The Silk Road

This adventurous tour follows the fabled Silk Road, exploring the desolate landscapes, lost cities, ancient trading outposts and vibrant markets that have captured the imagination for centuries.

Your journey begins in the beautiful desert town of Dunhuang, with visits to the Western Thousand Buddha Caves and Mogao Grottos. From here, drive to Jiayuguan, starting point for the Silk Road odyssey and from where you can visit the very western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall at Jiayuguan Pass. Continue by overnight train to Turpan at the second lowest point on earth, before driving to Urumqi with its vibrant and colourful local markets.

You then fly to Kashgar an oasis outpost rich in Central Asian culture, and the westernmost city in China. It is here your journey ends with the opportunity to visit the fabulous Kashgar Sunday Market. NB: In order to include a visit to the Kashgar Sunday Market, it is necessary to depart London on a Sunday.

Sample itinerary

Day 1: Depart London.  Day 2: Arrive Beijing. Overnights Park Plaza Beijing.  Days 3/4: Fly to Dunhuang. City & Taklimakan Desert sightseeing. Overnights Silk Road Hotel.  Day 5: Drive to Jiayuguan. Overnight Garden Hotel.  Day 6: Excursion to Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Overnight train to Turpan.  Day 7: Arrive Turpan. City sightseeing. Overnight Turpan Oasis Hotel.  Days 8/9: Drive to Urumqi via Tuyog. City & markets sightseeing. Overnights Hoi Tak Hotel.  Days 10/11: Fly to Kashgar. City sightseeing & Kashgar Sunday Market.  Day 12: Fly to Beijing. Overnight Park Plaza Beijing.  Day 13: Fly to London.