Destination: China - Uzbekistan
Route: Beijing - Xian - Dunhuang - Urumchi – Turpan - Kashgar - Almaty- Tashkent – Khiva - Bukhara - Samarkand - Tashkent – Istanbul
Duration: 21 days / 20 nights

Tour Price: From $5,999-8,769

Day 01. Beijing (CHINA)
Arrival in Beijing. You will be met at the Airport and transferred to the hotel for accommodation.

Day 02. Beijing
We shall start our China Tour by visiting the Great Wall, one of the seven wonders of the world and the symbol of China, then explore Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world. Afternoon visit to the Imperial Palace, also known as the "Forbidden City," which symbolizes imperial and traditional China.

Day 03. Beijing – Xian
Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Xian. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Check in. Full day sightseeing in Xian: Visit the Terracotta Warriors, which were created by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang Di. This amazing but megalomaniac man conquered and united China from a collection of warring states to become its First Emperor. He built the Great Wall and amassed great works of art. Obsessed with a quest for the secret of immortality, 70,000 workers built his tomb, said to be filled with legendary treasures. His 3000 wives and concubines followed him to the grave. Later, visit the Horses Museum. In the afternoon you will see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda; this symbol of the old-line Xian is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. Evening visit to the Moslem Mosque and nearby local bazaar.

Day 04. Xian – Dunhuang
Continue sightseeing tour around Xian. Visit the Provincial History Museum, with a collection of more than 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi. It is situated in the southern suburb of Xian City, northwest of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Since it was opened to the public in 1991, its architectural buildings, internal apparatus, and exhibits have made it famous as a first-class museum in China. Discover Xian's City Wall. Later, transfer to the airport to take flight to Dunhuang. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 05. Dunhuang
Full day sightseeing in Dunhuang. Day trip to the Mogao Caves – the world's richest treasure-trove of Buddhist manuscripts, wall paintings, and statuary dating from the 4th through 14th centuries, and onwards; created during the nine dynasties, they mark the height of Buddhist art. Later, visit the nearby Mingsha (Singing) Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake. Enjoy a sunset view at the best desert scenery that travelers can see along the entire length of the Silk Road.

Day 06. Dunhuang-Turpan
Excursion to the Western 1000 Buddha caves, although in reality there are only 22. The frescoes are similar to the ones found at Mogao and it is therefore mostly assumed that they are also Dunhuang Buddhist art. There age is known but they may pre-date those at the Mogao Grottoes.
In town see the White Horse Pagoda and the informative Dunhuang County Museum which contains some of the Tibetan and Chinese scriptures found at the famous Mogao grottoes, silks, sacrificial objects and reed torches for the beacon towers. Transfer to the railway station to take overnight train to Turpan, one of the most ancient cities of the Great Silk Road. Overnight: train

Day 07. Turpan
Upon arrival, sightseeing tour in Turpan: Visit picturesque Tuyoq ancient village (70 km) to see the oldest Buddhist caves in the Turpan area, dating back to the 4th c. Visit local Uygur families and enjoy beautiful mountain sceneries. You will also see the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (56 km) on the flanks of the Flaming Mountains (there are 67 caves dating from 317 to 1368). Bezeklik was an important center for Buddhist worship. In the evening, visit the famous Grape Valley (12 km); it is a pleasant park with vineyards and fruit trees, and there are special places for relaxing and eatinggrapes and melons. Grapes were introduced to Turpan over 2000 years ago.

Day 08. Turpan-Urumqi (200)
Morning visit famous ruined Jiaohe city - capital of the State of South Cheshi. It was on of the 36 kingdoms of the Western region during the Han Dinasty. First settlements appeared there in 2 BC. City is comparatively well preserved. Later visit remarkable Karez system, an old engineering miracle designed to bring water to the dry desert town, the karez channels of Turpan have a history of more than 2000 years. Sightseeing drive to Urumqi. Arrival and Accommodation.

Day 09. Urumqi-Kashgar
Morning excursion to Xinjiang regional museum to see archaeological treasures from the Silk Road and Xinjiang's minority cultures. A display of well-preserved 3000 year old mummies, excavated from Loulan at Takla Makan desert, completes the exhibition. Afternoon visit picturesque Hong Shan Park from where you can enjoy panorama of whole Urumqi city; visit Red Hill Pagoda, Grand Bazar or Erdao Qiao Market to get some traditional Uygur silk and Chinese cotton, see variety of different nuts and dry fruits, herbs, aroma oils.
Evening transfer to the airport for flight to Kashgar. On arrival transfer to hotel. Dinner

Day 10. Kashgar
Full day sightseeing in Kashgar. Visit the largest mosque in China Idkah mosque (1442), Apak Khoja's Tomb – the holiest place in Xinjiang for Sufis (1640), handicraft street, old parts of the town. Excursion to the Mor Stupa (3BC) which is the remnant of the big Buddhist temple, located 30 km northeast of Kashgar and picturesque Atush village nearby.

Day 11. Kashgar-Urimji-Almaty-Tashkent
Morning visit colorful unique chaotic Great Sunday bazaar where you will see numerous sections: silk and cotton, knives, hats, pots and pans, fresh vegetables and fruits, carpets and jewellery, there is a separate livestock and horse section located 6 km from the main market.
Afternoon transfer to the airport for flight to Tashkent via Urumqi and Almaty.

