Silk Road Custom Tours
Real Adventure, Real Life, Real Culture
Real Adventure, Real Life, Real Culture
Tour Highlights
- Experience the live ancient Tuyuk Village with a lunch at a local house.
- Visit the picturesque scenery of Heavenly Lake at the Tianshan Mountains.
- Explore the ancient city of Jiaohe, which was built by digging down from the ground.
- Admire the natural sceneries, lakes and the great mountains along the KKH.
- Entertain the liveness of the famous Livestock Market.
- Admire the world famous Buddha paintings of Bizeklik Thousand Caves
Day 1
Arrive Kashgar
Meals:No Meals
Activities: pick you from Kashgar airport and transfer to your hotel
Our professional tour guide and driver will welcome you at Kashgar airport and transfer to your Hotel. Have a good rest after a long flight.
Kashgar, an oasis city in Xinjiang, is one of the westernmost cities of China, located near the borders of Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. It has a history of over 2,000 years and served as a trading post and strategically important city on the Silk Road between China, the Middle East and Europe.
Meals:No Meals
Activities: pick you from Kashgar airport and transfer to your hotel
Our professional tour guide and driver will welcome you at Kashgar airport and transfer to your Hotel. Have a good rest after a long flight.
Kashgar, an oasis city in Xinjiang, is one of the westernmost cities of China, located near the borders of Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. It has a history of over 2,000 years and served as a trading post and strategically important city on the Silk Road between China, the Middle East and Europe.
Day 2
Explore Kashgar City
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Visit Apak Hoja Tomb; Monday market (livestock market); Grand mosque; Old city walking tours, Sunday market and dinner at a local Uighur family
After breakfast, Explore the rich, endless culture of the Uighurs in Kashgar. First visit an architecture of Kashgar’s historic Apak Hoja Tomb which is also known as Fragrant concubine tomb). One family of five generations were buried here since 1650.
After visiting about an hour here, drive to Monday market which is about an hour drive distance from the city. Kashgar Sunday market is famous, but Monday market is more traditional and non-touristic. You can see true local life and market culture at this Bazaar.
After lunch spend time by the Id Kah mosque, the largest mosque in China, about 40,000-50,000 people attend prayer on big Islamic festivals.
The handcraft street near mosque is the best place to walk around and experience wood carving and the musical instrument making. The cradles and the wooden household items are nicely made by carpenters with beautiful traditional patterns and the designs.
Later move on to Sunday market main Bazaar which is considered one of the largest market in Central Asia. From fluffy sheepskin hats to rugged camel-hide boots, not to mention beads, buttons and buckets of locals . Everything – including plenty of kitchen sinks – is for sale at this fairytale bazaar. It is the best chance to practice your bargaining skills.
We’ll spend some time in the Kashgar Old Town and have some walking tours through some ancient historical parts; Stop at century-old tea house for a short break and taste local medicinal teas such as such as those containing rose, saffron, honey and many other ingredients.
Finally, we wrap up one day Kashgar city tour with a dinner at a local family which offers a great opportunity to deeply understand real local life, culture and traditions of Uighurs (only if it is available)
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Visit Apak Hoja Tomb; Monday market (livestock market); Grand mosque; Old city walking tours, Sunday market and dinner at a local Uighur family
After breakfast, Explore the rich, endless culture of the Uighurs in Kashgar. First visit an architecture of Kashgar’s historic Apak Hoja Tomb which is also known as Fragrant concubine tomb). One family of five generations were buried here since 1650.
After visiting about an hour here, drive to Monday market which is about an hour drive distance from the city. Kashgar Sunday market is famous, but Monday market is more traditional and non-touristic. You can see true local life and market culture at this Bazaar.
After lunch spend time by the Id Kah mosque, the largest mosque in China, about 40,000-50,000 people attend prayer on big Islamic festivals.
The handcraft street near mosque is the best place to walk around and experience wood carving and the musical instrument making. The cradles and the wooden household items are nicely made by carpenters with beautiful traditional patterns and the designs.
Later move on to Sunday market main Bazaar which is considered one of the largest market in Central Asia. From fluffy sheepskin hats to rugged camel-hide boots, not to mention beads, buttons and buckets of locals . Everything – including plenty of kitchen sinks – is for sale at this fairytale bazaar. It is the best chance to practice your bargaining skills.
We’ll spend some time in the Kashgar Old Town and have some walking tours through some ancient historical parts; Stop at century-old tea house for a short break and taste local medicinal teas such as such as those containing rose, saffron, honey and many other ingredients.
