From Xi'an to Xinjiang
The Silk Road
{"trip":{"TripID":10437,"Trip_Code":"SILKXIAN","Trip_Name":"The Silk Road","TripYear":"2024","BrandName":"Wilderness Travel","BrandID":1,"Trip_Tag_Line":"see custom fields","Start_Location":"Xi'an, China","End_Location":"Kashgar, China","Number_Days":19,"Number_Nights":18,"DisplayOnWeb":true,"Book_On_Web":false,"Featured":false,"SpecialEvent":false,"BestSeller":false,"Short_Description":"For 2,000 years, the Silk Road was the principal artery for caravans traveling between China and Europe laden with textiles, spices, gold—and ideas, philosophies, and religions. On this adventure with veteran Trip Leader Roger Williams, we follow the footsteps of Marco Polo from ancient Xi'an, cradle of Chinese history, to fabled Kashgar in China's wild west, a vital hub when silk caravans passed this way a millennium ago. Our route embraces noted historical sites including Xi'an, home of the celebrated Terra Cotta Warriors; Dunhuang, where we explore the cliff-bound Mogao Grottoes, a priceless repository of Chinese Buddhist cave art long lost in the desert; Turpan, close to the ancient city of Gaocheng and the Bezeklik Caves, with their strikingly painted mural art; and the legendary Kashgar Sunday market. As we explore, we encounter a range of peoples, from Tibetan Buddhists to Uighur traders, and learn how their cultures and traditions are deeply tied to this mountain and desert realm. There's no other journey in the world quite like this adventure on the storied road across the Far East.","Long_Description":"","ActivityHighlight":"Cultural exploration and walking tours, some overland travel","TripType":"Small Group Adventure","HeaderImage":"","HeaderImageAltTag":"","ThumbnailImage":"http:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/trips\/thumb-SILKXIAN-yurt-mushtaq-ata-peak-karakorum-highway-xinjiang.jpg","MapImage":"http:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/trips\/silkxian-map.jpg","MapImageAltTag":"","FloatingImage":"","VideoLink":"","GroupSize":"","tripURL":"customercases.petitserif.com\/trip\/\/China\/xian-dunhuang-kashgar-tour","ThisYear_Year":"","ThisYear_PriceDetails":"","ThisYear_PriceDetails2":"","Price":"0","SingleSupplementPrice1":"0","SingleSupplementPrice2":"0","SingleSupplementPrice1Caption":"","SingleSupplementPrice2Caption":"","AirPrice":"0","AirPriceCaption":"","FeePrice1":"0","FeePrice2":"0","FeePrice3":"0","FeeName1":"","FeeName2":"","FeeName3":"","ShowNextYearsPrice":true,"NextYear_Year":"No Dates or Prices Set, Call for","NextYear_PriceDetails":"No dates or prices set at this time. Contact us for information on when we plan to next offer this trip.","NextYear_PriceDetails2":"","PriceNextYear":"0","SingleSupplementPrice1NextYear":"0","SingleSupplementPrice2NextYear":"0","NextYearSingleSupplementPrice1Caption":"","NextYearSingleSupplementPrice2Caption":"","NextYearAirPriceCaption":"","AirPriceNextYear":"0","NextYearFeePrice1":"0","NextYearFeePrice2":"0","NextYearFeePrice3":"0","NextYearFeeName1":"","NextYearFeeName2":"","NextYearFeeName3":"","TripSavings":false,"TripSavingsDescription":"","VariablePricing":false,"PricingNoteTitle":"","PricingNotes":"","NewTrip":false,"MinAge":0,"TripRatingID":4,"TripRatingName":"2","TravelFromDate":"2022-01-01","TravelToDate":"2050-12-31","BookFromDate":"2022-01-01","BookToDate":"2050-12-31","EventID":20,"EventName":"","AccountingGroup":"Asia","DepositRule":2,"DepositAmt":"600","FinalDays":90,"AutoConfirm":false,"AutoConfirmAmount":"0","PrivateAvailable":true,"OperationMonths":"","AccmRating":""},"itinerary":[{"DayFrom":1,"DayTo":1,"Headline":"Xi'an (1,329')","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Arrive in Xi'an, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Xi'an, the cradle of Chinese history, is an ancient Silk Road metropolis that has witnessed the rise and fall of 14 imperial dynasties over two millennia. It was the gateway to the west and the starting point of the Silk Road. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Xi'an was thought to be the largest city in the world, linked to many central Asian regions and Europe via the Silk Road. In the evening, we gather for a trip orientation and Welcome Dinner. Overnight at Shangri-La Xi'an.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":2,"DayTo":2,"Headline":"Xi'an \/ Terra Cotta Warriors","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Today we visit the famed site of Xi'an's Terra Cotta Warriors, built by Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of unified China. The site was discovered by accident in 1974 by a group of farmers digging for a new well, and was one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries of all time. Qin Shihuang's astounding army of 8,000 life-sized terra cotta warriors and their steeds was buried underground in full regalia and arranged in battle formation. Each warrior's face is unique, and some warriors were created to resemble members of China's ethnic minorities, indicating the emperor's status as the first conqueror of China. After lunch, we take a leisurely stroll through the city's Muslim Quarter for a glimpse into the local way of life, which derives as much from the ancient cultures of Central Asia as from China. For over 1,300 years, Muslims have been an integral part of the colorful daily life of Xi'an. We also visit the Great Mosque, noted for its remarkable architecture and history. In the evening we enjoy dinner at a time-honored dumpling restaurant and learn from the chef how to make these delicious treats. Overnight at Shangri-La Xi'an.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":3,"DayTo":3,"Headline":"Luoyang \/ Longmen Grottoes","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We take a high-speed bullet train to Luoyang (about 1.5 hours, first class seats). Here we'll visit the White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China, and appreciate the precious Buddhist statues, steles, and ancient architecture from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. We'll also visit the nearby Qiyun Pagoda, a well-preserved pagoda from the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234). In the afternoon, we head to the Longmen Grottoes, a World Heritage Site that's considered a masterpiece of both Buddhist art and Chinese calligraphy. Most of the caves were built by the royal families of Northern Wei Dynasty (386-557) and Tang Dynasty (618-907). Boarding a high-speed bullet train, we return to Xi'an in the early evening. Dinner is on your own this evening. Overnight at Shangri-La Xi'an.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":4,"DayTo":4,"Headline":"Xi'an \/ Shaanxi History Museum \/ Wild Goose Pagoda","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Through its well organized and fascinating world-class exhibits, Shaanxi History Museum displays the rich historical and cultural heritage of the region. As we visit the museum, we'll learn about the ancient Chinese civilization and appreciate some of the museum's very rare treasures. We'll also have special access to the underground Tang Dynasty Murals, where an English-speaking expert will offer interesting and insightful views that will bring these ancient paintings alive. After lunch, we visit Xi'an's towering Wild Goose Pagoda. A masterpiece of the Tang Dynasty Buddhist architecture, Wild Goose Pagoda was built in the 7th century AD by Emperor Gao Zong to honor the work of the Buddhist monk Xuan Zang, who traveled to India in disguise to find and translate the original Sanskrit Buddhist texts. Today this quaint pagoda is often taken as the symbol of historic Xi'an. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":5,"DayTo":5,"Headline":"Xi'an \/ Shuilu'an Temple","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"This morning we head to the Shuilu'an Temple at the foot of Wangshun Mountain. The temple houses a collection of more than 3700 delicately painted clay Buddha sculptures dating back to the Sui Dynasty (518-619). These pieces tell a story of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, and their intertwined histories in China. After lunch at a local restaurant, we return to Xi'an City to visit the Forest of Stone Steles, a museum of ancient stone carvings inside a former Confucian temple. The stone tablets and sculptures are inscribed with fine calligraphy depicting poetry, literature, and religious and historical facts. We'll have the opportunity to learn the art of Chinese calligraphy from our own local master. Dinner this evening will be on your own.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":6,"DayTo":6,"Headline":"Xi'an \/ Lanzhou (5,000')","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"This morning, we'll visit the great archaeological discoveries at Hanyangling Mausoleum. Built at the base of the imperial mausoleum of Emperor Jing and Empress Wang (Western Han Dynasty, 206 BC-24 AD), this underground museum showcases a large collection of exquisite cultural relics excavated from the site, especially the beautifully-painted pottery sculptures of dancers, servants, civilians, and farm animals. In the afternoon, we transfer to the Xi'an train station and take a bullet train to Lanzhou, the provincial capital of Gansu. Situated between the vast Tibetan and Loess plateaus, and bordering six other provinces and autonomous regions, Gansu province offers a distinctive glimpse into Silk Road history and ancient Buddhist history and practices. Overnight at Crowne Plaza Lanzhou.