Day 12. Tashkent
Afternoon sightseeing tour around Tashkent. Discover Uzbekistan capital: Visit the old town to see Barak Khan Seminary, Tila Sheikh Mosque and archives known for the exhibit of a rare copy of Koran written the third Caliph Othman. Enjoy your time at Chorsu bazaar, Kukeldash Madrassah. Dinner

Day 13 Tashkent – Nukus
You will be transferred to the Tashkent Airport to take a flight to Nukus. Arrival. You will be met by your escort guide and start your sightseeing tour. Explore the Art Museum Savitskiy, one of the best museums in Central Asia, local bazaar of Nukus, then you will discover the remains of ancient Ayaz Qala and experience nomadic life. Late afternoon sightseeing drive to Khiva. Arrival and accommodation. Dinner.

Day 14. Khiva
Uzbekistan's "Living Museum" city Khiva was the former capital of the Khanate and legend says that it was founded by Shem, the son of Noah. Excursion to Ichan Kala (Old City), surrounded by high walls of air-dried bricks and decorated with delicate majolica tile: delight in the Ata –Darvaza (West Gate, XVII – XVIII c.), Kalta Minar (XIX c.), Medreseh Mohammad Amin (XIX c.), Kunya Ark (XVII-XIX c.), Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum (XVIII-XIX c) with proverbs embossed on its tiles, Visit Tash Hauli Palace, its harem (XIX c.), Karavan Sarai (XIX c.), Juma Mosque (XI-XII c.) with its 200 wooden pillars and the summer palace of Khiva Khans from the 19th century. Medreseh Khodja Islam with minaret. Dinners will be arranged at the local restaurants in Khiva.

Day 15. Khiva – Bukhara 470km
Morning drive to Bukhara via famous Kizil Kum desert (Red sands). See desert flora and fauna: unique saksaul trees and other desert vegetation, different kind mammals. Stop at the Amudarya river bank. Arrival in ancient Bukhara. Accommodation.

Day 16 Bukhara
After breakfast full day sightseeing tour in Bukhara: Visit – Lab-i-khauz ensemble, the pool and chaikhana of which is the modern centre of traditional Uzbekistan.
Explore Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Khanaga, Mogaki Attari mosque, Poi Kalon minaret and mosque. Afternoon exploration of Ark Fortress, Bolokhauz mosque, mausoleum of Ismail Samanid, Chashma Ayub. Dinner. Folk show at Nadirkhon Devanbegi Madrassah

Day 17 Bukhara
Full day sightseeing tour in Bukhara: Morning half day excursion to Sitora-i-Mokhi khosa (the Palace of Moon and Stars), the summer residence of the former emir of Bukhara where you can see unique mixture of traditional Russian style of architecture harmoniously mixed with local oriental traditions. Famous thrown white hall decorated with carved alabaster resembles halls in Petergof Palace in the suburb of St Petersburg Afternoon excursion to Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausolem famous Sufi spiritual leader of this region in 14th century. Bahouddin Naqshband's cult was highly venerated among folks. The rulers, too, paid a considerable attention to this architectural ensemble.
Return to Bukhara and enjoy walking in old Bukharian streets

Day 18 Bukhara – Samarkand - 268 km
Morning sightseeing drive to Samarkand through the Silk Road. On arrival transfer to hotel. Check in.
Half day sightseeing in Samarkand: Visit Registan Square which was for many centuries the heart of Samarkand. See the three beautiful madrassahs: the Ulug-Bek Madrasah built in the fifteenth century; the Tillya-Kori Madrasah built in the seventeenth century; the Sher-Dor Madrasah, also built in the seventeenth century. Visit Gur Emir - mausoleum of Great Tamerlane.

Day 19 Samarkand
Full day sightseeing in Samarkand. This morning you will explore the grandest structure of Amir Temur Kingdom: Bibi-Khanum Mosque, the Silk Road bazar and Shahi Zinda necropolis.
Afternoon visit Afrosiab museum and the ruins of the Palace, then discover Ulugbek's observatory. Wander the handicraft bazaars of Samarkand. Dinner at traditional Uzbekistan house.

Day 20. Samarkand – Tashkent (330km)
Morning drive to Tashkent through the most beautiful mountains of Uzbekistan. Stopping near the "Gate" of Amur Temur where two mountain ranges meet. Arrival in Tashkent. Visit Museum of Applied Arts, excursion to visit Mustakillik (Independence) Square in the heart of Tashkent and famous Tashkent Metro (underground) decorated with local marble and granite like an underground palaces, visit Amir Temur squire, Opera Navoi Theater squire. Farewell dinner.

Day 21. Tashkent
Early transfer to the Tashkent International Airport. Departure.

Tour Price includes:

• Accommodation
• Visa support /invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Uzbekistan and China)
• Domestic flights (6 flights: domestic and international)
• Meals: Breakfast and 8 Dinners (+ Complimentary lunch with music)
• Experienced escort guide in Uzbekistan and local guides in China
• Transport service throughout tour with luxury air conditioned car
• Picnics and coffee and tea stops
• 1,5 L Bottle of water every day
• Entrance fees to all museums, sites, parks and mountains (based on the itinerary)
• Fed Ex the package
• Folklore shows in Bukhara
• All airport Transfers
• Welcome gifts and Pre departure Travel Package

Tour Price does not include:

• International airfares (USA -Uzbekistan)
• Insurance & Consular Visa fees
• Any other items not mentioned above