Tian Shan, Taklamakan & Lower Tibet Xi'an - Bishkek
Trip Overview
This 27 day overland tour journeys from Xi'an to Bishkek through China, Kyrgyzstan
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90% Highlights
Wild camp near an adobe section of the Great Wall near Jiayuguan
Explore the colourful natural phenomenon of the Rainbow Mountains
Explore the stunningly beautiful Mt. Kongtong and its temples
Visit the ancient Silk Road caravanserai at Tash Rabat
Guided tour of Xi'an's world famous Terracotta Warriors
Stay overnight in a traditional yurt owned by Kyrgyz and Tajik families
Exploration of the oasis and the Jiaohe ruins at Turpan
Guided tour of the Mogao caves, Dunhuang
Cross the northern end of the Tibetan Plateau
Explore Xiahe - one of Tibets most historic cities
SHOW MORE HIGHLIGHTSBorder Information: if joining in Xi'an, you will most likely enter China at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (IATA code: XIY).
Welcome to the amazing city of Xi'an, the ancient capital of Shaanxi province and the end of the 'Silk Road'! We will have a free day to explore the city, it's famous walls, bell and drum towers, pagodas and Muslim Quarter.
There will be a group meeting today at 6:00pm - please look out for a note from your tour leader at the hotel reception with more information about this important meeting.
Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Xi'an before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Xi'an.
In Xi'an we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Visit the ornate 14th-century Bell and Drum towers, which originally marked the sunrise and sunset
Wander through the atmospheric Muslim Quarter and visit the Xi'an Great Mosque, the first mosque constructed in China
Learn about the fascinating history of the ancient Chinese capital of Chang'an at the Shaanxi History Museum, without doubt one of the finest museums in China
Visit the mind-blowing Tomb of Emporer Jingdi of the Han Dynasty, containing 50,000 doll-sized terracotta figures
Walk or cycle around the Ming Dynasty Xi'an City Wall, the largest city wall in the world
Visit the impressive Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an's most famous landmark dating from the Tang and Ming Dynasties
This morning we head out of Xi'an on the truck to the site of the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, where we have an included visit and a guided tour.
We will return to Xi'an for the afternoon, where we'll have a free afternoon to further explore this incredible city.
Daily Activities
Explore the world-famous site of the Terracotta Warriors, an army of 8000 life-size figures built to protect the Emporer Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife
Today we will drive to the small town of Pingliang at the base of the Mount Kongtong, one of the holiest mountains in Chinese Taoism.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).
On the following day we will have an included visit to Mount Kongtong, and will have the full day to explore the temples and walk and explore the pilgrimage routes on the mountain.
In Pingliang we will stay in a decent local hotel.
Please note that if the group and leader prefer to split the drive between Turpan and Dunhuang over 2 days, there will only be 1 night in Pingliang and a half-day exploration of Mount Kongtong.
Daily Activities
Explore the stunningly beautiful Mt. Kongtong and its temples
Today we will head to the chaotic capital city of
In Lanzhou we will stay in a comfortable hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
Today we set off to the enchanting Tibetan town of Xiahe where we spend the next 2 nights. We will have an included visit to the incredble Bingling Si Buddha Caves en route.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-6 hours.
The next few days are free to explore this beautiful town and surrounding grasslands. We can take a guided visit to the Labrang Monastery where Tibetan monks can be seen doing their daily rituals and chants. There may also be a chance to go trekking, horse riding or exploring the surrounding grasslands, visiting Tibetan families and perhaps trying the local Yak butter tea.
In Xiahe we will stay in a local Tibetan-owned hotel.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
2 night detour to the Tibetan town of Xiahe, one of the main pilgrimage sites for Tibetan Buddhists
Climb up onto the lower slopes of the remote Tibetan Plateau
Today we will leave Xiahe behind us to reach the small city of Liujiaxia. We will have an included visit to the incredible Bingling Si Buddha Caves en route.
In Liujiaxia we will stay in a basic local hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours.
Daily Activities
See the vast Buddha statue and the outstanding Buddhist cave sculptures at the fabulous Bingling Si gorge
Today we will drive to the incredible Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains - we'll spend some time exploring the region before heading off to wild camp nearby.
Estimated Drive Time - 7-9 hours.
Daily Activities
Explore the incredible and colourful natural phenomenon of the Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains
Today we continue our journey with a drive to Jiayuguan, where we will have an included visit to the Jiayuguan Fort - the most western point of the Great Wall of China. Please note that the Great Wall here is abode, unlike the more famous stone sections further east.
We will wild camp near an adobe section of the Great Wall near Jiayuguan.
Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours.
Daily Activities
Journey down the Gansu Corridor to Jiayuguan Fort, our first stop at the Great Wall
Today we will continue our journey westwards to reach the city of Dunhuang.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
On the following day we will have an included visit to the awe-inspiring Mogao Buddha Caves in the morning. We will then have a free afternoon to explore this amazing town and it’s surroundings - there are possibilities for camel rides along the sand dunes and bicycle rides out to the nearby White Goose Pagoda!