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":7,"DayTo":7,"Headline":"Lanzhou \/ Xiahe (9,186')","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"This morning we visit the Gansu Provincial Museum, which features ancient treasures excavated along the Silk Road including the delicate brick mural “Postman” and the mysterious Galloping Horse. We then drive to Xiahe, with a lunch stop at Linxia, a Muslim town dubbed “the little Mecca of China.” We'll appreciate the intricately-carved brick walls at the nearby Da Gong Bei (Grand Gombai, or Grand Mausoleum), an Islamic complex surrounded the mausoleum of Qi Jingyi (1656-1719). Afterwards, we continue our journey and reach Xiahe (9,186'), located in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Xiahe Labrang Aviation Hotel.\r\nDriving Details: 155 miles, 4 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":8,"DayTo":8,"Headline":"Xiahe \/ Labrang Monastery","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Nestled at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, Labrang Monastery is the religious center of the Amdo Tibetan area, and the largest Buddhist monastic university in the entire Tibetan area. We'll join the local people walking the pilgrimage route around the monastery, explore the vast monastery complex, and visit the Tibetan medicine college and the sutra-debating courtyard. In the afternoon, we visit the monastery's sutra-printing house and try our hand at ancient woodblock printing. The remainder of the day is free to wander around the bustling Xiahe market. In the evening, we enjoy dinner at a Tibetan restaurant as local musicians join us with their beautiful singing and dancing performance. Overnight at Xiahe Labrang Aviation Hotel.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":9,"DayTo":9,"Headline":"Xiahe \/ Lanzhou","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We return to Lanzhou, stopping along the way to take a speedboat to Binglingsi Caves (also known as Bingling Temple). Apart from the fascinating Buddhist statues and ancient murals set within a peaceful valley, Binglingsi Caves is characterized by its picturesque surroundings of jagged mountain cliffs overlooking the meandering Yellow River. The remainder of the day is free to take a stroll along the Yellow River, or visit a local market. Overnight at Crowne Plaza Lanzhou.\r\nDriving Details: 208 miles, 5.5 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":10,"DayTo":10,"Headline":"Lanzhou \/ Dunhuang (3,747')","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We transfer to the airport this morning and fly to Dunhuang, a former terminus of the Silk Road set on the edge of the Takla Makan Desert. For Silk Road traders and the missionary monks of Buddhism traveling east to west, Dunhuang was the first major oasis. In the late afternoon, we'll visit magical Crescent Moon Lake and enjoy a camel ride at the lovely Mingsha Sand Dunes, a chance to watch a beautiful sunset over the desert. Overnight at Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":11,"DayTo":11,"Headline":"Dunhuang \/ Mogao Grottoes","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We head out to the remote Mogao Grottoes (also known as “the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas”), located on the western cliffs of the Singing Sands Mountains. These 492 grottoes, a World Heritage Site, honeycomb a giant cliff face and house murals, Buddhist paintings, and statues. Artifacts discovered at Dunhuang span from the Northern and Western Wei to Northern Zhou and Tang dynasties, and include what is believed to be one of the oldest printed books in the world, dating back to 868 AD. During our visit, we will have special access to Cave 45 with its clay figures, and Cave 158, which houses a 45-foot-long Sleeping Buddha. We return to our hotel in Dunhuang for dinner and overnight.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":12,"DayTo":12,"Headline":"Yulin Caves","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Today we'll discover more wonderful Buddhist art at the Yulin Caves. Excavated on both cliffs along the Yulin River, these caves are considered the sister caves of the Mogao Caves. There are 43 preserved caves, and most of the Buddhist sculptures and mural paintings are works fashioned between the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). At Cave 25, the vivid mural paintings are considered a rare treasure and a masterpiece from the mid-Tang dynasty. In Caves 2 and 3, two murals depicting the monk Xuan Zang's journey for Buddhist scriptures were painted during the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227), 300 years earlier than the Ming Dynasty novel “Journey to the West”. In Cave 3, the mural “Thousand Hands Avalokitesvara” offers valuable information to study the social life and agricultural technique of the Western Xia Dynasty. The 25-meter Maitreya Buddha stature at Cave 6 and the lifelike sculptures of the Eighteen Arhats at Cave 11 are also worth a visit. Return to Dunhuang in the late afternoon and overnight at the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel.