10 Days Silk Road Xinjiang and Bishkek Kyrgyzstan

Welcome to Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and the farthest land from any ocean.  It is the heaven of travelers for its beautiful natural scenery, profound cultural deposits and special local customs and practices. Upon arrival, be transferred to the hotel and check in. The rest of day is free at leisure.

We will drive 1.5 hours to entrance of the Heavenly Lake about 08:30, following is the 40-minutes shuttle bus twisting through the picturesque Tianshan mountains to the edge of the Lake. Either Trek around the lake, enjoy the boating cruise, or even take the cable car to the explore the Maya Mountain for the incredible view of Bogoda Peak.

Lunch will be arranged in the Yurt of the local Kazakhs. Back to Urumqi and head to visit Grand International Bazaar where you can watch Uygur dance show and taste local delicacies.

Say goodbye to Urumqi, be transferred to take the flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival, pick up to check in the hotel.

With an early start today at 08:00. Drive all the way to Oasis Turpan that we will pass by the wind power station and vast Gobi desert in 3hrs.

Our first stop is Bezkilik Thousand Buddha Caves located in the center of  Flaming Mountains. Then continue to Tuyoq Valley, an ancient oasis-village. We will have lunch in the local Uighur family before exploring this traditional village surrounded by the impressive grape trellis and the stories of the adventurers all of the world.

Today's tour end up with the 2hrs's exploration of Jiaohe Ruins,resembles Pompei, but 300 years older, a Chinese archaeological site found in the Yarnaz Valley, 10 km west of the city of Turpan and a natural fortress located atop a steep cliff on a leaf-shaped plateau between two deep river valleys where you can experience the way of life of the Uighur ancestors.

Continue your journey in Turpan today. We will head up to the Karez Well irrigation system that produce the best melons and grapes in China. Following is the visiting to Sugong Minaret, a conduit for cultural exchange between different ethnic and religious groups.

Then, return to Urumqi with about 3hours driving and transfer you to catch the night flight to Kashgar.

Today you will enjoy a full day excursion of Kashgar. Pay a visit to Id Kah Mosque, the largest Mosque in China and the most sacred mosque for the locals to practise their Islamic activities.

Sunday Bazaar that is combined two section. The covered bazaar sells the clothing, nuts, household goods and many thingsout of your imagination.The outdoor Animal Bazar is the first bazaar we visit, where the farmers and buyers arriving by donkey cart, truck, bicycle, horseback, motorbike or on foot, with their animals. It's loud, lively and cheerful as they arrive. It is quite interesting to witness their typical methods of bargin. 

Continue to visit Handicraft street, gathered hundreds of handicraft workshops, which has become a boutique exhibition for handicraft in Kashgar and Central Asia.

The tour starts with the nice buffet in the hotel, drives about 4hrs to Karakul Lake around 09:00.

After 1hr's driving, we will stop at Opal village for a rest where you may stroll around the local bazaar with the feeling of the traditional local lifestyle.

Continue to enjoy the majestic views of the Sand dunes, mountains, and sandstone valley along the Karakorum Highway, the Hindu Kush Mountains and the Himalayas. It is the world's tallest cross-border roads and most thrilling corridors.Trekking around the Karakul Lake with enjoy the magnificent landscape and the nomadic lifestyle of the local Kirghiz in their yurts.

Back to Kashgar in the afternoon.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will head to the Torugart Pass. our guide will help you clear up the issues on the custom and your Kyrgyz guide will meet you on the Chinese-Kyrgyz border. The road will go along mountain gorges at the most remote areas of Kyrgyzstan. 

On the way there we also admire the view of the third largest lake in Kyrgyzstan –Chatyr kul Lake. It is an endorheic alpine lake in the Tian Shan mountains in At-Bashi District of Naryn Province, Kyrgyzstan; it lies in the lower part of Chatyr-Kul Depression near the Torugart Pass border crossing into China. The name of the lake means “Celestial Lake” in Kyrgyz. The lake and 2 km buffer zone around it is part of the Karatal-Japyryk State Nature Reserve. The water of Chatyr Kul Lake is yellowish-green with water transparency of up to 4 metres (13 ft). The mineralization of the lake ranges from 0.5 to 1.0 milligrams per liter (chloride, hydrocarbonate, sodium and magnesium type of mineralization).

Early in the morning you will be transferred by car from Naryn to Bishkek city (400 km). The road itself from Naryn to Bishkek is just amazing! You will drive along mountain roads and on the way you will move over few high passes. The highest one is called Dolon pass. It is 3030 meters high above the sea level! 

You will be possible to meet real nomads who still live in yurts. Yurts are collapsible nomadic dwellings that are made of felt and wood without using a single nail. You will be shocked by the beauty of our mountains that stayed almost untouched till nowadays.

Then we will arrive at Kochkor Village. In there you will have lunch with a local family and find out more about Kyrgyz people. They will show you the way our national felt carpets are produced. You even can create your own carpet together with them! 

Also you will visit a small local Handicraft Museum. At this place you will get acquainted with nomadic traditions. On our way to Bishkek, we will visit Burana Tower (minaret from the 11th century) and an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). In the capital you will have dinner in a national restaurant. 

After breakfast take your city tour. Visiting of the central Ala-Too Square,  the central square іn Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The square wаs built іn 1984 tо celebrate the 60th anniversary оf the Kyrgyz SSR, аt whіch tіme а massive statue оf Lenin wаs placed іn the square's center. The statue оf Lenin wаs moved іn 2003 tо а smaller square іn the city, аnd а new statue called Erkindik (Freedom) wаs installed іn іts place.

Then you will visit Duboviy Park (Oak Park), full of strollers on warm Sundays, has a few open-air cafés and some neglected modern sculpture and funnily enough, century-old oaks. Where Erkindik prospektisi (Freedom Ave) enters the park, there is an open-air art gallery. 

Afterwards visit Pobeda Square (Victory Square), the History Museum, National philharmonic and Asian Bazaar, is very colorful and noisy. People sell there all kinds of goods. You will walk there about an hour to see local people, goods, fruits, vegetables, meat store, and other things! On this bazaar you will see very interesting people that come from villages to sell their goods.many others places of interest. During this day we will show you our main squares and buildings that were made at Soviet time.

Today you will say goodbye to Bishkek, be transferred based on your flight or train schedule.  Wish you a pleasant journey home!