TRIP OVERVIEW
This tour is ideal for anyone who loves to take challenges! Badain Jaran Desert spans the provinces of Inner Mongolia and Gansu. Being the third biggest desert in China, it's located in the Alxa Plateau, about 1,200 meters above the sea level. It is also features over 100 spring-fed lakes that lie between the dunes. We will start with the sunset at Euphrates Polar Forest in Ejin Banner. Followed by 9-day hiking, camel riding and camping in the Badain Jaran Desert in Inner Mongolia, we will live like the merchants who traveled along the Silk Road in the ancient time. Climb the world's highest sand dune, have a unique view of 6 lakes in the desert, enjoy desert sunrise and sunset as well as experience the thrilling 4WD car surfing in the desert. Not far from the desert are the cities of Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Zhangye and Lanzhou. All of them are important stops on the Silk Road and full of important historical sites. We'll tour the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, visit the fortress at Jiayuguan, take a long hike through the stunning scenery of the Zhangye Danxia Landform etc.
Note: All the time and distance etc shown below are approximate and indicative only, if there is inconsistency, it will depend on the weather, local road conditions and other actual situations. Besides, the duration might be revised according to your physical level.
- Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Price Policy
- Tour Remarks
(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
DAY 01 Arrive Dunhuang (BL, by flight)
Board your flight to Dunhuang, an important stop on the Silk Road and famous for the Buddhist caves. Your experienced CAT guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to check into the hotel. After a short rest, you will visit Mogao Grottoes, a national treasure of exquisite murals and Buddhist statues. The carvings were started in the Jin Dynasty (3rd - 5th century A.D.) and continued in the following dynasties. Now, there are altogether 735 grottoes, 45,000 square meters (about 53,820 square yards) of murals and 2,415 colorful Buddhist statues.
Stay in 4-star hotel in Dunhuang
DAY 02 Dunhuang / Jiayu Guan (BLD)
After breakfast, you will drive to Jiayu Guan (380km, about 5 hours). Upon arrival, visit the First Fire Tower of Great Wall which is the west end of the Ming-dynasty Great Wall. The 56-meter-high (184 feet) tower stands on a cliff of the Great Gobi Desert, with the Talai River flowing past and boasting a distant view of the majestic Jiayu Pass. Your next stop is the Overhanging Great Wall, which was built in the Ming Dynasty. Finally, visit the famous Jiayuan Pass. Reputed as 'the Greatest Pass under Heaven', Jaiyu Pass is one of the most important and majestic military fortresses along China's Great Wall. If the time permits, visit Wei & Jin Ancient Tomb to explore the ground floor of its murals and brick Graves known as "the world's largest underground gallery".
Stay in 4-star Huayuan Hotel
DAY 03 Jiayu Guan / Ejina Qi (BLD)
After breakfast, drive to Ejina Banner (440km, about 6 hours) whilst enjoying the scenery on the way. Today you will also visit the Khara Khoto Ruins, the "black water city" in the desert. Located 25 southeast of the Hubu Town of Ejina Banner, the Khara Khoto Ruins are the largest and most complete existing ruins of the ancient city on the Silk Road. The city was founded in 1032 and became a thriving center of Tangut Empire trade in the 11th century.
Stay in 4-star hotel in Ejina Qi
DAY 04 Ejina Qi / Ku Rei Tu (BLD)
Drive via Alatan Abao to Ku Rei Tu (400 km, about 7 hours). At the border of the Gobi Badain Jaran Desert, meet with your trekking crew (desert guide, camel herder and chef) who will guide your trek. If the time permits, you may pay a visit to Ku Rei Tu Temple. Overnight, you will camp in a tent.
Camping
DAY 05 Start Trekking in Badain Jaran Desert (BLD)
After breakfast you will start hiking at around 9:00am, the camel herder will help to transport the luggage and catch up with you later. Today you will walk about 21 km, which may be tiring. At around 13:00, you will meet the camel herder again. After lunch, you can ride a camel if you like. At around 16:00, you will arrive at the first camp site. The rest of the day will be free time. You will stay overnight in a tent.
Camping
DAY 06 Trekking (BLD)
It will be easier today as the trek will be only 15 km. We will arrive at the second camp site at around 14:30. The rest of the day will be free time. We will stay overnight in a tent.
Camping
DAY 07 Trekking: The Second Highest Sand Dune (BLD)
Today we will trek about 15 km. At around 15:00, we will reach the third camp site. Upon arrival, we will climb up the second highest sand dune in the Badain Jaran desert (1 hour).