\r\nDriving Details: 235 miles, 4 hours (total)","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":13,"DayTo":13,"Headline":"Dunhuang \/ Turpan \/ Jiaohe (1,132')","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"The morning is free to relax, but if we're up for it, we can visit Dunhuang Museum, with its priceless documents and written sutras from Cave 17 of the Mogao Caves, and other valuable relics excavated from the area, including the rare Kylin brick. Later, we drive to Liuyuan South Railway Station and board a bullet train to Turpan (about 3.5 hours, first class seats), an oasis in the Takla Makan Desert. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel to check in. Before dinner, we'll watch the sunset at the nearby Jiaohe Ruins, the remains of a nearly 2,000-year-old fortress set atop a steep cliff. Dinner at a nearby local restaurant. Overnight at Shuangcheng Hotel.\r\nDriving Details: 87 miles, 2 hours (to the train station)","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":14,"DayTo":14,"Headline":"Bezeklik Caves \/ Tuyugou Village \/ Gaochang","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Turpan was a center of Buddhism until the 8th century, when Islam came to this part of western China. East of Turpan at the foot of the Flaming Mountains lies the Bezeklik Caves, a cliffside complex of more than 75 rock-cut caves containing remarkable Buddhist murals dating from the 5th to 9th centuries. We also visit Tuyugou, one of the few authentic villages that maintains its old Buddhist traditions despite its conversion to Islam, and we'll have lunch at the vineyard of a local family here. We next explore Mazar, a peaceful village where old Uygur traditions are well kept. Here we'll head to the nearby mountainside and discover a group of ancient Buddhist caves with frescoes. Nearby is the ancient city of Gaocheng (“King's City”). Once a garrison town and later the capital of the Uighur people, Gaocheng was laid out in the first century BC and abandoned in the 15th century. The royal dead of Gaocheng's Tang Dynasty period (AD 618-907) were buried at the Astana Tombs nearby. We'll explore the vast site and fragments of the ancient city walls that were built over 2,000 years ago. Return to Turpan, with time to walk around the old town before dinner. Overnight at Shuangcheng Hotel.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":15,"DayTo":15,"Headline":"Turpan \/ Keraz Well \/ Urumqi (6,435')","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Visit Turpan's Emin Minaret and the mosque, and study the elegant architecture of this ancient Islamic site. Later we visit a keraz well, an ancient irrigation system also from the Han Dynasty. The keraz underground irrigation system installed in the Turfan valley 2,000 years ago is considered to be one of the greatest engineering projects of ancient China. Water from the glaciers of the nearby Tian Shan Mountains were conducted down to Turpan through hundreds of miles of tunnels, all dug by hand. The tunnels turned waterless Turpan into an agricultural oasis famous for its delicious sweet melons, grapes, apricots, and other produce. Afterwards, we take a one-hour bullet train ride to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum, where archaeological treasures from the Silk Road and Xinjiang's minority cultures are on display. The museum includes objects such as terracotta figures, pottery, porcelain, weapons, silk, and scriptures. In particular, the museum has several ancient mummies whose attire attests to both the diversity and wealth found along the Silk Road thousands of years ago. Overnight at the Hilton Urumqi Hotel.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":16,"DayTo":16,"Headline":"Urumqi \/ Kashgar (4,167') \/ Sunday Market","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Kashgar, the largest oasis city in Chinese Central Asia. It is an ancient Silk Road marketplace where great swathes of disparate groups from all across Asia once came to trade, often arriving on camel caravans that stretched for miles. In the afternoon, we take a traditional donkey cart to visit the Kashgar Sunday Market. The legendary market, one of Asia's greatest gatherings of traders, offers a chance to roam amid the aromas of fresh-baked breads, cumin, pepper, and grilled lamb, and watch the spirited negotiations of traders haggling over everything from camels, sheep, silk, spices, and fruits to household goods. Traditional Uighur craftsmen—metalsmiths, blacksmiths, coppersmiths, cobblers, hat-makers, and woodworkers—make all kinds of goods by hand and supply the local farmers and shepherds with the wares of daily life. Dinner and overnight at the Radisson Blu Kashgar.