Silk Route journey: Western China, Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Beijing.

Day 2 : Beijing

Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel.

Day 3 : Dunhuang

You make your own way to the airport today for your flight on to Dunhuang. Here you will be met by your guide and taken to your hotel.

Day 4 : Dunhuang

This morning you'll visit the beautiful 'singing sand dunes' of Mingsha, which look fantastic in the morning light. Afterwards you continue on to the Mogao caves before driving out this afternoon to see the remote ruined city of Yadan.

Day 5 : Turpan

You fly to Urumqi today, where you'll be met for the drive to the town of Turpan. You will arrive here after 20:00.

Day 6 : Turpan

You start today with a visit to Tuyaq Valley, which is home to a charming and unspoilt Uighur village. Afterwards you'll stop at Gaochang, and also pass the Flaming Mountains at Bezeklik.

Day 7 : Kashgar

Today you will visit the ruins at Jiaohe before driving back to Urumqi. From here you fly to Kashgar.

Day 8 : Kashgar

Today's excursion is a long but stunningly beautiful one, as you drive into the mountains on the legendary Karakoram Highway to lake Karakul. The lake's altitude is 3,800m, and you'll notice a sharp drop in temperature from Kashgar, so dress accordingly.

Day 9 : Kashgar

This morning you will be taken to the Yekshemba Bazaar, Kashgar's main spectacle. After taking in the markets you will explore some of the rest of the city with your guide.

Day 10 : Tash Rabat

You cross the border at the Torugart Pass today into Kyrgyzstan. Here you'll be met by your Kyrgyz guide for the drive on to your yurt camp at Tash Rabat.Make sure you have a warm jacket or fleece handy for the border crossing, which, at altitude, is cold at any time of year.

Day 11 : Song Kol Lake

You drive on to Lake Song Kol today, passing through stunning mountain scenery and grassy plateaus. Here you'll be able to explore the hills and lake on foot.

Day 12 : Bishkek

Today is another long and beautiful drive to the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. If there is time you'll be able to see a little of the city in the late afternoon.

Day 13 : Samarkand

You fly to Tashkent today, where you will be met for the drive on to Samarkand.

Day 14 : Samarkand

Today your guide will show you the key sights of Samarkand, a highlight being the outstanding Registan.

Day 15 : Samarkand

You have a further day free to explore Samarkand at your own pace.

Day 16 : Bukhara

You continue by road to Bukhara today, stopping in the town of Shakhrisabz, Tamerlane's birthplace.

Day 17 : Bukhara

Bukhara is a fabulous, bustling old city and one that feels very much 'lived in'. Your guide will show you the key sights here, and you'll sense the atmosphere as you wander the winding, dusty streets of the old town.

Day 18 : Bukhara

Today is at your leisure in Bukhara.

Day 19 : Khiva

You make the long drive through the desert to Khiva today, which will take at least nine hours.

Day 20 : Khiva

You'll spend time with your guide today exploring this beautiful old walled city.

Day 21 : Tashkent

You fly back to Tashkent today for a final overnight stay.

Day 22 : International return flight

Today you fly home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.