| DAILY ITINERARY
www.asiaadventures.ca
60-day Silk Road Self-Drive Safari
April 24- June 22,
Istanbul - Beijing:
Day 1 Friday, April 24
Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! Arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel to rest. Late afternoon orientation meeting. This evening we shall have a memorable dinner on a boat cruising along the bosphorous.
D Hotel Sultanahmet Palace
Day 2 Saturday, April 25
Istanbul
In the morning visit the Blue Mosque, built in 1616 unequalled for its mosaics, and the Haghia Sophia dedicated in 536 AD during the reign of Justinian, we will also visit Topkapi Palace, which was built by Mehmed the Conqueror.
B/L/D Hotel Sultanahmet Palace
Day 3 Sunday, April 26
Istanbul
This morning there will be an orientation session with your Land Rover Discovery. The afternoon is free for visiting the Grand Bazaar. We also have some time to stock up on any last-minute supplies.
B/L/D Hotel Sultanahmet Palace
Day 4 Monday, April 27
Istanbul/Ankara (driving distance: 580 km)
Today, we drive along a scenic highway route to Ankara, the country’s modern capital. Evening visit the historical remains in the city, the old citadel, "Hisar", where, according to legend an anchor was found while it was being constructed, from which the city took its name "Ancyra". Inside its walls it contains examples of old Turkish houses alongside the ancient ruins. There is also a covered bazaar, called "bedesten", close to the gate "Hisar Kapisi".
B/L/D Hotel Radisson Sas
Day 5 Tuesday, April 28
Ankara/Urgup, Cappadocia (driving distance: 630 km)
Before driving to Cappadocia, visit the very fine Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which details the ebb and flow of cultures that have passed through the area, from the Hittites, the Phrygians, Lydians and Persians to the Galatians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and Ottomans.
Evening arrive Cappadocia.
B/L/D Alfina Cave Hotel
Day 6 Wednesday, April 29
Cappadocia
Full day in Cappadocia. Visit to the enchanting "fairy chimneys" (conical and unusual rock formations) in Devrent Valley. We continue to the Goreme Open Air Museum, where we will see the finest examples of religious frescoes in rock-cut churches from the 10th to the 13th centuries. Enjoy Pasabag Valley, and then continue to Avanos, centre of terra cotta work. Afternoon visit Derin kuyu underground city.
B/L/D Alfina Cave Hotel
Day 7 Thursday, April 30
Cappadocia/Mt. Nemrut (driving distance: 520 km)
Optional hot-air balloon tour is available for the ones can get up very early in the morning.
After breakfast, drive around in the area and then head to Mt. Nemrut.
We shall make it to the mountain at sunset.
B/L/D Euphrat Hotel
Day 8 Friday, May 01
Mt. Nemrut/Sanliurfa (driving distance: 110 km)
Drive up to the summit of Mt. Nemrut early in the morning to visit the magnificent ruins and stone statues After lunch, drive to Sanliurfa, on the way visit the huge Ataturk Dam and the Cendere Bridge.
B/L/D Hotel Harran
Day 9 Saturday, May 02
Sanliurfa/Harran/Sanliurfa
Visit to Mevlid Halil Mosque and the Cave of Prophet Abraham, then the sacred fish pool. Drive to Harran - city of the prophet Abraham. See the fortress, Islamic school and curiously beehive-shaped adobe houses. Return to Sanliurfa for some leisure time.
B/L/D Hotel Harran
Day 10 Sunday, May 03
Sanliurfa/Mardin (driving distance: 270 km)
Drive to the city of Mardin, with its golden stone houses that blend into the hills. The houses are often decorated with intricate carvings. This is a very lively trading centre with people coming from surrounding villages to buy and sell. We will have a fantastic view of the Plain of Mesopotamia and visit the Syriac-Jacobite Monastery of Deyrulzaferan.
