On the Silk Road from Kyrgyzstan to Kashgar (China)
The Silk Road - the most romantic and exciting challenge for any adventurer! A trip through the cultural heritage in Southern Kyrgyzstan and the mystic Kashgar in Northwest China.
High mountains like Pamir and Thien Shan (The Heavenly mountain) with peaks over 7000m a.s.l., snow leopards and unique nomadic life, among other things, are associated with this country, called often Switzerland of Central Asia. Our roundtrip starts from the capital and continues southwards to the ancient city of Osh (8-th c.). We follow the Great Silk Road over mountain passages and into northern China. We visit Kashgar, with its crowded Sunday market and the memory of the time when it was an important trading center on the Silk Road. We continue further through the Torugart passage in Kyrgyzstan and the caravanserai at Tash-Rabat. Our trip goes to the lake Son kul where we meet a nomad family and get to know the nomadic way of life. Our fantastic tour ends in Bishkek, with a traditional folk show. We leave this exciting region of Central Asia with vivid, unforgettable memories.
Tour highlights:
♦ Osh – Kyrgyzstan’s second largest city and one of the oldest in Central Asia (from 8-th century). Osh was one of the most important trading posts along the Silk Road.
♦ Kashgar (China) – this fantastic city from ancient times has been a strategic trading post on the route through the Taklamakan dessert to the inner China. The city centre is an exotic mixture of narrow streets and bazaars with well preserved Muslim architecture.
♦ Lake Son-Kul (3.200 m a.s.l.) – Kyrgyzstan’s geographical heart and probably the most beautiful landscape in the country.
♦ Tash-Rabat (3.070 m a.s.l.) – the caravanserai at Tash-Rabat is the largest construction built of , and still preserved, from the epoch when silk was transported from China to Europe.
Trip plan:
Day 1. Bishkek
Arriving in Bishkek. Meet and greet and transfer to the hotel. OBS. The departure is on the previous day, e.i. 16 July.
Day 2. Bishkek - Osh
After breakfast flight to Osh. Sightseeing of the city and bazaar.
Day 3. Osh - Taldik
Before lunch visit the Suleiman Mountain in Osh. After lunch transfer on Pamir highway to the yurta camp of Taldik.
Day 4. Taldik - Irkeshtam - Kashgar
Early morning departure to the control post of Irkeshtam on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border. Settlement of border formalities. The height is 3200 meters above sea level. And it will be a 5-hour transfer to Kashgar.
Day 5. Kashgar
The whole day is devoted to sightseeing of Kashgar, which includes ID Kah mosque and tomb Abak Hoja. Traditional lunch in a local family.
Day 6. Kashgar
This day is dedicated to the Sunday market in Kashgar - one of the most interesting events during the tour. You can walk yourself through the crowds and crowded stalls or walk with the guide who will translate from Uighur language.
Day 7. Kashgar - Torugart - Tash Rabat
Transfer to Torugart Pass - 180 km, about 6 hours. After re-crossing the border, the tour continues in the territory of Kyrgyzstan. After that we will be transferred to caravansary Tash Rabat on.
a dirt road.
Day 8. Tash Rabat - Lake Song Kul
Day among the high mountain pastures and the traditional life of nomads - walks in the countryside, horse riding, friendly chat with Kirghizstan and tasting kefir (yogurt) and kumiss - traditional drink of donkey milk. Opportunity to spend a night in the Kyrgyz yurt.
Day 9. Lake Song Kul - Bishkek
After some leisure time at the lake we will be transferred to Bishkek. During dinner there will be a folklore show and performance of Manashi - Kyrgyz national epic.
Day 10. Bishkek
In the morning we explore the fascinating beauty of the national park Ala Archa where breathtaking mountain scenery and an abundance of wildlife await us. We drive back to Bishkek where we visit the monument of Manas who is a Kyrgyz national hero, the History Museum, Ala Tu Square the ceremony of changing the soldiers in front, the Monument of Independence, some government buildings and the Old Parliament Square. Short walk on Victory Square.
Day 11. Departure
Transfer to airport for return flight.
Included in the price: ► joint transfer from/to airport in Bishkek ► all transport according to Itinerary ► luggage transport ► 8 nights at 2*/3*-hotels (with private facilities) and 3 nights in jurts (4-5 persons) ► breakfast; 3 lunches (Day 6, 8 & 9), 3 dinners (Day 4, 8 & 9) ► bottled mineral water during the trip ► local English speaking guide ► English speaking tour leader ► entrance fees (acc. to program) ► folklore show in Bishkek.
OBS. The prices are per person sharing a double room. However, if you travel alone and no room partner can be arranged, or you do not want one, you should be prepared to pay single room supplement.
Excluded from the price: ► flight ► meals other than the ones describes in the section "Included in the price" ► drinks and tips ► tourist visa ► vaccinationer ► insurances and everything else that is not specified in "Included in the price".
Other expences: ♦ tourist visas: Kyrgizystan (55€/pass); China (ca25€/pass) ♦ single room supplement: +225€ (only at hotels) ♦ optional excursions: these are booked and paid on the spot.
Good to know: ♦ duration: 12 days/11 nights ♦ difficulty: easy (but on certain days you are at a higher sea level) ♦ if you arrange the flight on your own you should be at the destination airpot at a certain time for the joint transfer. Otherwise you can order a private transfer (optional).
How to get there? Please contact us if you would like us to help you find suitable flights at the best price. When helping you to find flights we always try to find the best price for you according to the departure and arrival times. Prices vary depending on the airline and current availability. However, remember that the cheap airfares are often difficult or impossible to reschedule or cancel.
Payment of the ticket is with your own credit card directly to the airline or travel agent airline, which also sends out confirmation of booking.
A service charge (non-refundable) will be added if you want us to help you find the appropriate plane ticket.
Visa: entry tourist visa (up to 30 days) can be ontained upon arrival at the airport in Bishkek.
OBS. All visa information is subject to change and sometimes the information has not come to our knowledge.
Recommended travel period of the year: July - August
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