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Silk Road Explorer

28 days Fully Inclusive Go Beyond Group Tour

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Silk Road Explorer

Follow in the footsteps of adventurers by journeying along one of the world's most famous trading routes, the Silk Road. Beginning in ancient Xian, venture across this vast land to reach the fascinating outpost of Kashgar and its famous Sunday market.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 25 , Lunches: 24 , Dinners: 25
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 24
  • Physical Rating 2
    A reasonable level of fitness is required, as you'll be spending time on your feet and doing a bit of walking to cover short distances during your daily sightseeing. There will also be some climbing of steps and climbing on and off of coaches and boats.
    Learn More
    Walking, some steps and extended time on your feet.
OFFER
Go Beyond Group Tour
28 DAYS
From $10,980PP
Warriors in Xian Mogao Grottoes Flaming Mountings Kashgar Bazaar Tian Chi Lake
20 Reviews
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Tour Highlights

Our Silk Road Explorer tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

Day by Day Itinerary

Xian (2N) - Lanzhou (3N) - Xiahe (2N) - Zhangye (1N) - Jiayuguan (2N) - Dunhuang (3N) - Turpan (2N) - Kurla (1N) - Kuqa (1N) - Aksu (1N)- Kashgar (2N) - Urumqi (2N) – Beijing (3N)
  • Days 1-2
    Fly overnight To Xian
    Dinner
    DAYS 1-2: Fly overnight To Xian

    Fly overnight to Xian, the ancient former capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

    Dinner
  • Day 3
    Terracotta Warriors
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 3: Terracotta Warriors

    Gaze over the ranks of warriors and horses, each one unique, whilst your guide introduces you to these life-like soldiers' fascinating story. Later, enjoy a gentle cycle ride that will take you the nine miles around the ancient city wall and take a walking tour of the narrow and winding streets of the Muslim Quarter. Tonight, enjoy a traditional dumpling dinner and take an optional 'Xian by night' tour.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4
    Train To Lanzhou
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 4: Train To Lanzhou

    Start the day with a visit to Xian Museum and the Little Wild Goose Pagoda. Later, board the bullet train to Lanzhou.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 5-6
    Explore Lanzhou
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAYS 5-6: Explore Lanzhou

    Begin today with a leisurely walk along the Yellow River and then head to the hilltop Baita Temple for a moment of tranquillity. Along the river and in Baita Park you can see locals practising tai chi. Later, tuck into some delicious Lanzhou-style noodles made with hand stretched dough. The next day, cross Liujiaxia Lake by speed boat and head into the green hills around Liujiaxia to explore the extraordinary Thousand Buddha Caves of Bingling Temple and their wealth of Buddhist murals, statues and sculptures. Also visit the statue of Maitreya.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7
    Tibetan Xiahe
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 7: Tibetan Xiahe

    Conquer the scenic Jishi Mountain Pass to arrive at Tibetan Xiahe and spend time acclimatising to the altitude.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8
    Labrang Monastery
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 8: Labrang Monastery

    Giving a taste of the mysteries of Tibet, Labrang Monastery is a fascinating maze of prayer wheels, chapels and chortens. Dine on traditional Tibetan food for lunch, including Tibetan dumplings, known as momos.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 9
    Travel To Zhangye
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 9: Travel To Zhangye

    Return to Lanzhou and take the speedy bullet train to Zhangye, once an important commercial town along the Silk Road.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10
    Rainbow Mountains
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 10: Rainbow Mountains

    Rise early this morning to witness the sunrise over the kaleidoscopic mountains in Danxia National Park. Return to Zhangye and visit the Giant Buddha Temple before boarding your bullet train to Jiayuguan.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Great Wall At Jiayuguan
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 11: Great Wall At Jiayuguan

    Seen as China's western gateway, Jiayuguan is the perfect place to get to grips with your Silk Road history. Visit the Jiayu Fortress and take a walk on the western extremes of the magnificent Great Wall for panoramic views over the starkly beautiful Gobi Desert.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 12
    City Of Sands
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 12: City Of Sands

    Drive to Dunhuang. Located on a major trade and cultural crossroads, Dunhuang, known as the 'City of the Sands', sits in a verdant oasis on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Visit the Shazhou Night Market where you can wander amongst the stalls.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 13
    Mogao Grottoes
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 13: Mogao Grottoes

    A system of temples and sanctuaries, visit the Mogao Grottoes that exhibit wonderful examples of Buddhist paintings and statues that span thousands of years.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 14
    Singing Sand Dunes
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 14: Singing Sand Dunes

    Visit Crescent Moon Spring, nestled amongst rolling dunes and the famous Singing Sand Dunes, a phenomenon produced by the wind blowing through grains of sand.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 15
    Turpan
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 15: Turpan

