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Day 1
Beijing
Meeting and assistance on arrival.
Transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 2
Beijing
Lanzhou MU2129 07:15 09:50
Morning transfer to the airport for the fligth to Lanzhou.
On arrival, transfer to Xiahe to visit Labrang monastery – one of the six great monasteries of the Yellow Hat sect, founded in 1709, unique opportunity to see Tibet culture and way of life. Our guide will show you the impressive interior of the Assembly hall and other temples. You will be introduced to the Buddha images and numerous protective deities. You can explore the Tibetan antique shops as well as the shops providing for the needs of monks and the monastery.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 3
Lanzhou
Xiahe
Morning drive 10 kilometers to the southwest of the Xiahe to see beautiful Sangke Grassland and visit a Tibetan Family. Sangke Grassland is bordered by the Daxia River and famous for its excellent pasture and frequent magnificent Buddhist ceremonies. Lush green grass and colorful flowers form a natural carpet covering this expansive area. The prairie is named for the summer-blooming sangke flowers that form a natural carpet extending to the far horizons. Reflecting sky and mountains, the Daxia River twists through grass and earth like an undulating silk belt. Groups of sheep and yaks plus white tents form a beautiful picture.
You will be transferred back to hotel after the tour.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 4
Xiahe
Lanzhou – 280km
Morning drive back to Lanzhou en route visit famous Binglingshi caves (80 km from Lanzhou). Transfer by yacht via the artificial lake on the Yellow river to reach the Thousand Buddha caves of Binglinshi carved over the period of 1,500 years.
Later proceed to Lanzhou.
On arrival check in to hotel.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 5
Lanzhou
Dunhuang 3U8569 09:00-10:40
Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Dunhuang.
On arrival transfer to hotel.
Day trip to the Mogao Caves – the world’s richest treasure-trove of Buddhist manuscripts, wall paintings and statuary dated back to 4th up to 14th century onwards; created during nine dynasties they mark the height of Buddhist art.
Later visit the nearby Mingsha (Singing) Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake.
Possible camel riding. (not included in the tour cost)
Enjoy sunset view at the best desert scenery that travelers can see along the entire length of the Silk Road.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 6
Dunhuang
Liuyuan (128 km) -Turpan
Morning visit will be made to the Western 1000 Buddha caves, although in reality there are only 22. The frescoes are similar to the ones found at Mogao and it is therefore mostly assumed that they are also Dunhuang Buddhist art. There age is unknown but they may pre-date those at the Mogao Grottoes. In addition to the frescoes there are several painted clay statues.
In town see the White Horse Dagoba and the informative Dunhuang County Museum which contains some of the Tibetan and Chinese scriptures found at the famous Mogao grottoes, silks, sacrificial objects and reed torches for the beacon towers.
Evening transfer to Liyuan station to catch a bullet train to Turpan D2711 18.55-22.15.
Overnight: Hotel
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Day 7
Turpan
Early morning visit picturesque Tuyoq ancient village (70 km) to see the oldest in Turpan area Buddhist caves dated back to the 4th c. Visit local Uygur families enjoy beautiful mountain and grapes sceneries.
Later visit the impressive ruins at Gaochang ancient city (47 km), built in the 2nd c. BC, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Gaochang under the Han dynasty, destroyed around 14th century, take a donkey cart taxi to venture deep into this famous ancient site. Get inside of Astana Tombs to see well preserved mummies and unique wall paintings dated back to 2AD.
Later visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (56 km) on the flanks of the Flaming Mountains, there are 67 caves dating from 317 to 1368, Bezeklik was an important center for Buddhist worship.
These are superb murals many depicting Buddhist Sutras and Jatakas which were the part of Hinayana and Mahayana beliefs. Bezekliq caves were part of Gaochang Kingdom present day ruins of Gaochang.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 8
Turpan
Kashgar
Morning visit: remarkable Karez system, an old engineering miracle designed to bring water to the dry desert town, the karez channels of Turpan have a history of more than 2000 years.
Later transfer to train station for overnight train to Kashgar.
Overnight: train
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Day 9
Kashgar
On arrival transfer to hotel, check in.
Reminder of the day rest at leisure.
You can walk through the colorful national Handicraft Street that has the verity of ceramic and wood carving workshops.