B/L/D Artuklu Kervansarayi Hotel
Day 11 Monday, May 04
Mardin/Van (driving distance: 537 km)
Drive to Lake Van through beautiful mountain region. Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey and lies at an altitude of 1720m. Visit the Akdamar church, which is built on an island in the lake. We will take a small boat across the lake to see the church. In the afternoon continue to Van and local sightseeing. Van was the Urartians capital. An imposing 9th century B.C. citadel overlooks the town. Visit the ancient Urartians site of Austere, Hosap Castle, and the famous Citadel of Van.
B/L/D Merit Hotel
Day 12 Tuesday, May 05
Van/Dogubayazit (driving distance: 180 km)
Drive to the border town of Dogubayazit dominated by the towering peak of Ararat. En route visit Muradiye Waterfalls. The old town of Dogubayazit was once an important staging post on the Silk Road. Visit the Ishak Pasa Palace. If weather permits, we may have a chance to enjoy the nice view of the Mt. Ararat.
B/L/D Derya Hotel
Day 13 Wednesday, May 06
Dogubayazit/Maku (driving distance: 48 km)
Head to the Iranian border. Cross into Iran. Expect a long border crossing.
Upon entering Iran, drive on to the village of Maku.
If the border crossing doesn’t take up the whole day, we may have chance to visit Baqcheh Jooq Palace, located between Maku and Bazargan in West Azarbaijan of Iran. It is situated in a vast garden covering about 11 hectares. This palace was built at the end of Qajar Dynasty under the orders of Iqbal-ol-Saltaneh Makuj, one of the commanders of Shah.
B/L/D Maku Inn
Day 14 Thursday, May 07
Maku/Tabriz (driving distance: 202 km)
Drive towards Tabriz. Visit the Kandovan Village en route. The word "Kandovan" is a plural form for "kando" means “bee nest”; the term refers to bee-nest liken houses carved inside mountain.
Village of Kandovan is located on 60 km soutwest of Tabriz. The villagers live in cave homes carved out from the volcanic rock.It is said the initial habitants moved to this village due to the Mongol invasion and decided to hide in the caves which later turned into permanent dwellings. The village is also well known for its spring-water which is believed to be able to cure diseases.
B/L/D Gostaresh Hotel
Day 15 Friday, May 08
Tabriz/Zanjan (driving distance: 280 km)
Drive to Zanjan, the capital of Zanjan Province. Zanjan has a predominantly Azeri population, the main ethnic group in Western Azerbaijan Province. After visit the city’s busy bazaar, we will have dinner at the Caravanserai Sangi - the ancient inn for caravans travelling from Asia to Europe, built in the 16th century, during the Safavid Dynasty.
B/L/D Zanjan Touristi Inn
Day 16 Saturday, May 09
Zanjan/Tehran (driving distance: 315 km)
Leave Zanjan and drive to Tehran, the capital city of Iran. En route visit the third biggest Tomb of Soltanieh (a 14th century Moughal Tomb) and city of Ghazvin with its mosque and palace, before arriving in Tehran.
B/L/D Laleh Hotel
Day 17 Sunday, May 10
Tehran
Full day sightseeing of Tehran including archaeological and jewels museums and Sa'ad Abad Palace (King's residence).
B/L/D Laleh Hotel
Day 18 Monday, May 11
Tehran/Isfahan (driving distance: 400 km)
Drive to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Isfahan, the most beautiful city in Iran. Isfahan is one of the finest cities in the Islamic world; a place for savouring the high refinements of Persian culture. En route visit the cities of Qom and Ntanz.
B/L/D Abbasi Hotel
Day 19 Tuesday, May 12
Isfahan
Full day of sightseeing in this magnificent city with its bridges, palaces and mosques.
B/L/D Abbasi Hotel
Day 20 Wednesday, May 13
Isfahan/Yazd (driving distance: 300 km)
Drive to the city of Yazd, with its winding lanes, wind towers and mud-brick Old Town. This relaxed city, with Iran’s largest Zoroastrian community, is famous for its bagdirs (or wind towers) sitting atop the roofs of the houses, circulating even the smallest breeze to cool the homes inside. En route, visit of the old city Naeen with its Jameh Mosque, ruined fire temple and caravanserai.