Finally, we wrap up one day Kashgar city tour with a dinner at a local family which offers a great opportunity to deeply understand real local life, culture and traditions of Uighurs (only if it is available)
Day 3
Kashgar to Tashkorgan
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Drive along the KKH, Stop at Opal Village, Oytagh Kunlunshan Colorful mountain range, Gaz Valley and check point, Ancient Caravan Saray, Bulungkol Valley (white sand mountain), Karakul lake, Tashkorgan Stone Fort and Tajik Family
We set out along the Sino – Pakistan Karakorum Highway, on the Pamir plateau (the roof of the world) visit Karakul Lake (3600m above sea level) on the way.
Then Keep driving till Tashkorgan Tajik autonomous county which was once an important hub on the old Silk Road. The area borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan via the Kunjerab Pass and Wahan Corridor.
After arriving at Tashkurgan, you’ll have an opportunity to see the town’s ancient stone fort – still standing after 2200 years! ‘Tashkurgan’ means ‘Stone Fort’. Walking around Tajik neighborhoods and pay a visit to Local Tajik family live around this historic town.
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Drive along the KKH, Stop at Opal Village, Oytagh Kunlunshan Colorful mountain range, Gaz Valley and check point, Ancient Caravan Saray, Bulungkol Valley (white sand mountain), Karakul lake, Tashkorgan Stone Fort and Tajik Family
We set out along the Sino – Pakistan Karakorum Highway, on the Pamir plateau (the roof of the world) visit Karakul Lake (3600m above sea level) on the way.
Then Keep driving till Tashkorgan Tajik autonomous county which was once an important hub on the old Silk Road. The area borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan via the Kunjerab Pass and Wahan Corridor.
After arriving at Tashkurgan, you’ll have an opportunity to see the town’s ancient stone fort – still standing after 2200 years! ‘Tashkurgan’ means ‘Stone Fort’. Walking around Tajik neighborhoods and pay a visit to Local Tajik family live around this historic town.
Day 4
Tashkorgan to Kashgar
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Drive to Kashgar and hiking around lake for a few hours
After breakfast drive to Karakul lake and spend about 3-4 hours for hike around the lake.
The lake has an area of around 1o sqkms and takes around 3 to 4 hours.
You can also visit Subash Kyrgyz village which is about 7km from Karakul Lake if you like. whenever ready drive back to Kashgar in the afternoon
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Drive to Kashgar and hiking around lake for a few hours
After breakfast drive to Karakul lake and spend about 3-4 hours for hike around the lake.
The lake has an area of around 1o sqkms and takes around 3 to 4 hours.
You can also visit Subash Kyrgyz village which is about 7km from Karakul Lake if you like. whenever ready drive back to Kashgar in the afternoon
Day 5
Day Trip to Shipton’s Arch and fly to Urumqi
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Drive to Shiptons arch entrance and then hiking up to the arch. Later catch a flight to Urumqi.
Shipton’s Arch is the world’s highest natural arch. This imposing, entirely natural structure, rises an amazing 500/1500ft.
Some walking and climbing is required, this trip is suitable for all the ages. It is about 1.5 hour driving from kashgar city and another about 1:30 hours hiking up to the base of the arch.
After the Arch trip our driver will drop off you at Kashgar airport for your flight to Urumqi and a different driver will pick up you from Urumqi airport and transfer to your hotel
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Drive to Shiptons arch entrance and then hiking up to the arch. Later catch a flight to Urumqi.
Shipton’s Arch is the world’s highest natural arch. This imposing, entirely natural structure, rises an amazing 500/1500ft.
Some walking and climbing is required, this trip is suitable for all the ages. It is about 1.5 hour driving from kashgar city and another about 1:30 hours hiking up to the base of the arch.
After the Arch trip our driver will drop off you at Kashgar airport for your flight to Urumqi and a different driver will pick up you from Urumqi airport and transfer to your hotel
Day 6
Day Trip to Heavenly Lake
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Drive to Heavenly lake and spend a few hours around the lake for Hiking or boating as you like
Our guide and driver see you at the hotel lobby and Leave for Heavenly Lake after breakfast which is 115 kms (71 Miles) over two hours by vehicle. This beautiful and crystal-clear waters of Heavenly Lake is guarded by the Tianshan mountain and once you are at the lake, you will have free time to roam around the lake, simply trekking up the mountains through the various valleys, go for boating or take a cable car (own expense) up to the top of the mountain for full scenery of the lake
Whenever ready drive back to Urumqi and stay overnight.
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Drive to Heavenly lake and spend a few hours around the lake for Hiking or boating as you like
Our guide and driver see you at the hotel lobby and Leave for Heavenly Lake after breakfast which is 115 kms (71 Miles) over two hours by vehicle. This beautiful and crystal-clear waters of Heavenly Lake is guarded by the Tianshan mountain and once you are at the lake, you will have free time to roam around the lake, simply trekking up the mountains through the various valleys, go for boating or take a cable car (own expense) up to the top of the mountain for full scenery of the lake
Whenever ready drive back to Urumqi and stay overnight.
Day 7
Urumqi to Turpan Tuyuq Village
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Drive to Turpan after breakfast and visit Idikut (Gaochang) ancient city, Astana tombs, Bizeklik Thousand Buddha caves, Flaming Mountain and stay overnight at a Local family in Tuyuq village.
Drive to Turpan after breakfast and visit Idikut (Gaochang) ancient city, Astana tombs, Bizeklik Thousand Buddha caves, Flaming Mountains and stay overnight at a Local family in Tuyuq village.
After breakfast, drive on the first-class highway to Turpan for about 2:30-3:00 hours. Once you arrive in Turpan check into the hotel, then start our wonderful day in Turpan with a visit to the ancient city of Idikut (Gaochang). The city was first built in the first Century BC and later became capital of the Idikut (Gaochang) Uighur Kingdom in the 8th Century.
We’ll spend about 40 minutes in this ancient city and then drive to Karakhoja Astana tombs, a Tang-dynasty burial ground which also known as the “Underground Museum”. Astana means “capital” in the Uighur language and Karakhoja is name of a legendary hero of an ancient Uighur Kingdom who saved his people by killing a vicious dragon.
After lunch visit Bizeklik Thousand Buddha caves which used to be an important center for Buddhist worshipers under the Xizhou Huigu government of the Idikut (Gaochang) Kingdom.
We’ll stop on the roadside for photos of the Flaming Mountain which people claimed to be the hottest and driest along the silk road that “flying birds even a thousand miles away dare not to come”.
Finally, Move on to Toyuq village, an old, beautiful and timeless village with a friendly Uighur community. Here we visit several local families and have dinner with a local family and spend a night in their home. This could be the highlight of your tour today.
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Drive to Turpan after breakfast and visit Idikut (Gaochang) ancient city, Astana tombs, Bizeklik Thousand Buddha caves, Flaming Mountain and stay overnight at a Local family in Tuyuq village.
Drive to Turpan after breakfast and visit Idikut (Gaochang) ancient city, Astana tombs, Bizeklik Thousand Buddha caves, Flaming Mountains and stay overnight at a Local family in Tuyuq village.
After breakfast, drive on the first-class highway to Turpan for about 2:30-3:00 hours. Once you arrive in Turpan check into the hotel, then start our wonderful day in Turpan with a visit to the ancient city of Idikut (Gaochang). The city was first built in the first Century BC and later became capital of the Idikut (Gaochang) Uighur Kingdom in the 8th Century.
We’ll spend about 40 minutes in this ancient city and then drive to Karakhoja Astana tombs, a Tang-dynasty burial ground which also known as the “Underground Museum”. Astana means “capital” in the Uighur language and Karakhoja is name of a legendary hero of an ancient Uighur Kingdom who saved his people by killing a vicious dragon.
After lunch visit Bizeklik Thousand Buddha caves which used to be an important center for Buddhist worshipers under the Xizhou Huigu government of the Idikut (Gaochang) Kingdom.
We’ll stop on the roadside for photos of the Flaming Mountain which people claimed to be the hottest and driest along the silk road that “flying birds even a thousand miles away dare not to come”.
Finally, Move on to Toyuq village, an old, beautiful and timeless village with a friendly Uighur community. Here we visit several local families and have dinner with a local family and spend a night in their home. This could be the highlight of your tour today.
Day 8
Day trip to Turpan
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Drive to Tupan and visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient city, Karez underground Irrigations system and Emin Minaret, drive back Urumqi in the evening.
After breakfast, drive to Turpan on the highway for about 2.5 hour. Once you arrive Turpan visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient City which is one of the best preserved ancient cities in China. The ruins of the buildings are divided into temples, civilian dwellings and government offices. Workshops,residential houses and the streets are still visible and time there is a time spent in a long lost world.
After an hour of seeing around the ancient city, we’ll head on to see the world famous Karez Underground Irrigation System, unique to this part of the world. The system is considered as one of the three great projects in China with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.
Then visit Emin Suliman minaret which is a magnificent combination of ancient Uighur and Islamic architecture. It is the tallest ancient tower in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient minaret in the country. Locals call it “pure tower”.
When finished drive back to Urumqi in the evening
Meals:B,L,D
Activities: Drive to Tupan and visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient city, Karez underground Irrigations system and Emin Minaret, drive back Urumqi in the evening.
After breakfast, drive to Turpan on the highway for about 2.5 hour. Once you arrive Turpan visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient City which is one of the best preserved ancient cities in China. The ruins of the buildings are divided into temples, civilian dwellings and government offices. Workshops,residential houses and the streets are still visible and time there is a time spent in a long lost world.
After an hour of seeing around the ancient city, we’ll head on to see the world famous Karez Underground Irrigation System, unique to this part of the world. The system is considered as one of the three great projects in China with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.
Then visit Emin Suliman minaret which is a magnificent combination of ancient Uighur and Islamic architecture. It is the tallest ancient tower in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient minaret in the country. Locals call it “pure tower”.
When finished drive back to Urumqi in the evening
Day 9
Urumqi To Your Destination
Meals:Breakfast
Activities: See you off at Urumqi airport
Today is the last day of your tour with us, so we hope this tour shouldn’t be the last. We strive to make every day of your time with us the one that you’ll always remember and if you’d like to book some other tours please Contact us for more information.
Meals:Breakfast
Activities: See you off at Urumqi airport
Today is the last day of your tour with us, so we hope this tour shouldn’t be the last. We strive to make every day of your time with us the one that you’ll always remember and if you’d like to book some other tours please Contact us for more information.
Tour price
- Our Tour prices are seasonal, and we are specialized in organizing private tours, if you are interested in this tour, please let us know the time of your travel; the number of the PAX; the hotel star rating and other info as detailed as possible.
So One of our tour consultants will contact you within 24 hours with more details.
Service Includes
- Air-conditioned private Vehicle for whole land transportation
- Private excellent English speaking local Tour guides
- Hotels as listed in the itinerary (one room shared by two people)
- All meals as specified in the itinerary.
- Entrance fee for the sights as listed in the program (including shuttle bus)
- Expenses of the guides, drivers and vehicles (Accommodation and meals for guide and driver; Highway fee, oil and parking fees for the car)
- One way flight ticket from Kashgar to Urumqi
- Visa support
Service excludes
- Tips for the guides and drivers
- Beverages
- Arrival and Departure flights
- Chinese visa
- Personal excursions like horse or camel riding at the spots or boating Etc.
Trip Notes
- Here are some notes for the above tour. If you want to make any changes according to your personal request , please let us know , one of our tour specialist will tailor make your tour just for your needs
1. Accommodation
- —Different types of Hotels are available, including famous 5-star hotel chains, 4-star hotels in best locations, good value 3-star hotels, or boutique hotels that reflect the style of the region.
—Hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with twin beds at the hotels listed above
All hotels listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities
–If you have any special requests for hotels, please let us know, our travel experts will try to meet your requests and find out the perfect one for you.
2. Meals
- Breakfast is usually at the hotels. Lunch and dinners will be provided at good conditioned, clean local restaurants or tourist restaurants.
You can also taste authentic local dishes of different minorities along the Silk Road.
sometime also arrange local family meals wherever it is possible to let you deeply understand local life and culture. You Could also join the cooking if you like.
3. Transportation
- Air-conditioned good conditioned vehicles for whole land transportation including Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing. China is a big country, distance from one city to another is a long way to drive, so We usually arrange flights or trains to your destinations.
4. Drivers and Car Types
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All of our tour guides are very experienced and helpful, who could create unique and unforgettable experiences to share with you.
Our tours include excellent English-speaking local tour guides in each destination, so they don’t travel with you on the trains or flights. But our driver/guide always pick up you from railway stations or airports with “your name” on a welcome board.All of our drivers are experienced tourism licensed who are very helpful, friendly and easy going.
We provide following cars for the tour:
1. 1-2 PAX: Sedan, SUV or MPV
2. 3-5 PAX: MPV
3. 6-8 PAX: 13-15-Seater minibus
4. 9-10 PAX: 17-22 Seater Minibus
5. 11 or more PAX: 33 seater or bigger coaches.
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