11 Days Charms of Rustic Xinjiang

Transcription

1 11 Days Charms of Rustic Xinjiang Travel date Apr 2019

2 TOUR INFORMATION INTRODUCTION The very mention of the Silk Road evokes a sense of romance and remoteness. Our journey explore some of the most important sites in depth and get off the beaten path and experience Silk Road Less Travelled. Starting at Dunhuang, we spend 2 days here with an expert from the archaeological department and visit some caves not opened to most tourists. We then visit the popular Oasis town of Turpan and from here, we venture right across the treacherous desert, visiting traditional villages and deserted ancient cities. Culminate your journey with feast for your senses at the bustling Sunday market of Kashgar. The trip is organized with maximum logistic efficiency including flying & comfortable train journey, it is peppered with surprises and special moments. SPECIALS Explore restricted access caves at Mogao with a specialist Private rooftop dinner, overlooking the dunes of Dunhuang Private dinner in the Jiaohe ruins All meals included with 1 glass of juice/beer/wine; Small group size of maximum 16 people; Accompanied by Scott Dunn Travel Concierge; Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter included; Comprehensive Travel Insurance included ITINERARY DAY BY DAY Day 1 14 Apr (Sun) Singapore / Beijing Day 2 15 Apr (Mon) Beijing / Dunhuang Day 3 16 Apr (Tue) Dunhuang / Turpan Day 4 17 Apr (Wed) Turpan Day 5 18 Apr (Thu) Turpan / Urumqi / Kuqa Day 6 19 Apr (Fri) Kuqa Day 7 20 Apr (Sat) Aksu / Kashgar Day 8 21 Apr (Sun) Kashgar Day 9 22 Apr (Mon) Kashgar / Karakul Lake / Kashgar Day Apr (Tue) Kashgar / Urumqi Day Apr (Wed) Urumqi / Singapore DEPARTURE DETAILS Land Tour Price: Twin Sharing: S$6,280/- Single Supplement: S$ 1,550/- Airfare (subject to availability) Economy from S$ 1,971/- Business from S$ 5,771/- Deposit amount: $$ 2,000/ per person Registration Closing Date: 11 Jan 2019 or when tour is fully subscribed Early Bird Promotion: First 4 rooms bookings enjoy upgrade to suite in Turpan Metropolo Jinjiang Hotel Combine this trip with other Epic Silk Road departures: Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan - The Silk Road Less Travelled (Apr 24 - May 06, 2019)

3 DAY APR (SUN) - SINGAPORE BEIJING 14 Apr - Singapore / Beijing SQ /1520 (6h 20m) Accommodation: Cordis Beijing Capital Airport Meals: N/A DAY APR (MON) - BEIJING DUNHUANG 15 Apr - Beijing / Dunhuang CA /1010 (3h 30m) Today we spend the full day with a cave expert exploring the Mogao Grottoes (aka Caves of the Thousand Buddhas), a system of Buddhist caves which contain religious artworks spanning the 4th to 14th century. There are about 492 surviving caves, out of which only 30 are open to public. After lunch, we will be granted exclusive access to some of the restricted and untouched Mogao caves. In the late afternoon we tour to the Crescent Moon Lake and ride a camel across the picturesque Mingsha Sand Dunes. Enjoy a special welcome dinner at the rooftop of the hotel, overlooking the sand dunes. You may want to explore the Shazhou Night Market after the dinner. Accommodation: The Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel DAY APR (TUE) - DUNHUANG TURPAN Enjoy a leisure morning, then visit the Dunhuang museum. The extensive collection of cultural relics reflects the flourishing social development and cultural exchange between China and the West. Train: 16 Sep - Liuyuan / Turpan D /1936 (3h 33m) Transfer to hotel upon arrival. Accommodation: Turpan Metropolo Jinjiang Hotel

4 DAY APR (WED) - TURPAN This morning, set off for your tour of Turpan, an oasis town 154 meters below sea level, with its bazaar, old town and mosques. Start with the Flaming Mountain, of the Monkey God fame; the ruins of Gao Chang, an ancient Chinese Silk Road garrison town where you will be taken by donkey cart to visit the temple area; and the Bezeklik Caves; where Bezeklik means a place with beautiful decorations. This afternoon, our visit include the Turpan Local Market and a local Uyghur house to view an ancient Kerez Irrigation System. Then we visit the ancient Silk Road City - Jiaohe Ruins, an architectural wonder with a history of over 2500 years. Tonight, enjoy an atmospheric dinner amidst the ruins when the crowds are gone. Accommodation: Turpan Metropolo Jinjiang Hotel DAY APR (THU) - TURPAN URUMQI KUQA Spend a leisure morning with a visit to local village and old living courtyards by donkey cart. Drive 180km to Urumqi, scenic drive runs along a spur of the Tianshan Mountains. Visit the Xinjiang Museum before we catch the flight. 18 Apr - Urumqi / Kuqa CZ /1850 (0h 55m) Upon arrival, transferred to your hotel. Kuqa is a quaint oasis town, not often visited today, was once the center of a Buddhist civilization in the Tarim Basin. Accommodation: Kuche Grand Hotel DAY APR (FRI) - KUQA This morning, travel 72km north of Kuqa to Tianshan Grand Canyon is located. This canyon is characterized by oddly-shaped rocks, craggy pinnacles, rugged cliffs and deep ravines. The width of the canyon changes due to the terrain. Also visit the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves. This Grotto holds some of the most impressive Buddhist art in Central Asia and it dates back to the third century, earlier than the famed Mogao Grottoes. Unfortunately, many of the finer frescoes were removed by foreign archeologists in the early twentieth century; however, what remains is still truly worth the visit. Accommodation: Kuche Grand Hotel

