Edelweiss – Adventure Silk Road

2,000 years ago, China and the Roman Empire were two separate universes, connected only by a mysterious network of caravan routes. The bygone days of this ancient Silk Road will feel alive to you as you stroll the Sunday Market in Kashgar.
The tour starts in Urumqi, the bustling capital of Xinjiang, China’s largest province. With its glass and steel skyscrapers and the extensive bazars at street level it is a unique mixture of 21st-century China and medieval Persia. Central Asia has become a true melting pot.
Day 2 brings us down to Turpan – a great place to explore China’s secrets. On our way southwest, we follow the impressive snow-capped mountain chain of Tianshan, meaning Heavenly Mountains, with the infamous Taklamakan Desert on the other side, stretching endlessly to the horizon.
Then we reach Kashgar. Close your eyes and say the name slowly – and your mind will see pictures of colourful bazaars, men with long beards and artfully embroidered caps sitting on donkey carts and veiled women in long, flowing dresses. Are we still in China?
After a rest day in Kashgar we set out to ride one of the most fascinating roads on the planet: the Karakorum Highway. Several 25,000-ft peaks as well as camels and yaks surround us as we climb to Tashkurgan, an ancient trading outpost. At elevations of 12,000 ft and more, the scenery will literally take your breath away! When we return to Kashgar on our last day you will have a different view of what we know as the ancient Silk Road.

TOUR DATES 2010:
SEP 06 - 15
Urumqi – Kashgar.
SEP 16 - 25
Kashgar - Urumqi.

ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival in Urumqi
Day 2 Urumqi - Turpan
Day 3 Turpan - Korla
Day 4 Korla - Kuqa
Day 5 Kuqa - Aksu
Day 6 Aksu - Kashgar
Day 7 Rest day Kashgar
Day 8 Kashgar - Tashkurgan
Day 9 Tashkurgan - Kashgar
Day 10 Flight Kashgar - Home

PRICES:
Rider on a Jialing 600: £3790.
Rider on a Yamaha XT 660 R: £3810.
Rider on a BMW R 1150 GS Adventure: £4480.
Passenger: £2330.
Single room supplement: £320.
Edelweiss prices include bike hire!