The Silk Road Tour
Tour from £2,746.00 per person
For thousands of years merchants travelled the Silk Road, transporting silks from Xi'an to Europe. In later years it became the main route into China, from the west.
This tour gives you the opportunity of following in the footsteps of these traders, as you pass through vast deserts and mountain ranges.
Your journey starts with three nights in the nations capital, Beijing. There you will be able to explore the city at your leisure, as well benefit from two full day excursions to the major tourist attractions.
From Beijing you travel onwards to Xi'an, which served as the hub of China's silk trade. Two nights will be spent in the city, before you continue your journey by air and overnight train along this most famous of routes.
You will spend time in many cities of historic and cultural interest, with regular excursions to some of the most breathtaking and diverse scenic spots imaginable; the Bingling Grottoes, Lanzhou; Crescent Moon Lake near Dunhuang and the Gaochang Ruins in Turpan are but some of the feature attractions included in this amazing package.
Itinerary includes:
- International flights
- Accommodation in specified 3/4 star hotels or of a similar standard on twin share basis with daily breakfast
- All other specified meals in local restaurants
- Domestic flights Beijing-Xi'an-Lanzhou-Dunhuang and Urumqi-Kashgar-Urumqi-Beijing in economy class including airport tax
- Soft sleeper compartment on overnight train between Dunhuang and Turpan
- Full sightseeing program with English speaking guide and all entrance fees
- Private transfers throughout
Itinerary excludes:
- Tips to drivers, guides and porters
| Day | Schedule | Meals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Depart UK | |
| 2 | Arrive Beijing - On arrival transfer to the Xinqiao Novotel Hotel for 3 nights with daily breakfast - Rest of the day at your leisure | |
| 3 | Beijing - Full day tour including Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven - Peking Opera performance in the evening | B/L |
| 4 | Beijing - Full day tour including the Great Wall at Mutianyu Section, Ming Tombs and the Sacred Road - Peking Duck dinner in the evening | B/L/D |
| 5 | Beijing to Xi'an - Transfer to airport for morning flight to Xi'an - On arrival transfer to the Bell Tower Hotel for 2 nights with daily breakfast - Visit the Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter and Grand Mosque | B |
| 6 | Xi'an - Full day tour including the Terra-cotta Warriors and Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Tang Dynasty Show in the evening with dumpling banquet | B/L/D |
| 7 | Xi'an to Lanzhou - Transfer to airport for flight to Lanzhou - On arrival transfer to the Legend Hotel for 2 nights with daily breakfast - Rest of the day at your leisure | B |
| 8 | Lanzhou - Full day tour including Bingling Grottoes and Liujiaxia | B/L |
| 9 | Lanzhou to Dunhuang - Morning at your leisure - Afternoon transfer to the airport for flight to Dunhuang - On arrival transfer to the Dunhuang International Hotel for 1 night with breakfast | B |
| 10 | Dunhuang to Turpan - Full fay tour including Mogao Cave, Mingsha Mountain and the Crescent Moon Lake - In the evening transfer to the station for overnight train to Turpan | B/L/D |
| 11 | Turpan - Early morning arrival in Turpan - On arrival transfer to the Oasis Hotel for 1 night with breakfast - Full day tour including Buddha Cave, the Tombs of Aatana, Gaochang Ruins and Flaming Mountain | B/L |
| 12 | Turpan to Urumqi - Morning tour to Jiaohe Ruins and Irrigation System - Transfer to Urumqi by car - On arrival transfer to the Xinjiang Grand Hotel for 1 night with breakfast | B/L |
| 13 | Urumqi to Kashgar - Morning visit to the Xinjiang Museum and Tianchi Lake - Transfer to the airport for evening flight to Kashgar - On arrival transfer to the Barony Hotel for 2 nights with daily breakfast | B/L/D |
| 14 | Kashgar - Full day tour to Karakul Lake | B/L |
| 15 | Kashgar to Urumqi - Full day tour including the Bazaar, Id Kha Mosque and the Tombs of Abakh Hoja - Transfer to the airport for evening flight to Urumqi - On arrival transfer to the Xinjiang Grand Hotel for 1 night with breakfast | B/L |
| 16 | Urumqi to Beijing - Transfer to airport for flight to Beijing - On arrival transfer to the Xinqiao Novotel Hotel for 1 night with breakfast - Rest of the day at your leisure | B |
| 17 | Beijing - Transfer to the airport for return flight to the UK | B |
Pricing
The price is valid from January 2008 - Febuary 2009
except July - September 2008 (Olympics)
| Holiday Seasons | 2-5 Persons | 6-9 Persons | Single Room Supplement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid (Mar & Jun - Aug) |
£2,746.00 | £2,300.00 | £441.00 |
| Peak (Apr - May & Sep - Nov) |
£2,762.00 | £2,316.00 | £462.00 |
Supplements for single travellers available on request.
NB. These prices are not valid for national holidays in China - 31st Dec - 4th Jan, 1st - 7th May, 1st - 7th Oct and 25th - 26th Dec
