12 May to 24 May 2008

After the mountain excursions into the lake area of Ysyk-Koel and Song-Koel, this stage reaches Chinese territory at the oasis town of Kashgar. Like a string of pearls, old Buddhist monasteries and historic sights such as the ruins of Goachang or the Astana tombs extend through this cultural landscape, thousands of years old.

8 people

3,899 EUR

Individual arrival in Bishkek, organizational matters/vehicle instruction, dinner together and overnight in hotel in Bishkek

Sightseeing in Bishkek, opportunity for an excursion to Ala-Arca Canyon, dinner together and overnight in hotel in Bishkek

Stage for the day: Bishkek – Kochkor (340 km), travel through Kegeti Canyon and visit a felt carpet workshop in Kochkor, dinner together and overnight in hotel in Kochkor

Stage for the day: Kochkor – Tamga (200 km), travel through the Terskei Alatoo Mountains and cross the Dalpakbel Pass (3,300 m), travel along Lake Ysyk-Koel (the second-largest high-altitude lake in the world), camp overnight at Lake Ysyk-Koel not far from Tamga

Stage for the day: Tamga – Tüp (300 km), travel along Lake Ysyk-Koel, visit the red cliffs at Jeti Oguz, travel to the Ysyk-Koel Health Resort for an opportunity to bathe in the hot springs, dinner together, overnight in hotel in Tüp

Stage for the day: Tüp – Song Koel (280 km), travel along Lake Ysyk-Koel, travel to Lake Song Koel via the 32-bend pass, travel through Song Koel National Park, overnight in a yurt camp by the lake

Stage for the day: Song Koel – Tash Rabat (230 km), visit the caravanserai ruins on the Silk Road in Tash Rabat, free time, opportunity for a riding trip*, camp overnight in the ruins

Stage for the day: Tash Rabat – Kashgar (220 km), cross the Ak Beyit Pass (3,282 m) and the Turugart Pass (3,752 m), cross the border from Kyrgyzstan into China, visit the oasis town of Kashgar, dinner together, overnight in hotel in Kashgar

Stage for the day: Kashgar – Kuqa (730 km), long day's drive beside the Taklamakan Desert on the Northern Silk Road, camp overnight near Kuqa

Stage for the day: Kuqa – Turfan (700 km), travel past the evidence of old Buddhist monasteries on the Northern Silk Road, visit Turfan, the oasis in the "flaming mountains", in the Turfan mountain basin (which is 150 m below sea level), dinner together and overnight in hotel in Turfan

Stage for the day: Turfan – Turfan (70 km), visit the ruins of Goachang, Astana tombs, visit the Turfan night market, overnight in hotel in Turfan

Stage for the day: Turfan – Urumqi (120 km), travel along the Silk Road, sightseeing in Urumqi, dinner together and overnight in hotel in Urumqi

Individual departure from Urumqi