    Take the bullet train to Turpan, a lush green oasis set in a barren landscape. An easy-going town famed for its grapes, its pleasant streets are lined with lush vine trellises.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 16-17
    Explore Turpan
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAYS 16-17: Explore Turpan

    Visit the ruins of ancient Jiaohe and see the elegant Emin Minaret, the tallest in China. The next day, learn about the fascinating 2000-year-old Kerez irrigation canals and drive to Kurla.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 18-20
    The Silk Road
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAYS 18-20: The Silk Road

    Over the next three days travel along the original Silk Road through the Xinjiang Region, viewing ruins and sights largely unvisited by tourists. Start with a visit to see the ruins of Subashi, before arriving in Kuqa to see the Kyzil Thousand Buddha Caves. Continue travelling to Aksu, and on to the fabled city of Kashgar.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 21
    Explore Kashgar
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 21: Explore Kashgar

    Its skyline punctured by minarets, Kashgar feels a million miles from China – in fact, it feels a million miles from anywhere! Although now a modern city, the sights and sounds of Kashgar's bazaar have remained unchanged for millennia. Sightseeing today includes a visit to Abakh Hoja Tomb, Id Kah Mosque and stroll through the narrow atmospheric alleyways around Id Kah Square.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 22
    Kashgar Sunday Bazaar
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 22: Kashgar Sunday Bazaar

    Dive headlong into Central Asia's largest bazaar. Within this riot of textures, vivid colours and traditional dress, you can browse hundreds of stalls selling anything from spices and carpets to boots and blenders. Later, fly to Urumqi.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 23
    Heavenly Lake
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 23: Heavenly Lake

    Escape to the tranquillity of Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), formed in a crater. Visit a Kazak minority family in their yurt and spend some time learning about their way of life. Tonight, enjoy local Uyghur lamb skewers for dinner.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 24
    Urumqi
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 24: Urumqi

    Make a short visit to the Xinjiang Museum before flying to Beijing, China’s historic capital.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 25
    The Great Wall
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 25: The Great Wall

    This morning is dedicated to China's most iconic sight – the Great Wall. In the afternoon, enjoy the idyllic landscapes of the Summer Palace as you wander through traditional Chinese gardens and see the exquisite architecture.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 26
    Imperial Beijing
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 26: Imperial Beijing

    Head to Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City where you will find a complex full of imperial treasures. Soak up the ambience of the Temple of Heaven before visiting Yandaixiejie, where you will have some free time to wander the hutongs. This evening, dine on Peking duck and enjoy a Chinese acrobatic show.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 27-28
    Depart Beijing
    Breakfast
    DAYS 27-28: Depart Beijing

    Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the following day.