Camping
DAY 08 Trekking: Local Family Visiting (BLD)
After 14 km of trekking, we will reach a camp of a family that organizes camel caravans. There is a well and you can rest.
Camping
DAY 09 Trekking (BLD)
Our trekking today will be comparatively easy. We will arrive at the fifth camp site after about 12 kilometers' hiking.
Camping
DAY 10 Trekking: Chaka Salt Lake (BLD)
Start hiking at 09:00. Around noon we will reach Chaka Salt Lake. At the lake there is a guest house and we will eat lunch by the lake. Here we can observe several species of birds, which use the lake as an intermediate stop during migration. After lunch, continue trekking about 4 km to the foot of the highest sand dune, Bielutu. Before we reach the sand dune, there is also another larger salt lake where we can take some pictures.
Camping
DAY 11 Trekking: The Highest Sand Dune & Badain Jaran Temple (BLD)
After breakfast, we will begin to climb the highest sand dune, called Bielutu. The sand dune is 425 m high and 1,559 m above sea level. From the top we have a unique view of 6 lakes. Afterwards, walk down, and once we have continued to trek about 9 km, we will reach village of Gacha at about 15:00. In the afternoon, visit the Badain Jaran Temple, which was built in 1755. We also have the opportunity to observe the monks' ceremonies in the monastery.
Camping
DAY 12 Trekking to the Last Campsite (BLD)
Get up early, so we will not miss the chance of photographing our beautiful surroundings at sunrise: an ideal and unique photo opportunity for our trip. Then after a trek of about 21km, we will reach the last camp. Along the way, many salt lakes can be seen.
Camping
DAY 13 Surfing in the Desert / Alxa Youqi (BL, 4WD)
After breakfast, you will be picked up by the desert jeeps and experience the thrilling and exiting car "surfing" in the desert. At around 13:00 you will arrive at the city of Alxa You Qi. After lunch, check in at the hotel, and then the rest of the day is left for you to relax or stroll in the city.
Camping
DAY 14 Drive to Zhangye (BL)
Transfer to Zhangye. Enjoy your leisure time here. Visit the Bell & Drum Tower and the Wooden Pagoda if you like. After a great day you'll stay in a nice 4-star Huachen International Hotel or similar and have a good rest.
Stay in 4-star Huachen International Hotel in Zhangye
DAY 15 Zhangye / Stay in Wuwei (BLD)
After breakfast, you will visit the Giant Buddha Temple, which contains the largest indoor reclining Buddha in China - nearly 35 meters from head to toe. The Temple was built in 1098 AD, and was extended and renovated during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Further on to Zhangye Danxia Geopark, the Rainbow Mountains. It enjoys the honors of "The world's top ten magical geographical wonders". Upon arrival, start hiking along the north part of Danxia Landform, enjoying the great view of Qilian Shan and memorable sunset. China Rainbow Mountains are magnificent with gorgeous colors, which developed at about 200 million years ago. We will see lots of precipitous red cliffs, most of which are several hundred meters high, and multicolored ridges of weathered strata, sometimes stretching to the horizon. It is the best place for photography. Afterwards, set off for Wuwei (280km, 3.5hrs) and check in at your hotel there.
Stay in 4-star hotel in Wuwei
DAY 16 Wuwei / Lanzhou (BL)
Tour around the Lai Tai Han Tomb, built about 1,800 years ago. It is famous for the bronze statue, "Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow". After that, let us cross the great Yellow River and the Hexi Corridor towards the ancient city of Lanzhou (290km, about 4.5hours) where we'll stay at a lovely 4 star hotel.
Stay in 4-star hotel in Lanzhou
DAY 17 Lanzhou Sightseeing (BL)
Today's highlights are Gansu Provincial Museum and an excursion to Bingling Temple Grottoes, 75km southwest of Lanzhou. Listed as part of the ancient Silk Road for the World Heritage candidate, Bingling Temple Grottoes, filled with stupas, murals and Buddhist sculpture carved into natural caves, were a work in progress between the 4th and 10th centuries. Taste traditional and local foods at the local market.
Stay in the same hotel in Lanzhou
DAY 18 Lanzhou / Beijing (B, by Flight)
The guide will pick you up and escort you to the airport to take your flight to Beijing.. It has been great and our CAT look forward to seeing you on another adventure trip!
