G Adventures
Save 20%Epic Southeast Asia: River Cruises & Karst Mountains
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand · 40 days · Moderate
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Next: 21 JunThe adventure
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.
At a glance
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
Kyrgyzstan, China & Uzbekistan
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalThere are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting and optional group dinner of Beijing Duck.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting and optional group dinner of Beijing Duck.
Day 2Visit the spectacular Great Wall of China
Visit the spectacular Great Wall of China. Opt to take in a kung fu show or a Chinese acrobats show.
Day 3Take a guided tour of Tiananmen Square…Enjoy a guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. In the afternoon options include shopping, taking a hutong tour or visiting some of the remaining sights in the city like the Lama Temple and the Bell and Drum towers. In the evening board the first overnight train of the journey.
Enjoy a guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. In the afternoon options include shopping, taking a hutong tour or visiting some of the remaining sights in the city like the Lama Temple and the Bell and Drum towers. In the evening board the first overnight train of the journey.
Day 4Arrive to Xi'an and take an orientation walk
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.
Day 5Take a guided tour to see the Terracotta…
Take a guided tour to see the Terracotta Warriors with an included lunch at a local farmer's house.
Day 6In the morning, hop on an overnight train to Dunhuang
In the morning, hop on an overnight train to Dunhuang.
Day 7Arrive to Dunhuang and take a guided visit…Enjoy a free afternoon to continue exploring the city or villages in the area. Outdoor tables in the centre of town are a great place to grab a beer and some local eats. The local delicacy here is donkey. Cover it in chilis and garlic – tastes like chicken!
Enjoy a free afternoon to continue exploring the city or villages in the area. Outdoor tables in the centre of town are a great place to grab a beer and some local eats. The local delicacy here is donkey. Cover it in chilis and garlic – tastes like chicken!
Day 8Opt to visit the unique Mingsha Sand Dunes…Opt to climb the massive dunes and watch the sun come up over the "desert". Take a camel ride through the dunes in the early morning sun. In the evening, board a sleeper train to Turpan, the first stop in the Xinjiang province. Here, the culture, food and language changes from "mainland China". The Uyghur minority people speak Uyghur, a Turkic language with an arabic script. Food is more similar to Central Asian cuisine and includes rice, kebabs and handmade noodle dishes – the original spaghetti and meatballs brought to Europe along the Silk Road.
Opt to climb the massive dunes and watch the sun come up over the "desert". Take a camel ride through the dunes in the early morning sun. In the evening, board a sleeper train to Turpan, the first stop in the Xinjiang province. Here, the culture, food and language changes from "mainland China". The Uyghur minority people speak Uyghur, a Turkic language with an arabic script. Food is more similar to Central Asian cuisine and includes rice, kebabs and handmade noodle dishes – the original spaghetti and meatballs brought to Europe along the Silk Road.
Day 9Arrive in TurpanArrive to the train station and drive by private van (about 1 hr) to Turpan. Enjoy a city tour with a local guide and learn about this interesting desert city, the ancient Karez water system and the culture of the Uyghur minority people.
Arrive to the train station and drive by private van (about 1 hr) to Turpan. Enjoy a city tour with a local guide and learn about this interesting desert city, the ancient Karez water system and the culture of the Uyghur minority people.
Day 10Drive to Urumqi and fly to Kashgar
Drive to Urumqi and fly to Kashgar. Take an orientation walk of the city and head out for an optional dinner.
Day 11Enjoy the Sunday markets in Kashgar
Enjoy the Sunday markets in Kashgar, including the famous Sunday bazaar and fascinating animal market.
Day 12Drive to the border via the Torugart PassSettle into this idyllic setting surrounded by bright green rolling hillsides, topped with snow, icy running rivers cut through the area and kids and animals running around. Enjoy a delicious homemade meal with the family.
Settle into this idyllic setting surrounded by bright green rolling hillsides, topped with snow, icy running rivers cut through the area and kids and animals running around. Enjoy a delicious homemade meal with the family.
