Journey West along the Great Silk Road

Journey West along the Great Silk Road

Highlights of your trip include:

BEIJING – Walk on the Great Wall at Mutianyu, discover plants in Jingshan Park, Summer Palace, and visit 798 Art District
TASHKENT – City tour in the Uzbek capital and Ugam-Chatkal National Park
KHIVA – Visit the city wall, old town and its mosques, minarets and madrassas
BUKHARA – Tour the Samanid monuments and its garden associated with the last Persian dynasty to rule Central Asia in Bukhara, local bazaars and the Ark Fortress
SAMARKAND
Explore archaeological sites at Samarkand, the heart of the Silk Road
AMMANKUTAN – Travel to Ammankutan to see spring wild flowers in the mountain and Zarafshan Valley
TURPAN – Visit the ruins of ancient Jiaohe, the Turpan Desert Botanical Garden and meet the local Uyghur people
DUNHUANG – A sensational unforgettable experience as we visit the Mogao Grottoes, Jade Gate Pass and ancient Han Dynasty Great Wall Ruin
XIAN – Visit Terracotta Warriors archaeological site and other features of China’s fabulous past
SHANGHAI – Visit China’s vibrant commercial heart with a visit to beautiful gardens in Suzhou

Full itinerary

Day 1 Wed 03 May Australia-Beijing
Fly from your nearest Australian capital city to Beijing, via Singapore with Singapore Airlines. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 Thu 04 May Beijing
Today you will travel north and take a walk along the Great Wall at Mutianyu before returning to the city to visit the beautiful Summer Palace. Welcome dinner tonight. (B L D)

Day 3 Fri 05 May Beijing-Tashkent
Visit the dominating feature of Jingshan Park and renowned 798 Art Zone that attracts many artists from home and abroad before transfer to airport for flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. (B L D)

Day 4 Sat 06 May Tashkent
Visit Ugam-Chatkal National Park with a professional mountain guide. We will still see wild nature, mountain springs, slopes, lake, rural people and different species of birds. Uzbekistan special dinner tonight. (B L D)

Day 5 Sun 07 May Tashkent-Urgench-Khiva
Morning tour of the Uzbek capital, including the Old Town and Chorsu market. Later we fly to Urgench then transfer to our hotel in Khiva. (B L D)

Day 6 Mon 08 May Khiva
Today’s tour allows us to take in the atmosphere and sights of the oasis. Its palaces, mosques, minarets, mausoleums, and madrassas represent some of the best preserved examples of oriental town architecture from medieval times. (B L D)

Day 7 Tue 09 May Khiva-Urgench-Bukhara
This morning we take a flight to Bukhara, a large, unique and authentic art museum that maintains its old oriental face. In the afternoon, we visit the last Emir’s summer palace and Chor-Bakr necropolis. (B L D)

Day 8 Wed 10 May Bukhara
In Bukhara’s Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage), we’ll see the massive Ark Citadel, a city within a city that was once the seat of government of Bukhara’s former rulers, the almost 50m tall Kalyan Minaret, the Samanid Mausoleum, one of Central Asia’s most beautiful architectural treasures and local bazaars. This evening we will be entertained by an open-air folklore show. (B L D)

Day 9 Thu 11 May Bukhara-Samarkand
We take train to Samarkand and visit the sights of this famous historic city. The Necropolis of Shah-e Zinde (the living Shah), the Bibi Khanum mosque and Registan Square are certainly among the most notable architectural sites in Central Asia. (B L D)

Day 10 Fri 12 May Samarkand
Make a day trip to Ammankutan pass and Shahrisabz to see wild flowers on the mountains. In Shakhrisabz we visit monumental architecture of the Mongol ruler’s Great Palace – the imposing Ak-Saray. We will also see wild flowers at Zarafshan Valley on the way back. (B L D)

Day 11 Sat 13 May Samarkand
Today we tour the Ulugbek Observatory, view the interior of the palace-like Gur Emir Mausoleum and visit local bazaar. Uzbekistan special dinner tonight. (B D)