B/L/D Mehr Traditional Hotel
Day 21 Thursday, May 14
Yazd
Today we will have a full day of sightseeing in Yazd. Visit the Zoroastrian fire temple (Ateshkadeh) – it is said that the eternal flame here has been burning since around AD 470. Take a tour of the old city, one of the oldest towns in the world according to UNESCO. Enjoy seeing the courtyards, ornate wooden doors, and pretty adobe architecture. Also visit the Jameh (Friday) Mosque dominating the old city with its beautiful turquoise-tiled domes. Later, take a short drive to see the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence.
B/L/D Mehr Traditional Hotel
Day 22 Friday, May 15
Yazd/Village of Kharanagh (driving distance: 80 km)
Drive via Tabas to arrive at a caravanserai in the village of Kharanagh. Tonight we will have a unique camping experience in the historical caravanserai.
B/L/D Caravanserai camping
Day 23 Saturday, May 16
Kharanagh/Tabas/Bidokht (driving distance: 405 km)
Today we will drive to the city of Bidokht and visit the Mosque and Mausoleum of Saleh Ali Shah.
En route we will have lunch in Tabas, a pretty oasis city between the Dasht-e Lut and Dasht-e Kavir Deserts.
B/L/D Bidokht Inn
Day 24 Sunday, May 17
Bidokht/Mashad (driving distance: 300 km)
Drive to the Holy city of Mashad. This is the most religious city in Iran, containing the pilgrimage site of the Shrine of Imam Reza, who was martyred here in the 9th century.
B/L/D Qasr International Hotel
Day 25 Monday, May 18
Mashad
Today we have a full day to see the sights of Mashad, including the complex of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza, one of the most comprehensive and elegant architectural complexes in the Islamic world at the present time. We will also visit the old city of Toos and the tomb of greatest Persian epic poet Ferdousi.
B/L/D Qasr International Hotel
Day 26 Tuesday, May 19
Mashad/Mary (driving distance: 400 km)
After breakfast drive to the border checkpoint at Serahs. Cross the border into Turkmenistan, and drive to Mary. A long border crossing should be expected.
B/L/D Yrsgal Hotel
Day 27 Wednesday, May 20
Mary/Margush/Mary
In the morning drive through fields along the Old Caravan Route from Merv to Kunya Urgench. After 70 km, drive onto desert track and continue through the desert to an archaeological camp where we will discover the ancient Margush capital, Gonur, which consists of the Palace of the city, Fire and Water Temples, Royal Necropolis. Picnic lunch in the desert. Return to Mary.
B/L/D Yrsgal Hotel
Day 28 Thursday, May 21
Mary/Ashgabat (driving distance: 420 km)
Today visit ancient Merv, one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia. At one point in its history, Merv was called 'The Pearl of the East'. Razed by the Mongols, it was rebuilt over the centuries and today five distinct cities cover 130 square kilometres. Afterwards we will return to Mary for lunch and then continue on to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan via the medieval Anau Mosque, which was built between 1446-1456, and destroyed by an earthquake in 1948. The mosque was unique with its blue mosaic facade, depicting dragons. We will also visit the old city of Abiverd, which was an important trading post from the 5th to the 7th centuries.
B/L/D President Hotel
Day 29 Friday, May 22
Ashgabat
Today we will have a full day of sightseeing in and around Ashgabat; including a city tour, a visit to the Carpet Museum, visiting the Bakharden underground lake as well as Kipchak Mosque. Later, we will tour the Old Nisa – the remains of the Parthian kings’ residence. Continue to National museum and return Ashgabat. This evening, enjoy a traditional dinner with Folklore group performance.
B/L/D President Hotel
Day 30 Saturday, May 23
Ashgabat/Darvaza (driving distance: 255 km)
Morning visit the most colourful and crowded Tolkuchka Bazaar outside of Ashgabat. Afterwards depart for a night of camping in the Karakum Desert.
B/L/D Desert Camping
Day 31 Sunday, May 24
Darvaza/Dashoguz (driving distance: 395 km)
Drive through the desert and arrive Dashoguz, a small town by the Uzbek border. If time permits, we will tour this town in the far north of Turkmenistan. It is very different from Mary and Ashgabat, with mixed cultures of Turkmen, Uzbeks and a large amount of Koreans!
B/L/D Uzboy Hotel
Day 32 Monday, May 25
Dashoguz/Khiva (driving distance: 25 km)
Today drive north towards the border with Uzbekistan. Border crossing is expected to be much shorter and smoother than the previous ones. Continue to Khiva and check into the hotel right in the centre of the old town.
Khiva was the capital of the Khiva Khanate in the 17th century, and has still retained the exotic flavour of a medieval Oriental town. Today we will tour Ichan-Kala (the inner town), which is encircled by brick walls, whose foundations are believed to have been laid in the 10th century. Our visits will include: Mohammed Amin Khan Madrassah, Kunya Ark, Islam Khoja Madrassah and Minaret, Jummi Mosque, and Tash Hauli Palace. We will also see desert sights such as Toprak Kala and Koi Krylgan Kala.
B/L/D Asia Hotel Khiva
Day 33 Tuesday, May 26
Khiva/Bukhara (driving distance: 510 km)
Drive to Bukhara through the KizilKum Desert. En route we stop to see the Amudarya River, known to many western explorers as the Oxus River. We will arrive at Bukhara in the late afternoon. In the evening we will see a folk performance in Nadir Devanbegi Madrassah.
B/L/D Asia Hotel Bukhara
Day 34 Wednesday, May 27
Bukhara
Bukhara is the only city in Central Asia where the flavour of the East has been preserved intact. It is a town-museum with about 140 architectural monuments dating back to the Middle Ages. Today our excursion in Bukhara includes visits to the mausoleum of Ismail Samani, a masterpiece of classical Eastern architecture, and the Poi Kalon Ensemble with its 50 meter-tall minaret decorated with unique patterns, towering over the centre of ancient Bukhara. In evening we will have dinner in a local traditional style restaurant.
B/L/D Asia Hotel Bukhara
Day 35 Thursday, May 28
Bukhara/Samarkand (driving distance: 280 km)
After breakfast we will start our trip to Samarkand, arriving into Samarkand in the afternoon where we will have lunch and some leisure time.
B/L/D President Hotel
Day 36 Friday, May 29
Samarkand
Samarkand was once known as the Garden of the Universe. It reached the height of its glory during the reign of Tamerlane who cherished the dream to make his capital the most beautiful city in the world. Today we will have a city tour of Samarkand including the famous Registan, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda Ensemble, Ulugbek Observatory (15th century), and Chupan Ata (1440s). Later we will visit Khoja Abdi Darun, Khoja Abdi Birun and Ishrat Khana Mausoleums, and the famous Samarkand carpet factory.
B/L/D President Hotel
Day 37 Saturday, May 30
Samarkand/Tashkent/Ferghana Valley (driving distance: 662 km)
In the early morning we will start out for the capital, Tashkent. The drive is about 310 km and we will reach Tashkent for lunch. Afternoon onto Ferghana Valley. The road from Tashkent to Ferghana Valley is a bit challenging, crossing many mountain passes on the way. We will arrive in Ferghana at sunset.
B/L/D Asia Hotel Ferghana
Day 38 Sunday, May 31
Ferghana Valley
The Ferghana Valley is one of the most ancient centres of civilization with a history dating back 7000 years. This oasis with its green gardens prompted the conquering Greeks to call it “the garden of Eden”. In the morning we will drive to Kokand and visit the major sites: Khudayar Khan Palace, Jummi Mosque, Narbutabey and Dasturkhanchi Madrassah, Royal Cemetery and Khaidarov Workshop (museum of Kokand woodcraft). Then on the road from Kokand to Margilan we will visit the famous Rishtan Art Ceramics factory and famous silk factories: Yodgorlik factory, Margilan Silk factory and Khanatlas Silk factory.
