Silk Road Odyssey - visit Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China (SR-02) |
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For centuries the West knew very little about silk and the people who made it, establishing this elaborate, light, soft and sensuous fabric as one of the most desirable and expensive materials. For more than two thousand years the Chinese kept the secret of silk to themselves, making it the most zealously guarded secret in history. Let us take you to the place where silk was invented, diverse, magnificent China - “the dragon awakening in the East,” and to two of Central Asian most mysterious and astonishing countries - Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Our journey through history encompasses the very essence of the Silk Road’s legacy and history, unearthing its hidden treasures from beneath the layers of centuries. We will venture through the labyrinths of the old Silk Road cities - “a necklace strung out like a pearls across the Orient”, discovering the cradles of different civilisations, encountering the wide range of ethnic groups, exploring their rich traditions and diverse religions. Let’s embark on the Silk Road pilgrimage…
Major Highlights of this Tour:
Our journey through history encompasses the very essence of the Silk Road’s legacy and history, unearthing its hidden treasures from beneath the layers of centuries. We will venture through the labyrinths of the old Silk Road cities - “a necklace strung out like a pearls across the Orient”, discovering the cradles of different civilisations, encountering the wide range of ethnic groups, exploring their rich traditions and diverse religions. Let’s embark on the Silk Road pilgrimage…
Major Highlights of this Tour:
- Magnificent Old Silk Road cities - Khiva, Merv, Samarkand, Bukhara, included on the UNESCO World Heritage list
- Lake Issyk Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in SouthAmerica.
- The Karakum dessert – fascinating shifting sand dunes
- Dunghuang's Mogao Caves – the world’s richest treasure-trove of Buddhist manuscripts
- The Karakoram Highway, the highest international paved road in the world, connecting China and Pakistan across the Karakoram mountain range
- Oriental bazaars, full of life, color, noise
- Mouthwatering Central Asian food - the ubiquitous shashlik, plov, nan bread, exotic fruits
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ITINERARY (view detailed description of the tour)
Day 1 - Tuesday - London
Departure to Tashkent
Day 2 - Wednesday - Tashkent
Arrival in Tashkent. Khush Kelibsiz – welcome to Uzbekistan!
Tashkent City Tour
Day 3 - Thursday - Tashkent - Samarkand
Transfer to Samarkand by car (350 km)
Guided tour of Samarkand - the ”Gem of the East”
Day 4 - Friday - Samarkand
Continue our fascinating tour through the marvels of Samarkand
Day 5 - Saturday - Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Bukhara
Transfer to Shakhrisabz by car (170 km)
Visit Shakhrisabz - the birthplace of Tamerlane
Transfer to Bukhara by car (300 km)
Day 6 - Sunday - Bukhara
Sightseeing tour in Bukhara - one of holiest cities in Central Asia
Dinner with folklore performance at Nodir Divan madrasah
Day 7 - Monday - Bukhara - Khiva
Continue our acquaintance with Bukhara culture and history
Transfer to Khiva by car via the Kyzylkum desert (435 km)
Day 8 - Tuesday - Khiva - Tashkent
Sightseeing tour in Khiva - “open air museum”
Transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Tashkent
Flight to Tashkent
Day 9 - Wednesday - Tashkent
Tashkent City Tour
Day 10 - Thursday - Tashkent - Bishkek - Cholpan Atta
Flight to Bishkek
City tour of Bishkek
Transfer to Cholpan Atta by car (265 km)
Optional: a boat trip around the lake (1hr.), excursion to Ruh-Ordo Center in Cholpon-ata.
Day 11 - Friday - Cholpan Atta - Karakol
Transfer to Karakol by car (160km)
Guided visit to Przhevalsky museum
Guided visit to the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Dungan Mosque
Day 12 - Saturday - Karakol - Djety-Oguz - Karakol
Transfer to Djety-Oguz by car (35km)
Hiking in the gorge
Transfer to Karakol by car
Day 13 - Sunday - Karakol - Naryn
Transfer to Naryn by car (430 km)
Observe the traditional felt-making process and shyrdaks - traditional felt rugs
Day 14 - Monday - Naryn - Kashgar
We head towards Kyrgyz-Chinese border point “Torugart”.
Transfer to Kashgar by car (approx. 170 km)
Day 15 - Tuesday - Kashgar
Sightseeing tour in Kashgar
Day 16 - Wednesday - Kashgar - Yarkent
Transfer to Yarkent by car (180 km)
Day 17 - Thursday - Yarkent - Hotan
Transfer to Hotan by car
Sightseeing tour in Hotan
Day 18 - Friday - Hotan - Aksu
Guided visit to the local history museum
Transfer to Aksu by car (550km)
Day 19 - Saturday - Aksu - Kucha
Transfer to Kucha by car (320km)
Day 20 - Sunday - Kucha
Sightseeing tour in Kucha
Evening transfer to the railway station
Departure to Turpan by Overnight train to Turpan
Day 21 - Monday - Turpan
Train arrival transfer to the hotel
Half day sightseeing tour around Turpan and surroundings
Day 22 - Tuesday - Turpan
Full day sightseeing tour around Turpan and surroundings
Evening transfer to the railway station.
Departure to Dunghuang by Overnight train to Dunghuang
Day 23 - Wednesday - Dunghuang
Guided tour in Dunghuang - once an important trading centre.
Visit the nearby Mingsha “rumbling” sand dunes
Day 24 - Thursday - Dunghuang - Urumchi
Transfer to the airport
Flight to Urumchi
Visit Xinjiang regional museum
Day 25 - Friday - Urumchi - Bishkek
Transfer to the airport
Flight to Bishkek
Drive to Ala Archa National Park
Return to Bishkek
Day 26 - Saturday - Bishkek
Transfer to the airport to catch your flight home.
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Our 14-days tour will introduce you to the past and present of Mongolia - its history, culture and nature. Besides the sightseeing objects of great historical value we will explore Terelj and Hustai Nuruu national parks and South Gobi. 