\r\n\r\nKashgar: A desert oasis with an end-of-the-world feeling, Kashgar is located 600 miles southwest of Urumqi and 80 miles east of the Russian border. This famously isolated city of walled adobe compounds was the launching pad for many Tibet, Pamir, and Karakoram expeditions in the 18th and 19th centuries and was also a major center for the Great Game, the shadowy diplomatic jousting match between Britain and Russia for dominance over Central Asia. Although Kashgar is modernizing and the old city walls have been torn down, it still has an exotic atmosphere, with its population of Uighurs, Tajiks, Kirghiz, and Uzbek peoples. The bazaars are the focus of life in Kashgar, and are crowded with a variety of donkey carts and bicycles.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":17,"DayTo":17,"Headline":"Kashgar","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Outside of town is the Abakh Khoja Mausoleum (also known as the Mausoleum of Xiang Fei), a masterpiece of Uygur Islamic architecture. After visiting the site, we return to Kashgar and visit the Gaotai Ancient Homes to learn the history of the centuries-old neighborhood of Kashgar Old Town. This evening, we enjoy dinner at Chini Bagh (the former British Consulate), and enjoy one of the most famous Xinjiang dishes—whole roasted lamb. Overnight at the Radisson Blu Kashgar.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":18,"DayTo":18,"Headline":"Kashgar","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"After breakfast, we visit the Id Kah Mosque, spiritual center of Kashgar and the largest mosque in China. Built in 1442 and located in the center of the city, the grand Islamic structure of this mosque, with its central dome and flanking minarets, is a stark contrast to the many Chinese-style mosques in Xi'an. We also tour the nearby marketplace, and visit a local workshop for handmade musical instruments. At the old neighborhood, we step into a local Uygur family's courtyard home, have tea, and chat with the family members about their daily life. After lunch, we go for a leisurely stroll at the People's Square, and learn the story of the great statue of Chairman Mao. Erected in 1969, the statue is one of the few large-scale statues of Mao remaining in China. We'll spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the colorful market (also commonly known as the Dongmen Grand Bazaar) for all kinds of regional handicrafts, as well as a nearby market for local fruits and melons for which Xinjiang is famous. In the evening, we gather for our festive Farewell Dinner. Overnight at the Radisson Blu Kashgar.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":19,"DayTo":19,"Headline":"Depart","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Transfer to the airport for departure on homeward-bound flights.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":1,"DayTo":4,"Headline":"Xi'an \/ Longmen Grottoes","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Xi'an, the cradle of Chinese history, is an ancient Silk Road metropolis that has witnessed the rise and fall of 14 imperial dynasties over two millennia. Our explorations here include the famed terra cotta warriors, an astounding army of 8,000 life-sized statues and their steeds buried underground in full regalia and arranged in battle formation. At the Shaanxi History Museum, we'll learn about the ancient Chinese civilization and appreciate some of the museum's very rare treasures. A side trip brings us to Luoyang, where we visit the White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China, and appreciate the precious Buddhist statues, steles, and ancient architecture from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":5,"DayTo":9,"Headline":"Lanzhou \/ Xiahe","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We visit the Shuilu'an Temple, which houses over 3700 clay Buddha sculptures, and also the Forest of Stone Steles and its finely-inscribed tablets. In Lanzhou, the provincial capital of Gansu, we visit the Gansu Provincial Museum, which features ancient treasures excavated along the Silk Road. Heading to Xiahe (9,186'), located in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, we explore Labrang Monastery and join the local people walking the pilgrimage route around the monastery before dinner at a Tibetan restaurant with local musicians. Returning to Lanzhou, we visit Binglingsi Caves, with its fascinating Buddhist statues and ancient murals set within a peaceful valley.