Explore the maze of narrow streets in this oldest residential area of Kashgar. Houses were originally built along a natural slope, and extended over the years with many streets either fully or half-covered. Traditional Uighur life continues here in time-honoured fashion. Visit local families, see potteries, bakeries, embroidery, and local skills.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 10
Kashgar
Full day sightseeing in Kashgar:
Visit colorful local bazaar where you will see numerous sections: silk and cotton, knives, hats, pots and pans, fresh vegetables and fruits, carpets and jewellery.
Afternoon visit the largest mosque in China - Idkah mosque (1442), grand Islamic structure located in the center of the city of Kashgar, has a history of more than five hundred years. Shakesimirzha, the ruler of Kashgar, had the mosque built here first in1442, where he would say prayers to the souls of his deceased relatives. Extended and renovated time and again through the ages, it has finally reached its present shape and size.
Visit Apak Khoja’s Tomb – the holiest place in Xinjiang for Sufis (1640), located outside Kashgar was built in 1640 and, in addition to encompassing a larger complex that includes a functioning mosque and Qur'anic school, houses the coffins of five generations of the Apak Khoja family, including what is purported to be the body of the Fragrant Concubine.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 11
Kashgar
Torugart pass (3752 m) – 170km - Tash Rabat –115km
Depart Kashgar for Torugart Pass. Proceed with border formalities. Enter Kyrgyzstan, and continue to Tash Rabat.
Visit Tash-Rabat caravan saray, which is a stone fortress that was built in the 15 century, the medieval inn of the merchants and travelers on the Great Silk Road is situated in the beautiful Tash-Rabat gorge at a height of 3000m. The construction is a multi-domed rectangular building with sides of 35 and 33 m. The whole structure consists of a big central hall with 31 rooms around it. On the walls are traces of old paintings.
That area is good for hiking, walking and riding.
Overnight: in the yurt
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Day 12
Tash Rabat
Song Kol Lake
Morning drive to Song Kol Lake.
Song-Kul Lake - is Kyrgyzstan’s second largest lake. It lies in high mountain area within a valley that stretches 60 km in length and 30 km in width. The lake is situated in a treeless, mountainous plateau and is surrounded by the mountain meadows. These meadows are used by local people as the pasture. Shepherds come to the lake with their family and flocks and live during summer time.
Nice place to learn Kyrgyz life style.
Overnight: in the yurt
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Day 13
Song Kol Lake
Full day at leisure.
Optional: Possible to have walking or horse riding around the lake.
Overnight: in the yurt
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Day 14
Song Kol Lake
Kochkor – Ashuu Village (Chon Kemin valley)
Morning proceed to Chon Kemin valley en route visit Kochkor village, an excellent place to experience the rural lifestyle in Kyrgyzstan. The process of making felt carpets, in Kyrgyz “Shyrdak” (type of felt carpet) will be demonstrated. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own felt carpets. The history of shyrdaks, a variety of the patterns and their meaning will be discussed, as well as how to recognize high quality shyrdak.
Later proceed to Chon-kemin valley, where you will stay overnight in a small cozy guest house in the village Ashuu.
It is a perfect place where you can see the real life of Kyrgyz people.
Dinner in the guest house.
Overnight: Guesthouse
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Day 15
Ashuu Village
Bishkek (180km)
The valley has a rich variety of vegetation, and animal life, and boasts both a Zoological preserve, (with partridges, gold pheasant, hare, wild boar and mountain sheep) and a botanical reserve (Kapchagai – which is home to ephedra – horsetail). The park was founded in 1997 including almost all the forest farms of the Kemin district. The park’s main task is to preserve the unique landscapes with their diversity of fauna and flora.
Today morning you will have a trip on horses in vehicles to Chong-Kemin gorge. Short walk in vicinities and return to the village for lunch.
Afternoon drive to Bishkek via Burana tower.
On arrival transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 16
Bishkek
Ala-Archa National Park – Bishkek
Today you will have a trip to Ala-Archa National Park, located 40 km from Bishkek.
Ala-Archa is an alpine national park in the Tian Shan Mountains, established in 1976. The close location of the gorge allows getting the place within one hour from Bishkek city, within this time you will rise from 750 to 2100 meters above sea level. The name Ala-Archa is translated as Bright Juniper from Kyrgyz as the whole gorge is covered with various trees including the main one - juniper. Ala Archa is a perfect place to spend a day walking in the gorge.
