Itinerary
- Days 1 - 4
Bishkek to Almaty and Charyn Canyon
Leave Bishkek heading northeast into Kazakhstan, arriving in Almaty nestled against the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. You'll check out Ascension Cathedral, the Abay Opera House, and the Golden Warrior Monument spread across the city. After that, head east toward the camping areas and Kolsai Lake, where hiking to Lake Kaindy is available if interested. By the end of these days you'll reach Charyn Canyon with its impressive trails cutting through the landscape.
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Almaty city sights
- Visit to Kolsai Lake
- Exploration of Charyn Canyon
Optional Activities
- Ascension Cathedral visit in Panfilov Park
- Abay Opera House visit
- Golden Warrior Monument in Republic Square
- Almaty Tower visit
- Fast Coaster roller coaster ride (45 km/h, mountain-side location)
- Singing Dunes visit
- Hiking from Kolsai Lake to Lake Kaindy
- Charyn Canyon hiking trails
Landmarks/POIs Ascension Cathedral Panfilov Park Abay Opera House Golden Warrior Monument Almaty Tower Shymbulak Ski Resort Singing Dunes Kolsai Lake Lake Kaindy Charyn Canyon - Days 5 - 10
Charyn Canyon to Lake Issyk-Kul
Cross back into Kyrgyzstan from Charyn Canyon and descend to Lake Issyk-Kul, staying in traditional yurts while exploring the Altyn Arashan area. You can hike or ride horses around the region, then head toward the red stone cliffs at Jeti-Oguz and the tree-lined streets of Karakol. Continue around the lake to see Fairy Canyon's rock formations before reaching Kochkor. Family homestays and camping options are available throughout.
Included Activities
- Traditional yurt stay at Lake Issyk-Kul
- Exploration of Altyn Arashan hiking and horse riding areas
- Visit to Jeti-Oguz red stone cliffs
- Visit to Fairy Canyon rock formations
- Exploration of Karakol town
Optional Activities
- Hiking around Lake Issyk-Kul
- Horse riding around Lake Issyk-Kul
- Family homestay accommodation (subject to availability)
- Terskay Ala-Too Mountains exploration
Landmarks/POIs Lake Issyk-Kul Altyn Arashan Jeti-Oguz Karakol Fairy Canyon Kochkor Terskay Ala-Too Mountains - Days 11 - 13
Lake Song-Kul to Tash Rabat
Travel southwest from Lake Issyk-Kul to the remote Lake Song-Kol in traditional felt yurts. Spend time hiking or horseback riding to explore the surrounding highlands, and you might see an eagle hunting display or a game of Ulak Tartysh. Later, switch to a minibus with a local guide and head south through the mountains toward China, finishing at Tash Rabat, an ancient Silk Route caravanserai.
Included Activities
- Yurt stay at Lake Song-Kul
- Traditional eagle hunting display
- Tash Rabat Caravanserai overnight stay
Optional Activities
- Hiking around Lake Song-Kol
- Horseback riding around Lake Song-Kol
- Viewing Ulak Tartysh (Kyrgyz polo) if available
Landmarks/POIs Lake Song-Kol Tash Rabat Caravanserai - Day 14
Tash Rabat to Kashgar
Drive a couple hours this morning ascending higher into the mountains, passing Chatyr-Kol lake along the way. Cross into China at Torugat Pass, sitting at 3,752 metres and ranking among the world's most remote border crossings. After clearing Chinese customs and meeting your Chinese guide, continue driving to Kashgar. This is a long, cold day traveling one of the least-visited tourist crossings.
