The Silk Road Expedition
18 Days from just £2,230 per person
Sites Visited along The Silk Route: Temple of Heaven; Tiananmen Square; Forbidden City; Summer Palace; The Great Wall; Ming Tombs; Xian Ancient City Wall; Terracotta Warriors; Huaqing Hot Spring; Big Wild Goose Pagoda; Mingsha Mountain; Mogao Caves; Gaochang Ruins; Heavenly Mountain; Id Kah Mosque... and much more!
Camel ride in Dunhuang
Day 1 - London Heathrow to Beijing
Depart from London Heathrow airport for scheduled flight to Beijing. We can also arrange departures from your local airport
Day 2 - Beijing
Your Silk Route experience starts when you arrive at Beijing Capital Airport and transfered to 4* hotel in city centre. Later tour to the Temple of Heaven - the famous landmark of Beijing where emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped the God of Heaven and prayed for good harvest. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. (L/D)
Day 3 - Beijing
Start our tour this morning with a visit to Tiananmen Square - the largest public square in the world. Walking through the Gate of Heavenly Peace (with late Chairman Mao’s huge portrait hanging over the gate), we enter the magnificent Forbidden City - which served as imperial palaces for 24 emperors since the 15th century. This massive palace compound never fails to impress.
In the afternoon The Silk Route Tour continues to the enchanting Summer Palace - with the largest imperial garden in China, where late Qing emperors and empresses stayed between May and October, seeking escape from the pollution inside the city. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the beautiful Kunming Lake. (B/L/D)
Day 4 - Beijing
Today our route takes us outside the city to the Great Wall at Badaling. You will be given plenty of time to explore this magnificent monument and climb to the top. The afternoon is spent visiting the Ming Tombs - 13 Ming Emperors were buried in the basin surrounded by Tiger and Dragon Mountains. The evening is time to relax with a traditional Peking duck banquet. (B/L/D)
Day 5 - Beijing to Xian
This morning we fly to Xian. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel in city centre. Later tour to the Ancient City Walls and Shaanxi Provincial Museum - a perfect place to learn the history and culture of the ancient Silk Route. (B/L/D)
Day 6 - Xian
Today we have a full day excursion to the magnificent Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Hot Spring and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This evening enjoy a spectacular Tang Dynasty Dinner Show. (B/L/D)
Day 7 - Xian to Dunhuang
Morning flight to Dunhuang. In the afternoon we tour the Mingsha Mountain, and then take a camel ride to the Crescent Moon Lake, just like the Silk Route traders used to travel. (B/L/D)
Day 8 - Dunhuang
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we set off for a full day tour to the Mogao Caves. Late afternoon transfer to Liuyuan Station for overnight train to Turpan. (B/L/D)
Day 9 - Turpan
Morning arrival in Turpan. Transfer to hotel and take time to rest and relax. Later our Silk Route continues to the Astana Graves, Gaochang Ruins, and Flaming Mountains. (B/L/D)
Day 10 - Turpan to Urumqi
Today we travel by coach to Urumqi (approx. 2.5 hours) and visit the beautiful Heavenly Mountain and Heavenly Lake. (B/L/D)
Day 11 - Urumqi to Kashgar
Today we take a flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival we transfer to the hotel and then spend the rest of the day at leisure. (B/L/D)
Day 12 - Kashgar
Tour to the Id Kah Mosque and Old Town. Enjoy a Uyghur style lunch with local Muslim family. (B/L/D)
Day 13 - Kashgar to Karakul Lake
Today we drive southwest along the Karakoram Highway route - the highway takes you close to the border of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and ends in Pakistan. Stop at Upal village for lunch. Continue the journey (approx. 5-6 hours) to Lake Karakul, passing the canyon of the Ghez River (checkpoint), where you will be treated with the beautiful scenery from sand dunes to snow mountains. Arrive in Karakul in the evening. Stay overnight in a Uyghur yurt. (B/L/D)
Day 14 - Karakul Lake to Kashgar
Wake up early to see the stunning sunrise over Lake Karakul. Return to Kashgar in the afternoon. (B/L/D)
Day 15 - Kashgar to Urumqi to Shanghai
Morning transfer to airport for flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival we visit the Hongshan Park and Xinjiang Museum.
Take late evening flight to Shanghai where you will be transferred to 4* hotel in city centre on arrival. (B/L/D)
Day 16 - Shanghai
Today we have a full tour of Shanghai, including a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, Old Town and Yuyuan Garden.
After dinner tonight your guide will take you for a leisurely stroll along the Bund. (B/L/D)
Day 17 - Shanghai
Today you are free at leisure to do some last minute shopping and exploring. (B)
Day 18 - Shanghai to London Heathrow
Our Silk Route journey ends today with a morning transfer to airport for flight to London. End of itinerary. (B)
Legendary Yangtze Cruise Extension:
Day 15 - Kashgar to Urumqi
Morning transfer to airport for flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival we visit the Hongshan Park and Xinjiang Museum. (B/L/D)
Day 16 - Urumqi to Chongqing
Today we fly from Urumqi to Chongqing, where we transfer to board 4*/5* Yangtze River Cruise. (B/L/D)
Day 17 - Yangtze River*
Early birds among us can take the opportunity to learn Taichi on the upper deck. After breakfast there will be a shore excursion to Fengdu - the ghost city (or Shibaozhai or Wanxian County, depending on the water level). (B/L/D)
* Cruise schedule may be subject to change, depending on the water level.
Day 18 - Yangtze River
Excursion to the beautiful Daning River through its Lesser Three Gorges or a small boat trip to the Shennong Stream - drift along the crystal clear water and be dazzled by the strength and bravery of boat-trackers. Cruise staff will prepare a scrumptious farewell dinner and cabaret for us this evening. (B/L/D)
Day 19 - Yichang - Shanghai
After breakfast we will visit the Three Gorges Dam construction site - the largest water engineering project in history, which will create millions of migrants and generate enough power to feed the country’s fast developing economy. Noon disembark cruise at Yichang. After lunch, take a short flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival transfer to 4* hotel in city centre. After dinner your guide will take you for a leisurely walk along the Bund. (B/L/D)
Day 20 - Shanghai
Today we have a full tour of Shanghai, including a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, Old Town and Yuyuan Garden. (B/L/D)
Day 21 - Shanghai
Today you have free at leisure to do some last minute shopping and exploring. (B)
Day 22 - Shanghai to London Heathrow
Morning transfer to airport for flight home. End of itinerary. (B)
18 Days Package Price from just £2,230 per person (Single supplement £245)
22 Days Package Price from just £2,760 per person (Single Supplement £480)
The Silk Route Price includes:
- International flight London - Beijing / Shanghai London
- 4-star hotel accommodation (on twin share basis)
- 4* / 5* Yangtze River Cruise (on Legendary Yangtze Cruise extension)
- Meals as described (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner)
- Daily supply of bottled water
- Fully escorted tours with English speaking guides
- All domestic flights
- All airport taxes and service charges
The Silk Route Price excludes:
- Travel insurance (can be arranged, please ask for details)
- Tips to guides and drivers
- Chinese visa fee (£40 per person for single entry normal visa)
| Date (depart - return) | Price | *with Yangtze extension |
|---|---|---|
| 05 - 22/26* May 2008 | £2,230 per person | £2,760 per person |
| 08 - 25/29* Sep 2008 | £2,280 per person | £2,810 per person |
| 06 - 23/27* Oct 2008 | £2,280 per person | £2,810 per person |