Airport – Urumqi

Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Urumqi)

Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel. Free time. Free time. Dinner in local restaurant. Accommodation at the hotel.  Meals: no

Urumqi - sightseeing

Today's Activities: Heavenly Lake, Red Hill

Breakfast.

Heavenly Lake (2 hours): 68 km (40 miles) from Urumqi, Heavenly Lake (Tian Chi) is a beautiful blue lake located in the Tianshan Mountains. The blue lake water is finely contrasted with steep forested hills, meadows and snowy Heavenly Mountain peaks behind. There you can walk in the forest to find the beautiful lake, or hike around the lake which is about 12 km (7 miles).

If you prefer a relaxing way, cable cars to the top of the mountain for a panoramic view or take a boat to enjoy the scenery is also nice. The cost will be on your own.

Red Hill (40 minutes): Red Hill is a symbol of Urumqi; it is called as "the eyes of Urumqi ". The body of the mountain is made up of aubergine rock. It is 1.5 kilometers long, one kilometer wide and 910 meters above sea level. When the sunlight hits the hills of Hongshan, the rocks of the mountain reflected a bright red color, so that people call it Hongshan, meaning red mountain.

Dinner in local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast

Urumqi - Turpan (Overnight in train)

Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Urumqi to Turpan, Tuyoq Village and Tuyugou Canyon, Suleiman Minaret, The Karez Wells, The Ruins of the Jiaohe Ancient City, Train station Transfer (Turpan)

Breakfast.

The Ruins of the Jiaohe Ancient City (2 hours): Jiaohe was built by the ancient Cheshi people in the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC) and the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). Located in the Yarnaz Valley, 8 km (5 mi) west of Turpan, it was dug out of and constructed from the yellow-gray parched ground of a narrow 30-meter-high, 1.5-km-long vertical sided island in a river. It is a good vantage point for seeing the surrounding landscape of vineyards and orchards followed by desert and mountains.

The Karez Wells (40 minutes) : This irrigation system of wells connected by underground channels is considered to be one of the three great ancient projects in China. The Karez Wells Folk Garden and Museum is located adjacent to Turpan, 3 kilometers west of the city center. The famous fruit and vineyards of these hot, dry desert communities owe their existence to the Karez wells, ancient underground irrigation channels fed by wells that tap into the snowmelt from surrounding mountains. These systems are still maintained and functioning today. A small museum provides an insight into their intriguing history and construction, and takes you below ground for a first-hand view.

Suleiman Minaret (40 minutes): Also known as Sugong Tower, it is the biggest ancient tower existing in Xinjiang and the only ancient Islamic minaret in the country. It is located 2 kilometers southeast of Turpan's center.

Tuyoq Village and Tuyugou Canyon (1.5 hours): The Tuyugou Great Canyon is 46 kilometers away from Shanshan county in the east, 47 kilometers from Turpan city in the west and 13 kilometers from the Gaochang Ancient City in the southwest. Tuyoq is a traditional village of vineyards, orchards, narrow streets and irrigation channels tumbling between ancient mudbrick houses and shady trees against the backdrop of the bare, red Flaming Mountains. An easy and pretty walk takes you to a group of very ancient caves carved into the mountainside. You can stop and enjoy the surroundings, or climb the steep stairways to view some of the caves, parts of their frescoes still visible, with both Buddhist and Nestorian connections. Dinner in local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast

Overnight train to Kashgar

Today's Activities: Train station to Hotel Transfer (Kashgar), Id Kah Mosque, Kashgar Old Town, Handicraft Street

Breakfast.

Id Kah Mosque (40 minutes): This 15th century mosque is one of the largest and busiest in China. At midday on Fridays around 10,000 people will gather to pray and study the Koran, and prayer 5 times/day on other days. You'll be asked to remove your shoes before entering the Main Hall, which has traditional Islamic pillars, carvings and rugs strewn over the floors. Women are adviced to cover upper arms and legs, a scarf is not compulsory, but is seen as a mark of respect. This is a must visit place for tourist in Kashgar.

Kashgar Old Town (1 hour): Kashgar is an ancient city, and in walking the streets of its Old Town, will provide a sense of what this legendary Central Asian hub was like in the days when the Silk Road was at its zenith. 500-year-old remnants of the city wall, narrow lanes and colorful multi-ethnic crowds combine to make Kashgar's historic district a highlight of any visit to the city.

Handicraft Street (1 hour): It is close to Id Kah Mosque, an old street with an amazing range of goods being crafted for sale by hand, from strictly utilitarian cookware to exotic musical instruments. There's not much light industry in Kashgar, so everything is hand-made or imported from a very distant place. Copper, metal, porcelain, woodwork, jewelry and other goods are seen to be made and you will marvel at incredible devices like the wooden objects that prevent babies from wetting the bed.

You will have a break at the ancient teahouse- with over 100 years’ history, which gather many unengaged locals here to chat, enjoy tea break and play music and dance spending a whole afternoon. Dinner in local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast

Kashgar - sightseeing

Today's Activities: Kala Kule Lake, Baisha Lake (‘White Sand’ Lake)

Breakfast.

Ancient City Wall (30 minutes): The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defenses still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City, it surrounding the city center. You can walk or pay extra cost to rent a bike (CNY40 per person), or an electric cart (CNY80 per person) around the full 14km circuit, with great views of the city on either side.

