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Central Asia on the Silk Road
26 days, Beijing to Tashkent
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Since opening up to travellers, China and its northwestern neighbours don’t seem quite as out-there a destination to some people – but they’re clearly not looking in the right places. This comprehensive 26-day journey from Beijing to Tashkent is one of those experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime. Picking up in the Chinese capital, you’ll visit the Uyghur province of Xinjiang, learning about the food, culture and history of this minority group. Then, we’ll leave China behind and venture into Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to retrace part of the route that helped build empires: The Silk Road. From stunning snow-capped mountains to arid deserts, experience a side of Asia in a way that you’ll barely believe is real.
26 days
Beijing to Tashkent
Sold Out
There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.
Trip Code: ACKU
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: Classic
All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
Service Level: Standard
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Physical Rating: 2 - Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Itinerary
Day 1Beijing
Arrive at any time.
Day 2Beijing
Visit the spectacular Great Wall of China. Opt to take in a kung fu show or a Chinese acrobats show.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Beijing/Xi'an
Take a guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with free time in the afternoon to explore before an overnight train to Xi'an.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Xi'an
Arrive to Xi'an and take an orientation walk. Opt to cycle around the city walls, visit the Muslim Quarter or the Big Goose Pagoda.
Meals included:
LunchDay 5Xi'an
Take a guided tour to see the Terracotta Warriors with an included lunch at a local farmer's house.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 6Xi'an/Dunhuang
In the morning, hop on an overnight train to Dunhuang.
Day 7Dunhuang
Arrive to Dunhuang and take a guided visit to the UNESCO-listed Mogao Grottoes. Enjoy a free afternoon to wander the town centre or visit sights further afield.
Day 8Dunhuang/Turpan
Opt to visit the unique Mingsha Sand Dunes for sunrise to climb the massive dunes and enjoy a camel ride. Overnight train to Turpan.
Day 9Turpan
Arrive in Turpan, the lowest point in Asia. Enjoy a city tour with a local guide including the ancient Karez water system.
Day 10Turpan/Kashgar
Drive to Urumqi and fly to Kashgar. Take an orientation walk of the city and head out for an optional dinner.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Kashgar
Enjoy the Sunday markets in Kashgar, including the famous Sunday bazaar and fascinating animal market.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Kashgar/Tash Rabat
Drive to the border via the Torugart Pass. Continue to Tash Rabat, a small community of Kyrgyz nomads high in the Tian Shan mountain range. Overnight in a yurt.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 13Tash Rabat/Kochkor
Enjoy the scenic mountains in the morning then drive to Kochkor to visit women at a carpet-making workshop. Enjoy a homestay in the community-based tourism (CBT) houses.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 14Kochkor/Karakol
Travel to Karakol with a guided village tour. With free time, opt to check out the Przhevalsky Museum, the local market, Dungan Mosque or the Orthodox church.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Karakol/Cholpon-Ata
Stay in Cholpon-Ata for the night. Enjoy a free afternoon to hang out on the beach, visit the petroglyphs or take a boat tour on the lake.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 16Cholpon-Ata/Bishkek
Travel to the capital city– Bishkek. Stop en route at the Burana Tower. Enjoy free time to shop, visit the city and enjoy the nightlife.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 17Bishkek
Explore the city or opt to go further afield for a hike in Ala Archa National Park.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 18Bishkek/Tashkent
Fly to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Take an orientation walk to get to know the city.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 19Tashkent
Take an included sightseeing tour of the city with a local guide before free time to explore.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 20Tashkent/Khiva
Fly to Urgench and drive to UNESCO-listed Khiva. Enjoy a half-day tour of this ancient city.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 21Khiva/Bukhara
Travel day through the desert to Bukhara, one of the most charming cities in the country.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 22Bukhara
Take an included city tour with a local guide. Use some free time to visit a local hammam (bathhouse) or pick up some souvenirs.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 23Bukhara/Samarkand
Travel on to Samarkand. Take an orientation walk and opt to visit the Amir Timur Mausoleum.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 24Samarkand
Enjoy a tour of the city with a local guide. In the evening, enjoy a plov-cooking demonstration and dinner with a local family.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 25Samarkand/Tashkent
Travel back to Tashkent for a final evening together.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 26Tashkent
Depart at any time.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Tash Rabat
- Your Local Living Moment: CBT Homestay, Kochkor
- Your Local Living Moment: Plov Cooking Demonstration and Dinner, Samarkand
- Great Wall entrance (Beijing)
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City guided tour
- Terracotta Warriors tour (Xi'an)
- Mogao Grottoes (Dunhuang)
- Turpan guided sightseeing tour
- Sunday bazaar and animal bazaar visit (Kashgar)
- Torugart Pass (China/Kyrgyzstan border)
- Yurt stay with local meals
- Carpet-making workshop visit
- Karakol village tour
- Burana Tower visit
- Bishkek orientation walk
- Tashkent city tour
- Khiva ancient city tour (half-day)
- Bukhara city tour
- Samarkand city tour
- Plov-making demonstration with dinner
- Internal flights
- Border crossing and language support
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Hotels/guesthouses (19 nts), sleeper trains (3 nts), community-based tourism/homestays (2 nts, shared facilities), yurt (1 nt, multi-share).
Meals
20 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
Allow USD670-875 for meals not included.
Transportation
Train, private van/bus, walking, plane, camel, metro
Staff & experts
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Departures
There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.
Please Contact Us to inquire about dates for next season, or to discuss other tour options.