted wall is spectacular. Rising and falling in concert with the ridges of the northern hills and undulating far off into the distance, the Great Wall consistently exceeds visitors' expectations and remains one of humankind's most remarkable accomplishments.
The wall's construction began during the Warring States Period (403-221 BC), when separate sections were built in scattered strategic areas. Following China's unification under the first Qin Emperor, 300,000 men -- many of them political prisoners whose bodies are buried in the wall -- were put to work connecting the segments into one huge rampart of stone and earth.
We will have plenty of free time to explore the wall before returning to Beijing early this afternoon.
After lunch we will have a tour of the Summer Palace, located in the northwest area of the city. During the late Qing Dynasty this was the summer retreat from Beijing's heat for the imperial family and court. In 1888 the notorious Empress Cixi used the money intended for the Chinese Navy to build this opulent summer retreat for herself. A marvel of design, the palace -- with its huge lake and hilltop views -- offers a pastoral escape into the landscapes of traditional Chinese painting.
Overnight in Beijing.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 29 Beijing: Forbidden City & Hutong Tour
We begin today with a visit to Tian'anmen Square, the place where one million students rallied for democracy in 1989. This is the largest public square in the world. Originally built in 1651, the square was quadrupled in size in 1958 to its present 40.5 hectares (100 acres) during a massive city-wide reconstruction program. Each flagstone is numbered so that parade units can line up in their assigned places.
From here we walk to the Forbidden City, a huge complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens, which was off-limits to commoners for 500 years. This is where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties carried out their administration and lived, now open as a Palace Museum.
Later we have a historical tour of Beijing's narrow streets, known as hutongs, on a traditional rickshaw (a type of tricycle designed to carry passengers in addition to the driver). We then visit a local home to learn about Chinese life from a family.
Today we include lunch and free up your evening for optional activities, such as a Kung-fu show. Your Tour Leader can assist with these arrangements.
Overnight in Beijing.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Day 30 Departure
Departure from Beijing.
BON VOYAGE!
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Inclusions
Breakfast and dinner (at local restaurants and some hotels) are included daily. All transport, accommodation, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary. Gratuities for drivers, restaurant staff, porters, local guides. Airport transfers for land & air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
Exclusions
International airfare to/from the tour. Tour Leader gratuities, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), domestic and international (if applicable) air taxes, visa fees ($500-600), and any excursions referenced as 'optional'. Airport transfers for 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.
Seasonality and Weather
In October and April, average low temperature is 57 F / 10 C; average high is 71 F / 20 C. Average number of rain days, 4. These are the two best times to visit this extreme climate where summers are unbearably hot and winters bitterly cold.
Transport and Travel Conditions
Road transport throughout via private bus. Domestic flights via scheduled local carriers. The tour is not strenuous though it is busy; you must be steady on your feet and be able to endure some heat and long days. We have numerous walking tours and visit several sites that are LARGE with steps and uneven surfaces. Porters are available at hotels but you must be able to manage with your baggage, especially at airports.
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.
Accommodation
Most accommodation is of a 3-star standard, though accommodation may be simpler in remote locations. All are heated / air-conditioned as conditions warrant, and all feature private bath. Most passengers are pleasantly surprised at the overall comfort and level of service. Overnight train from Turpan to Dunhuang in 4 berth first class sleeper cars (single not avail).
Staff and Support
Tour Leader throughout, local drivers, local guides at various locations.
Group Size
10-18 (plus Tour Leader)
Tour Extensions
This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip. For more options, please refer to tour code/s:
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 8 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
What was once a part of the greatest trade route in the world, Central Asia and the "Five Stans" (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan) are a collection of countries with outstanding history, sprawling landscapes, and timeless beauty.
It is a place to get lost in cities that date back more than 2,000 years, with bazaars and markets in a constant state of buzz. A place to feel like a nomad in the sparsely populated grassy steppes with yurts for homes. Despite being five independent republics, it is a region best visited all together to understand how history and tradition can change a culture.
Our Caucasus tour is numbered among our most popular offerings! Mediaeval palaces, beautiful mausoleums, grand mosques and glorious vineyards are but a few of the notable sights as we start our tour in Baku, 'the city of the winds'. Following the ancient Silk Road trade route, we travel through Azerbaijan and head for the most ancient settlements and architectural centres of the country at Sheki, a town founded over 2,700 years ago.
As we travel from Azerbaijan to Georgia, we visit cathedrals, churches, monasteries, fortresses and secular sites that detail the countries' long, and at times tumultuous, histories, as well as taking time to stop by some UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We then enter Armenia, the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion. Yerevan, its capital, mixes a plethora of intricately crafted religious sites with buildings primarily constructed from the pink-hued 'tuff' stone unique to the area.
Regions visited: Central Asia and Far East
Countries visited: Uzbekistan; Turkmenistan; Tajikistan; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan and China
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.
The hotel is located near the Magoki Attari mosque (12th century) and the Lyabi Hauz ensemble (16-17th century). The advantage of Asia Bukhara compared to other hotels also located in the old part of Bukhara are convenient access roads, the presence of 119 large rooms, their modern equipment, secure parking and an outdoor pool.
The hotel is equally close to the business part of ... city, as well as to the historical sights of the Old City. The Samarkand International Airport is located 6 km (15 min. drive) from the Hotel. Nearest railway station: Samarkand (15 min drive).
Comfortably relax ... a cozy environment, enjoying delicious and amazing European and national cuisine, our restaurant invites you.
The Silk Road Lodge Hotel stands proudly on the Great Silk Road, offering distinctive homely accommodation renowned for its privacy and relaxed formality. Apart from a friendly and cozy atmosphere, the Silk Road Lodge is popular with a wide variety of guests drawn from over 75 nationalities. Many of them are repeat visitors, and several choose the Silk Road Lodge for a “long-term” stay as their “home away from home”.
Part of ... hotel territory belongs to a splendid spa area with an indoor swimming pool of 60 square meters. Relaxing music sounds in the lounge, while for those who prefer active leisure our hotel has a well-equipped gym and Finnish sauna. Rest in our cozy rooms after a long busy day will please you, and the view from panoramic windows will help you experience all the beauty and charm of Bishkek.