5 DAY APR (SAT) - AKSU KASHGAR After breakfast drive to Aksu through oasis and gobi deserts. After lunch we continue our drive to Kashgar--the pearl of the ancient Silk Road, home of the modern Uyghur people. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Explore the old town and Great Mosque of Idkagh-the largest mosque among Xinjiang. Enjoy a central Asian cuisine at local restaurant. Accommodation: Yue Xing Jin Jiang International Hotel DAY APR (SUN) - KASHGAR This morning, we visit the Kashgar Sunday Grand Bazaar, renowned as the biggest market in Central Aisa. Afterwards we visit Apak Hoja Mausoleum, Handcraft Street, people s square where you can visit one of three biggest Statue among China. Afternoon explore the old town and village around Kashgar city. Accommodation: Yue Xing Jin Jiang International Hotel DAY APR (MON) - KASHGAR KARAKUL LAKE KASHGAR This morning, we drive an hour to visit the Opal Village Monday Market. Witness the best market and get to know the locals life. You may shop for some local fruit and bread in the market. After that, we drive on Karakoram Highway, which connects China with Pakistan, to Tashkurgen. On the way we visit Karakul Lake, the highest lake of the Pamir Plateau (Altitude of 3,600m). Karakul means black lake and it is indeed looks black when the sun is hidden by clouds. Karakul Lake is surrounded by mountains with snow and ice. Enjoy the amazingly peaceful scenery with the well-preserved environment here. The crystal water reflecting the surrounding mountains, peaks and blue sky and clouds is stunningly beautiful. Return to Kashgar for the night. Accommodation: Yue Xing Jin Jiang International Hotel

6 DAY APR (TUE) - KASHGAR URUMQI This morning, transfer to the airpor to catch our flight back to Urumqi. 23 Apr - Kashgar / Urumqi CZ /1335 (1h 50m) Upon arrival, spend a leisure afternoon in Tianchi Lake in Tianshan Tianchi National Park. It is a small lake in high mountain the eastern and southern areas have beautiful nature and ethnic culture. Spend the night in Urumqi. Accommodation: Urumqi Sheraton DAY APR (WED) - URUMQI SINGAPORE Enjoy a leisure morning. You will be transferred to the airport. 24 Apr - Urumqi / Beijing CA /1340 (3h 30m) 24 Apr - Beijing / Singapore SQ /2300 (6h 25m) Accommodation: N/A Meals: Breakfast EXTENSION TO UZBEKISTAN AND TURKMENISTAN 24 Apr - Urumqi / Tashkent HY /1205 (2h 55m) Overnight in Tashkent, enjoy a leisure morning, and start exploring part of the city in the afternoon.

7 PRICE INFORMATION Hotels Xian : Regal Airport Hotel (Superior room) Dunhuang : The Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel (Room with view) Turpan : Turpan Metropolo Jinjiang Hotel (Standard room) Kuqa : Kuqa Grand Hotel (Standard room) Kashgar : Yue Xing Jin Jiang International Hotel (Standard room) Urumqi : Urumqi Sheraton (Standard room) Land tour price per person Twin share Single Supplement S$ 6,280/- S$ 1,550/- * These prices are based on minimum ten persons traveling together. Airline Singapore Airline (SQ) Singapore / Beijing / Singapore Air China (CA) Beijing / Dunhuang // Urumqi / Beijing Airfare price per person Economy Class S$ 1,880 + tax S$ 91 = S$ 1,971/- Business Class: S$ 5,680 + tax S$ 91 = S$ 5,771/- *Airfare & Taxes are calculated as of 20 Aug 2018 and subject to change & availability. Should you wish to explore alternative flying routes, do consult our friendly consultants. COST INCLUDES Accommodation as stated with daily breakfast; Meals as stated with 1 glass of wine/beer/juice; Tours and transfers in air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide, Train between Liuyuan/Turpan on 1st class; Economy Domestic flight, Urumqi/Kuqa//Kashgar/ Urumqi by China Southern Airlines; Entrance fees where applicable; Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter; Comprehensive Travel Insurance; Service of Scott Dunn Travel Concierge; COST EXCLUDES International Airfare (quoted separately); Visa; (if any) Personal expenses e.g. laundry, and telecommunication