11 Days Marco Polo’s Silk Road Tours

Today after breakfast, you’ll go to have a boat cruise on the Heavenly Lake (Tian Chi), a beautiful blue mountain lake. The blue lake water is finely contrasted with steep forest hills, high meadows and snowy Heavenly Mountain peaks behind. There you can also walk, take electric carts or cable cars.

After having a Uygur style lunch, you’ll head to the Erdaoqiao Market, the largest in Urumqi, where you’ll find a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets and almost anything that you can imagine.

Overnight stay in Urumqi tonight.

Today after breakfast, you’ll be transferred for the first flight to Kashgar. Upon your arrival, your local guide will met you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Have a rest!

After lunch, head to visit the largest mosque, ld Kah Mosque, and every Friday, it holds about 10,000 worshippers and may house up to 20,000. Afterwards, go to visit the Abakh Khoja Tomb, the 17th Century family cemetery of the Kashgar area Islamic leader, and the Sunday Bazaar is a necessary. There are over 20 large scale bazaars in Kashgar and the one located at the East Gate is the largest.

Overnight in Kashgar tonight.

Today, drive to the Lake Karakuli, about 190km from Kashgar. Karakuli Lake is a sparking glacial lake located at the foot of “the Father of Glaciers” – Muztagata Mountains. A railway connnecting China with Pakistan goes by the lake. The lake is famous for its beautiful scenery and clarity. Colors of its water range from light to dark under reflection. Walk along the lake and you’ll also pay a visit to the local Kyrgyz families and villagers.

After the tour, continue down the Karakorum highway up to the West Frontier, finally arriving at Taxkorgan. Overnight here.

Today, you’ll take an easy hiking along the fertile valleys in Taxkorgan. After the hiking, return to Kashgar (about 5-6 hour drive).

Overnight in Kashgar.

Today, you’ll stroll through the Kashgar Old City, and then drive to Yarkant County, located on the southern rim of the Taklamakan desert in the Tarim Basin, the great desert of Central Asia and one of the largest sandy deserts in the world.

En route, you’ll stop at Yengisar Knife Market, and also visit the King Yarkant’s Tomb if time permitting.

Overnight in Yarkant.

Today after breakfast, drive to Khotan. The Kingdom of Khotan was an ancient Buddhist Kingdom that was located on the branch of the Silk Road that ran along the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Passing by Yechang and the Khotan River, and after the picnic lunch, take the camel ride into the Taklamakan Desert.

Enjoy a barbeque prepared by a private chef accompanied by Uighur music and a bonfire during your night camping on the Taklamakan desert.  

Camp in the Taklamakan Desert.

Today, camel ride out of Taklamakan desert. Then head to visit Khotan’s renowned jade and carpet workshops.

After the tour, transferred to the airport and take a flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival, met and escorted to your hotel in Urumqi.

Overnight in Urumqi tonight.

Today after breakfast, you’ll drive to Turpan. After a lunch at a vineyard, you’ll head to visit the Karez Wells. This irrigation system of wells connected by underground channels is considered to be one of the three great ancient projects in China.
Overnight in Turpan tonight.

The first stop is the Jiaohe Ancient City, the site of an ancient oasis city built on the northern rim of the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang, Then, go the visit the Flaming Mountain, one of the hottest places on earth. Flaming Mountain is now a famous tourist attraction, with its harsh yet unique natural conditions. Afterwards, go to see the Astana Tombs, which is the site where the ancient people of the Gaochang city are buried. It is famous for its terracotta figurines and tomb paintings.

After the tour, driven back to Urumqi, and overnight in Urumqi tonight.

Being free until your tour guide will pick you up to the airport for the flight to your next destination.