Return to Bishkek.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 17
Bishkek
Tashkent HY780 11:20 - 11:40
Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Tashkent.
On arrival transfer to hotel, check in.
Reminder of the day rest at leisure.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 18
Tashkent
Full day sightseeing tour of Tashkent:
Visit the old town to see Barak Khana Seminary, Tila Shaikh mosque and archives known for the exhibit of a rare copy of Koran written the third Caliph Othman. Later proceed to Chorsu bazaar, Kukeldash Madrassah.
Afternoon visit Museum of Applied Arts, excursion to visit Mustakillik (Independence) Square in the heart of Tashkent and famous Tashkent Metro (underground) decorated with local marble and granite like an underground palaces, visit Amir Temur squire, Opera and ballet theatre square.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 19
Tashkent
Samarkand – 330 km
Morning drive to Samarkand and on arrival transfer to hotel.
Reminder of the day free at leisure.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 20
Samarkand
Full day sightseeing in Samarkand:
Morning half day city tour of Samarkand to visit: Registan Square which was for many centuries the heart of Samarkand. The word "registan" means "a sandy place", and is derived from the sand left behind after a river running through the region had dried up. See the three beautiful madrassahs: the Ulug-Bek Madrasah built in the fifteenth century; the Tillya-Kori Madrasah built in the seventeenth century; the Sher-Dor Madrasah, also built in the seventeenth century. Visit Gur Emir - another famous point of interest on the tour of Central Asia and of Uzbekistan. The name means "Tomb of the King", and this is the mausoleum of the Asian conqueror Tamerlane and his descendents.
Afternoon see the grandest structure of Amir Temur’s times is the chief Friday Mosque called Bibi-Khanum, the Silk Road bazar and Shahi Zinda necropolis.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 21
Samarkand
Shakhrisabz – Bukhara (368 km)
Morning drive to Bukhara en route excursion to Shakhrisabz the birthplace of the Great Amir Temur visit: Ak Saroy Palace ruins, Dorus Tilavat seminary, Kok Gumbaz mosque, Dorus Saidat and the Friday mosque
Late afternoon proceed to Bukhara
Upon arrival in Bukhara check in at your pre booked Hotel.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 22
Bukhara
Full day sightseeing in Bukhara:
Visit – Lab-i-khauz ensemble, the pool and chaikhana of which is the modern centre of traditional Uzbekistan.
Visit Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Khanaga, Mogaki Attari mosque, Poi Kalon minaret and mosque,
See Madrassahs Aziz Khan and Ulugbek.
Later visit Ark Fortress, Balakhauz mosque, mausoleum of Ismail Samanid, Chashma Ayub.
Overnight at hotel
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Day 23
Bukhara
Morning half day excursion to Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the summer residence of the former emir of Bukhara where you can see unique mixture of traditional Russian style of architecture harmoniously mixed with local oriental traditions. Famous thrown white hall decorated with carved alabaster resembles halls in Petergof Palace in the suburb of St Petersburg
Afternoon excursion to Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausolem famous Sufi spiritual leader of this region in 14th century. Bahouddin Naqshband's cult was highly venerated among folks. The rulers, too, paid a considerable attention to this architectural ensemble.
Return to Bukhara and enjoy walking among old Bukharian streets
Overnight at hotel
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Day 24
Bukhara
Khiva (470 km)
Morning drive to Khiva via famous Kizil Kum desert (Red sands)
See desert flora and fauna: unique saksaul trees and other desert vegetation, different kind mammals. Stop at Amudarya river bank.
Later proceed to Khiva and on arrival in Khiva check in at your pre booked Hotel
Overnight at hotel
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Day 25
Khiva
Urgench (30 km) – Tashkent HY 1056 22.00/23.20
Full day city tour of Khiva - the museum under the open sky in the inner city Ichan Kala no transport, whole day will be just walking tour.
Visit Ichan Kala, Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark, Madrassah Rakhimkhon, Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud, Islam Khodja minaret and enjoy view of whole ancient Khiva.
In the afternoon continue city tour of Khiva visit Friday mosque and Tashauli Palace/harem.
In the evening you are transferred to Urgench airport for flight to Tashkent
On arrival in Tashkent Airport you are met and transferred to your pre booked Hotel
Overnight at hotel
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Day 26
Tashkent
Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure flight home