Xi'an to Kashgar
Overview
Highlights
- Visit the Great Wall’s western-most pass
- See ancient carvings at the Binglingsi Caves
- Discover the quaint Tibetan town of Xiahe
- Relax by Heavenly Lake
- Explore the oasis town of Dunhuang
- Be entranced by Mount Kongtong
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Trip includes
- Included activities are listed in the day-to-day itinerary
- all other activities are optional and at your own expense
- If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary
- the cost will not be refunded
Itinerary
Head out to Pingliang to visit the impressive Mount Kongtong, one of the sacred mountains of Taoism. Be mesmerised by the scenic surrounds as you explore the mountain.
Reach Xiahe in time to watch the sun set over this enchanting Tibetan town. Take a guided tour of Labrang Monastery where you can see Tibetan monks performing their daily rituals and chants, or go horse riding in the nearby grasslands. This is also the place to try some delicious (really!) yak butter tea.
Visit the Binglingsi Caves en route to Liujiaxia. Also known as the Bingling Temple, this series of Buddhist caves are filled with stunning sculptures. Feel the presence of departed souls as you follow winding walkways and narrow stairs around this ancient site.
Journey towards Jiayuguan in Ganzu’s northwest. Experience true wilderness en route, pitching tent at a bush camp.
Nestled on the western edge of the Gobi desert, the Great Wall’s western-most pass (or fort) is most commonly referred to as Jiayu Pass. Standing eleven metres high, the pass and surrounding wall protected Ming Dynasty China from the ‘barbarians’ of the north.
Begin the day with a visit to the magnificent Mogao Caves. Not far from the oasis town of Dunhuang, these caves exhibit 1000 years of Buddhist art. In the afternoon, explore Dunhuang or venture out on a camel ride through picturesque sand dunes.
Explore Turpan and the surrounding area. Don’t miss the famous Jiaohe ruins in the nearby Yarnaz Valley.
Located on the border between China and North Korea, Heavenly Lake is situated atop Baekdu Mountain. According to local legend, it is also home to the Lake Tianchi Monster. Keep your eyes peeled as you relax by the lake and take in the magnificent surrounds.
Skirt the edge of the Taklamakan Desert on the overland journey from Heavenly Lake out towards historic Kashgar. Camp in the desert en route.
The western-most city in China, Kashgar sits just north of the Kirzlesu River. Perhaps wander round the famous Sunday market or meander through the Old City – it’s considered one of the best-preserved Islamic cities in Central Asia – before this grand China tour comes to an end.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings
Other Intrepid Travel Reviews
We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food…
We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information....
Central Asia Explorer
This was my third trip with Intrepid, and I'll continue to plan future trips with them. I choose Intrepid to travel to parts of the world where I don't feel comforta...
Do not book a tour with Intrepid
Do not book a tour with Intrepid. Their “policy” on deposits is unreasonable, inflexible and downright thieving. I booked a tour in India with them over seven month...
Tour Operator
The Intrepid Travel Experience
If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.
Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.
Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.
Why Intrepid?
- Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
- Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
- Local leaders - authentic perspectives
- Local transport - get close and personal
- Local accommodation - experience real living
- Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions
History
Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.
Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.
Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.
Values
On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:
- Integrity – Doing the right thing
- Responsible – Think global, act local
- Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
- Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
- Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
- Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer
Associations
Why Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
Transportation & Flights
Transportation & flights
Meals introduction
While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. On our camping trips we often cook the region's specialities so you don't miss out. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.
Meals
All meals when camping
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations