The Chinese Silk Route & Tibet

5 Weeks - from $2850

This challenging trip follows the ancient Silk Route across some of the harshest and most inhospitable landscapes on earth. From Kyrgyzstan we cross the rugged Tian Shan and then travel along the Karakoram Highway to Kashgar in China. We'll take a tour of Turpan, one of the lowest places in the world, before setting off for one of the highest - travelling from Golmud across the Tibetan plateau to the magical city of Lhasa. We overland through Himalayan passes at dizzying altitudes, stopping off at monasteries along the way. After a hike up to Everest Base Camp we cross into Nepal, and end our epic journey in colourful Kathmandu.

This overland adventure is not for the faint hearted but if you are after adventure travel this is the trip for you. We will travel overland along the Chinese Silk Route and through some of the remotest and harshest landscapes in the World. A word of warning, you must be fit and healthy for this trip, altitude is not something to be taken lightly and we will be travelling overland regularly above 5000 metres. Tibet travel is always at altitude and even when we are not passing over high passes we will be still well above 3000 metres. Adventure Travel in Tibet, Xinjiang and Kyrgyzstan is all about mountains. We will cross the high passes of Kyrgyzstan's Tian Shan, journey overland up the Karakoram highway from Kashgar to Taxkorgan and our Tibet tour will take us high over the Tibetan Plateau to the base of Mt. Everest. Everest trekking is generally done from the Nepal side and very few people see the mountain from the Tibetan side. This adventure tour takes us from the Friendship Highway over high passes virtually to Everest base camp. We overnight under Mount Everest and as long as the clouds stay away, you should have spectacular views. China tourism is generally about the major sites, but on this trip we will get you way, way off the beaten track. Overland travel is all about finding the other side of a country that the tourists generally miss and on this journey we travel the Silk Road from the Torugart Pass through to the edge of Tibet. In China adventure tours seldom cross the vast Taklimakan Desert but we will, either taking the northern or the southern Silk Road. The other side of this trip is meeting the local people, be they Tibetan, Han Chinese, Kazakh, Tadjic, Kyrkyz, or Uyghur. We will organise a yurt homestay and you will be travelling through areas where the local population seldom meet outsiders. The final stage in our overland adventure journey is real Himalayan travel, crossing very high passes through the Himalayas and then descending into the Indian Subcontinent and Nepal.

Itinerary:

Week 1: Kyrgyzstan & China's Xinjiang Province Journey through the Silk Route's Torugart Pass in the Tian Shan Mountains Begin our journey in picturesque Bishkek Overland from Kashgar to Taxkorgan up the Karakoram Highway Overnight homestay at a traditional rural Kyrgyz village Visit Karakoram's Karakul Lake Week 2: Xinjiang & Taklamakan Desert Visit to the Thousand Buddha Caves at Kizil Journey along the Northern Silk Route around the Taklamakan Desert Exploration of the oasis and the Jaohe ruins at Turpan 2 or 3 nights to explore Kashgar's Sunday Market Week 3: Qinghai Province & Tibet The ultimate overland journey from Golmud over the high passes of the Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa Stopover and time to explore historic Dunhuang Week 4: The Friendship Highway Overland via Himalayan passes and the Scorpion Lake between Lhasa and Gyantse Visit to the stunning town of Gyantse and Baiju Monastery 3 night stay and guided tour of the main sites in Lhasa Stopover in Shigatse and visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery Week 5: Tibet's Himalaya & Nepal Overland along the Friendship Highway between Kathmandu and Tingri, over passes of 5050 metres Side trip to the Rhongphuk Monastery, crossing passes of 5200 metres Enter the national park. Walk to Tibet's Everest Base Camp and stay overnight Time in Nepal either at the beautiful mountain retreat the 'Last Resort' or en route acclimatising

Optional Extras

Accommodation: Mixed hotels and hostels ranging from 4 star to local and wildcamps.(35% camping, 65% hotels)
Meals: All food is covered by the kitty while camping.
Vehicles: Overland expedition vehicle.
Crew and Guides: 2 Dragoman crew, 1 Chinese and 1 Tibetan crew.
Notes: This is a tough trip and should only be attempted by people who are prepared for cold, discomfort and itinerary alterations. Before we can confirm anyone on this trip, we will need to approve a completed "altitude" questionnaire.Do not expect the itinerary to run to plan as it may well vary. We will be travelling through high remote mountains and itinerary may have to vary somewhat due to weather or road conditions. If it is too cold we will not overnight at Karokol Lake.Kitty does not cover food while staying in hotels and hostels.Visas for this trip can take many weeks to be issued so book early. Tibet authorisation is included in the trip price. NB: This is not the cost of the actual visa which is seperate from the trip price.
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.