Silk Road to Karakoram

Itinerary

Days 1-3 Beijing

Kick off the adventure in China's booming capital. Admire the Ming and Qing buildings of the Forbidden City and visit the awe-inspiring Great Wall.

Days 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 and ancient army of Terracotta Warriors.

Days 6-7 Dunhuang

See 4th century carvings in the Mogao Caves, some of the most extraordinary Buddhist art to be found in China. Ride a camel across the crest of a massive sand dune to witness a stunning desert sunrise.

Days 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. The roads are lined with poplars and the old mud brick dwellings of the Uyghur people. Visit the attractions around town, which include the Emin Minaret and the famous Karez underground irrigation system.

Days 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. Dusty though it may be, the atmosphere is lively and you're sure to get caught up in the excitement of this ancient bazaar. Don't miss the animal market on the outskirts of the city or the local craftsmen along Kashgar's narrow backstreets either!

Days 12-13 Karakoram Highway

Follow the spectacular Karakoram Highway as it cuts through the mountains. Enter Pakistan at the Khunjerab 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 town of Karimabad, home to the impressive Baltit fort.

Days 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. This region is the confluence of the earth's three greatest mountain ranges, the Himalayas, Karakorum and Hindu Kush.

Days 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.

Days 19-21 Lahore

Islamabad is home to the opulent Shah Faisal, one of the largest mosques in Asia. We stop here on the way to Lahore, our final destination and Pakistan's cultural and artistic heart.