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Page Text Content
NORTH & CENTRAL ASIA, CHINA & TIBET
CHINA * KYRGYZSTAN
Colourful Kashgar Market
Crossroads of Asia
19 DAYS HOTELS/YURT ALONG THE SOUTHERN SILK ROAD
Ref
CA
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
ARAL SEA
Crossroads of Asia Ref CA Central Asia Overland Ref CAU
lkum Kyzy ert Des
From Beijing
U Z B E K I S TA N
Urgench
K A Z A K H S TA N
BISHKEK
URUMQI
Lake Issy Kul
Museum
KHIVA
TURKMENISTAN
DESERT CAMP
BOKHARA
km 0
Cimkent S SONG KUL Silk Road Kizilgaha KYRGYZSTAN LAKE N settlement Stay in Yurt TASH RABAT E 1000 Buddha Caves Camel Aydarkul TASHKENT Yurt camp I T A R I M B A S I N riding T Lake Medrassahs Sunday market k a n Karmana Torugart l a m a KASHGAR Pass T a kD e s e r t 3752m Tamerlane's city TAJ I KI S TAN Mutztak Ata 7546m
H
A
N
KUQA KORLA
Combine your tour...
KAZAKHSTAN * CHINA * KYRGYZSTAN * UZBEKISTAN Central Asia Overland Ref CAU FACTFILE
28 DAYS HOTELS/YURT
Itinerary Day 1 to 17 Same as Ref. CA. 18 Drive via Kazakhstan to Tashkent. 19 In Tashkent; city tour. 20 In Tashkent; overnight train Urgench. 21 Arrive Urgench; drive Khiva; sightseeing in the Old City. 22 Drive Bokhara. 23 In Bokhara; tour. 24 Drive Karmana; continue to Yangikasgan; 4WD to camp, optional camel riding in desert. 25 Morning at Lake Aydarkul; drive to Samarkand. 26 In Samarkand; visit Gur Emir Mausoleum and Registan Square; afternoon free. 27 In Samarkand; visit Ulug-Beg observatory and museum; afternoon optional visit to Marakanda. 28 Drive Tashkent; fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 22nts hotel, 3nts yurt, 1nt Medrassah, 1nt sleeper train; 27 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 3 dinners included. See insert p2.
Intrepid travellers through the ages have been enthralled by the natural beauty, differing cultures and the riches offered within Central Asia. This fabulous journey takes us across the heart of one of the world's fiercest deserts along China's southern silk road.
Taklamakan Desert & Southern Silk Road From Urumqi, capital of China's remote northwest, we drive to Kuqa, a staging post on the Silk Road. We venture forth into one of the greatest voids' on earth the Taklamakan Desert; taking the highway through the heart of this desert of no return' across a sea of shifting sand dunes. Undiscovered riches lie within the desert, which is the resting place for many 19th Century European explorers. Eventually we emerge onto the southern silk road along which lie a belt of settlements, nestled between the desert and Pamir and Kunlun ranges. Kashgar & Torugart Pass A Silk Road trading centre for two millennia, traders from the neighbouring countries of Central Asia still flock to Kashgar and we plan to absorb ourselves in this exotic ethnic mix at the fabled Sunday bazaar and livestock market. Although the city is fast modernising, it's still possible to take a stroll through the narrow passages of the old town past Uighur homes and workshops and witness the traditional way of life. Leaving the heat of the Tarim Basin behind, our route starts to climb and wind as we venture up into the snowcapped Tien Shan mountains that separate China from Kyrgyzstan. Crossing the border
Oxu
s
SAMARKAND
YARKAND
CHINA
Ark Citadel
Silk centre
HOTAN
Oasis town
MINFENG
600
K U N L U N
S H A N
and the legendary Torugart Pass (3752m), the scenery starts to change, the dry and desolate landscape giving way to forested mountains and lush steppe. Mountains & Nomads Only open to visitors since 1991, Kyrgyzstan offers an unforgettable setting, as well as a warm Central Asian welcome from these traditionally nomadic people. In a beautiful hidden valley at Tash Rabat, we stay in a yurt camp next to the brooding ruins of an old fortified caravanserai. We have another taste of the nomadic life staying in the alpine pastures at Lake Song Kul.
Enjoy the ultimate Central Asia experience by combining Crossroads of Asia with our Golden Road to Samarkand.
Please see Crossroads of Asia and Golden Road to Samarkand for further details.
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Beijing. 2 Arrive Beijing. 3 Visit Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City; fly Urumqi. 4 Visit museum; Drive Korla. 5 Drive to Kuqa. 6 In Kuqa; visit ancient sites. 7 Drive through the heart of the Taklakaman desert to Minfeng. 8 Drive along Southern Silk Road to Hotan. 9 In Hotan; visit Cottage Industries. 10 Drive Yarkand. 11 Drive via Uighur knife factory; drive to Kashgar. 12 & 13 In Kashgar; visit famous Sunday market; optional full day excursion through the Pamir mountains to Karakul Lake. 14 Drive via Kyrgyzstan border to Tash Rabat. 15 Drive Song Kul Lake. 16 Drive Bishkek; via Lake Issy Kul. 17 In Bishkek; optional visit Ala Archa gorge. 18 Free day in Bishkek. 19 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 15nts hotel, 2nts yurt; 16 breakfasts & 2 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/4WDs/Flight. Comment: A tough overland journey through some of the most remote parts of Central Asia. In order to reach these incredible areas we must be prepared for basic accommodation in places and some long driving days. The rewards once you are there however, are immense. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, local guides plus drivers. Group Size: Approx. 16 to 20.
Mir-i-Arab, Bokhara/John Carr
164
Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement
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