Silk Road to Karokorum
| country: | China, Pakistan |
| location: | Silk Road |
| trip type: | A small group adventure. |
| departures: | 2009: 9 Apr, 7 May, 4 Jun, 25 Jun |
| price: | From £1285 (21 days) excluding flights, plus local payment US $300. We can arrange flights from the UK |
the amazing things you'll be doing
An exciting adventure through modern cities, remote nomadic lands, ancient trading routes and desert oases.
Rural markets and bazaars, high pastures with yurts and shepherds tending their flocks, beautiful lakes and stunning mountain ranges. This is one of our more 'out there' trips. The going can be tough and the infrastructure minimal but it's a journey you will never forget!
Traverse the width of China as we follow in the steps of the Silk Road traders and cross the Karakorum range into Pakistan.
Rural markets and bazaars, high pastures with yurts and shepherds tending their flocks, beautiful lakes and stunning mountain ranges. This is one of our more 'out there' trips. The going can be tough and the infrastructure minimal but it's a journey you will never forget!
Traverse the width of China as we follow in the steps of the Silk Road traders and cross the Karakorum range into Pakistan.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-3: | Beijing. Our great adventure begins in China's booming capital. Admire the Ming and Qing buildings of the Forbidden City and visit the awe-inspiring Great Wall. |
| Day 4-5: | Xi'an. The starting point of the Silk Road, Xi'an is packed with historical sights and colourful markets. Just outside the city is the vast army of Terracotta Warriors. |
| Day 6-7: | Dunhuang. See 4th century Buddhist carvings in the Mogao Caves and ride a camel across the crest of a massive sand dune to witness a stunning desert sunrise. |
| Day 8-9: | Turpan. Famous for its vineyards and stone fruits, the lush Grape Valley around Turpan is flanked by the raw beauty of the Flaming Mountains. |
| Day 10-11: | Kashgar. Silk Road legends come to life at Kashgar's fabled weekly market, where traders from surrounding countries gather to buy and sell their wares. |
| Day 12-13: | Karakorum Highway. Follow the spectacular Karakoram Highway as it cuts through the mountains. Cross into Pakistan at the Khunjarab Pass, the highest border crossing in the world. |
| Day 14: | Karimabad. Clinging to the hills above the confluence of the Hunza and Nagar Rivers sits the village of Karimabad, home to the impressive Baltit fort. |
| Day 15-16: | Northern Pakistan. There are photo opportunities around every bend as we travel past glaciers and through gorges via Besham and on to Peshawar. |
| Day 17-18: | Peshawar/Khyber Pass. Take a day trip up to the spectacular Khyber Pass on Afghanistan's doorstep. For centuries this was a major trade and invasion route from Central Asia. |
| Day 19-21: | Lahore. Islamabad is home to the opulent Shah Faisal, the largest mosque in Asia. We stop here on the way to Lahore, our final destination and Pakistan's cultural and artistic heart. |
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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This trip follows the route of the ancient Silk Road, and visits areas rarely travelled by tourists. It is not long before we are experiencing the sand dunes and desert of north-west China, and the Uygur people who follow centuries-old Muslim beliefs. A visit to the Ethnic Museum is recommended to learn more of the history and way of life of these people.
Your group leader and the local guides we use along the way will explain about the cultural and social norms of these areas, especially once we cross the border into Pakistan and help you to break down barriers in your interactions with local people. Women are encouraged to wear headscarves, and all members of the group will find it necessary to dress appropriately and cover-up. There are several projects we support in these parts of China, and most groups will have the opportunity to visit local schools and have a go at teaching English to the children in their mud-brick schools. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |