Home > Culture Tour > 6 Days Authentic Silk Road Exploration Tour
TRIP OVERVIEW
The perfect introduction to this ancient trade route takes us through one of the most important oases of China's great western expanse. Enter from Torugart pass, you firstly arrive at Kashgar. In history, Kashgar is the most important city for import and export trade, hence the most prosperous city in west of China. Now it is famous for the "Sunday Market"—the largest bazaar in Central Asia is held every Sunday. Another highlight of here is the visit to the Lake Karakul at the base of Mt. Muztag Ata (7,545 m/24,754 ft), also called the Father of glacier. All in all, this is a unique chance for those who want to get a genuine feel for the silk road without sacrificing the comfort of a good hotel.
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(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
DAY 1 Torugart Pass - Kashgar (D, 171km, 5-6 hours driving)
Our guide will meet you at the Torugart pass and transfer back to Kashgar. Dinner Chinese restaurant nearby.
Note: The road condition is bad. The bigger the bus, the longer it may take us on the way.
Hotel located in Kashgar.
DAY 2 Transfer to Tashkurgan via Karakorum (BD)
After breakfast, we will drive on the China and Pakistan highway to visit the Karakul Lake and enjoy the Pamir landscape. Karakul Lake is situated at the altitude of 3,600 m. It is the highest lake of the Pamir plateau, near the junction of the Pamir, Tianshan and Kunlun Mountain ranges. Surrounded by mountains which remain snow-covered throughout the year, the three highest peaks visible from the lake are the Muztag Ata (7 546m), Kongur Tagh (7 649m) and Kongur Tiube (7 530 m). The lake is popular among travelers for its beautiful scenery and the clarity of its reflection in the water, whose color ranges from a dark green to azure and light blue. You will have to walk along the lake, and you will enjoy a short time riding a camel at Karakul Lake, it will be a very unusual experience for you, then we will drive to Tashkorgan. This is an interesting frontier town that is famed for its old fortress. We will have time to walk around. Dinner at hotel restaurant.
Hotel located in Tashkurgan.
DAY 3 Full day at Tashkurgan and surroundings (BD)
Today, we will get up early to the Stone City to see the sunrise. The Stone City is located in the north of Tashkurgan town and dates to the Tang dynasty. Several coins and documents from Hotan have been unearthed here. The city is surrounded by beautiful green pasturelands and streams with a beautiful view of the surrounding snow capped mountains. Only some broken sections of the city's walls remain but it was once an important fort on the ancient Silk Road guarding the roads from Kashi, Yengisar and Yarkant leading to the mountain passes towards Central Asia and India.
Then you will leave for the Khunjerab Pass and travel 130Km from Tashkorgan into the peaks atop the nearby Karakorum Mountain Range. It takes 1.5 hours to summit the pass and it's an experience that shouldn't be missed. Entering into an amphitheatre of fluted peaks atop the highest international border in the world, you're in a place few people on Earth can ever claim to have been. Khunjerab means 'Valley of Blood' in Uighur. Many Caravans once died summiting this pass on the old Silk Road and the area was famous for brigands and bandits. On top, you'll also have opportunity to take your photo with the friendly Pakistani guards at the border. Back to the hotel. Dinner at Chinese restaurant.
Hotel located in Tashkurgan.

DAY 4 Tashkurgan - Kashgar (BD)
Drive back to the Kashgar. After lunch, visit Apak Hoja Tomb. Apak Hoja Tomb is Mazar. It is the holiest place in Xinjiang and an architectural treasure. Built in 1640 it is reminiscent of the Central Asian artistic style of Samarkand or Isfahan. A handsome blue-and-white tiled gate leads into the compound, which includes a small religious school and the Abakh Khoja family tomb. The latter is domed and faced with multi - colored tiles. It is said that it is the most complete Islamic tomb of the Qing Dynasty up-to-now in the whole China!!!
If time permits, we will drive to Old Town Kashgar. Old Town Kashgar is famous for the winding narrow streets of its historic old town. Old town demo strates a fascinating architectural style of mud built houses with supporting wooden beams and beautifully carved wooden ceilings. Located in the heart of the city with more than half the cities population living here. The inhabitants of old town are 100% Uyghur's. Uyghur people have been living in this area since the city of kashgar was formed more than two thousand years ago. Instead of doing research on the net or reading a book about Uyghur culture you can take a walk through Old Town. Dinner at Muslim restaurants.
Hotel located in Kashgar.
DAY 5 Sunday market (BD)
After Breakfast, we could have a free time in Kashgar Old Town, then transfer to the Sunday Market. Kashgar's Sunday Market is the biggest market in Xinjiang. With the history of more than one thousand years, it used to be prosperous market on the ancient Silk Road and still plays an important role in local people's life today. Nowadays, it has become even busier. Various special local products, handicrafts, articles of daily use, fruits and vegetables as well as all kinds of domestic animals can be found here. Dinner at Muslim restaurants.
Hotel located in Kashgar.
DAY 6 Kashgar - Irkeshtam (B)
After breakfast, we will transfer all the participants to their next destination – Irkeshtam. See you next time!
The tour cost includes
The tour cost does not include
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

