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Peregrine Adventures

Grand Silk Explorer (38 Days)

For those who have dreamt of the ancient Silk Road, this journey offers the ultimate adventure! For centuries travellers in the pursuit of trade and knowledge have crossed the deserts of Western China, scaled the mountain passes of Kyrgyzstan and marvelled at the turquoise-domed architecture of the Uzbek. From bustling Beijing to the sleepier Uzbek capital of Tashkent, we travel through lands once conquered by mighty leaders such as Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan. Prepare to be swept up by colourful local hospitality, to sample life as a steppe-dwelling nomad and to be humbled by vast desert and mountain landscapes. The highlights of this journey are as diverse as the people we will meet – explore the thriving Kashgar bazaars, stay in yurts with Kyrgyz nomads, meet local families in the mountains and uncover a world little changed in centuries.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sat) Arrive in Beijing and transfer to hotel.
Days 2-4 Visit Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Great Wall. Overnight train to Xian.
Days 5-6 Terracotta Warriors. Overnight train to Lanzhou.
Days 7-8 Bingling Temple (Buddhist caves). Travel to Xiahe. Walking tour of Labrang Monastery.
Days 9-10 Drive to Lanzhou. Overnight train to Jiayuguan. Visit Wei-jin dynasty tomb, Hanging Wall and Jiayuguan Fort.
Days 11-12 Bus to Dunhuang. Visit Crescent Moon Lake, Singing Sands and Mogao Caves. Overnight train to Daheyan.
Day 13 See Astana Graves, Gaocheng Ancient City, Grape Valley and Emin Minaret.
Days 14-15 Turpan – Jiaohe Ancient City and Karez Wells. Drive to Urumqi. Lake of Heaven. Fly to Kashgar.
Day 16 Explore Kashgar including Old Town, Abakh Hoja’s Tomb, Id Kah Mosque and Sunday bazaar.
Days 17-18 Cross the Torugart Pass (3752m) to Tash-Rabat Caravansarai. Light walking in local area.
Days 19-20 Drive to nomadic settlement at Son-Kul Lake. Stay in yurts near local herders.
Day 21 Drive to Kochkorka village. Overnight in village homestay.
Day 22 Walking in area of Barskoön Gorge. Stay at Tamga village.
Days 23-24 Travel around Issyk-Kul Lake via Jeti-Öghüz Gorge to Karakol and Cholpon-Ata.
Day 25 Travel to the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. Burana Tower.
Days 26-28 Explore Bishkek. Fly to Tashkent. Visit Barak Khan Madrassah, Kukeldash Madrassah and Chorsu Bazaar. Overnight train to Khiva.
Days 29-30 Arrive Khiva. Visit Djuma Mosque, Kunya Ark and Toza Bog Palace. Drive to Ayaz Qala. Explore fortress complexes. Overnight in yurts.
Days 31-33 Journey via the Kyzyl Kum desert to Bukhara. Ark Fortress, Poikalon Ensemble and Samanid Mausoleum.
Days 34-35 Continue via Alexander the Great's fortress to Nurata. Overnight in Sentab village in Nurata mountains. Optional short walks in area.
Day 36 Explore Samarkand including Registan Square, Shah-I-Zinda Mausoleum and Ulugbek Observatory.
Days 37-38 Return to Tashkent, where trip ends the following morning (Mon).

More Information

Trip Highlights

  • Beijing
  • Great Wall
  • Forbidden City
  • Tiananmen Square
  • Xian
  • Terracotta Warriors
  • Xiahe
  • Jiayuguan
  • Dunhuang
  • Turpan
  • Urumqi
  • Kashgar
  • Torugart Pass
  • Son-Kul Lake
  • Issyk-Kul Lake
  • Bishkek
  • Tashkent
  • Khiva
  • Bukhara
  • Samarkand

Countries Visited

Trip Facts

Code PCGS
Starts In Beijing
Ends In Tashkent
Start Day Saturday
End Day Monday
Grade

Cultural adventure
With focus on local cultures and historic sites, these trips have the perfect mix of discovery, exploration, comfort and relaxation. Some trips may include a little walking or a night or two ‘roughing’ it. Check the itinerary for details.

Remote adventure
Venturing well away from cities and into remote areas, these trips take you right off the beaten track. Accommodation may be basic but the rewards are well worthwhile.
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