11 Days China to Kyrgyzstan Overland Tour: Urumqi to Bishkek

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 Grand International Bazaar where you can watch Uygur dance show and taste local delicacies.

After enjoying breakfast, your fascinating day will start this morning. Today our tour guide will bring you to head to Xinjiang Regional Museum. There are many archaeological treasures of the Silk Road and Xinjiang's minority cultures. You will learn about the history of Xinjiang and its peculiar ethnic customs.

Take the 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 at 09:00. Continue the visiting to Old Town at 10:30 with the open ceremony of Maxilap show. Come and join the exciting movement in this well-preserved Uighur residential area. Our speciality: Relaxing in the Hundred-years Tea house, taste the local rose tea and nang-bread!

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

Our next stop is the famous Sunday Bazaar drive to Sunday Bazaar that is combined two sections. The covered bazaar sells the clothing, nuts, household goods and many things out of your imagination. The outdoor Animal Bazaar 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 the bargain. 

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.

Today, we will embark on a new  land.  Morning transfer to Chinese Kyrgyz Border Torugat where you will be met by the Kyrgyz guide and then drive  to Tash Rabat Caravanserai – Stone Castle from the 14th century, wherethe building is a unique one. It is located at the very heart of Tian Shan Mountains. And it has no analogue in the whole world, because it was made of stones and furthermore it was hidden in the mountains at a height of 3200 m. In total there are 31 rooms in the castle. The thickness of walls is 1 m. Traditional dinner will be served at 7 p.m. You will spend this night in Tash Rabat

Early in the morning, we will hit the road to Kochkor from Tash Rabat. The road from Tash Rabat to Kochkor is just excellent! You will drive along mountain roads and on the way you will move over few high passes. The highest one is called Dolon pass that is 3030 meters high above the sea level! Today it will be possible to meet real nomads that 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 to Kochkor village, where you will meet a local family to 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. Night is in a home stay.

After breakfast at 8 a.m. , you will be transferred to the celestial Issyk Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608m.above sea level), which is called "the pearl of Central Asia". Owing to the salty water, Lake Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities. You can come up to the lake  to see mountains all around it! The water of the lake is very clean. At Soviet time there were built even special houses for the members of parliament – all of them wanted to have a rest near celestial Issyk Kul Lake! The lake is just incredible!!!
In Cholpon Ata town you will have an opportunity to visit ancient stone inscriptions. It is the most ancient place of Kyrgyzstan. The pictures are dating back to 800 B.C. They were depicted on stones by shamans and all these stones are still at the same place where they were 2 000 – 2 500 years ago! It is a great chance to feel the spirits of that time! Also we will visit a local museum that is considered to be the best one in Kyrgyzstan. There are many things connected with nomadic life and it is really worth to see them!!! Night will be in a very nice modern resort.

After breakfast, we will leave Issyk Kul and we will drive to the Bishkek city. On the way we will visit Burana Tower (minaret from the 11th century) and an Open Air Museum of Balbans (stone warriors). Burana Tower was used during the Great Silk Road as a sign for travelers that there was a city to have a rest. You can still see the outlines of the old city around the tower. Nearby you will see balbals. These grave stones that look like warriors were made in honor of brave soldiers that died for their Motherland. You will have time in Bishkek to go for a walk. Dinner will be at 7 o’clock. In the evening, you will have a good rest in hotel.

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 your journey ends. After Breakfast you will be transferred to International airport to have a flight.