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central asia & china
the central silk route - ashgabat to bishkek
is this trip for me?
This trip is a combination of 2 journeys, Samarkand & Tamerlane's Testament (STT) and Mountain Kingdoms of Kyrgyzstan (KYR) both p43. Excellent balance of off beaten track, mountains, local homestays and cultural and historic city visits. Climate from cold mountains to hot deserts. Decent lifestyle ideal for travellers looking for something different rather than the tourist trail. Comprehensive, well paced journey with a decent number of multi-night stops. Book early due to visa procedure. Rating: Challenging. Crew: 2 Dragoman crew and 1 local crew. Vehicle: Classic Dragoman truck. Accommodation: 40% camping, 60% hotels. Good local hotels, yurt homestays and wildcamps.
45
29 nights
· Overland through Uzbekistan's Fergana Valley including historic Kokand and Fergana City Nights 16-22: Kyrgyzstan & Tian Shan Mountains: · Visit to the southern Kyrgyzstan city of Osh · 3 nights wildcamping and leisurely overland journey through the stunning mountains of Kyrgyzstan · 2 nights homestay in traditional Kyrgyz yurts near Song Kul Lake · Experience the daily life of the Kyrgyz mountain shepherds, riding out on the mountain ponies Nights 23-27: Lake Issyk-Kul area: · Journey around the whole of Lake Issyk-kul via the Russian style town of Karakol · 2 night stay to trek into the wilds of the Djety Oguz Gorge on the edge of the Tian Shan mountains · Tourist time, pedalos, sand, sun, on Lake Issyk-kul at Chopon Ata resort, it's a time warp Nights 28-29: Kyrgyz Ala-Toosu Mountains: · Wildcamping and hiking in the beauty of Ala Archa Gorge
what's included?
Nights 1-3: Turkmenistan: · Discover the incredible bizarre modern city of Ashgabat with its' great hotels and restaurants · The morning to explore, shop and haggle at the vast Tolkuchka Sunday Market · 2 day crossing and wildcamping in the Turkmen Karakum Desert · Visit to a remote Turkmen desert community · Overland into the green Oxus Valley to the ancient ruined city of Kunye Urgench Nights 4-5: Uzbekistan & Khiva: · 2 night stay in and guided visit to the UNESCO heritage site of the old walled city of Khiva Nights 6-8: Bukhara: · 2 nights to explore the amazingly historic and beautiful city of Bukhara · Guided city tour of Bukhara, including the Ark Fortress, Death Tower and Ismail Samanid Mausoleum Nights 9-12: Kyzylkhum Desert & Samarkand: · Overnight homestay in yurts with Uzbek families in the Kyzylkhum Desert · 2 nights discovering the staggering splendour of Samarkand Guided visits to Bibi Hanum Mosque & Shakh-I-Zinda, Registan Square & Tamerlane's Tomb in Samarkand Nights 13-15: Tashkent & Fergana: · Wander the streets of urbane Tashkent and experience a surreal cabaret dinner
Go to: www.dragoman.com
for trip notes for ultimate overlands p54-57 incorporating this trip see
enter trip code: AKY
what else can I do?
· Bargain hard for the stunning Turkmen and Uzbek carpets and tribal rugs in Ashgabat or Bukhara · Take a Uzbek camel safari into Kyzylkhum Desert · Witness the unbelievable game of mountain polo, played with a sheep's head
the chinese silk route & tibet - bishkek to kathmandu
is this trip for me?
Extreme altitude and vast variations in climate make this a trip for adventurous travellers. Do not expect the itinerary to run to plan as it may well vary. We will be crossing hot deserts, high cold plateaus and even higher passes. Unique cultural experiences, both human interaction and architecturally, fantastic scenery and off beaten track travel. Some limited trekking. You must be in good heath to take part due to extreme altitude. Rating: Extreme. Crew: 2 Dragoman crew, 1 Chinese and 1 Tibetan crew. Vehicle: Classic Dragoman truck. Accommodation: 35% camping, 65% hotels. Mixed hotels and hostels ranging from 4 star to local and wildcamps.
