TREK002-2: Silk Road

Introduction:

The confines of the Middle East at the doorstep of the West, this program allows you to browse one of the most legendary in the history of mankind: the Silk Road. From Shanghai, our route follows the footsteps of the great caravans that allowed the mixing of cultures and traditions between East and West. This trip offers an anthology of the most beautiful landscapes of China. Stairs without difficulty, leading in the extraordinary scenery of Huangshan mountains, oases of Taklamakhan and Mustagh Ata. Through the great ancient capitals, Xi'an and Luoyang, Kashgar and a trip to Kyrgyzstan to join Europe.

Silk Road

Good balance between markets and cultural discovery. The largest oasis of the Silk Road and the market towns most famous (Dunhuang, Turfan, Urumqi, Kashgar). The magical landscape of Xinjiang and Mustagh Ata.

Day1: Shanghai

Arrive in Shanghai, our tour guide will pick you up at the airport, transfer to hotel. Visit the Yuyuan garden, and the narrow streets of the Old City, forming a striking contrast between high skies and colorful markets.

Day2: Shanghai – Luoyang

Discover the ancient capital of 13 dynasties. Visit the "Caves of the Dragon's Gate" which contain more than 40 pagodas and statues and 10 000 images to the sacred mountains rupestres.Transfert Song Shan. Discovery Shaolin temple, the birthplace of Chan Buddhism in the heart of the wooded hills. Visit the monastery and demonstration of Kung-Fu by monks. Back in Luoyang.

Day3: Luoyang – Huashan

Transfer by train from morning till Huaying (5h), lunch. Then lift up to the summit ridge north of Huashan. And night in a hotel at the top.

Day4: Huashan – Xi’an

Morning walk along the ridge of the Green Dragon "to the south summit (2160 m). Beautiful views over the surrounding mountains and the valley of the Yellow River that winds on the horizon. Huaying runs. Transfer to Xi'an.

Day5: Xi’an

Visit of the city, the History Museum of Shaanxi, which traces the history of the greatest dynasties of the Middle Kingdom. The old town and markets.

Day6: Xi’an

Day dedicated to discover the impressive site of the Army of Terra Cotta soldiers. Visit the various tanks containing nearly 6000-size statues of terracotta warriors, weapons and combat position.

Day7: Xi’an – Dunhuang

Morning in Xi'an, then fly to Dunhuang, an oasis of greenery amid the dunes. Getaway to the "Sources of Crescent Moon", a small pond in the shape of a crescent, which was formed in a depression surrounded by huge sand dunes. Walk to the summit for a view over the desert and the oasis.

Day8: Mogao Cave - Turpan

Visit the Mogao Grottoes where 492 caves have been carved into the walls of the mountain Mingsha. They shelter an unsuspected statues and Buddhist murals. Back to Dunhuang, visit this former oasis of the Silk Road. Night train to Turpan.

Day9: Turpan

Check-in Turfan, another oasis of the Silk Road. Visit Site Begelik. Discover the mosque with its superb Emin Minaret Afghan style. Excursion to the ruins of Jaohie, a former garrison town situated on a rocky promontory, which was used to protect Turfan and the Silk Road.

Day10: Turpan – Urumqi – Kashgar

Transfer to Urumqi (3h). Visit the capital of Xinjiang. Discovery architectures Uighur, Kazakh and Russian, mosques, markets. Flight to Kashgar.

Day11: Kashgar

Visit the Abakh hoja Tomb in the morning. It's an Islamic architecture. Visit Sunday Bazaar, which might be the largest one in Asia, with 50,000 people attending the fair on Sunday. Afternoon visit the Great Mosque, the biggest one in China. There are a lot of family workshops nearby the Mosque, making traditional Uygur handicrafts.

Day12: Karakuli Lake

Leave Kashgar by bus on Karakoram Highway, 200km to Karakuli Lake. On the way, the first mountains we see is the Konggur Mountains with elevation of 7719M and the second one is the Muztag Ata Mountains – "the father of the ice mountains" with elevation of 7546m. From here we drive another 200km to get to Kongirup Pass and reach the area with elevation of 4690m. On a clear day, the snow-covered mountains is reflected in the lake, and surrounded with yaks on the grassland, forming a very beautiful picture. We stay overnight in the yurt, where the Girgiz people stay in their summer pastureland. Overnight in the yurt.

Day13: Karakuli Lake - Trek

After breakfast, trek on the side of the lake. After crossing a stream, walk downhill into a beautiful valley, and then walk up to the ridge of a hill, then we arrive at Subash Village. We have a picnic on the way. After 5 hours' walk, we come back to the Yurts. Overnight in the yurt.

Day14: Karakuli Lake - Trek

After breakfast, trek 4 hours to Jumblak glacier. After the photo time on the glacier, come back to Yurt.

Day15: Leave the lake – flight to Urumqi

Our bus comes early to the yurts in the morning. After breakfast, drive to Kashgar, on later evening flight to Urumqi.

Day16: Flight to Beijing

Check out of the hotel and transfer to airport, then flight to Beijing.

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