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Day 1

Arrive in kashgar airport then city tour

We pick up you from Kashgar airport and transfer to the hotel. After short rest start explore the rich, endless culture of the Uighurs in Kashgar. In the morning, Visit the largest bazaar in Central Asia at the Kashgar famous Sunday market (livestock market and main bazaar); in the afternoon walk around old city area and Spend time by the Id Kah mosque, the largest mosque in China and marvel at the intricate architecture of Kashgar!ˉs historic Apak hojatomb. some very interesting streets, then have dinner at a local restaurant with local music and dance.

Stay in Kashgar

Day 2,

Kashgar to Karakul Lake

We set out along the Sino - Pakistan Karakorum Highway , on the Pamir plateau (the roof of the world) for your visit to Karakul Lake ( 3600m above sea level). The lake sits at the feet of the notorious, Muztagh Ata ( 7546m ) and Gongur ( 7719m ) mountains. 'Muztagh Ata' means Father of the Ice Mountain and is one the most beautiful and mysterious mountains in the world.

People travel to experience the lives of another culture, which is why we spend the night in the yurt of a local Kyrgyz family and really experience another way of life.

200km, 3.5 hours driving 

Day 3,

Karakul Lake to Tashkorgan-Kunjirap pass (the China-Pakistan Border)

Tashkurgan Tajik autonomous county was once an important hub on the old Silk Road . The area borders Pakistan and Afghanistan and is connected to them via the Kunjerab Pass. After arriving at Tashkurgan, you'll have an opportunity to see the town's ancient stone fort - still standing after 1800 years! 'Tashkurgan' is a translation of 'Stone Fort.' Walking around Tajik neighborhoods, and pay a visit to Local Tajik families live around this historic town.

Stay in hotel at Tashkorgan

Karakul lake to Tashkorgan: 100km , 2 hours driving

Tashkorgan to Kunjirap pass: 260km for round trip. About 4 hours 

Day 4,

Tashkorgan to Glacei Park and Kashgar

Oytagh Mountain is a part of the famous Kunlun Mountain Range. Oytagh is also a fantastic place to trek around the Forest or Ice Mountains

Stay in Kashgar .

driver 380km about 6 

Day 5 ,

Day trip to Shipton's arch

Shipton's Arch is the world! ˉs highest natural arch. This imposing, entirely natural structure raises an amazing 366m / 1200ft . It was discovered in 1947 by the English mountaineer Eric Shipton while he was traveling between Tashkent and Kashgar. It was reported by him in his book !°Mountains ofTartary.!± The arch once figured in the Guinness Book of Records for its exceptional height, but the editors of the book could not locate it exactly so the listing was dropped. It was only as recently as May 2000 that an expedition sponsored by National Geographic finally rediscovered the arch!

About 2 hours driving plus 1.5 hour trekking each way .

Stay in kashgar. 

Day 6 ,

Kashgar to Hotan

We set out from Kashgar after breakfast, stopping first in the knife-town of Yengisar, well-know for its handmade Uighur knives. Here you can visit a local knife factory and see the artisans in action as they sculpt another perfect tool. Then drive to Yarkand to enjoy local culture and dosome sightseeing. For example, the Golden Mosque (built in 1533) and its graveyard which includes several hundred year old tombs. Yarkand was once the capital of many Uighur Kingdoms in ancient times and an important station on the old Silk Road . It has more than 2000 years of history. Set out after lunch and arrive in Hotan about dinner time. On the way stop at Kargilik another former hub on the Silk Road .

Stay in Hotan

About 550 km driving about 8 hours 

Day 7

Hotan for whole day

Sight-seeing in Hotan to see an old mosque out of the desert and ancient Shrine imam ASIM tomb on the way back visit ancient Silk Fabric, carpet weaving workshop . We also visit a mulberry skin paper making family. At last ride Camels into the desert for a few hours to have experience the old Caravans on the ancient Silk Road . Visit Rawak Stupa by camel.(if you intresting riding camels ) and Jade digging in the white jade river These three productions are known only to Hotan.

Stay in Hotan

Drive about 130 km

Day 8,

Hotan to Niya(Minfeng )

After breakfast Drive to Keriya town to enjoy the unique culture and traditional lifestyle of the local residents. Keriyan men wear a special kind of high cap while ladies here wear a hat, registered as the smallest in the world .

After lunch driver to NiYa (Minfeng ) first stop in Niya (Minfeng) for stay and visit Niya museum and walk around some villages.

from Hotan to Niya 390km

driver about 4/5h

stay in Niya hotel

Day 9

Niya - TaZhong - Kucha - Desert

After early breakfast drive along the Taklimakan desert highway which is the longest desert highway in the world ( 522km , 324miles). The word, Taklimakan means is Sea of Death , once you come in you can never go back! Feel free to enjoy the beautiful scenery as long as you wish.and we will picnick in desert. We stop in Tazhong which means the middle of the Taklimakan desert and camp overnight.

This is absolutely certain to be an unforgettable life time part of your trip.

Keep driving along the Taklimakan desert highway. On the way stop for desert poplar trees and Tarim river which is longest inland river in China .



Day 10,

Kucha for whole day

Sightseeing in Kucha after breakfast to visit the Thousand Buddha caves hich sit on the cliffs on the North bank of the Muzat River , 75km (46miles) from Kucha city. The caves were built between the 3rd and 8th century A.D. and are the earliest Buddhist art treasure trove in China ¨C in use one century before the more well-known Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang. Afternoon you visit Tianshan mysterious great Conyon, big and small dragon pools on the top of the Tian Shan Mountain and enjoy spectacular scenery. we will visit the ancient city of Subash dating from the 2nd -3rd Centuries

Over night train to Turpan

Day 11

Kuche to Turpan

.Once you arrive in Turpan first check into the Oasis hotel, then we start our wonderful day in Turpan beginning with a visit the ancient city of Idikut (Gaochang). The city was first built in the first Century BC and later became capital of the Idikut (Gaochang) Uighur Kingdom in the 8th Century. We’ll stop in the city for about 40 minutes and then drive toKarakhoja Astana tombs, a Tang-dynasty burial ground which also known as the “ Underground Museum ". Astana means "capital" in the Uighur language and Karakhoja is the name of a legendary hero of the ancient Uighur Kingdom who conquered by killing a vicious dragon. Tuyuq village which is very interesting.

Stay in Turpan

180 km

Day 13

Turpan city tour –over night trian to Dunhuang

After breakfast at the Hotel we start our another wonderful day in Turpan. First we visit Yargul Ancient city which is one of the best preserved ancient cities in China .

The ruins of the buildings are divided into temples, civilian dwellings and government offices,Workshops and residential houses in the streets are still visible . After an hour of walking around the city area, we’ll to see the world famous Karez irrigation system, unique to this part of the world. The system is considered as one of the three great projects in China with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal . Then visit the Emin Suliman minaret which is a magnificent combination of ancient Uighur and Islamic architecture. Also visit Turpan Historical Museum .

And after drive to heavenly lake

Sleep in a yourte

    

Day 13

Heavenly lake

Trek in the mountain and around the lake

end of the trip