SILK ROAD: FROM KHIVA TO KASHGAR
A cultural tour of Uzbekistan & China

The Silk Road is the story of one of the world's oldest and grandest of the trade routes which cast its shadows on the cultures of China, Central Asia and Western Asia. Whilst the Silk Road started from Xian in China, it was Central Asia that made inroads into different trade routes. We trace this historical route and see the influence of the Silk Road in the Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan and Western China.

DAY 01 THU: Arrive Tashkent (UZBEKISTAN)
Khush Kelibsizlar - Welcome to Uzbekistan! As we are driven to our hotel in the city center, we get our first glimpse of Tashkent, a city rebuilt after the 1966 earthquake. Tashkent rightfully claims to be the cultural capital of Central Asia. Balance of the day is free to allow time to get over the jet lag. Check in time starts from 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Hotel Dedeman, Tashkent (2 nights) (D)

DAY 02 FRI: Tashkent
Our Silk Road adventure starts with a visit first to the old part of the city where we visit the Kafelsashi Mausoleum, the Barak Khana, the Tila Shaikh Mosque and Archives and the Kukeldesh Madrassah. We then visit the History Museum of Uzbekistan followed by the magnificent Navoi Theatre, which has housed some of the world renowned ballets like Don Kikhot, Nutcracker, Giselle, Swan lake, and 1000 and one nights. Evening is a welcome dinner at a typical Uzbek Restaurant. (B, D)

DAY 03 SAT: Tashkent / Urgench / Khiva (Flight - Drive)
A short flight takes us to Urgench, the capital of the Khorezm Province which lies between the Amu-Darys River and Turkmenistan. It is a halting point for tourists on their way to Khiva. Upon arrival we take a brief tour of the town and then proceed top the historical city of Khiva.
Overnight: Hotel Malika, Khiva (2 nights) (B, D)

DAY 04 SUN: Khiva
A day into history as we explore the World Heritage Site at Khiva, a city where time has stood still. Our visit starts with the main site of Ichan Kala followed by Kalta Minor, the Kunya Ark, the Rakhimkhon Madrassah, the Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud, the Friday Mosque and the Tashauli Palace and Harem. To complete the feeling, we climb the Khodja Minaret to take in the amazing fairy tale panorama. (B, D)

DAY 05 MON: Khiva/Bukhara (Drive)
Our drive to Bukhara is through the arid setting of the Kyzyl Kum Desert. Along the way we stop as oasis like settings where we see how humans have survived over the centuries in this barren landscape. Prior to arrival in Bukhara, a visit will be made to Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the Summer Residence of the former Emirs of Bukhara. The setting in Bukhara is best described a revival of the 1001 Arabian Nights. Evening, subject to performance, we will be entertained at a Bukhara folk show.
Overnight: Hotel Zargaron, Bukhara (2 nights) (B, D)

DAY 06 TUE: Bukhara
One of the grandest of Uzbek centers, Bukhara is an open museum with many mosques, madrassahs and a grand minaret. We spend the day visiting some of the finest examples of Islamic Architecture in the world, where exquisite tile and mosaic work complements the beautiful brick-work; no wonder the city is a World Heritage Site. Our visit includes the Lab-e-Khauz Complex with the Nadirkhon Devanbegi Madrassah, the Mogak Attari Mosque and the Poi Kalon Minaret. We also visit the Madrassahs of Aziz Khan and the Ulugbek Ark Fortress, the residence cum army headquarters of the Bukharan Emirs that houses an interesting collection of objects from those days and the Mausoleum of Ismail Samanid, which features the best of 10th century brickwork, with a marked Zoroastrian influence. (B, D)

DAY 07 WED: Bukhara / Shakhrisabz / Samarkand (Drive)
This morning we head out to visit the World Heritage Site of Shakhrisabz, home-town of Tamerlane. This historic centre contains a collection of exceptional monuments and ancient quarters, which bear witness to centuries worth of history, and particularly to the period of its climax in the 15th century under the empire of Tamerlane. Samarkand is one of the top centres of Islamic architecture.
Overnight: Hotel Malika Prime, Samarkand (2 nights) (B, D)

DAY 08 THU: Samarkand
The historic town of Samarkand is a crossroad and melting pot of the world's cultures and has been declared a World Heritage Site recently. Founded in the 6th century BC as ancient Afrosiab, Samarkand had its most significant development in the Timurid period from the 14th to the 15th centuries. We start our day with visit to the Urgut Market, which is known in this region. We then visit the Afrosiab Museum, located on the site of ancient Afrosiab and the Historical Museum of Uzbek Culture & Art, with the wooden coffin of Tamerlane and a large copy of the Koran. We culminate the day with a visit to Ulugbek’s Obervatory & Gur Emir, the mausoleum of Tamerlane. (B, D)

DAY 09 FRI: Samarkand / Tashkent (Drive)
We save the best for last. Our tour today takes us to the major monuments and includes the Registan Mosque and the adjoining madrassas, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, the Shakhi-Zinda compound. PM we depart for Tashkent.
Overnight: Hotel Dedeman (1 night) (B, D)

DAY 10 SAT: TASHKENT / URUMQI / KASHGAR (Flight)
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for flight to Kashgar via Urumqi. Meet & transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel International (2 nights) (B, D)

DAY 11 SUN: KASHGAR
If one would like to see a place where time has stood still it is Kashgar (Kashi) and to be in the city to see the Sunday Bazaar is definitely a must. The weekly Sunday Bazaar that draws a variety of ethnic groups like the Uyghur, Tajik, Kyrgyz and Kazakh to the streets of Kashgar. They come on foot, bikes, horsebacks, modern motorcycles and donkey carts, all with the hope of selling merchandise that ranges form scissors to camels. (B, D)

DAY 12 MON: KASHGAR / TURPAN (Overnight train)
Walking through the narrow lanes of this old town evokes a scene from the Arabian Nights. Kashgar has remained sheltered from outside influences with locals who are very friendly. Amongst the most popular professions are coppersmiths, carpenters, jewelers and cobblers, all using tools of bygone days. Our tour this morning includes the Abak Hoja Tomb, the Id Kah Mosque and the old town. Lunch at a local restaurant before dropping off at the train station for an overnight train ride to Turpan.
Overnight: On board the train (L, D)

DAY 13 TUE: ARRIVE TURPAN
Afternoon arrival in Turpan, which lies in one of the world’s great land depressions at 505 feet below sea level and was the most important city of the Middle Ancient Silk Route. You will be met and immediately set out for a tour of the famous ruined Jiaohe City - capital of the State of South Cheshi. It was one of the 36 kingdoms of the Western region during the Han Dynasty. First settlements appeared there in 2 BC and the city is comparatively well preserved. Later visit the notable Emin Minaret (44 meters high, completed in 1778) and Mosque. Check in at the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Houzhou (1 night) (D)

DAY 14 WED: TURPAN / DUNHUANG (Overnight train)
Early morning visit the picturesque Tuyoq ancient village to see the oldest in Turpan area Buddhist caves dated back to the 4th century. Next stop is the impressive ruins at Gaochang ancient city, built in the 2nd century BC. It became the capital of the Kingdom of Gaochang under the Han dynasty and was destroyed around 14th century, take a donkey cart taxi to venture deep into this famous ancient site. Continue onto the Astana Tombs to see the well-preserved mummies and unique wall paintings dated back to 2AD. Afternoon tour includes a visit to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, which is located on the flanks of the Flaming Mountains and was an important center for Buddhist worship. There are 67 caves dating from 317 to 1368. Last stop will be made at the famous Grape valley, which is a pleasant park with vineyards and fruit trees. Grapes were introduced to Turpan over 2000 years ago. Dinner will be at a local restaurant before transfer to railway station for an overnight train to Dunhuang.
Overnight: On board the train (B, L, D)

DAY 15 THU: ARRIVE DUNHUANG
Morning arrival in Dunhuang. The 2000 year old town on the edge of the Gobi Desert. It was once an important caravan stop, also here the Silk Road splits into different routes stretching 7000km all the way to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. You will be met and depart for Mogao Caves – the world’s richest treasure-trove of Buddhist manuscripts, wall paintings and statues dated back to 4th up to 14th century, which were created during nine dynasties and marked the height of Buddhist art. Next stop is Mingsha (Singing) Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake to enjoy the spectacular sunset view. Check in at the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Silk Road (1 night) (L, D)

DAY 16 FRI: DUNHUANG / BEIJING (Flight)
Morning excursion to the Western 1000 Buddha caves, although in reality there are only 22. The frescoes are similar to the ones found at Mogao. Later transfer to the airport for flight to Beijing. Meet & transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Jianguo Hotel (1 night) (B, D)

DAY 17 SAT: DEPART BEIJING
Check out time is by 1100 hrs. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight out. (B)

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Departure Dates
2011 English Speaking Departures May 05 & Sep 08
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes International Airfare Meal Plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Insurance & Visa fees All sightseeing and transfers Tips/Gratuities to Drivers & Guides Services of local English speaking guide   Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary   Necessary visa supports   Air tickets Tashkent/Urgench, Tashkent/Urumqi/Kashgar & Dunhuang/Beijing.   Overnight train tickets Kashgar/Turpan/Dunhuang (4 persons sharing)
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2011 US $ 4390 US $ 695
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1600 USA - West Coast US $ 1400 Canada - East Coast US $ 1800 USA - East Coast US $ 1600
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 06 and a maximum of 15 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us 800.663.0844.