Silk Road Adventure - 13 days

Silk Road Adventure - 13 days

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Silk Road Adventure - 13 days

13 Days Starting in Urumqi and ending in Beijing

Visiting: Ürümqi, Kashgar Prefecture, Turpan, Jiayuguan City, Zhangye, Lanzhou, Xi'An, Great Wall of China, Beijing

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

238/SRA

Recommended For:

Singles

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 16

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

Any age, but ensure train cabins and rooming booked accordingly to what is most suitable for the family

Tour operated in:
English
Interests:

History, Photography

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

PRIVATE TOUR: Taking in Urumqi, Kashgar and Turpan in China's far west before heading east to the dunes at Dunhuang, the UNESCO-listed Mogao Caves, Yellow River and the Terracotta Warriors. Our Silk Road Adventure is a road less travelled.

Highlights

  • Urumqi - Tian Chi (Heaven Lake), Xinjiang Museum

  • Kashgar - Id Kah Mosque, Aba Khoja Mausoleum

  • Turpan - Grape Valley, Gaochang city, Bezeklik Caves, Astana tombs, Imin Minaret, Jiaohe Ruins and Karez Well

  • Zhangye - the red gritstone area

  • Jiayuguan - Jiayuguan Pass and Fort at the Western end of the Great Wall of China

  • Lanzhou - Yellow River cruise and Bingling Temple

  • Xi’an - UNESCO-listed Terracotta Warriors, clay warrior workshop, Wild Goose Pagoda, bike ride along the City Wall and the Muslim Quarter

  • Beijing - UNESCO-listed Great Wall

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Urumqi
Location: Ürümqi
Meals Included: No Meals

Welcome to Urumqi, in Xianjiang, a massive province which shares borders with eight countries! A number airlines service Urumqi and our tour starts at this point. Arrival transfer from airport to hotel.

Day 2 : Urumqi
Location: Ürümqi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Urumqi - Kashgar. Capital of Xinjiang, a largely desert and grassland province fringed by some of the highest mountains in the world, Urumqi sits amidst beautiful scenery, with the snow-clad Tian Shan range to the city’s east. Two thousand years ago a string of oasis towns were developed along the Silk Road that skirted the surrounding deserts. Trade attracted merchants from Europe and India and Xinjiang became a meeting point between east and west.
This morning enjoy an excursion to Tian Chi (Heavenly Lake), which is 1,910 meters above sea level, with an average depth of 60 meters. Surrounding the Heavenly Lake are beautiful snow mountains, glacier forests and grassland alpine lake. Later visit the local Xinjiang Museum before flying to Kashgar.

Day 3 : Kashgar
Location: Kashgar Prefecture
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kashgar - Urumqi. Lying at the foot of the Pamir mountains in the far west of Xinjiang, Kashgar’s importance grew from its location as an oasis at the point where the northern and southern routes of the ancient Silk Road converged, forming a gateway to the mountains leading to India and Russia. From the 10th - 18th centuries Kashgar was part of the Islamic world, until the Chinese reconquered the region.
On day 3 visit the largest mosque in China, Id Kah Mosque, which is located on the central square in Kashgar City, and the Aba Khoja Mausoleum which is perhaps the finest example of Islamic architecture in Xinjiang. Enjoy a short visit to the local market before flying back to Urumqi.

Day 4 : Turpan
Location: Turpan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Urumqi - Turpan. Enjoy an excursion to the southern mountain pastures before continuing by road to Turpan. Located on the northern Silk Road, Turpan is a rural Uighur settlement. The Uighur descended from nomadic Siberian and Central Asian tribes who settled the region in the 9th century. Renowned for its grape production, you’ll visit Grape Valley, the heart of the region’s massive grape production. Taking a walk along the grape corridor, you will find drying rooms on nearby slopes. Every year over 300 tons of raisins are made here.

Day 5 : Turpan
Location: Turpan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's excursion takes you to Bezeklik. You’ll visit the Bezeklik Caves which are situated in a desert gorge high above the Sengim River and once formed part of a Buddhist monastery between the 6th and 14th centuries. Beyond here are the Astana tombs and the impressive ruins of Gaochang city, founded as a garrison city in the 1st century AD.

Day 6 : Turpan
Location: Turpan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Turpan - Jiayuguan. This morning you'll see the Imin Ta (Imin Minaret), constructed in 1778, before heading beyond Turpan to the Jiaohe Ruins. Occupying a spectacular position on a steep plateau, the ancient street plan, thanks to the many ruins of this former garrison town, is still evident. A stop is also made at some 2,000-year-old Karez water channels, an irrigation system that many Silk Road cities and towns relied upon; the idea for which came from ancient Persia. Tonight take an overnight sleeper train to Jiayuguan.

Day 7 : Jiayuguan
Location: Jiayuguan City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Jiayuguan - Zhangye. Arrive into Jiayuguan this morning and visit the incredible Jiayuguan Fort at Jiayuguan Pass - the farthest outpost of the Great Wall which was built here by the Ming in 1372, over 5,000km from the wall’s easternmost point at Shanhaiguan. This was literally the final defence of the Chinese Empire, the place where China ended and beyond which lay an uncharted wilderness. Situated between striking mountain ranges, everyone who travelled between the deserts of central Asia and the fertile lands of China had to file through the Jiayuguan Pass. From Jiayuguan you'll drive on to Zhangye.

