The Silk Road to Xi'an, Asia Overland Journey

In the footsteps of the Silk Road traders - the ultimate trip across Asia

Women in chadors in front of Sheikh Lutfollah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

From the magnificent Istanbul to enigmatic Iran and the ancient cities of Central Asia we retrace the epic route along the Silk Road to Beijing.

This fascinating region has so much on offer; overnighting in a nomadic yurt, watching deals being struck in the amazing Sunday market at Kashgar and coming face-to-face with Xi'an's inspiring terracotta army.

Traveling overland, crossing mountains, vast high plains, skirting great deserts and visiting fabled cities, we gain an insight into the kaleidoscope cultures and landscapes of one of the world's most inspiring regions.

NB: This Overland Expedition itinerary below displays 'Days' by default. The actual itinerary is listed weekly alongside the 'Day number'.

Kitty Payment

This is an Overland trip and has a Kitty Payment, which is paid locally in US$.

The kitty covers accommodation, meals while camping, and entry fees and excursions where the whole group participates. It is administered by a member of the group, and if there’s any left over at the end of the trip, it is refunded.

The kitty rate is from US$2360, please call for final kitty price.

Please note, as prices fluctuate considerably in many of the countries we travel through, the kitty amount is not finally specified until two weeks before departure.

Itinerary

[detailed itinerary...]

Countries visited: China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Day 1

Istanbul to the fantastic landscapes of Cappadocia and huge statues on Nemrut Dag.

Day 2

Eastern Turkey, into Iran and on to the blue domes of Esfahan.

Day 3

Shiraz, the city of poets, Yazd and the deserts of central Iran.

Day 4

Over the mountains to Turkmenistan, Ashgabat and the Karakum desert.

Day 5

Uzbekistan - the oasis city of Khiva, Bukhara and the Oxus Valley.

Day 6

Samarkand - Tamerlane's magnificent capital, and Tashkent.

Day 7

Cross the dramatic Tian Shan Mountain Range into Kyrgyzstan.

Day 8

To Song-Kul Lake; go for a hike or watch a game of goat polo!Then visit the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek.

Day 9

Across the mountains again to China and Kashgar's famous Sunday market.

Day 10

Along the edge of the Takla Makan desert to Turfan and the incredible caves of Dunhuang.

Day 11

Jiayuguan, the end of the Great Wall, and across the edge of the Tibetan plateau to Lanzhou.

Day 12

Into China's heartland and journey's end at Xi'an - home of the terracotta warriors.

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Images from THE SILK ROAD TO XI'AN

Note: Click on a thumbnail to enlarge.

Local people displaying gaudy carpets, Osh Market

Nomads and camels, Tien Shan

The Silk Road To Xi'an

Kitty Payment

Itinerary

Images from THE SILK ROAD TO XI'AN