The Silk Route

Guide

ESCOURTED SMALL GROUP TOUR

You will have the services of an English-speaking guide in each city.

MEAL PLAN
•   Breakfast daily
•   Lunch on Days 4-10 and 12
•   Dinner on Days 5 and 9.

MEAL PLAN - EXTENSIONS

SANYA
•   Breakfast daily.

TIBET
•   Breakfast daily
•   Lunch on Days 16-17.

ACCOMMODATION
•   Prices include both 3 and 4 star accommodation
•   Please note there is less choice of hotel accommodation in western China and the ones we have selected are the best available.

GROUP SIZE
•   Maximum 14 passengers
•   This tour is subject to a minimum number of passengers (call for further details).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
•   Tipping for local guides is at your discretion
•   This comprehensive tour includes a number of early starts, considerable travel and changes in climate
•   Local conditions may necessitate variations to the itinerary
•   Vegetarian diets cannot be adequately provided for throughout China
•   This tour is not suitable for those with walking difficulties
•   English speaking local guides, transfers, soft sleeper train tickets and entrance fees are included.

DAY 1 LONDON TO BEIJING
Fly British Airways from Heathrow to Beijing, arriving the following day.

DAY 2 BEIJING
Upon arrival transfer to the Novotel Xin Qiao for a one night stay. Spend the afternoon visiting Tian’anmen Square and the grand palaces of the Forbidden City. This evening you can enjoy a traditional Peking duck dinner.

DAY 3 BEIJING TO KASHGAR
Fly to Kashgar and the Tianyuan hotel in Kashgar for a three night stay.  The city sits at the midpoint of the Silk Road and is famous for its Sunday Barzaar - the world's largest.

DAY 4 KASHGAR
This morning peruse the produce at the Sunday Bazaar before lunch at local restaurant. This afternoon partake in a tour of the Id Kah Mosque, the largest Mosque in China, replicating the original structure built in the 15th Century for Kashgar's ruler, Shakesirmirzha. This evening is spent at leisure.

DAY 5 KASHGAR
Today you will explore the fast disappearing, narrow and winding streets of Kashgar Old Town followed by lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch visit a Uyghur village, a maze of wood and mud buildings, crowded streets and shops selling a myriad of goods. Here you will meet a native family before the day ends with a visit to the Sultan Mosque.

DAY 6 KASHGAR TO TURPAN
Fly to Urumqi where you will have lunch at a local restaurant before travelling onwards by road to Turpan, where you will spend two nights at the Turpan Huozhou.

DAY 7 TURPAN
Today begins at the Emin Minaret, a striking Muslim monument followed by a visit to the ruins of Jiaohe Ancient Town. Spend the afternoon exploring the ancient Karez Irrigation System which provides the primary source of water to Turpan and was instrumental in the town’s development as an oasis stop off and trading point on the Silk Route.

DAY 8 OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO DUNHUANG
Explore the ruins at the Gaochang ancient town, Toyuk Village, which can be found on the Eastern edge of the Turpan Depression in a valley of the Flaming Mountains. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before boarding the soft sleeper, overnight train to Dunhuang.

DAY 9 DUNHUANG
Upon arrival in Dunhuang transfer to the Silkroad Hotel for two nights. Spend the afternoon at the desert oasis of Crescent Lake and the adjacent peak of the sand dune Echoing-Sand Hill, named for the mystical noise the wind makes as it whips over the dunes.

DAY 10 DUNHUANG

After breakfast visit the majestic Mogao Caves, a remarkable religious monument featuring many intricate murals and sculptures. The afternoon is at leisure.

DAY 11 DUNHUANG TO XI’AN
Fly to Xi’an for two nights at Aurum International Hotel. This afternoon enjoy a tour of the imposing city walls before having dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 12 XI'AN
Today visit the 3rd Century Terracotta Army, one of the most famous wonders of Chinese civilisation. Lunch will be at a local restaurant and will be followed by a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

DAY 13 XI'AN TO SHANGHAI
Fly to the metropolis of Shanghai for a two night stay at the Holiday Inn Downtown.

DAY 14 SHANGHAI
Enjoy a day at leisure discovering this captivating city. Perhaps visit the exquisite Yuyuan Garden or the ancient water town of Zhujianjiao in between exploring the streets that sit beneath the futuristic sky scrapers.

DAY 15 SHANGHAI TO LONDON
Fly British Airways from Shanghai to Heathrow, arriving the following day.

YOUR CHOICE OF EXTENSIONS

SANYA

A former beachside exile for those who had offended the Emperor, the southern city of Sanya on Hainan Island is rapidly emerging as China’s newest beach resort. Framed by the warm waters of the South China Sea, just off the southernmost tip of mainland China, Sanya basks in endless sunny days and a year round tropical climate. A great extension to any touring holiday for some extra relaxation.

DAY 15 SHANGHAI TO SANYA
Fly to Sanya for four nights at the Holiday Inn. Spend your time at leisure relaxing on the Island of Hainan in the south of China.

DAY 19 SANYA TO LONDON
Fly British Airways to London Heathrow via Hong Kong.


TIBET
Extend your stay in China with a trip to fascinating plateau region of Tibet located to the north east of the soaring Himalayas.

DAY 15 SHANGHAI TO LHASA
Fly to Lhasa, upon arrival meet your English-Speaking tour guide and transfer to the Four Points by Sheraton for a three night stay.

DAY 16 LHASA
This morning visit the Sera Monastery, one of the three great monasteries of Tibet, where debates on the teachings and philosophy of Buddhism take place. After lunch you will have the opportunity to visit a Tibetan family and discover their day-to-day life, traditions and beliefs. 

DAY 17 LHASA
This morning take a tour of the iconic Potala Palace which was the main residence of the Dali Lama before the current Dali Lama fled to India after the late 1950s invasion of Tibet. Following lunch at a local restaurant visit the Jokhang Monastery, the most sacred temple of the Tibetan people.

DAY 18 LHASA TO SHANGHAI
Spend the final morning in Lhasa at leisure soaking up the Tibetan atmosphere before catching your afternoon flight to Shanghai. On arrival transfer to the Ramada Pudong Airport Hotel.

DAY 19 SHANGHAI TO LONDON
Fly British Airways to London Heathrow arriving the following day.