Day 8 : Zhangye
Location: Zhangye
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Zhangye - Lanzhou. Zhangye has a unique and striking landscape of unusual coloured rocks which are several hundred meters tall. The rocks in the Zhangye Danxia range from red to yellow and green, with striking contrasting bands of colour. Today we'll visit the red gritstone area before taking a high speed train to Lanzhou.

Day 9 : Lanzhou
Location: Lanzhou
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Yellow River today. The Yellow River is regarded as the "mother river of China" and it's the second-longest river in China (after the Yangtze). Later today visit the Bingling Temple where you can see a series of grottoes filled with Buddhist sculpture carved into natural caves and caverns in a canyon along the Yellow River.

Day 10 : Xi'an
Location: Xi'An
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lanzhou - Xi'an. This morning you'll fly from Lanzhou to Xi’an. Discover the highlights of Xi'an on a city tour including the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Great Mosque and the medieval City Wall. Take a leisurely bicycle ride on top of the 9 mile Xi’an City Wall (no need to go the entire way around) perimeter peeking down upon the lively city beneath. Then you'll visit Great Mosque and enjoy some free time at the Muslim Quarter before driving back to hotel.

Day 11 : Xi'an
Location: Xi'An
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Xi'an - Beijing. Xi’an in Shaanxi Province is perhaps most famous for the discovery of Emperor Qin’s Terracotta Warriors. Discovered in 1974 by local farmers digging a well, the 2,200 year old terracotta warriors comprise more than 7,000 life-sized soldiers which stand battle-ready in excavated pits under the cover of a modern protective hanger. Made of local clay, no two faces are alike – each is said to be an individual portrait. Today you'll visit the archaeological site of the Terracotta Warriors before continuing to a workshop where crafts people make replicas of the terracotta warriors. Board the overnight express train bound for Beijing.

Day 12 : Great Wall
Location: Great Wall of China
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning arrive into Beijing, China's bustling capital city. Enjoy an excursion beyond Beijing to the legendary UNESCO-listed Great Wall at Badaling. Spanning rugged mountain ranges, lush green valleys and barren plains, it stretches as far as the eye can see - at least 6,700 kms. You'll have time to explore the wall before visiting a Jade Carving Centre to learn about this ornamental rock and its importance in Chinese culture.

Day 13 : Beijing
Location: Beijing
Meals Included: Breakfast

Hotel check-out and included transfer to airport.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Superior (deluxe available on request)

  • 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 10 dinners

  • 10 nights superior hotels (deluxe upgrade available on request)

  • 2 overnight trains: Turpan - Jiayuguan and Xian - Beijing (4-berth soft sleeper cabin)

  • Touring of Urumqi, Kashgar, Turpan, Bezeklik, Jiayuguan, Zhangye, Lanzhou and Xi'an

  • Beijing - excursion to the Great Wall

  • Lanzhou - Yellow River boat ride

  • Economy class flights: Urumqi - Kashgar, Kashgar - Urumqi and Lanzhou - Xian

  • Xi'an - bike ride on medieval City Wall

  • Airport arrival in Urumqi and departure transfer on day 1 and day 13 from Beijing Capital Airport

  • All transfers and transportation in private A/C vehicles

show more

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visa

  • Laundry, drinks, items of a personal nature

  • Tipping - an entirely personal gesture

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    Superior (deluxe available on request)

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Airport arrival in Urumqi and departure transfer on day 1 and day 13 from Beijing Capital Airport

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this Operator

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Paul Kelly (Google Reviewer)  

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9...

26-Feb-2023

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9 day tour of Morocco visiting many main cities and places of interest. The coach was very comfortable and we felt safe with the driver Suliman. The guide was Hicham Touraouine and he was fantastic. He spoke perfect English as well as French, Arabic and Berber. He was so kind and considerate and made a good tour great. We particularly enjoyed ‘glamming in the Sahara Desert. So much to see and do and great food and company. We would definitely use On The Go Tours again, especially if Hicham was the guide. Paul & Penny

Rolly Hay hay (Google Reviewer)  

Gallipoli tour. The guide was...

28-Sep-2023

Gallipoli tour. The guide was awesome. Everything went like clockwork.. My complaint is that you expect 4 people to cramp together on the back seat of the van for 4 hours. That is poverty travel. Not really acceptable for the price paid. So uncomfortable. If was to do this trip again I'd just rent a car. Although the guide was amazing, but that's 3 hours of the trip.

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

Giovanni Guidi (Google Reviewer)  

I booked three tours with...

19-Aug-2023

I booked three tours with this agency. While the first two experiences were very nice, with well-thought-out itineraries and knowledgeable guides, the third tour was an absolute nightmare for us. Due to the unavailability of an hotel from the trip notes, the agency opted to replace it with another they claimed was "similar." To our dismay, this alternative was nothing short of a decrepit, filthy establishment that threatened to ruin our entire safari experience in South Africa. But the fiasco didn't end there. This so-called hotel began proposing and organizing activities starkly different from what we were promised in the trip notes, together with an awful services of their guides and vehicles. And when this disaster struck and we desperately needed their support? The agency ghosted us. It took them an entire day to respond, and when they did, they simply shrugged off our concerns, asserting it was too late to fix anything, even though three nights of our trip were still ahead. The level of unprofessionalism was staggering. Forced to salvage our experience, we took matters into our own hands, leaving that awful place to book another hotel and activities for the remainder of our trip—all at my own expense. Based on my experience, I suggest travelers to think twice before considering this agency. Seek out reputable companies known for their commitment to customer service and integrity.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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