To the Silk Road caravanner of the Gobi and Takla Makan desert, the forested slopes and cool mountain streams of the Tian Shan Mountains offered him respite from the hardships of desert trails, a little pocket of paradise away from the hellish heat of the endless ocean of sand. Today, to many first timers, the shock is palpable as one climbs out of the monotony of a typical desert landscape to find themselves in the alpine beauty of a Tian Shan Valley.

North of the desert oasis of Hami, close by the Mongolian border lays Barkol Lake, here numerous Kazak nomads graze their herds of horse, sheep and cattle in the shadow of the misty peaks of the Eastern Tian Shan. We spend a full week riding among the forested valleys and open grassland around the lake, savoring the slow pace of life characteristic to this beautiful area.

En route to Barkol, we spend time in the significant Uygur oasis of Turpan visiting it's many important Buddhist sites. Then, crossing the Gobi desert into Gansu Province, we make our way to the historic art treasure house of Dunhuang, before flying on to the former Silk Road terminal and Imperial capital of Xian. So in all, this program offers a prolonged opportunity, not only to experience the special beauty of this region but also to gain a sense of contrasting Silk Road environs both old and new.

ITINERARY:

DAY 1: Arrive Beijing
DAY 2: Beijing
DAY 3: Beijing to Urumqi
DAY 4: Urumqi to Turpan
DAY 5: Turpan
DAY 6: Turpan to Hami
DAY 7: Hami to Tian Shan Pastoral Farm
DAY 8: Begin Trek
DAY 9-15 Trek
DAY16: Barkol to Hami
DAY17: Hami to Dunhuang
DAY18: Dunhuang
DAY19: Dunhuang to Xian
DAY20: Xian to Hong Kong
DAY21: Exit Hong Kong

Price in USD/pax ( Land Cost)
Above 10 pax :3056
6 to 9 pax :3361
4 to 5 pax :4489
Single Supplement : 609

Land Cost in Mainland China includes: All transfers, all domestic flights/trains/local airport taxes, land transport, 3 meals daily, service of guide and driver, sightseeing & entrance fees, tourist class hotels on twin share basis, tents in camping section, support horse and herders during trekking, a welcome and a farewell banquet. In China Hong Kong includes: All airport transfers, bed and breakfast, tourist class hotel on twin share basis.

Landcost excludes: International flights and related airport taxes, supplementary trips and services not mentioned, personal expenses, visa costs, tips to tour guide and driver, supplement cost for those who wants to accommodate on a single basis.

Booking Information