9 Days / 8 Nights

Day 1: Arrive Urumqi
Arrive in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Province. Transfer to the URUMQI HOITAK HOTEL.

Day 2: Urumqi / Kashgar
This morning enjoy spectacular views of Heavenly Lake surrounded by mountain peaks and alpine meadows and a unique visit with the nomadic Khazak community. Later this evening fly to Kashgar, the last station on the Silk Road in China. CHINIBAGH INTERNATIONAL HOTEL. (BLD)

Day 3: Kashgar
Situated at the foot of the impressive Pamir mountains, Kashgar was once the key trading post bridging the East and the West on the Silk Road. Largely inhabited by the Uygurs, this ancient city is dotted with Muslim architecture and still retains the exotic feel of the Silk Road era. Visit Kashgar's lively Sunday markets, which attract thousands of people from the far corners of the region. People come to sell, bargain, and trade everything ranging from camels to raisins. Visit the famous Eidgah Mosque and the tomb of Abbak Hoja and the unique old town with typical Uyghur styled homes. Visit the various shopping alleys full of noodle shops, bakeries, teashops, blacksmiths and carpenters. (BLD)

Day 4: Kashgar / Turpan
In the morning you are free to explore Kashgar's old quarter, which is home to a fascinating mix of ethnicity (Uygurs, Tajiks, Kyrgyz and Uzbeks). Later this afternoon, take the short flight back to Urumqi and continue by road to Turpan, an oasis sheltered by the Tian Shan Mountain. TURPAN HOTEL. (BLD)

Day 5: Turpan
This morning visit the Emin Minaret and the colorful bazaar. After lunch, explore the Jiaohe Ruins, the remains of an ancient walled capital of the Uighur with its large monastery and palace. Following dinner, enjoy an Uygur folk dance show. (BLD)

Day 6: Turpan / Jiayuguan
Today's tour includes the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves in the Flaming Mountain and the Karez underground irrigation channels, a 2000 year old system that delivers water from nearby snow capped mountains to Turpan and its agricultural fields. Take overnight train to Jiayuguan. (BLD)

Day 7: Jiayuguan
Morning arrival in Jiayuguan. Transfer to the JIAYUGUAN INTERNATIONAL HOTEL. Excursion to the Jiayuguan Pass, which is at the western end of the Great Wall. (BLD)

Day 8: Jiayuguan / Dunhuang
Travel by road this morning on a scenic drive to the 2,000-year-old oasis town of Dunhuang. This oasis was a vital stopping-off post for caravans linking China and Central Asia. Visit Crescent Moon Lake in the Singing Sand Dunes, where the oasis meets the desert. Overnight at DUNHUANG SILK ROAD HOTEL. (BLD)

Day 9: Dunhuang / Home
This morning visit the Mogao Grottoes, which contain the most impressive and best preserved examples of Buddhist cave art. Hundreds of sandstone caves hold more than 2000 statues and 45000 paintings of Buddhist and Chinese mythological figures. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight back home. (B)