Included Activities
- Border crossing at Torugat Pass
Landmarks/POIs Chatyr-Kol Lake Torugat Pass - Day 15
Kashgar
Spend a full day in Kashgar with your guide using public buses to get around. See one of the last remaining Chairman Mao statues in People's Square, then visit Apak Hoji Tomb with its Uyghur Islamic architecture and the Id Kah Mosque, China's largest. Walk through Handicraft Street watching artisans make pots, craft traditional instruments, and work with wood. On weekends, the Sunday Livestock Market is also worth visiting.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Kashgar
- Visit to Apak Hoja Tomb
- Visit to Id Kah Mosque
- Visit to Handicraft Street
Optional Activities
- Sunday Livestock Market visit (weekend trips only)
Landmarks/POIs People's Square Apak Hoja Tomb Id Kah Mosque Handicraft Street Sunday Livestock Market - Days 16 - 21
Kashgar to Lhasa
Take an overnight train to Jiayuguan for your first look at the Great Wall of China. Then travel by train to Dunhuang, a Silk Road crossroads on the Gobi Desert's edge, and visit Mogao Grottoes with 492 caves spanning the 4th to 14th centuries. Head to Ming Sha Hill and Crescent Moon Pool to hike and ride Bactrian camels. Catch a night train to Xining, visiting the North Mountain Taoist Temple and Dongguan Mosque. Board the high-altitude 'Sky Train' to Lhasa crossing the Himalayan plateau, reaching 5,072m at Tanggula Pass.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of the Great Wall of China at Jiayuguan
- Guided tour of Mogao Grottoes
- Visit to Ming Sha Hill and Crescent Moon Pool
- Visit to North Mountain Taoist Temple
- Visit to Dongguan Mosque
- High-altitude train journey to Lhasa
Optional Activities
- Camel ride (Bactrian) over sand dunes at Ming Sha Hill
- Sand dune climbing and sliding at Ming Sha Hill
Landmarks/POIs Great Wall of China at Jiayuguan Mogao Grottoes Ming Sha Hill Crescent Moon Pool North Mountain Taoist Temple Dongguan Mosque Tanggula Pass - Days 22 - 28
Lhasa, Mt. Everest, Shigatse and Gyantse
Arrive in Lhasa at 3,490 metres and spend the afternoon adjusting to the altitude. Explore with your Tibetan guide, seeing Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Square, Potala Palace, and Sera Monastery where monks debate with theatrical arm movements. Travel by bus crossing Gampala Pass (4,790m) with views of Yamdrok Tso Lake and Mount Nyenchen Khangsar. Visit Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse, then drive to Rongbuk at 4,980m and Mount Everest Base Camp. Stay overnight in Tingri before heading to Gyantse for Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa. Return to Lhasa and catch the high-altitude train to Chengdu.
Included Activities
- Full day exploration of Lhasa
- Visit to Jokhang Temple
- Visit to Barkhor Square
- Guided tour around Potala Palace
- Visit to Sera Monastery
- Crossing of Gampala Pass
- View of Yamdrok Tso Lake
- Visit to Tashilunpo Monastery
- Visit to Rongbuk Monastery
- Visit to Mt Everest Base Camp with short walk
- Visit to Pelkor Chode Monastery
- Visit to Kumbum Stupa
- High-altitude train to Chengdu
Optional Activities
- Potala Palace entrance fee (not included in guided tour)
Landmarks/POIs Jokhang Temple Barkhor Square Potala Palace Sera Monastery Gampala Pass Yamdrok Tso Lake Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar Tashilunpo Monastery Rongbuk Monastery Mount Everest Base Camp Mount Everest Tingri Pelkor Chode Monastery Kumbum Stupa - Days 29 - 32
Lhasa to Chengdu and Xi'an
Board one of the world's classic train routes taking nearly 2 days, watching snowcapped peaks, turquoise plateau lakes, and grazing yaks pass your window. Arrive in Chengdu early morning and transfer to your hotel for a 2-night stay. Visit the Panda Sanctuary established in the 1980s and now a major breeding and research centre. Catch the fast train to Xi'an in the afternoon, leaving time to wander the food and nightlife districts.
Included Activities
- High-altitude train journey from Lhasa to Chengdu
- Visit to Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding & Research Centre
- Fast train to Xi'an
Optional Activities
- Lhasa to Chengdu flight (alternative to train)
Landmarks/POIs Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding & Research Centre Xi'an - Days 33 - 35
Xi'an to Beijing
Spend two days in Xi'an seeing the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell and Drum Towers, and the Ming Dynasty City Walls. Visit the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses, one of the 20th century's most important archaeological finds with over 7,000 terracotta figures in a 16,000 square metre space. Take an overnight sleeper train to Beijing with an included tour of the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a well-preserved section surrounded by wooded hills.
Included Activities
- Visit to Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses
- Overnight sleeper train to Beijing
- Guided tour of Great Wall of China at Mutianyu
Optional Activities
- Giant Wild Goose Pagoda visit
- Bell and Drum Towers visit
- City Walls visit (dating to Ming Dynasty)
Landmarks/POIs Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Bell Tower Drum Tower Xi'an City Walls Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses Great Wall of China at Mutianyu - Day 36
Beijing
You've got the whole day to spend exploring Beijing after breakfast. Morning works well for checking out Tian'anmen Square before it gets busy. After wandering through the city center, head to the Forbidden City and wander around the ancient palace grounds. You can stop for a late lunch at a local place near Wangfujing Street, where there's plenty to choose from. Then swing by the Temple of Heaven Park later in the afternoon, especially nice when the sun's starting to set. Evening's perfect for hitting up the shopping districts, maybe grab dinner at one of the food markets where you can try different things. By night, catch some of the city's nightlife action if you're up for it. Your flight's scheduled (or you can head out with whatever plans are next) after all that - hotel checkout's usually around noon unless you made other arrangements.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Tian'anmen Square
- Explore the Forbidden City
- Visit the Temple of Heaven
- Shopping at malls and markets throughout the city
- Dining at gourmet Chinese restaurants
- Experience nightlife and visit pubs and clubs
Landmarks/POIs Tian'anmen Square Forbidden City Temple of Heaven