B/L/D Asia Hotel Ferghana
Day 39 Monday, June 01
Ferghana/Osh (driving distance: 125 km)
In the morning drive to the Kyrgyz border and continue to Osh, the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan; reputed to be about 3000 years old. There are several legends about the origin of the city, including claims that it was founded by Solomon or Alexander the Great. Even if such a grand personage did not establish Osh, its position at a crossroads along the ancient trading routes that became known as the Silk Road almost guaranteed that it would become a major settlement. Excursion to Osh Bazaar, one of the biggest bazaars in Central Asia, stretching for about one kilometre along the river. Visit holy mount Suleiman-Too (Solomon’s Throne). According to legend this mount appeared after King Solomon rested here. For Central Asian Muslims, “Taht-I-Suleiman” is the 3rd most sacred place after Mecca and Medina. At the top there is a 16th century mosque and a museum.
B/L/D Sunrise Hotel
Day 40 Tuesday, June 02
Osh/Chichkan Valley (driving distance: 430 km)
Drive to the Chichkan Valley. Following the Ferghana Valley the road climbs through spectacular mountains and follows the Naryn River. We will overnight in the valley at a newly built lodge by the river.
B/L/D Oson Lodge
Day 41 Wednesday, June 03
Chichkan Valley/Kochkorka (driving distance: 260 km)
Today the drive becomes challenging after 155 km of paved road. The route takes us through some of the alpine mountains and meadows of Kyrgyzstan. Along the way we will get a chance to meet Kyrgyz shepherds, and learn about their paths and their nomadic life. Drop in at a local nomadic yurta for tea. In the afternoon, arrive the village of Kochkorka and stay at a local B&B-style accommodation.
Enjoy a Kyrgyz dinner and folk show.
B/L/D Family stay
Day 42 Thursday, June 04
Kochkorka /Naryn (driving distance: 130 km)
Today we will drive along the gravel road to Naryn. En route visit villages and trek a bit into the mountain.
B/L/D Celestial Mountain Guesthouse
Day 43 Friday, June 05
Naryn/Kashgar (driving distance: 330 km)
Our departure will be early in the morning! Drive from Naryn to the border; we need to arrive the border before noon. After the border-crossing, drive onto Kashgar via the Torugart Pass
Arrive into Kashgar late in the afternoon.
B/L/D Grand International Hotel
Day 44 Saturday, June 06
Kashgar
Kashgar, the largest oasis city in China and Central Asia, used to be the last outfitting station on the centuries-old Silk Road. Explore this remote city, visiting the Great Id Kah Mosque and the tomb of Abakh Hoja.
B/L/D Grand International Hotel
Day 45 Sunday, June 07
Kashgar
A city of bazaars, two-wheeled carts, dusty streets and 4000 mosques, Kashgar reveals a strong Islamic influence. Its narrow maze of alleyways and open air markets display all the myriad faces of Central Asia with Uygur, Kyrgyz, Tajik and Kazakh merchants and locals, all busy haggling over camels and sheep, brightly coloured fabrics, fur hides and hats, handmade carpets and knives. Trade remains timeless still, especially on Sundays, when the entire community gathers at the world's liveliest market. Leisure day in Kashgar exploring the market.
B/L/D Grand International Hotel
Day 46 Monday, June 08
Kashgar/Khotan (driving distance: 520 km)
Drive from Kashgar to Khotan. On the southern part of the Silk Road, Khotan was an early centre for the spread of Buddhism from India into China. It fell to the Arabs in the 8th century and grew wealthy on the proceeds of the caravan trade that travelled the route between China and the West.
B/L/D Zhejiang Hotel
Day 47 Tuesday, June 09
Khotan/Minfeng (driving distance: 288 km)
Drive from Khotan to Minfeng; visit the local ethnic groups en route.
B/L/D Niya Hotel
Day 48 Wednesday, June 10
Minfeng/Korla (driving distance: 780 km)
Drive from Minfeng to Korla crossing the Taklamakan Desert from south to north along the longest desert highway in the world. Upon arriving Korla, the sense of achievement is quite overwhelming.
B/L/D Loulan Hotel
Day 49 Thursday, June 11
Korla/Turpan (driving distance: 390 km)
Drive from Korla to Turpan. Turpan is located in the Turpan Basin at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains. The city has a population of nearly 200,000, most of whom are Uygurs. The Turpan Basin is the lowest area in China, in which the Aiding Lake, with its surface being 154 meters below sea level, is the second lowest spot in the world, next only to the Dead Sea.
B/L/D Tuha Petroleum Hotel
Day 50 Friday, June 12
Turpan
Visit to the Kan-er Waterwell, and the ruins of Jiaohe City, now on the list of UNESCO's historical and cultural sites, which protects the Tang Dynasty ruins of homes, garden walls, government offices, pottery kilns, temples and pagodas, all of which are still easily recognizable. Evening dinner will be arranged at a local Uygur house.
B/L/D Tuha Petroleum Hotel
Day 51 Saturday, June 13
Turpan/Dunhuang (driving distance: 840 km)
Depart Turpan early in the morning and depart the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. After lunch at Hami, we enter Gansu province and arrive Dunhuang in the evening.
Dunhuang was once an important junction on the Silk Route, where it split into different branches, this oasis in northwest China, on the edge of the Gobi Desert, is surrounded by sand dunes. By the 4th century AD, the route had brought the city both commercial prosperity and a growing Buddhist community.
B/L/D Dunhuang Shazhou Grand Hotel
Day 52 Sunday, June 14
Dunhuang
This morning, take a bus tour to visit the Mogao Grottoes, a series of 500 caves which contain the world's most valuable display of Buddhist art - manuscripts, some 2,400 painted sculptures and 45,000 square metres of frescoes. In the late afternoon, tour the Singing Sand Hill and Crescent Moon Lake. Be prepared for a camel ride over the sand dunes!
B/L/D Dunhuang Shazhou Grand Hotel
Day 53 Monday, June 15
Dunhuang/Jiayuguan/Jiuquan (driving distance: 520 km)
Drive to Jiayuguan and visit the Jiayuan Pass - the western end of the Great Wall. Onto Jiuquan and overnight.
B/L/D Jiuquan Great Wall Hotel
Day 54 Tuesday, June 16
Jiayuguan/Zhangye (driving distance: 400 km)
Drive to Zhangye and visit the Zhangye Museum. This museum is located in the Giant Buddha Temple, which is the largest architectural relic in Gansu Province, of the Western Xia (1038-1227) period. China's largest reclining Buddha is well preserved in this temple. Marco Polo spent one year in the town of Zhangye.
B/L/D Zhangye Hotel
Day 55 Wednesday, June 17
Zhangye/Lanzhou (driving distance: 355 km)
Drive to Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province. Enjoy the scenery of the Yellow Clay Plateau en route. Upon arrival, tour the Yellow River Park.
B/L/D Konggang Hotel
Day 56 Thursday, June 18
Lanzhou/Xian (driving distance: 525 km)
Today is your last driving day! Expect an early morning departure and arrive Xian late in the evening. Xian, the ancient capital of China, was earlier known as Chang’an. Xian, once home to a diverse collection of ethnic groups trading in all types of material goods and religions was the central terminus for all trade along the eastern section of the Silk Road. Xian is end of your Silk Road driving journey.
Welcoming ceremony on the ancient city wall upon arrival.
B/L/D Jinshi International Hotel
Day 57 Friday, June 19
Xian
Visit the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum and Shanxi Provincial Museum.
B/L/D Jinshi International Hotel
Day 58 Saturday, June 20
Xian
Morning visit the Tang Art Gallery for a Chinese art and calligraphy demonstration. Afternoon at leisure. Evening farewell dinner party at a local teahouse.
B/L/D Jinshi International Hotel
Day 59 Sunday, June 21
Morning transfer to the airport and fly to Beijing. Upon arrival in Beijing visit the Great Wall of China. Later transfer to hotel and get ready to fly home.
B/L/D International Hotel
Day 60 Monday, June 22
Depart Beijing
In the morning transfer to the airport for your departure home. End of this unforgettable self-driving experience.
|
