20 Days / 19 Nights
Best Season: May to October
DAY 01 ARRIVE BEIJING
Transfer to the hotel, rest of the day free.
DAY 02 BEIJING
Full day tour of the Imperial Palace, the palace of the Ming and the Qing dynasty emperors also known as the 'Forbidden City'. Afternoon to the Summer Palace, a prime example of the classical Imperial Chinese garden.
DAY 03 BEIJING - XIAN
We fly to Xian, Imperial capital for over a thousand years and the eastern end of the Silk Road. Evening stroll.
DAY 04 XIAN
The capital of Shaanxi Province, and the most popular tourist attraction in China. Visit the army of 6000 life-size terracotta warriors guarding the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi. On the return trip to Xian, visit the Neolithic village of Banpo inhabited between 4500 BC and 3750 BC. Next stop is the Chinese cradle of Calligraphy - the museum of forest of stone tablets on which the entire works of Confucius were preserved for posterity. Visit the Big Goose Pagoda before returning to the hotel.
DAY 05 XIAN - DUNHUANG
A short flight takes us to Dunhuang, the 2000 year-old town on the edge of the desert. It was once an important Silk Road caravan stop and where the silk route splits into different routes stretching 7000 Kms. all the way to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Afternoon visit to Duhuang's famous sand dunes with a chance to ride on a bactrian camel.
Our Urumqi tour includes the Museum of National Minorities and History housing the bodies from Turpan's Astana tombs, the Ardaoqiao Market, a covered street of food and textile stalls. Later we take our short flight to Kashgar.
DAY 06 DUNHUANG - TURPAN
Full day visit of the Magao Caves, the oldest Buddhist shrines in China. These ancient hand-carved caves are a national treasure and represent a thousand years of devotion to Buddha between the 2nd and12th C. In the evening, we take an overnight train to the oasis of Turpan, which lies in one of the world's great land depressions, 505 feet below sea level. Turpan was the most important city of the Middle Ancient Silk Route.
DAY 07 TURPAN
Full day tour to include Gaochang, the Flaming Mountain and the Bezkilik Thousand Buddha caves followed by Jiaohe, the Emin Tower and the famous Karez underground irrigation System. Evening, we get time to visit the oasis town centre.
Day 08 TURPAN - URUMQI - KASHGAR
Morning depart for Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region situated at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Urumqi is a modern Han city and, apart from its museum and its bazaar, holds little interest. Urumqi does, however, have the distinction of being the most landlocked city in the entire world.
DAY 09 KASHGAR
Our tour of Kashgar includes the Id Kah Mosque, built in 1442, and the Abakh Hoja Tomb, Kashgar's finest piece of Islamic architecture. Evening we stroll through this very traditional town.
DAY 10 TASHKURGAN
Visit the famous Sunday Bazaar which has been described as the most varied and fascinating bazaar in the world. In the afternoon, depart for Tashkurghan via Karakol with its view of the Muztagh Ata peak in the Pamirs.
DAY 11 TASHKURGAN - GULMIT
After crossing the world's highest international border, you arrive in Gulmit. This is one of the most scenic drives in the world along the narrow valleys of the Indus River with panoramic views of 7000 and 8000 metre (22,000 to 25,000 feet) peaks above.
DAY 12 GULMIT - KARIMABAD
Trek through the upper Hunza valley. A 4 and a half hour trek through the village and around its outskirts, on to a neighbouring village, over a glacier and on to a lake. Drive back to Gulmit and on to Karimabad the capital of the semi mythical valley of Hunza. Overnight in Karimabad.
DAY 13 KARIMABAD
Visit the Tibetan style Baltit and the 900 year old Altit Forts. Later visit a home of the Hunzakuts and walk through the town of Karimabad. The afternoon is free to wander in the Hunza valley. Evening optional Baltit Fort by night.
DAY 14 KARIMABAD - SKARDU
Driving on the Karakorum Highway with its majestic scenery we reach the ancient Skardu (known as little Tibet). En route lunch break at Gilgit, also visit the old suspension bridge and Bazaar. After the visit of Gilgit proceed to Skardu.
DAY 15 SKARDU
After breakfast visit Satpara lake and local bazaar. In the afternoon half day jeep excursion for Shigar.
DAY 16 SKARDU - ISLAMABAD
Morning flight to Islamabad. Up on arrival transfer to hotel and check in. In the afternoon sightseeing tour of Islamabad.
DAY 17 ISLAMABAD
Half day excursion for Taxila, visit Museum and the ruins. Afternoon free at leisure.
DAY 18 ISLAMABAD - LAHORE
After breakfast drive to Lahore, en route visit Khewra Salt Mine (the largest in the world), afterwards proceed to Lahore, on arrival transfer to hotel and check in.
DAY 19 LAHORE
Our day in Lahore starts with a visit to the Imperial and magnificent Badshahi Mosque. Built in 1674, it is an example of some of the most aesthetic Moghul architecture. Next is the Lahore Fort where we also see several pavilions, including Shish Mahal, the "Palace of Mirrors", which was built by Shah Jahan in 1631 as private apartments for his empress. Later we visit the fascinating Lahore Museum which houses the famous statue of the Fasting Buddha and Kim's Gun, immortalized by Rudyard Kipling. Our day culminates with the sensational Shalimar Gardens.
DAY 20 DEPART LAHORE
After exploring this first capital of the Moghuls, we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. End of our services.
| Tour Price Per Person / On Twin Sharing basis / Rates Displayed in USD | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Category | 2 Persons | 3-4 Persons | 5-7 Persons | 8-12 Persons | 13-15 Persons |
| First Class | 2360 | 1950 | 1760 | 1640 | 1600 |
| Standard | 1840 | 1660 | 1500 | 1360 | 1280 |
*Supplements: Additional charges 80 $ per day for linguist tour guide, if required. Single supplement with first class tour 264 $/ Single supplement with standard tour 225 $ (if any)
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Early Booking Advantage: Special 2% discount if tour is booked 3 months before starting date of the tour.