5 weeks
· Visit to the stunning town of Gyantse and the Baiju Monastery · Stopover in Shigatse and visit to Tashihunpo Monastery Week 5: Tibet's Himalaya & Nepal: · Side trip to the Rhongphuk Monastery, crossing passes of 5200 metres · Entrance to the national park and walk to Tibet's Everest Base Camp · Overland along the Friendship Highway between Kathmandu and Tingri, over passes of 5050 metres · Time in Nepal either at the beautiful mountain retreat, the Last Resort or en route acclimatising
what's included?
Week 1: Kyrgyzstan & China's Xinjiang Province: · Begin our journey in picturesque Bishkek · Overnight homestay at traditional rural Kyrgyz village · Journey through the Silk Route's Torugart Pass through the Tian Shan Mountains · Overland from Kashgar to Taxkorgan up the Karakoram Highway · Overnight at Karakoram's Karakul Lake Week 2: Xinjiang & Taklimakan Desert: · 2 or 3 nights to explore Kashgar's Sunday market · Journey along the Northern Silk Route around the Taklimakan Desert · Visit the Thousand Buddha Caves at Kizil · Guided exploration of the oasis and the Jaohe ruins at Turpan Week 3: Qinghai Province & Tibet: · Stopover and time to explore historic Dunhuang · The ultimate overland journey from Golmud over the high · passes of the Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa Week 4: The Friendship Highway: · 3 night stay and guided tour of the main sites in Lhasa · Overland via Himalayan passes and the Scorpion Lake between Lhasa and Gyantse
Go to: www.dragoman.com
for trip notes for ultimate overlands p54-57 incorporating this trip see
enter trip code: SRT
the silk route to xi'an - bishkek to xi'an
is this trip for me?
Can be tough at times. High altitude and cold mountains, hot deserts and way off the beaten track travel through remote rural areas. Do not expect the itinerary to run to plan as it may well vary. This is China away from the tourist hordes. Unique cultural experiences, through China's ethnic minority regions with excellent historic sites and fantastic scenery. Ideal for the more adventurous traveller. Rating: Challenging. Crew: 2 Dragoman crew and 1 Chinese crew. Vehicle: Classic Dragoman truck. Accommodation: 35% camping, 65% hotels. Mixed hotels from 4 star to guesthouses, some homestays and wildcamps.
4 weeks
· Climb up onto the lower slopes of the remote Tibetan Plateau · 2 night detour to the Tibetan town of Xiahe, one of the main pilgrimage sites for Tibetan Buddhists · Journey off the Tibetan Plateau via the Maijishan Grottoes Final days: Xi'an: · Luxury in Xi'an, civilisation, a great hotel and guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors Notes: Optional train trip to Beijing p49
what's included?
Week 1: Kyrgyzstan & China's Xinjiang Province: · Begin our journey in picturesque Bishkek · Overnight homestay at traditional rural Kyrgyz village · Journey through the Silk Route's Torugart Pass through the Tian Shan Mountains · Overland from Kashgar to Taxkorgan up the Karakoram Highway · Overnight at Karakoram's Karakul Lake Week 2: Xinjiang Province & the Taklimarkan Desert: · 2 or 3 nights to explore Kashgar's Sunday market · Overland journey along the Southern Silk Route through the heart of the Taklimakan Desert · Stopovers along the silk route at historic Yarkand and Hotian · Guided exploration of the oasis and the Jaohe ruins at Turpan Week 3: The Gansu Corridor: · Stopover and time to explore historic Dunhuang · Journey down the Gansu Corridor to Jiayuguan Fort, our first stop at the Great Wall Week 4: Tibetan Plateau & the Shaanxi Province: · Guided visit to the vast Buddha and cave at Bingling Si near Lanzhou
Go to: www.dragoman.com
enter trip code: SRX
for trip notes
for ultimate overlands p54-57 incorporating this trip see
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