Silk Road Xinjiang Wildness Adventure

Tour Code

ETC-Q74

Duration

10 Days

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Overview

Riding the camel from jade town Hotan, travelers will have a great adventure in Taklamakan Desert and camping near the sand dunes. Discover the historical wonders, Buddism temples, cultural relics as well as the weekly Great Bazaar in Kashgar….Enjoy the wild scenery Karakul Lake & Muztagh-ata, then head to Khunjerab Pas, which is said to be the highest border crossing in the world… The popular cultural and scenic spots including Muhammed Kashgari's Tomb Complex, Karakul Lake, Muztagh-ata, Mt. Kongur, Stone City...

Duration: 10 days & 9 nights

Destinations: Hotan - Kashgar - Tashkurghan - Kashgar - Urumqi

Starting Point: Hotan

Ending Point: Urumqi

China travel map - Silk Road Xinjiang Wildness Adventure

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Hotan/Khotan

Fly to Urumqi and connect your flight to Hotan. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to hotel for check-in.

Day 2 Drive to the edge of the Taklamakan Desert

Drive 30 km (one hour) to the edge of the Taklamakan Desert and then hop on a camel for desert exploration (about 6 - 7 hours). Camp overnight in the desert.

Meal: B, L, D

Taklamakan Desert

Day 3 Visit Buddhist pagoda ruins, Malike-awat ruins, Jade River and jade carving factory

Ride the camel to Rawak ancient town, and visit Buddhist pagoda ruins (built in Tang dynasty 6th century AD, combination of Persian Indian architectural style), Malike-awat ruins, Jade River and jade carving factory.

Meal: B, L, D

Day 4 Visit the magnificent mausoleum of Yarkant king, the old streets of Yarkant city

Drive 520 km along the southern rim of Taklamakan Desert to Kashgar, a quaint oasis town, which was once the center of civilization in the Tarim Basin. On the way, visit the magnificent mausoleum of Yarkant king, and the old streets of Yarkant city. Yarkant once was a famous Silk Road town for traders. You will also visit Yingsar hand-made knife factory before you arrive to Kashgar.

Meal: B, L, D

mausoleum of Yarkant king

Day 5 Visit Karakul Lake

After breakfast, drive along famous Karakorum highway for 200km.On the way you will pass by Mahmud Kashgary tomb who was a famous linguist around 11 century. Arrive at Karakul Lake, flanked by a 7000m giant and beautiful snow capped mountains Muztagh-ata and Mt. Kongur. This area is also occupied by local Kyrgyz people as pasture land. So you could also see local nomadic life there by Yaks. Stay overnight in the yurt for the adventurous or a hotel in Tashkurghan.

Meal: B, L, D

Day 6 Visit the Stone City

Enjoy breakfast by the Lake and a free hike in the morning. Then drive 1.5 hour to Tashkurghan (100 km) to visit the Stone City. After a short rest, we drive about 2 hours to the Khunjerab Pass (4693 m), which is said to be the highest border crossing in the world between Pakistan and China. The scenery at the pass is indeed incredibly beautiful. Overnight at Tashkurghan.

Meal: B, L, D

Stone City

Day 7 Drive all the way to Kashgar

Drive all the way to Kashgar (5-6 hours). Free at leisure on your own.

Meal: B, L

Day 8 Visit Handcraft Street of Kashgar, local bazaar

Take a morning city tour to the Kashgar old town and Handcraft Street of Kashgar, like its name Kashgar was so called as the center of the hand crafts such as iron, wood, cooper and gold products. You feel like you are not in China while you walking through the old town of Kashgar. Afternoon visit the local bazaar and also visit the Main Market area which has more farmers on Sunday.

Meal: B, L

Day 9 Visit Xinjiang Museum

Transfer to fly to Urumqi, be met and transferred to visit Xinjiang Museum. Free time at leisure.

Meal: B, L

Xinjiang Museum

Day 10 Urumqi departure

Transfer to the airport and fly to your next destination.

Meal: B

End of service

What's included

1-on-1 Travel Consultant
Your China based expert listens to your wishes carefully, provides professional advice, ensures unlimited itinerary revisions before done and 24/7 helpline service while traveling.
Private Local Guide and Driver
Your guides are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and your drivers are professional, polite and patient. They are very flexible to accommodate your personal needs and happy to show you the local attractions, history, culture, foods and real life.
Private transfers from hotel to attractions, airport or train station are also included.
Accommodation to Suit Your Preference
In each place, we hand pick hotels ranging from luxury 5 star, superior 4 star to comfortable 3 star. Luxury or cozy boutique hotels and budget guesthouses are also among your choices. You could decide where to stay to meet your taste and budget.
Gourmet Meals
Most of the hotels we select offer both Western and Chinese buffet breakfast. Lunch and dinner included are arranged in selected restaurants to taste authentic Chinese cuisine and local specialties. Thus you may also have a unique food tour.
Meals specified in itinerary as B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner.
Attractions and Activities Listed on the Itinerary
Our China tour packages have included the (first/main) entry to all attractions and the expenses of activities on the itinerary (except the optional activities).
Internal Transportation
Based on your needs, we could make bookings of internal transportation, including domestic flights, inter-city trains, long-distance bus, etc.