    Breakfast
Silk Road Explorer map

Download Tour Dossier & Trip Notes

Accommodation

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

Book With Confidence

When to go

City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Aksu
  • -14
    0
    -7
  • 2
  • Beijing
  • -8
    2
    -3
  • 3
  • Dunhuang
  • -15
    -1
    -8
  • 1
  • Kuqa
  • -13
    -2
    -8
  • 2
  • Lanzhou
  • -12
    1
    -6
  • 2
  • Turpan
  • -13
    -2
    -8
  • 1
  • Urumqi
  • -17
    -7
    -12
  • 10
  • Xian
  • -4
    5
    0
  • 7
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Aksu
  • -10
    4
    -3
  • 2
  • Beijing
  • -6
    5
    0
  • 5
  • Dunhuang
  • -10
    5
    -3
  • 1
  • Kuqa
  • -7
    4
    -2
  • 2
  • Lanzhou
  • -8
    4
    -2
  • 3
  • Turpan
  • -8
    5
    -2
  • 0
  • Urumqi
  • -14
    -5
    -9
  • 10
  • Xian
  • -1
    8
    4
  • 10
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Aksu
  • -1
    13
    6
  • 2
  • Beijing
  • 0
    12
    6
  • 8
  • Dunhuang
  • -3
    13
    5
  • 2
  • Kuqa
  • 1
    13
    7
  • 3
  • Lanzhou
  • -2
    11
    4
  • 9
  • Turpan
  • 3
    16
    10
  • 1
  • Urumqi
  • -5
    3
    -1
  • 18
  • Xian
  • 4
    14
    9
  • 29
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Aksu
  • 7
    22
    14
  • 3
  • Beijing
  • 8
    20
    14
  • 21
  • Dunhuang
  • 4
    21
    13
  • 2
  • Kuqa
  • 9
    21
    15
  • 5
  • Lanzhou
  • 4
    18
    11
  • 20
  • Turpan
  • 12
    26
    19
  • 0
  • Urumqi
  • 5
    16
    10
  • 32
  • Xian
  • 10
    21
    15
  • 43
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Aksu
  • 12
    27
    20
  • 9
  • Beijing
  • 14
    26
    20
  • 34
  • Dunhuang
  • 10
    27
    18
  • 2
  • Kuqa
  • 14
    27
    20
  • 8
  • Lanzhou
  • 9
    22
    16
  • 40
  • Turpan
  • 18
    33
    26
  • 1
  • Urumqi
  • 11
    23
    17
  • 39
  • Xian
  • 14
    26
    20
  • 60
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Aksu
  • 16
    30
    23
  • 7
  • Beijing
  • 19
    30
    24
  • 78
  • Dunhuang
  • 14
    31
    22
  • 8
  • Kuqa
  • 17
    30
    24
  • 16
  • Lanzhou
  • 12
    26
    19
  • 42
  • Turpan
  • 23
    38
    30
  • 4
  • Urumqi
  • 16
    28
    22
  • 36
  • Xian
  • 19
    31
    25
  • 54
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Aksu
  • 18
    32
    25
  • 16
  • Beijing
  • 22
    31
    26
  • 185
  • Dunhuang
  • 16
    33
    25
  • 15
  • Kuqa
  • 19
    32
    26
  • 15
  • Lanzhou
  • 15
    27
    21
  • 69
  • Turpan
  • 25
    40
    32
  • 3
  • Urumqi
  • 18
    30
    24
  • 30
  • Xian
  • 22
    32
    27
  • 99
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Aksu
  • 16
    31
    24
  • 13
  • Beijing
  • 21
    30
    25
  • 160
  • Dunhuang
  • 15
    32
    23
  • 6
  • Kuqa
  • 18
    31
    24
  • 12
  • Lanzhou
  • 14
    26
    20
  • 83
  • Turpan
  • 23
    38
    30
  • 3
  • Urumqi
  • 17
    29
    23
  • 23
  • Xian
  • 21
    31
    26
  • 71
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Aksu
  • 11
    26
    18
  • 6
  • Beijing
  • 15
    26
    20
  • 46
  • Dunhuang
  • 8
    27
    18
  • 2
  • Kuqa
  • 13
    26
    20
  • 7
  • Lanzhou
  • 10
    21
    16
  • 52
  • Turpan
  • 16
    32
    24
  • 2
  • Urumqi
  • 11
    23
    17
  • 26
  • Xian
  • 16
    25
    21
  • 92
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Aksu
  • 3
    19
    11
  • 2
  • Beijing
  • 8
    19
    14
  • 22
  • Dunhuang
  • 1
    19
    10
  • 1
  • Kuqa
  • 6
    19
    12
  • 3
  • Lanzhou
  • 4
    15
    10
  • 25
  • Turpan
  • 7
    22
    14
  • 1
  • Urumqi
  • 3
    13
    8
  • 26
  • Xian
  • 10
    20
    15
  • 60
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Aksu
  • -4
    9
    2
  • 1
  • Beijing
  • 0
    10
    5
  • 7
  • Dunhuang
  • -6
    8
    1
  • 1
  • Kuqa
  • -3
    9
    3
  • 3
  • Lanzhou
  • -4
    8
    2
  • 4
  • Turpan
  • -3
    9
    3
  • 1
  • Urumqi
  • -6
    2
    -2
  • 19
  • Xian
  • 3
    12
    8
  • 24
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Aksu
  • -11
    2
    -4
  • 1
  • Beijing
  • -6
    4
    -1
  • 3
  • Dunhuang
  • -12
    1
    -6
  • 1
  • Kuqa
  • -10
    0
    -5
  • 1
  • Lanzhou
  • -10
    2
    -4
  • 1
  • Turpan
  • -11
    -1
    -6
  • 1
  • Urumqi
  • -13
    -4
    -9
  • 15
  • Xian
  • -2
    6
    2
  • 6

Pricing & Availability

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected

2024
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Departure: All
  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 1 Guest
    Depart NZStart Date
    Return DateEnd Date
    Price
    Availability

    Additional Price Information

    • Prices include airline fuel surcharge and taxes and are subject to change. Correct as of 1 July 2024
    • Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
    • Customary tipping amount of approximately RMB1,360pp is paid locally in China.
    • Based on departures from Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch
    • Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available upon request
    • Land only (Xian - Beijing) 25 days from $10,180 per person, twin share
    • Single supplement from $2,400
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Group Tour includes

    • 25 breakfasts, 24 lunches, 25 dinners
    • International flights and current taxes
    • Domestic transportation
    • 4 star accommodation
    • Touring with guides and entrance fees

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions
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    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

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