Day 12 Sun 14 May Samarkand-Tashkent
This morning is at your leisure, to do some of your exploring. In the afternoon we leave Samarkand for Tashkent. On arrival in Tashkent, we have dinner before being transferred to the airport for our midnight flight from Tashkent to Urumqi. (B L D)

Day 13 Mon 15 May Morning arrival in Urumqi
Arrive in the early morning in Urumqi, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a late breakfast. In the afternoon we will visit the excellent Xinjiang Regional Museum to see the incredibly well preserved mummies found in ancient tombs. If time permits, we will explore the Grand Bazaar, also known as International Bazaar. It offers both regional and imported products from nearby Russia, Mongolia and the Central Asian countries to the west. (B D)

Day 14 Tue 16 May Urumqi-Turpan
Travel by coach to Turpan. We will travel into the desert to see the mystical ruins of the ancient settlement of Jiaohe, founded over 2000 years ago. We will also pay a visit to Turpan Desert Botanical Garden, the largest botanical garden in China. (B L D)

Day 15 Wed 17 May Turpan-Dunhuang
Today we visit the peaceful Tuyugou village in a lush valley where we meet the locals at their homes. Later we will travel to Liuyuan by high-speed train. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel in Dunhuang. (B L D)

Day 16 Thu 18 May Dunhuang
Today we will tour the astonishing caves cut by Buddhist monks from 366 AD into cliff faces at Mogao. A visit to the Museum and Research Exhibition Centre at the site helps us appreciate how the caves were discovered. Then move on to the magnificent desert scenery of the Mingsha Sand Dunes overlook the mysterious Crescent Lake, there will be an opportunity to ride camels. This evening there will be a folkloric show. (B L D)

Day 17 Fri 19 May Dunhuang
Today we visit the Jade Gate Pass, one of the important passes near Dunhuang in ancient time. After lunch, you will head to Han Dynasty Great Wall Ruin that was built in Han Dynasty about 2,000 years ago. (B L D)

Day 18 Sat 20 May Dunhuang-Xian
Transfer to airport for our flight to Xian. After transfer to the hotel, we will visit the Silk Road Museum and the fantastic Muslim Quarter where the stalls lines the narrow alleys sell almost everything you can expect. (B)

Day 19 Sun 21 May Xian
This morning you will view the excavated Terracotta Warriors and Horses, buried over 2000 years ago to guard the tomb of the first emperor Qinshihuang. After lunch, you will walk along Xian’s massive City Wall, one of the best preserved in China. We will also explore the historic Small Goose Pagoda with its special viewing exhibitions. (B L)

Day 20 Mon 22 May Xian-Shanghai
Today we take high speed train to Shanghai, the amazing pulsating commercial heart of China. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Tonight we will be entertained by Shanghai’s famous Acrobatic show at Era. (B D)

Day 21 Tue 23 May Shanghai-Suzhou-Shanghai
Today we travel to Suzhou to visit two famous classic gardens – Master of the Nets Garden and Lingering Garden. Suzhou’s gardens are works of art – a fusion of nature, architecture, poetry and painting. Return to Shanghai and enjoy our farewell dinner tonight. (B L D)

Day 22 Wed 24 May Shanghai-Australia
Morning at your leisure. In the afternoon we transfer to to airport for overnight flight back to Australia via Singapore. (B)

INCLUSIONS:
• International flights with Singapore Airlines from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide to China with taxes and charges included
• Regional transport including flights & trains in Uzbekistan and China
• 20 nights’ accommodation in well-appointed hotels with breakfast daily
• Meals as stated in the itinerary
• Tour Manager with the group in Uzbekistan and China
• Experienced English speaking local guides
• Transfers and touring in private coach
• Comprehensive sightseeing and entrance fees
• Visa for China and Uzbekistan
• Gratuities to guides and drivers through the entire trip
Not Included: Travel insurance, personal expenses, porterage at hotels and anything not mentioned above.

• Journey West Along the Great Silk Road, May 2017 Download
• Silk Road Booking Form, May 2017 Download

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$9995 per person Twin Share includes international and domestic flights.
Single supplement $1540