-The end of tour-
Please Note: While we plan to follow the itinerary as much as possible, weather, trail conditions, river crossings, and other circumstances may force us to alter the itinerary in this remote and relatively untraveled region.
TOUR COST FOR TRAVEL AGENCY: (Exchange rate: 1USD=6.5CNY)
|
2-3pax |
4-5pax |
6-9pax |
10pax+ |
Single Supplement |
Tour cost |
CNY50,790/P
$7,813/P |
CNY38,800/P
$5,969/P |
CNY33,460/P
$5,148/P |
CNY30,320/P
$4,665/P |
CNY4,850/P
$746/P |
| ($1=6.5CNY) |
- Please reserve at least TWO MONTH before the departure time.
- The exchange rate is based on USD1=6.5CNY. As the exchange rate of CNY to USD is floating, we reserve the right to adjust the quote in USD according to the exchange rate on the date you pay the tour.
- The prices do not apply to National Holidays (e.g. Chinese National Day Sep. 30th -Oct.8th).
- We reserve the right to alternate the visiting order of the scenic spots in the itinerary according to the traffic condition and other unforeseen things.
The tour cost includes
- Local transportation: A private vehicle (minibus in the area with good road) will accompany us for the entire tour. While we are trekking, our vehicle will transfer our food and luggage to the appointed site or hostel and wait or meet us at the end of the trekking tour.
- Equipment as required: 2 men tent, Dining tent, Kitchen tent, Toilet tent, Kitchen Utensils and Table Chair ,rope, water, 2-way radios, compass , first aid kit, GPS.
- Leader: Experienced English-speaking tour leader, one cook and one cook helper during the trek.
- Camp equipment: tents and mattress.
- All the Foreigner's Travel Permit and the remote area/border area if needed.
- Entrance fees: All first-entrance tickets to the tourist spots mentioned in the itinerary.
- Accommodation: Nice hotel in Lhasa, twin and tri-share clean hostel in the small counties or villages, occasionally private home if indicated.
- Meals: All meals during the trek(B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner).
- Extra supplier or staff (only needed when the area we will trek to is non-residential and not accessible for any vehicles): cook to prepare fresh food for the group when necessary, Yaks and yakman for carrying luggage, food, and all supporting equipment while trekking/camping.
- Travel agency liability insurance.
The tour cost does not include
- Personal trekking and camping equipment: sleeping bags, clothes and etc.
- Meals not list in the itinerary.
- Rescue and Evacuation Service.
- Personal gear required: if camping, a sleeping bag sufficiently warm to protect against -12°C or 2°C (10°F-35°F) in April-May and August-September, against -5°C or 7°C (23°F- 44°F) in June, against -17°C or -6°C (1°F -21°F) in June. Also: hiking boots; it may different from the area, we will provide you the exact information when you confirm a tour. Raincoat; cap; camera; sun-cream; sun-glasses; pocket knife; day-pack, etc.
- Meals in your free time or on the train/plane.
- Expenses of a personal nature: favorite snacks, soft drinks, laundry, local or long-distance calls, etc.
- Tips to tour guide and driver.
- Tourist accident insurance. NB - you are strongly suggested to buy travel and health insurance before you start out from your home country.
- Single supplement costs (for those who want accommodation on a single basis).
- The medicine for the sickness or accident while on the way.
- Visa to China.
- Domestic and international flights and related airport taxes not listed in the itinerary.
- Supplementary trips, entrance fees and services not mentioned.
- Extra costs due to unforeseen circumstances.
Cancellation and Refund Policy for Tours Reservation
| Cancellation in advance |
Cancellation penalty |
| More than 30 days |
No Cancellation Fee |
| 30-10 days |
50% of the full payment |
| 9-0 days or no show |
100% of the full payment |
- As the exchange rate of CNY to USD is subject to Change, the final price will be calculated according to the Chinese currency CNY. The price in USD dollar is just for your reference.
- We are ready to reserve the e-air ticket from another city to the starting city or from the ending city back to your preferred city if needed.
- Before you pay deposit to book the tour, we haven't made any reservation yet. The train, flight tickets and the hotel may different from the itinerary listed.
- The visiting order of the scenic spots in the itinerary may change according to the traffic condition and other unforeseen things.
- Tourist insurance is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.
- The prices do not apply to National Holidays (e.g. Chinese National Day Sep. 30th -Oct.8th, Or other Special Festival time).