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":10,"DayTo":12,"Headline":"Dunhuang \/ Mogao Grottoes","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Set on the edge of the Takla Makan Desert, Dunhuang is a former terminus of the Silk Road. We visit magical Crescent Moon Lake, enjoy a camel ride at the lovely Mingsha Sand Dunes, a chance to watch a beautiful sunset over the desert, and explore the remote Mogao Grottoes, a World Heritage Site housing murals, Buddhist paintings, and statues. Nearby are the Yulin Caves, excavated on both cliffs along the Yulin River. Most of the Buddhist sculptures and mural paintings are works fashioned between the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":13,"DayTo":15,"Headline":"Turpan \/ Bezeklik Caves \/ Tuyugou Village \/ Gaochang","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Turpan was a center of Buddhism until the 8th century, when Islam came to this part of western China. We'll visit the Bezeklik Caves, a cliffside complex of more than 75 rock-cut caves containing remarkable Buddhist murals dating from the 5th to 9th centuries. We also visit Tuyugou, one of the few authentic villages that maintains its old Buddhist traditions despite its conversion to Islam, and we'll have lunch at the vineyard of a local family. Nearby is the ancient city of Gaocheng (“King's City”), once a garrison town and later the capital of the Uighur people. We'll explore the vast site and fragments of the ancient city walls that were built over 2,000 years ago, then visit a keraz well, an ancient irrigation system from the Han Dynasty and considered to be one of the greatest engineering projects of ancient China.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":16,"DayTo":19,"Headline":"Urumqi \/ Kashgar","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"At Urumqi's Xinjiang Regional Museum, we'll enjoy a private presentation on the region's archaeological discoveries and view terracotta figures, pottery, porcelain, weapons, silk, scriptures, and ancient mummies. Flying to Kashgar, an ancient Silk Road marketplace where great swathes of disparate groups from all across Asia once came to trade, we explore the Abakh Khoja, a masterpiece of Uygur Islamic architecture, and visit the legendary Kashgar Sunday Market by donkey cart. We'll have a chance to roam amid the aromas of fresh-baked breads, cumin, pepper, and grilled lamb, and watch the spirited negotiations of traders haggling over everything from camels, sheep, silk, spices, and fruits to household goods. 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Overview
For 2,000 years, the Silk Road was the principal artery for caravans traveling between China and Europe laden with textiles, spices, gold—and ideas, philosophies, and religions. On this adventure with veteran Trip Leader Roger Williams, we follow the footsteps of Marco Polo from ancient Xi'an, cradle of Chinese history, to fabled Kashgar in China's wild west, a vital hub when silk caravans passed this way a millennium ago. Our route embraces noted historical sites including Xi'an, home of the celebrated Terra Cotta Warriors; Dunhuang, where we explore the cliff-bound Mogao Grottoes, a priceless repository of Chinese Buddhist cave art long lost in the desert; Turpan, close to the ancient city of Gaocheng and the Bezeklik Caves, with their strikingly painted mural art; and the legendary Kashgar Sunday market. As we explore, we encounter a range of peoples, from Tibetan Buddhists to Uighur traders, and learn how their cultures and traditions are deeply tied to this mountain and desert realm. There's no other journey in the world quite like this adventure on the storied road across the Far East.
Arrive: Xi'an, China
Depart: Kashgar, China
Highlights
- Xi'an's Terra Cotta Warriors with private museum guide, the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang, the bazaars of Kashgar, including the legendary Sunday Market
- The Silk Road oasis of Turpan, Urumqi's excellent Xinjiang Regional Museum with a private presentation by a senior museum expert
- Uighur home visit, lunch at the vineyard of a local family in Tuyugou
Itinerary
Download Itinerary
Expand All Days
Xi'an, the cradle of Chinese history, is an ancient Silk Road metropolis that has witnessed the rise and fall of 14 imperial dynasties over two millennia. Our explorations here include the famed terra cotta warriors, an astounding army of 8,000 life-sized statues and their steeds buried underground in full regalia and arranged in battle formation. At the Shaanxi History Museum, we'll learn about the ancient Chinese civilization and appreciate some of the museum's very rare treasures. A side trip brings us to Luoyang, where we visit the White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China, and appreciate the precious Buddhist statues, steles, and ancient architecture from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
We visit the Shuilu'an Temple, which houses over 3700 clay Buddha sculptures, and also the Forest of Stone Steles and its finely-inscribed tablets. In Lanzhou, the provincial capital of Gansu, we visit the Gansu Provincial Museum, which features ancient treasures excavated along the Silk Road. Heading to Xiahe (9,186'), located in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, we explore Labrang Monastery and join the local people walking the pilgrimage route around the monastery before dinner at a Tibetan restaurant with local musicians. Returning to Lanzhou, we visit Binglingsi Caves, with its fascinating Buddhist statues and ancient murals set within a peaceful valley.