Necessities
Enough films and batteries, Sun-cream with the protection index of 40-60, sunglasses with a sun protection factor of 15, the lip creams and balms with SPF rating, towel, toothpaste, electric torch, Snack foods.
Cloth that you bring must be warm enough and can be removed easy enough according to the weather, including Jacket, hat, Cotton underwear, Socks, Long-sleeve Shirts, T-shirts and Pants (Shorts are not appropriate at any time while hiking), comfortable shoes, rain gear (long rain coat is better).

Medicine
In addition to the normal medications for traveling, just like the Aspirin and medicine for diarrhea, siriasis,sunstroke and carsickness.

Currency to use
US$ is acceptable only in a very limited range, e.g. tips. However, for convenience, Chinese currency is the best choice. If you want to change US$ to Chinese currency in the tour, you can change it in the Hotel you stay or in the Bank of China. You could draw cash only from Bank of China in the big city, the ATM there doesn't always work properly and the bank is not easy to find. Please bring some cash at hand to use.

Food and drink
a) Eating is an important part of your China experience. Generally breakfasts are included in the itinerary and offered by hotels. China Highlights recommends local Chinese restaurants that are popular with local people for lunch. You can order dishes with the help of your guide. We usually leave dinner for your own choice — Western food can be found in most large cities.
b) We have tried to arrange various food in different cities. But you may still think the food is simple and not as delicious as in the big cities especially while trekking in the mountains and villages. If you have any priority of the food (eg. If you are vegetarian or you are allergic to MSG, peanut oil, fish and peanut, etc) please inform us early, we will try to alternate the food accordingly. At the same time please prepare some of your favorite snacks and substitution food in case of need.
c) Meals in the home stays will be different from the cities but clean, which leave you a good chance to experience the ethnic minority culture. We will pack a breakfast for you of cold cereal, milk, toast, fruit, and jam for the home stay.
d) It is very important to drink a lot of water and eat enough fruit in your tour especially while trekking in the mountains and villages. You are advised not to drink tap water.

Accommodation
Hotels in China are bound by Government laws which mean that air conditioning is switched on nationally in May and the central heating in November (this may vary slightly depending on the region).
In some remote areas, sometimes shower maybe not available in the home stay. A married couple is not allowed to share a room in the Miao's home-stay due to the local customs.

Tipping
It is customary to tip service providers in the travel industry in Asia, depending on the service. Tipping is expected — though not compulsory — and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Recommendations for tipping drivers (3 USD per person per day as a guideline) and local guides (8 USD per person per day as a guideline) would depend on the quality and length of the service.

Vehicles
We use comfortable sedans or vans with air-conditioning. The comfort and safety of our customers is of utmost importance, so we ensure that all of the vehicles we use are well maintained and always very clean. Our drivers take pride in their vehicles.

Tourist insurance
It is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.

Customs
In some provinces with many minorities (like Guizhou, Guangxi, Tibet, Xinjiang and etc.), the customs and habits of local people are different from place to place. The local guide will inform you what should care. Respect the local customs and religions. The people are very kind and hospitable. You can feel free to talk with them. But there are some rulers you should go by!
a. Do not photo them without getting the permit, please show the respect to them!
b. Don't talk the sensitive topics like the political and the religion matters!

Conditions
When you sign up for the trekking tour, you acknowledge that there are risks involved in trekking in high altitude and confirm that you are fully aware of and accept these risks. It is customer's responsibility to determine whether the tour he/she choose is suited to his/her physical condition. Customers are responsible for the cost of any medicines or medical care they may require during the trip for any reason. Please make sure you have adequate personal medical insurance to meet any medical emergency which might arise. In some cases, if you need medical care during the tour, you may be required to pay for it at the time it is rendered and seek reimbursement from your insurer after you return home. Please check with your medical insurer for details. In the event of a medical emergency, we will make every effort to assist you in obtaining necessary care. Also, please tell us in writing if you suffer from any allergies or other physical conditions which might affect you during the tour (if you hasn't tell us in writing before going, you are supposed to be healthy enough to take the tour). Finally, please check with your doctor to find out what inoculation may be recommended for the areas you will be visiting. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary inoculations. We reserve the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to decline to retain any person, if such person's physical condition, mental well-being or behavior interferes with the operation of the tour. There will be no refund in such cases.

Always take good care of your belongings.