+44 (0)20 8741 7390 Extending for some 6,500 kilometres, the Silk Road was once the main cultural and trade highway between East and West. Along its meandering trails and mountain passes, caravans and merchants, monks and pilgrims all played their part in laying the foundations of some of history s greatest civilisations. Travelling in their footsteps, you will journey across Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China, crossing once remote landscapes that today lie scattered with some of Central Asia and China s most famous cultural gems. You ll travel from Bukhara, once a major staging post on the old Silk Route, and pass by the birthplace of Tamerlane, to stand before the spectacular Islamic treasures of Samarkand. From Bishkek you then cross over the mountain passes of Krygyzstan, travelling on to the fabled market town of Kashgar and into the cultural melting pot of northern China, where you will visit Urumqi, the oasis at Turpan and the Buddhist caves at Dunhuang, before taking in the spectacular imperial highlights of X ian, Beijing and the iconic and incomparable Great Wall of China. HIGHLIGHTS: Travel the ancient Silk Road from Tashkent to Beijing Visit the fabled cities of Bukhara, Samarkand and Kashgar Stay in a yurt camp close to the old caravanserai of Tash Rabat Explore the cultural treasures of Dunhuang and Xi an A chance to enjoy the famous imperial wonders of Beijing TOUR INCLUDES: 4 internal flights
18 nights three and four star hotels, 2 nights yurt camp, 1 night sleeper train 20 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners Private guided sightseeing Private driver and vehicle Entrance fees included as per itinerary Private guided transfers to and from all airports *Please note the prices shown are per person and based on two persons sharing a twin or double room
ITINERARY DAY 1: TASHKENT Early arrival in Tashkent and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon enjoy a city sightseeing tour of modern Tashkent. DAY 2: TASHKENT - BUKHARA Fly to Bukhara, a major staging point on the Silk Road. The remainder of the day is free to explore the town and the old city walls. (B) DAY 3: BUKHARA Full day guided tour visiting the most important sights of this fabulous city. See the Ark Citadel, the royal fortress palace and the Zindan prison in which two British officers were kept during the "Great Game" in the 19th century, before being executed in Registan Square; the Bolo-Khauz Mosque with its beautiful carved wooden pillars; Kalyan Square with its great minaret, and the Ismael Samani Mausoleum dating from the 10th century. (B) DAY 4: BUKHARA - SAMARKAND Bukhara was a major staging point on the Silk Road. By about 500BC, it was already an important centre, defended by a citadel that has stood in one form or other ever since. Today it is the site of the Ark Fortress, residence of the former Emirs of Bukhara, which occupied an area of about 13 hectares. Many of Bukhara s buildings were constructed during the Kharakhanid era (992-1211) and there are more than 150 monuments in the city. With its narrow alleyways and bustling bazaars, Bukhara is the quintessential Silk Road city.
DAY 5: SAMARKAND Samarkand is the mythical, evocative name of one of the key trading cities of the ancient Silk Road. See the exotic sights of Samarkand on a full day tour, including Tamerlaine's Tomb, Ulugbek's observatory, Shah-i-Zinda and of course Registan Square with its fantastic blue tiled madrassahs on three sides. It is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and no picture can convey the magnificence of this square. (B) DAY 6: SAMARKAND - TASHKENT Drive through cotton plantations to Tashkent, spend the afternoon seeing some of the capital's museums or wandering the bazaars. (B) DAY 7: TASHKENT - BISHKEK An early morning flight takes you to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.Take a short sightseeing tour of Bishkek. Visit the main square called Ala Too (formerly Lenin Square), the State History Museum and the vast bazaar. This afternoon enjoy a visit to Ala Archa Canyon, part of the Ala Archa National Park. Walk up into the mountains for amazing views over the park. (B) DAY 8: BISHKEK - SON KUL This morning drive via the Burana Tower, the sole remnant of the trading city of Balasagun to Son Kul Lake, surrounded by mountains this beautiful area is the summer home to nomads. (B,L,D)
DAY 9: SON KUL - TASH RABAT Leaving the lake head south to the ancient caravanserai of Tash Rabat, stay in a yurt camp nearby and explore the area in the afternoon. (B, L, D) DAY 10: TASH RABAT - KASHGAR Travelling through towering mountains arrive at the land border between Kyrgyzstan and China and cross the impressive Torugart Pass (3574m) into China. The cool mountains give way to remote desert landscapes as you approach the fabled town of Kashgar. (B) DAY 11: KASHGAR A visit to Kashgar is like going back in time, to the era of the Silk Road. The majority of the people in Kashgar are Uighurs who still wear their traditional costumes and lead a centuries-old way of life. Enjoy a sightseeing tour, including the Abakh Hoja Mausoleum, the vast Id Kah Mosque and the old town with its maze of twisting alleyways. (B) DAY 12: KASHGAR - URUMQI No visit to Kashgar would be complete without a visit to the famous Sunday Market. Teeming with life, 100,000 people converge to haggle for bolts of silk, knives, furs, jewellery, fruit, sheep and even camels! Later in the evening take the flight to Urumqi. (B)
DAY 13: URUMQI This morning enjoy a city tour of Urumqi. Visits include the Red Hill Park, the impressive 18th century Pagoda and the Regional Museum with its eerie exhibition of mummies from different Xinjiang tombs. In the afternoon visit Heavenly Lake. (B) DAY 14: URUMQI - TURPAN A two-hour drive takes you to Turpan, a beautiful oasis on the edge of the vast Taklamakan desert. Visit the ancient ruined city of Jiaohe, the Buddhist caves of Bezeklik, the ancient Karez underground irrigation system stretching some 3000km, and the Grape Valley. (B) DAY 15: TURPAN - DUNHUANG Continue sightseeing in Turpan. See the Emin Minaret, the old ruined city of Gaochang, the Flaming Mountains and the Tombs of Astana, then transfer to the train station for the overnight train to Dunhuang. (B) DAY 16: DUNHUANG Arrive in Dunhuang. Visit the Mingsha Hill and Crescent Moon Spring where you can take a camel ride to the top of the enormous sand dunes for amazing views of the crystal clear spring. Then spend most of the day at Mogoa the Buddhist shrines. Known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, the site was first carved out of the cliffs in 366 AD and there are 492 preserved caves with 2415 coloured statues and 45,000 square metres of murals.