Set on the edge of the Takla Makan Desert, Dunhuang is a former terminus of the Silk Road. We visit magical Crescent Moon Lake, enjoy a camel ride at the lovely Mingsha Sand Dunes, a chance to watch a beautiful sunset over the desert, and explore the remote Mogao Grottoes, a World Heritage Site housing murals, Buddhist paintings, and statues. Nearby are the Yulin Caves, excavated on both cliffs along the Yulin River. Most of the Buddhist sculptures and mural paintings are works fashioned between the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
Turpan was a center of Buddhism until the 8th century, when Islam came to this part of western China. We'll visit the Bezeklik Caves, a cliffside complex of more than 75 rock-cut caves containing remarkable Buddhist murals dating from the 5th to 9th centuries. We also visit Tuyugou, one of the few authentic villages that maintains its old Buddhist traditions despite its conversion to Islam, and we'll have lunch at the vineyard of a local family. Nearby is the ancient city of Gaocheng (“King's City”), once a garrison town and later the capital of the Uighur people. We'll explore the vast site and fragments of the ancient city walls that were built over 2,000 years ago, then visit a keraz well, an ancient irrigation system from the Han Dynasty and considered to be one of the greatest engineering projects of ancient China.
At Urumqi's Xinjiang Regional Museum, we'll enjoy a private presentation on the region's archaeological discoveries and view terracotta figures, pottery, porcelain, weapons, silk, scriptures, and ancient mummies. Flying to Kashgar, an ancient Silk Road marketplace where great swathes of disparate groups from all across Asia once came to trade, we explore the Abakh Khoja, a masterpiece of Uygur Islamic architecture, and visit the legendary Kashgar Sunday Market by donkey cart. We'll have a chance to roam amid the aromas of fresh-baked breads, cumin, pepper, and grilled lamb, and watch the spirited negotiations of traders haggling over everything from camels, sheep, silk, spices, and fruits to household goods. Depart on Day 19.
Dates & Pricing
Payment & Cancel Schedule
$600 due at time of reservation
90 days prior to departure: Balance
Cancellation & Transfer Schedule
Up to 151 days prior to departure: No charge!
91-150 days prior to departure: $600 per person
90 days or less: 100% of trip cost
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Included
- Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader Roger Williams and local guides
- Accommodations in hotels
- All meals included except 1 dinner as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
- All ground transportation and baggage handling from meeting until departure
- All activities as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
Not Included
- Travel to and from the arrival and departure location as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
- Additional hotel nights outside the trip's scheduled dates
- Optional gratuities to Trip Leaders or staff
- Optional travel insurance
- Other expenses of a personal nature (some alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
- Visa fees
Trip Leaders
Roger Williams
View ProfileWhat the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate. While the trip is not expected to be physically strenuous, the long travel days and transportation conditions may be demanding. This is not designed as a hiking trip, but we do hope to have a few exploration walks of several hours during the journey.
Review Trip Level Details
Fall is a great time to travel along the Silk Road. The weather will likely be quite comfortable, with blue skies most days, but nights can be chilly. No matter what, at high altitude, the weather is unpredictable, and the effect of the wind-chill factor can create very cold conditions. Daytime temperatures range from 50-77°F in Xi'an to 42-80°F in Kashgar.
Overland travel is in minivans and small buses, depending upon the size of the group. Road conditions can be very basic, and trip members should be prepared for a few long drives. Our expedition travels to areas that have experienced very little tourism. We believe that the most important requirements are a spirit of adventure and the understanding that you are visiting a remote and fascinating region.
