D1 Xi’an

Arrive in Xi’an. When you arrive at Xi’an Airport, your local guide and driver will meet you there and take you to downtown City.

Xi’an is claimed to be “Museum City”. You will be able to visit the Shannxi Historic Museum, one of the best museums in China, with collections from 1.7 million years ago. Your next stop will be at the symbol of Xi’an, Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists.

As for the dinner, you will be able to enjoy the Special Dumplings Dinner to taste more than10 types of different dumplings. After the dinner, you can enjoy a Tang Dynasty Performance, a veritable Tang dynasty show, reminding you the most prosperous empire 1400 year ago.

Meals: lunch & special dinner

Accommodation: 4-star hotel

D2 Xi’an

In the morning you will visit a prehistoric settlement at Banpo, to see the early settlements’ life. Then you will visit the highlight of Xi’an trip-- the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. It was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages.

In the afternoon you will be driven to the Great Mosque, established in AD742 for Muslim traders from Central Asia who settled in Xi’an, which is still an active place of worship in the present. The area surrounding the mosque has a distinct Muslim atmosphere, crowded with shops.

Tonight, if you like, you can enjoy a special treatment—Chinese herbs feet massage（optional, RMB150/p/60min）, to relax your sore feet from a whole day walk, and give you a good sleep. Try it! You will be indulged in it!

Meals: lunch

Accommodation: 4-star hotel

D3 Xi’an/Dunhuang/Yangguan

Today the tour guide will take you to Xi’an City Wall, the best preserved city wall in China.

Then you will fly to l fly to Dunhuang. This small desert oasis is the site of the largest complex of ancient Chinese art-- religious art. The Mogao Caves contain hundreds of hand dug caves containing murals and statues relating to the life of the Buddha.  This site is both a “Chinese Cultural Treasure of National Importance” and a “UNESCO World Heritage Site”.

After a visit to the Mogao Caves you will drive through the Gobi to Yangguan. Here you will visit Yangguan Pass, one of the far western gates of the Great Wall, all but dilapidated from the harsh environment. You will visit a local tree farm and learn about global desertification from an environmental engineer.

Meals: lunch & dinner

Accommodation: 4-star hotel

D4 Yangguan/Kashigar

Today you will fly to Kashigar. Relax in the evening.

Meals: lunch

Accommodation: 3-star hotel

D5 Kashigar/ Taklimakan Desert

Drive 2 hours to the edge of the Taklimakan Desert (literal translation, “if you go in, it is hard to get out”) and feel the blazing sun from the back of a camel. The afternoon and evening will be spent exploring the endless stalls at a local bazaar before touring one of Xinjiang’s oldest mosques.

Meals: lunch & dinner

Accommodation: 3-star hotel

D6 Taklimakan Desert/ Tashikulkan

Travel by bus to Tashikulkan at 3,000m (10,000ft) altitude. You will stop to take photos and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Plateau Lake and the 7,546m (24,757ft) high peak of Mushitake (Glacier Peak’s Father) are the highlights of the journey. The bus trip will take the majority of the day.

Meals: lunch & dinner

Accommodation: 3-star hotel

D7 Ancient Stone City

In the morning tour the town and the Ancient Stone City. After lunch you will be driven to the Tajikan village at 3,400m (11,100ft). In the afternoon and evening you are free to explore the town, speak with locals, and share their quiet and simple.
Meals: lunch & dinner

Accommodation: Home stay

D8 Pamir Plateau

Travel by Yak or Horse for a full day’s safari on the Pamir Plateau. View wildlife, such as the Marco Polo Argali (the largest wild sheep with longest long horns in the world), the Himalayan Ibex, the Blue Sheep, and if lucky, you can see the Wolf and Snow leopard. A local expert guide will take us into mountains 3,300- 4,000m (10,000-13,000ft) or higher. Ride back to the village for another night in a local’s home. (Camping in the mountains is optional and additional days for the tour are available).

Meals: lunch & dinner

Accommodation: Home stay

D9 Pamir Plateau/ Hongqilapu Pass/Kashgar

Drive to the breathtaking Hongqilapu Pass on the border with Pakistan before heading down the mountains into Kashgar for the night (an extended driving tour over the pass to continue into Pakistan is optional)

Meals: lunch & dinner

Accommodation:3-star hotel

D10 Departure

Depart from Kashgar for home or combine other tour programs to continue.   

Meals: Not included

Accommodation: Not included

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS

Taklamakan Desert: Spend four days exploring the Taklamakan Desert by either 4x4 or train (your choice). See some desert wildlife, meet local people, and explore this harsh environment. Price: USD550 per person

Silk Road to Pakistan Continue along Silk Road to Pakistan. See how the Silk Road has influenced the cultural development of Pakistan. We are flexible about designing this extension to fit your time requirements.  For more details please contact us. Price: upon request

Extra Days on Pamir Spend a few more days on safari in the Pamir Mountains on Horseback or Yakback. This is your chance to feel what the travelers of past felt. Price: USD150 per-day, 5 days max.