The Terracotta Warriors and Horses (3.5 hours): Discovered accidentally in 1974, this incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin's tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits which are protected inside huge hangars. 1.5 hours from Xian, there is also an excellent museum and film about the history of the vaults. Photos (no flash) are allowed. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Learn How to Make Terracotta Warriors from Local Artisans: Visit the family workshop in the countryside, learn how to make Terracotta Warriors from a local artisan. Do you know how life-sized warriors been made in the ancient time? Do you know what is the most difficult step? Find the answers by visiting the place. Not only know detailed steps of making procedure, but also have a nice interact with the local.

Muslim Quarter (1 hour): The Muslim quarters lies 100 meters west of the Bell tower in downtown Xi'an. The 500 meters long avenue paved by bluestones are dotted with many unique stall, souvenir shop, café and bars which are mostly run by Muslim people. Tourists, especially from overseas come and shop here. Dinner. Accommodation at the hotel. Meals: breakfast

Kashgar – Torugart – Tash Rabat Caravanserai

Today's Activities: Transfer from Kashgar to border in Torugart, cross Kyrgyz-China border, transfer to Tash Rabat

Breakfast.

Transfer to Kyrgyz-China border (4hrs). Cross the border. Meet local guide. Lunch-picnic.

Drive to Caravanserai sits high at the top of a hill in the valley of the same name, almost 3,500 m (11,483 ft) high. The Tash Rabat caravanserai, whose name in Kyrgyz means “stone fortress”, is located around 80 km (50 miles) from Torugart, a Sino-Kyrgyz border post, and 90 km (56 miles) away from Naryn. This stone building, anchored in the history of the Silk Road, is one of the largest and best-preserved buildings in Central Asia. Explore Tash Rabat.

Dinner and accommodation in the Yurt camp. Meals: full board

Tash Rabat – Naryn – Son-Kul Lake

Today's Activities: Drive from Tash Rabat to Son-Kul Lake

Breakfast. Free time. Drive for lunch to Naryn.

Naryn is known for being a scenic city, with the Naryn river - the longest in the country - running through it, surrounded by majestic mountains.

Lunch.

Continue drive to Son-Kul Lake, which is high mountain lake at the altitude of 3060 m, and one the most beautiful places in country, which is, must to visit, where you can see nomadic life, ancient culture, tradition and customs of Kyrgyz nomad’s still alive today. Dinner and accommodation in Yurt Camp. Meals: breakfast, dinner

Son-Kul Lake – Kochkor

Today's Activities: Horseback riding, drive to Kochkor village

After breakfast explore Son-Kul Lake surrounding for walking to the mountain or walk along the lakeshore and enjoy the beauty of virgin nature and Nomad’s pasture.

Horseback riding 3 hours. The valley is covering by edelweiss flower, nomad’s yurt camps with their livestock. Lunch in yurt camp.

Transfer to Kochkor village for dinner and accommodation at the guesthouse.

Meals: full board

Kochkor – Skazka canyon - Djetty Oguz gorge - Karakol (220 km 5 hrs)

Today's Activities: eagle hunting show, hiking in Skazka canyon, Djety-Oguz gorge

Breakfast. Drive to Karakol city along second largest mountain lake in the world, Issyk-Kul Lake.

In Bokonbaevo village you will see “Eagle hunting show”. Berkutchi (hunter with eagle) will meet you near the lake and share his skills about golden eagle. You will see amazing show with hunting scene.

Then drive to Skazka canyon (Fairytale), amazing canyon with red stone formation (hiking 1 hour). In Barskaun village we visit Yurt maker’s village workshop to see the hand manufacture process of Yurt Inn. The Yurt Make Master will demonstrate and tell the manufacturing process and assemble yurt. Lunch in Barskaun village.

Drive to Djetty Oguz gorge, by nickname as Switzerland thanks to beautiful fir, junipers, and birch tree forests covered valley. Djetty Oguz Gorge valley with seven red stones rock formation where you can see famous mountains “Broken Heart” and “Seven Bulls”.

Continue drive to Karakol. Check-in to the hotel. Rest. Dinner in Dungan family (Chinese Muslims). Accommodation at the hotel.  Meals: full board

Karakol – Cholpon-Ata (170 km 3 hrs)

Today's Activities: Karakol sightseeing, visit Semenov and Grigoriev gorge, swimming in second largest mountain lake in the world.

Breakfast. Karakol sightseeing: Dungan Mosque, Russian Orthodox church, local bazar. Dinner in Dungan family (Chinese Muslims).

Drive to Cholpon-Ata along the north shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way visit most beautiful gorges on north shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, Grigoriev and Semenov gorges. Lunch.

Continue drive to Cholpon-Ata. Afternoon, visit ancient stone inscriptions (dating back to 800 B.C.).

Check-in beach resort. Free time. Dinner in resort. Accommodation at the resort. Meals: breakfast

Cholpon-Ata - Bishkek

Today's Activities: Drive to Bishkek, Bishkek sightseeing

Breakfast.

Check out from resort. Drive to Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan with interesting architecture (mix modern and Soviet Union architecture). Lunch in Bishkek.

Bishkek sightseeing:

Famous Osh bazar

Ala-Too square with changing of the guards

Victory square and old square with the statue of Lenin

Oak trees park

Central White Mosque

Dinner in restaurant. Accommodation at the hotel. Meals: breakfast

Bishkek – Airport

Today's Activities: transfer to airport

Breakfast. Transfer to international Airport Manas for flight back home. End of the tour.

Meals: breakfast