Day 13Enjoy the scenic mountains in the morning then…Enjoy the morning in the scenic mountains hiking, visiting the ancient stone building called Tash Rabat, playing with the kids or horseback riding. Continue on a typical scenic Kyrgyz drive to Kochkor to visit women at a felt carpet-making workshop. Feel free to chat with the women and learn about their traditional craft. Spend the night at a homestay in the community-based tourism (CBT) houses. CBT is an organization that helps families offer their homes to travellers.
Enjoy the morning in the scenic mountains hiking, visiting the ancient stone building called Tash Rabat, playing with the kids or horseback riding. Continue on a typical scenic Kyrgyz drive to Kochkor to visit women at a felt carpet-making workshop. Feel free to chat with the women and learn about their traditional craft. Spend the night at a homestay in the community-based tourism (CBT) houses. CBT is an organization that helps families offer their homes to travellers.
Day 14Travel to Karakol with a guided village tour
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.
Day 15Stay in Cholpon-Ata for the nightHead to the resort town of Cholpon-Ata on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. Hang out on the beach with snow-capped mountains in the distance, visit the Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs or take a boat tour on the lake. This is one of those town best explored by just wandering around. If you're lucky, you might even find a spot for a traditional 'banya' (Russian bathhouse).
Head to the resort town of Cholpon-Ata on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. Hang out on the beach with snow-capped mountains in the distance, visit the Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs or take a boat tour on the lake. This is one of those town best explored by just wandering around. If you're lucky, you might even find a spot for a traditional 'banya' (Russian bathhouse).
Day 16Travel to the capital cityIn Bishkek, enjoy some meals and drinks out in the city, wander the local markets and bargain for tasty snacks. Catch a mashrutka (a set-route taxi) and learn how to hop on and off like a local. Visit museums and stock up on souvenirs from the craft stores in the TsUM (mall).
In Bishkek, enjoy some meals and drinks out in the city, wander the local markets and bargain for tasty snacks. Catch a mashrutka (a set-route taxi) and learn how to hop on and off like a local. Visit museums and stock up on souvenirs from the craft stores in the TsUM (mall).
Day 17Explore the city or opt to go further…
Explore the city or opt to go further afield for a hike in Ala Archa National Park.
Day 18Fly to TashkentEnjoy an optional dinner out tonight and maybe find a place to smoke a sheesha and relax.
TashkentEnjoy an optional dinner out tonight and maybe find a place to smoke a sheesha and relax.
Day 19Take an included sightseeing tour of the city…Take the metro and wander the central markets to savour the local sights, tastes, and aromas. Visit the religious centre and Koran museum to learn about the history of the city in this diverse country.
Take the metro and wander the central markets to savour the local sights, tastes, and aromas. Visit the religious centre and Koran museum to learn about the history of the city in this diverse country.
Day 20Fly to Urgench and drive to UNESCO-listed KhivaExplore the old town surrounded by city walls, bargain with locals at the market and wander through the madrassas, climb up minarets, and explore the dark dungeons Khiva was infamous for back in the 10th century.
Explore the old town surrounded by city walls, bargain with locals at the market and wander through the madrassas, climb up minarets, and explore the dark dungeons Khiva was infamous for back in the 10th century.
Day 21Travel day through the desert to BukharaSpend a full day driving through the desert to Bukhara— it's worth the effort. Spend the evening wandering the city and getting to know the place.
Spend a full day driving through the desert to Bukhara— it's worth the effort. Spend the evening wandering the city and getting to know the place.
Day 22Take an included city tour with a local guide
Take an included city tour with a local guide. Use some free time to visit a local hammam (bathhouse) or pick up some souvenirs.
Day 23Travel on to SamarkandIn the evening, venture out and go for dinner at one of the many delicious restaurants in the city.
In the evening, venture out and go for dinner at one of the many delicious restaurants in the city.
Day 24Enjoy a tour of the city…
Enjoy a tour of the city with a local guide. In the evening, enjoy a plov-cooking demonstration and dinner with a local family.
Day 25Travel back to Tashkent for a final evening together
TashkentTravel back to Tashkent for a final evening together.
Day 26Departure dayDepartureDepart at any time.
Depart at any time.
Discover Kyrgyzstan
A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.
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