6 Day China Silk Road… (trip)

6 Day China Silk Road Explorer

  • Dunhuang, Jiuquan, Gansu, China
  • Active & Adventure
China, Asia

Contact provider for price6 DaysYear-round
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Kensington Tours 12 people max
An intrepid journey into the less-visited far West of China, the Silk Road Explorer tour is designed for those who want to get off the beaten path. Start in Dunghuang and embark by camel across the desert on a 5km caravan to Sand Mountain. Continue to Urumqi; the hub of the western provinces and a cool oasis town tucked into the Tianshan mountains. Tour the Heavenly Lake and then fly down to shop at some of the over 20 Bazaars’ found in Kashgar (Kashi). Marvel at the Islamic influenced Urgur architecture found throughout the city. Includes internal train, lunches per itinerary, private vehicle transfers, expert English-speaking guides, activities and entrance fees.

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Locations visited/nearby

China, Asia

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Kensington Tours:

  • Reviewer: Rinat Goren, 2009 located in Central America

    "Just wanted to thank you. We are back from Costa Rica and had a wonderful trip. Everything worked really well, on time and we had really good time. Also, I wanted to comment on your contacts in Costa Rica- they were very responsive, helped solve problems on the spot and it was very reassuring to have them there."

  • Reviewer: Nita Duncan, 2009 located in Egypt & Ancient Lands

    "For any single traveling woman - no fear! I, a single 61 year old female, traveled through Egypt & Jordan with absolutely no fear or concern for my safety. Not because I am brave but because there was no external cause for fear. The representatives who met me at the airports, the guides (especially Sam), and the drivers were all wonderful and very informative. The tour was first class and I would love to take another with Kinsington Tours and will recommend them to all my friends."

  • Reviewer: Marie, 2009 located in Asia

    "We are back and we had a wonderful trip. Everything was perfectly organized, with the right balance between time with a guide and free time. We were very lucky with the weather, no rain at all except for a 20 minutes thunderstorm in Dalat. Halong Bay was very clear all the time although it is supposed to be foggy during the day. The Metropole was perfect, the best breakfasts ever, the boat, Jasmine, wonderful and we were only 14 people instead of 44…,the Palm Garden in Hoi An very nice, the Ana Mandara in Nha Trang, pure Heaven, the Sofitel in Dalat beautiful, almost empty and a very friendly staff."

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Special information

  • This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.

Itinerary

Day 1 Dunhuang

Dunhuang, long ago referred to as 'Sha Zhou' (beautiful desert oasis), was the hub of middle and eastern silk routes in ancient times. The city is most famous for the Mogao Caves, located 25 km (15 miles) southeast, and regarded as the premier Buddhist spot in China. Highlights include a camel ride to Sand Mountain to experience a small taste of travel on the Silk Road.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

The Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel is situated in the Gansu province of China in Dunhuang city. The hotel provides convenient access to the major scenic spots such as Mogao Grottoes and Mingsha Hill. The hotel is located 3 km south of Dunhuang's city center, a convenient 20 minutes' drive from the airport, and 30 minutes to the stunning Mogao Grottoes by hotel bus. Enjoy dining at the unique, yet traditional hotel restaurants, named Chamber of Grandeur and Chamber of Delights. Take part in a multitude of recreational activities such as camel riding and sand trekking, and watch the sunset over the great Gobi desert from the comfort of your hotel rooms.

Overnight at Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel.

Day 2 Urumqi

Urumqi is a cool oasis from the searing western deserts, it is called an emerald at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. The most notable sights are the Heavenly Lake, the Southern Pastures, the Red Hill, the Southern Mosque, the Tartar Mosque, and the Xinjiang Regional Museum.

Enjoy a full day Sand Mountain, Moon Lake, Mogao Grottoe, and Camel Riding with deluxe lunch. Sand mountain is five kilometers (about three miles) away from the city of Dunhuang. Seen from afar, the mountain looks like a golden dragon winding its way over the horizon. As you approach you become aware that the sand has many colors ranging from red to yellow, green, black and white. Tour by camel to Sand Mountain. Then proceed to the Mogao Caves, located 25 km (16 miles) southeast of Dunhuang. This area is regarded as the premier Buddhist destination in China, perhaps the whole world. Afterwards return to your hotel.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Direct flight from Dunhuang to Urumqi.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

The Hoi Tak Hotel, Xinjiang is situated in the premier city center opposite the People's Square. Being the farthest inland city in the world, the hotel is beautifully decorated with ocean murals and fish tanks that provide a relaxing environment. Soaring to 33 stories, the Hoi Tak Hotel provides guests with breathtaking views of Urumqi and the famous capped "Tian Shan Mountains." All rooms feature comfortable guestrooms that are well equipped with a host of in room amenities, while restaurants provide an excellent selection of oriental and western cuisine. For the enjoyment of guests interested in sports or leisure, there are squash courts, sauna, steam room, tennis courts, outdoor pool, indoor pool on the grounds.

Overnight at Hoi Tak Hotel.

Day 3 Kashgar

Kashgar is located between the Yarkant River and the Kashgar River, bordering the Taklamakan desert in the east. Attractions include the Abakh Khoja Tomb, the family cemetery of Kashgar area Islamic leader in 17th century. It is a masterpiece of Uigur architecture. Bazaar is Uygur language, meaning market and trade place. At present, there are more than 20 large scale bazaars in Kashgar. Id Kah Mosque, the biggest mosque in China, is a group of old Islamic constructions with strong ethnic style and religious features. Karakuri Lake presents a fair and charming picture depicting snow-covered mountain, green grass, mirror-like water and livestock.Stone City was famous for its location at the junction of the middle route and southern route of the ancient Silk Road. Three Immortals Buddhist Caves: They are one of the earliest Buddhist caves in western China.

Enjoy a full day private guided tour of Heavenly Lake with cruise and cart riding around the lake. The most famous landscape gem near Urumqi is Heavenly Lake (also named Tianchi Lake), particularly refreshing to travelers arriving in Urumqi from the barren Xinjiang deserts or from China's granite cities. A moraine lake hemmed in by majestic snow-crowned peaks west of Bogda Mountain, Tianchi is 3,400 meters (11,125 feet) long, 1,500 meters (4920 feet) wide, 1,980 meters (6494 feet) above sea level. The pristine scene is stunning. Includes lunch at a local restaurant.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Direct flight from Urumqi to Kashgar.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

The Barony Hotel Kashgar is located in Kashgar of Xinjiang. The hotel is close to many tourists attraction such as: Id Kah Mosque, Abakh Hoja Tomb, Kunlun Mountain and Stone City for guests to choose for trip. It provides 118 comfortable rooms including deluxe rooms and luxury suites. Facilities like restaurant, recreation, meeting, shopping mall, business center and garden are well-equipped to satisfy guests.

Overnight at The Barony Hotel.

Day 4 Kashgar

Spend the day exploring Kashgar's open markets with an English speaking local guide.

Overnight at The Barony Hotel.

Day 5 Kashgar

Explore the Kashangar Old City with a private English speaking guide. Visit the Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in the Old Town. This area includes many antique shops and homes preserved from the past. You will also have an opportunity to meet a local family. Lunch is included.

Overnight at The Barony Hotel.
    
Kashgar
Kashgar
Day 6 Kashgar - Urumqi

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Direct flight from Kashgar to Urumqi.

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