In Dunhuang we will stay in a comfortable hotel.
Daily Activities
Guided tour of the Mogao caves, Dunhuang
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Stopover and time to explore historic Dunhuang
Take a camel ride to Crescent Moon Lake, Dunhuang
Today we will have an early start and a big drive to the oasis town of Turpan.
Estimated Drive Time - 10-12 hours.
Please note that sometimes it may be preferred by the group and the leader to split this drive over 2 days, wild camping in between - in this case we will have 1 less night in Pingliang towards the beginning of the trip.
On the following day we will have a free day to exploring the surrounding sites including the famous Jiaohe ruins.
In Turpan we will stay in a local hotel.
Daily Activities
Exploration of the oasis and the Jiaohe ruins at Turpan
Learn about the Karez water system, the ingenious method of irrigating the area that was developed by the Han Dynasty and allowed Turpan to flourish as an oasis town
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Today we will continue on to
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
We will stay here for 2 nights, and will have many opportunities to relax in the incredible scenery and walk around the lake.
In Heavenly Lake we will stay in local yurts with very basic facilities.
Daily Activities
Enjoy a tranquil yurt stay at the beautiful Heavenly Lake
Today our journey continues westwards through the Taklamakan Desert. Our crossing of the desert usually takes 3 days/2 nights, and we plan to stay in local hotels near Korla or Bayanbulak on our first night and Aksu on our second.
Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours each day.
Today we complete our journey to the far west of China, arriving in Kashgar, once one of the ancient trading posts on the Silk Route!
Estimated Drive Time - 7-9 hours.
We will spend 3 nights in Kashgar, during which time there will be lots of opportunity to explore the city and its central Id Kah Mosque. We will also have an included visit to the animal market just outside of town, and then the famous Kashgar Sunday Bazaar.
In Kashgar we will stay in a hotel with good facilities.
Daily Activities
Explore Kashgar's Sunday market and Animal market.
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Visit the Id Kah Mosque, the finest example of Islamic architecture in Kashgar and the centre of religious life in the city
Discover the history of the ancient Silk Road at Kashgar's Silk Road Museum
Visit the mausoleum of the 17th-century religious leader Afaq Khoja, considered the holiest site in Xinjiang Province
For everyone that is continuing with us to Kyrgyzstan, there will be quick pre-departure meeting in the early morning in order to explain the next 6 days until Bishkek, and your leader will collect the kitty for this linking section.
In the afternoon we will do an included visit to Shiptons Arch - the largest natural arch in the world!
Tonight we will stay in a good quality local hotel
Daily Activities
Take in the spectacular mountain scenery on our drive along the Karakorum Highway to Lake Karakol
Stay overnight in a traditional yurt owned by Kyrgyz and Tajik families near the beautiful Lake Karakol, set amongst the 7500m-high mountains of the Tian Shan range
Explore Kashgar's Sunday market and Animal market.
Hike up to Shiptons Arch - the largest natural arch in the world.
Border Information: Exit China at Torugart, enter Kyrgyzstan at Torugart.
Today we will have a full day drive over the 3752m Torugart Pass into the magical mountain kingdom of Kyrgyzstan! We will head just over the border to Tash Rabat, once a key staging post on the
In Tash Rabat we will wild camp. In cold weather (or if simply the group prefers and there is availability), we may choose to stay in local nomadic yurts that are set up for guests near the caravanserai, sleeping 8-10 people per yurt.
We will spend 2 nights in Tash Rabat. On the second day we will have time to explore the local area.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
Daily Activities
Visit the ancient Silk Road caravanserai at Tash Rabat, close to the Kyrgyzstan-China border
Today we drive to the small village of Kochkor, where we stay in local family-run guesthouses and enjoy traditional Kyrgyz hospitality!
Whilst here we will visit a small museum and women's felt making cooperative that produces 'shyrdaks', the felt carpets for which Kyrgyzstan is renowned. We may also have the opportunity here to see some excellent local musicians playing traditional Kyrgyz folk music and to see how a yurt is put up!
In Kochkor we will stay in family-run guesthouses, accommodating up to 8 guests in each home.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.
Please note that if nobody from this group is leaving in Bishkek, we may choose to stay instead in a guesthouse in the small town of Naryn (a 2-3 hour drive from Tash Rabat). This is so that we don't repeat Kochkor unnecessarily on the next section and can have more time to explore the area of Tash Rabat this morning.
Daily Activities
Overnight homestay at a traditional rural Kyrgyz village
See the traditional felt workshops or Kochkor and learn about how Kyrgyz carpets and hats are typically made here
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Today we have a short drive to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The remainder of the day is free to explore the relaxed and atmospheric city.
In Bishkek we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.
Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours (from Kochkor).
Today there will be a group meeting at 10:00am for the next section of the trip towards Tashkent. The rest of the day will be free to further explore the city.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Begin our journey in picturesque Bishkek
Freely explore the vast Osh Bazaar, Bishkek's largest market
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DATES & PRICES
This group overland journey has multiple departures.
Please refine your search by selecting your preferred dates of travel.
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