DAY 17: DUNHUANG - XI'AN Fly to Xi'an and transfer to your hotel. Xi'an is a treasure trove of Chinese civilisation, a witness to the glories of 11 dynasties including the Qin, Han and Tang. Go with your guide in the afternoon for a sightseeing tour, including the City Walls enclosing the old town, the 12th century Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter, and the Shaanxi Museum. (B) DAY 18: XI'AN Visit the Neolithic village of Banpo followed by the highlight of any trip to Xi'an - the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi. About 8000 life-sized infantrymen, archers and horses guard the tomb of the first Emperor of Qin and date from 2200 BC. (B) DAY 19: XI'AN - BEIJING Take a fast train to the capital in just 5 hours. Beijing is a city of contrasts, both modern and ancient, a huge metropolis with a population of 13 million people. In the afternoon visit the Temple of Heaven, built in 1420 A.D. the Ming Dynasty. (B) DAY 20: BEIJING A full day sightseeing tour through the history of Beijing and China, including Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square is the largest plaza on earth, covering 100 acres. Walk through the square and enter the Forbidden City through the Gate of Heavenly Peace with its famous portrait of Chairman Mao. In the afternoon visit the Summer Palace and enjoy a walk in the delightful gardens by Kunming Lake. (B)
DAY 21: BEIJING Today drive out to the Mutianyu section of Great Wall for a guided tour of this fantastic structure. The Great Wall is one of the wonders of the world, begun under the Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi (3rd century BC) who established a united China and this remarkable feat of engineering snakes 6000 kilometres across the mountains of northern China. (B) DAY 22: BEIJING After breakfast transfer to the airport, where your tour will end. (B)
ACCOMMODATION BEIJING DUGE HOTEL In the heart of the Hutongs, the Duge Courtyard is a boutique hotel with 6 individually decorated suites, all open on to the central courtyard and provide a high level of comfort. There is butler service, a bar and also a restaurant and guests can make use of their courtesy bicycles. BISHKEK SILK ROAD LODGE A small, privately owned hotel in the centre of Bishkek. Rooms are large and all have private bathrooms and the hotel has a bar and a restaurant for breakfast only. Its central location and friendly service make it a popular choice for visitors to Bishkek. BUKHARA MINZIFA HOTEL The Minzifa is a small stylish guesthouse located in the old town. Built in traditional Uzbek style around a central courtyard, this friendly, charming hotel features the most refined Bukharan workmanship with wooden pillars and niches. All 12 rooms are individually decorated and have modern private bathrooms, airconditioning, satellite TV and hairdryer. The hotel offers personal service and a delicious breakfast is served each morning. A recommended choice when staying in Bukhara. KASHGAR BARONY HOTEL Conveniently located next to the Idkah Mosque and within walking distance of the famous Kashgar market, the Barony Hotel offers some of the best accommodation in the town. This four star hotel features 108 pleasant and comfortable rooms decorated in simple European style. Facilities include a garden, lobby bar, Muslim and Chinese restaurant, health centre, massage service and sauna facilities.
SAMARKAND MALIKA PRIME HOTEL The Malika Prime Hotel enjoys one of the best locations in Samarkand, just by the Gur Emir Mausoleum and within walking distance of Registan Square. Built in traditional style, this charming hotel is an ideal place to stay in Samarkand. The marble entrance and stairs lead up to a huge terrace which serves as a summer restaurant and bar where you can enjoy a drink and magnificent views of the blue domes of Samarkand. There is also an air-conditioned restaurant downstairs. The 22 en suite rooms are quite small but spotlessly clean, with wooden floors and all feature satellite TV, telephone and airconditioning. Altogether a recommended choice in Samarkand. TASHKENT LOTTE CITY HOTEL The Lotte City Hotel is ideally located in the heart of Tashkent, opposite the famous Alisher Navoi Opera House. The hotel is one of the original hotels in Tashkent and was built in 1958. Completely renovated in 2013 it now offers 232 well-appointed rooms with views of the courtyard or the Opera House. This four star establishment has a main restaurant serving traditional Uzbek and international cuisine, a piano bar, as well as a second restaurant located on the roof of the hotel with great views of the city. Hotel guests may also enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, sauna, spa, and fitness club. XI'AN XI'AN GARDEN HOTEL The four star Xi'an Garden Hotel is a modern hotel, built in Tang dynasty style around a large central courtyard. This pleasant green space includes a pond, bridges and willow trees and the hotel won the Architectural Gold Medal of Chinese Symbol Hotel in 1997. The hotel offers every modern amenity and is situated by the Wild Goose Pagoda.
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