Journeying eastwards by road, rail and air, explore key sites along the Silk Road, one of the world’s oldest and most notorious trade routes. From Bishkek in the heart of Central Asia, this tour traverses the spectacular Tien Shan Mountains to Kashgar, then skirts the northern edge of the magnificent Taklimakan Desert before culminating in Xian, the eastern terminus of this once great trading network. l Kyrgyzstan’s dramatic landscapes l Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves of One Thousand Buddhas l Xian’s extraordinary Terracotta Warriors Day 9 Turpan – Explore Turpan including the 2,000 year old Karez water system, the Emin Minaret and mosque, then on to the famous ruined city of Jiaohe. Day 10 Turpan, Dunhuang – Visit Tuyoq for the region’s oldest Buddha and meet a local Uygur family. Then to the impressive ruins at Gaochang and the Astana Tombs which boast a collection of well-preserved mummies and wall paintings. Later visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, on the edge of the Flaming Mountains, before an overnight train to Dunhuang. Day 1 London/ Bishkek – Overnight flight to Bishkek.
Day 11 Dunhuang – Drive to Dunhuang for the Mogao
Day 2 Bishkek – Afternoon tour of Bishkek including
Caves, the world’s richest treasure-trove of Buddhist
the Victory Monument, Ala-Too Square, the Open Air
manuscripts, wall paintings and statuary.
Sculpture Museum and Osh Bazaar.
Day 12 Dunhuang – See the Singing Sand Mountains,
Day 3 Bishkek, Karakol – Drive to Karakol via
where the desert meets the oasis. Visit the Western
Balasagun with its 6 metre high Burana tower and the
Thousand Buddha caves, the White Horse Dagoba and
lakeside Prejvalsky Museum.
Dunhuang County Museum.
Day 4 Karakol, Naryn – Depart for Naryn visiting Kochkor
Day 13 Dunhuang, Jiayuguan – Depart for Jiayuguan
village, a good place to experience rural Kyrgyzstan.
through the arid Gansu corridor. During the afternoon
Day 5 Tash Rabat, Kashgar – Visit the ancient
see the Overhanging Wall.
caravanserai of Tash Rabat, which once served as a
Day 14 Jiayuguan/ Xian – Visit the magnificently
fortress for travellers along the Great Silk Road. Cross
restored fort and the Jiayuguan Museum. Fly to Xian.
the Kyrgyz-Chinese border to Kashgar.
Day 15 Xian – Discover the Terracotta Warriors and
Day 6 Kashgar – Afternoon tour of Kashgar to see
Shaanxi Provincial Museum.
China’s largest mosque and Apak Khoja’s Tomb, the
Day 16 Xian – Explore the Great Mosque, one of China’s
holiest place in Xinjiang for Sufis. Visit Handicraft
largest, and the Shaanxi Provincial Museum.
Street and the old parts of town.
Day 17 Xian – Visit the Han Jing Tomb and museum
Day 7 Kashgar, Turpan – Explore the colourful famous
with their terracotta figurines and burial chambers.
bazaar. Overnight train to Turpan.
Fly to Beijing.
Day 8 Turpan – Leisurely afternoon with visit to Grape
Day 18 Beijing/ London – Fly back to London.
18 day tour 22 August – 8 September 2014 Tour Price including flights £3,995 per person Tour Price excluding flights £3,145 per person Single room supplement £465 per person INCLUDED Flights, tour lecturer/ manager, accommodation with full board, gratuities EXCLUDED 18 days Insurance, meals, 12 to 29 additional November 2011visas PRICES
FLIGHTS £3175 Flight London: 10 hours (Singletime roomfrom supplement £375) Tour priceHeathrow/ without flights - £2675 London Bishkek Beijing/ I N C L U London S I V E O FHeathrow Flights and all taxes, tour lecturer/manager, 2-4 star accommodation, daily breakfast and 12 dinners, Flight inclusive bookings made 6 months before gratuities departure N O T I Nare C Lconfirmed U D E D as shown. If booking within 6
Insurance months of departure flight inclusive cost may be subject toFchange dueF to LIGHT I Lflight E availability.
London Heathrow/Bangkok TG911, 1230/0605* Siem Reap/Bangkok/London Heathrow Bangkok/London Heathrow TG910, 0110/0715
valley, famous for its vineyards and fruit trees.
For a more detailed itinerary or to discuss this tour please Telephone: 01285 880 931 or Email: info@the-traveller.co.uk
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