Itinerary

DAYS 1 – 3

Arrive in Beijing, renowned for its ancient temples, opulent palaces and massive stone walls and gates; there’s scarcely a building standing that doesn’t have some facet of Chinese history associated with it. Enjoy a full-day tour of the city with your private guide. Begin with a visit to the fascinating City Planning Museum, followed by an exploration of the Olympic Park, including an exclusive tour of the famous Bird’s Nest stadium. Explore the hutongs — narrow streets of the old city — on a special private tour by rickshaw.
St. Regis Hotel or the Peninsula Hotel, Beijing

DAYS 4 & 5

Fly to Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province and the Silk Road’s eastern terminus. Enjoy a special tour of the excavation site of the Terra Cotta Warriors, a subterranean army more than 7,000 strong. Then visit the Wild Goose Pagoda and explore Xi’an’s buried past at the Shaanxi Historical Museum.
Shangri-La Hotel, Xi’an

DAYS 6 & 7

Explore the Buddhist caves of Lanzhou with your private guide. Then discover the ancient oasis city of Dunhuang, which sits at the northern edge of the immense Gobi Desert. Stroll through the lively night market in search of antiques, jade and silk carpets. And visit the renowned Mogao Grottoes. This honeycomb of caves was constructed beginning in the 4th century and still houses the world’s richest treasure trove of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures.
Legend Hotel, Lanzhou & Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel, Dunhuang

DAYS 8 & 9

Fly to Urumqi and visit Xinjiang Regional Museum, known for its rich collection of Silk Road cities. Then continue by road to this small oasis city in one of the deepest waterless depressions on earth. Take an excursion to the ancient city of Jiaoh, which was sacked by the Mongols in the 13th century, but still retains fascinating architecture and a Buddhist monastery complex. Then visit a living city to learn more about the daily lives of these desert inhabitants. The Thousand Buddha Caves offer rich murals depicting sacred subjects as well as the Huigu people who lived here.
Tuha Petroleum Hotel, Turpan

DAYS 10 & 11

Explore Urumqi’s Grand Bazaar where members of China’s ethnic minorities gather to sell clothing, hats and handicrafts. Then fly to Kashgar (known as “The Pearl on the Ancient Silk Road”) to experience the bustling Sunday market, which attracts traders from all over Central Asia.
International Hotel, Kashgar

DAYS 12 & 13

A beautiful city situated in the southern mountains, Almaty is Kazakhstan’s former capital and still the heart of the country’s cultural life. While here, see the sights and enjoy a special guided tour of the fascinating Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments. Then take a short drive to see 22,950-foot-high Khan Tenghri, the highest mountain in Kazakhstan.
Hotel Otrar, Almaty

DAYS 14 –16

Enjoy a private guided tour of Tashkent, the cultural heart of Central Asia. Then enter a city few westerners could reach in the 19th century — the forbidden inner sanctum of Khiva, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the city with your private guide, all the while learning about its history and importance in the Victorian intrigues of the Great Game.
InterContinental Hotel, Tashkent & Hotel Malika, Khiva

DAYS 17 & 18

The old Silk Road outpost of Bukhara resembles an open-air museum with famous landmarks and monuments documenting the city’s glorious history at every turn. Explore this fascinating town with your expert guide; be sure to take some time to sip a cup of tea in a welcoming café, or stroll through one of Bukhara’s many parks.
Zargaron Hotel, Bukhara

DAYS 19 – 22

Journey to Samarkand, the crown jewel of Uzbekistan. Founded more than 2,700 years ago, it still bears all the hallmarks of one of the great cities of the Silk Road. Visit the renowned mosques, madrassahs, palaces and mausoleums, and then spend some time searching for fine carpets and other treasures in the covered bazaar. Return to Tashkent on Day 21 where you’ll celebrate your journey with a festive farewell dinner. On Day 22, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.
Hotel Samarkand Plaza, Samarkand & InterContinental Hotel, Tashkent

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