We will experience the present

WEST CHINA

Day 07  Wednesday 22 Aug Fly from Ulanbatoor via Beijing to Urumchi
Upon Arrival from Ulaan Batoor to Beijing Transfer to flight for Urumchi
Catch the plane to Urumchi Overnight in Urumchi

Day 08 Thursday 23  Overnight in Turpan
THE INCREDIBLE "MUMMIES" OF URUMCHI
We will  visit Xinjiang Regional Museum which is split into 2 sections - one devoted to archeological treasures from the Silk Road and the other showcases the province minority cultures.
 We will take a 3-hour ride in an air-conditioned bus to Turpan. Lying 154 meters (505 ft) below sea level, the Turpan Basin not only sits in the second largest depression in the world, but it is one of the hottest places in China. Despite its desert location, Turpan boasts fertile land producing cotton and grapes, thanks to the karez, an ancient irrigation system. Upon arrival, excursion to the ruins of Jiaohe, a Han Dynasty garrison that was destroyed by Genghiskhan. In the evening we will enjoy an Uygur dance show.Overnight in Turpan.

Day 09 Friday  Aug.24 Turpan to Urumqi (BUS)  
We will start the day visiting Emin Minaret, one of the architectural gems of the Silk Road. Along the way to the ancient sites we will stop and visit vineyard where excellent grapes are growing.Visit Karez that is the attractions of the area and the irrigation system devised by the Uygurs ,.An wonderful  will be provided in the evening.
This hotel is a delightful local hotel. you will find your self surrounded with the treasures of this reagion.You will appreciate having an umbrella today because we will be in the heat of the desert
Today you will visit  Gaochang , one of  China'best  preserved  ancient cities due to the dry,hot climate.Walls of sun dried brick are  40 feet  thick at the  base, suround the ruins.

Continue on to The Baiziklik  Caves (one Thousand Buddha Caves )show the  extent to which Buddhism spread in  this area .We will stop  at the ancient Astana Tombes. And the Flaming Mountains that seem on fire in the mid-day sun;  Return to Turpan  After lunch, we drive back to Urumqi, Urumqi is a growing metropolis inhabited mainly by Han Chinese and serves as a transport hub for those crossing to Tibet, Pakistan and Central Asia. Here you can visit the lively market at Erdaoqiao, where anything from Uygur handicrafts, silk carpets to fruits and kebabs are sold. We will also visit the Old Town area, where we will see how Uygurs live in today's modern capital (the New Town is the Han Chinese area of town). Overnight in Urumchi.

Day  10  Saturday  Aug. 25  Overnight in Kashgar
Fly to Kashgar enjoy the view of the Tienshan mountains from the air plane. Continue to the Taklamakan desert. A camel ride in the desert which means "those who go in will not return" is very exciting. Overnight in Kashgar

Day 11  Sunday  Aug. 26 Kashgar  Overnight in Kashgar
Visit to Abakhoja Maoseleum, Sunday Market and Mosque Eidkah. Lunch an Uygur Family in order to learn more about the Uygur Cultural. Situated at the foot of the impressive Pamir mountains, Kashgar was once the key trading post bridging the East and the West. Largely inhabited by the Uygurs, this ancient city is dotted with Muslim architecture and still retains the exotic feel of the Silk Road era. We'll spend most of the day there immersing ourselves in the activities. It's a photographers paradise as food, animals, cloth goods, and metalwork are bought and sold in this vast open-air market. Through our interpreters, we'll learn about the Uyghur people and bargain with them for their handiwork. Here you will encounter some of the many different nationalities who bring their wares into town for trade; Uygurs, Han Chinese, Kazaks, Kirgizs, Tadjiks, Pakistanis, maybe an Afghanistani or two and the occasional western tourist. Every Sunday, around 100,000 people gather in the enormous Kashgar Bazaar area where you can buy anything from goats heads and hoofs to colourful painted wooden saddles. The traditional costumes and food give it an almost medieval feel and bring alive the legends of this epic overland journey along the Silk Road.  

Day 12  Monday  Aug.27,  Kashgar
Drive to Karakul lake (200kms single) along the Krakorum highway to enjoy the natural beauty of Pamir plaetou. Back to hotel  and Folk Dance Show after dinner.Begin your discovery today with visits to  the Id Kah Mosque fronted by the busy square., the largest in China that built in 1442, the Abakh Hoja Tomb, built in 1640, it is reminiscent of the Central Asian artistic style of Samarkand of Isfahan. The site is also known as the Xiang Fei (Fragrant Concubine) Tomb in memory of Abakh Khoja's granddaughter, Iparhan, who was the Fragrant Concubine of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty. roam through the colorful natinal street that assembled rich and verity workshop of making Uyghur’s handcrafts.. then enjoy  the wonderful uyghur dance show profermed by lovely Uyghur’s childen overnight at the same hotel in Kashgar

Day 13 Tuesday Aug 28,  End of West China
 Drive to Turgart Pass(167kms) to exit to Kirghizstan End of China Visit 
  

Meeting with the children, the men and the women of these countries will make our experiences personable.

KIRGYZISTAN

Day 13 Tuesday Aug 29,  overnight in Naryn. 
TORUGART –NARYN (190 km, 5 hrs)

Meet the Kirgyz but at the border of China : at China-Kyrgyz “Torugart” border and after all formalities drive to Naryn with lunch boxes  en route. Torugart pass is normally snow-free from May through September. The Torugart-Naryn road is problematic from mid-November to early March. From the Arc de Triumph (China) it is about 7 km to the Kyrgyzstan customs and immigration. Distance is 60 km from Torugart to outer checkpoint and a further 130-km to Naryn. Naryn’s one real claim to fame is that the best quality shyrdaks (traditional, brightly colored felt-applique rugs) in Kyrgyzstan are said to be made here. Dinner and overnight in Naryn.

Day 14 Wednesday Aug 30,Issyk Kul
NARYN – ISSYK KUL (300 km, 5-6 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Issyk-Kul Lake through Dolon Pass of 3030 m, the highest point on the Naryn-Issyk Kul road. Usually this season (May-September) the local people "chabans" are putting their yurts on the valleys of Sary-Bulak & Dolon Passes. So you will see the wild life of local people. Lunch en route. Upon arrival at Issyk-Kul transfer to resort for dinner and overnight.

Day 15 Thursday Agust 31,   BISHKEK
(295 km, 4-5 hrs)
AM. Drive to Bishkek via Burana Tower, Krasnaja Rechka. Burana was the site of Balasagun. It was founded in the middle of the 10 century on the site of an old settlement. The minaret (Burana from Turkish “munara”-minaret), one of the oldest of its kind in Central Asia, was built in 11 century and was originally 45 m tall. Visit Krasnaja Rechka - ruins of ancient city " Nevaket" of VI-XII centuries. Upon arrival sitysiteseing Picnic lunch. PM. Arrive Bishkek and visit Ala-Too Square, Panfilov Park. Ala-Too Square is the Central Square in Bishkek city. The brutal block behind him, once the Lenin Museum, has become theState Historical Museum, with two yurts, a small archaeology exhibit and a beguiling display of Kyrgyz carpets, embroidery and other applied crafts on the ground floor. The unmarked marble palace full of chandelier offices just west of the square, the "White House", is the seat of the Kyrgyzstan government, including the President's office and the republic's parliament. Behind this is Panfilov Park, whose rusting rides and arcades make it the center of Bishkek for kids. Transfer to local restaurant for dinner. Overnight at hotel.
 

The elderly will teach us the traditions of the ancient 
SILK ROAD