On this trip, you will spend a couple of days at approximately 9,186 feet, but most elevations will be between 1,000-6,500 feet. Individuals vary widely in their physical response to higher altitudes. It is not uncommon to experience mild headaches or sleeplessness for a day or two when you first arrive at higher elevations. Most people gradually adjust within a few days
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Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
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Our route embraces noted historical sites including Xi'an, home of the celebrated Terra Cotta Warriors; Dunhuang, where we explore the cliff-bound Mogao Grottoes, a priceless repository of Chinese Buddhist cave art long lost in the desert; Turpan, close to the ancient city of Gaocheng and the Bezeklik Caves, with their strikingly painted mural art; and the legendary Kashgar Sunday market. As we explore, we encounter a range of peoples, from Tibetan Buddhists to Uighur traders, and learn how their cultures and traditions are deeply tied to this mountain and desert realm. 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Xi'an, the cradle of Chinese history, is an ancient Silk Road metropolis that has witnessed the rise and fall of 14 imperial dynasties over two millennia. It was the gateway to the west and the starting point of the Silk Road. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Xi'an was thought to be the largest city in the world, linked to many central Asian regions and Europe via the Silk Road. In the evening, we gather for a trip orientation and Welcome Dinner. Overnight at Shangri-La Xi'an.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":2,"DayTo":2,"Headline":"Xi'an \/ Terra Cotta Warriors","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Today we visit the famed site of Xi'an's Terra Cotta Warriors, built by Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of unified China. The site was discovered by accident in 1974 by a group of farmers digging for a new well, and was one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries of all time. Qin Shihuang's astounding army of 8,000 life-sized terra cotta warriors and their steeds was buried underground in full regalia and arranged in battle formation. Each warrior's face is unique, and some warriors were created to resemble members of China's ethnic minorities, indicating the emperor's status as the first conqueror of China. After lunch, we take a leisurely stroll through the city's Muslim Quarter for a glimpse into the local way of life, which derives as much from the ancient cultures of Central Asia as from China. For over 1,300 years, Muslims have been an integral part of the colorful daily life of Xi'an. We also visit the Great Mosque, noted for its remarkable architecture and history. In the evening we enjoy dinner at a time-honored dumpling restaurant and learn from the chef how to make these delicious treats. Overnight at Shangri-La Xi'an.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":3,"DayTo":3,"Headline":"Luoyang \/ Longmen Grottoes","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We take a high-speed bullet train to Luoyang (about 1.5 hours, first class seats). Here we'll visit the White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China, and appreciate the precious Buddhist statues, steles, and ancient architecture from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. We'll also visit the nearby Qiyun Pagoda, a well-preserved pagoda from the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234). In the afternoon, we head to the Longmen Grottoes, a World Heritage Site that's considered a masterpiece of both Buddhist art and Chinese calligraphy. Most of the caves were built by the royal families of Northern Wei Dynasty (386-557) and Tang Dynasty (618-907). Boarding a high-speed bullet train, we return to Xi'an in the early evening. Dinner is on your own this evening. Overnight at Shangri-La Xi'an.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":4,"DayTo":4,"Headline":"Xi'an \/ Shaanxi History Museum \/ Wild Goose Pagoda","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Through its well organized and fascinating world-class exhibits, Shaanxi History Museum displays the rich historical and cultural heritage of the region. As we visit the museum, we'll learn about the ancient Chinese civilization and appreciate some of the museum's very rare treasures. We'll also have special access to the underground Tang Dynasty Murals, where an English-speaking expert will offer interesting and insightful views that will bring these ancient paintings alive. After lunch, we visit Xi'an's towering Wild Goose Pagoda. A masterpiece of the Tang Dynasty Buddhist architecture, Wild Goose Pagoda was built in the 7th century AD by Emperor Gao Zong to honor the work of the Buddhist monk Xuan Zang, who traveled to India in disguise to find and translate the original Sanskrit Buddhist texts. Today this quaint pagoda is often taken as the symbol of historic Xi'an. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":5,"DayTo":5,"Headline":"Xi'an \/ Shuilu'an Temple","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"This morning we head to the Shuilu'an Temple at the foot of Wangshun Mountain. The temple houses a collection of more than 3700 delicately painted clay Buddha sculptures dating back to the Sui Dynasty (518-619). These pieces tell a story of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, and their intertwined histories in China. After lunch at a local restaurant, we return to Xi'an City to visit the Forest of Stone Steles, a museum of ancient stone carvings inside a former Confucian temple. The stone tablets and sculptures are inscribed with fine calligraphy depicting poetry, literature, and religious and historical facts. We'll have the opportunity to learn the art of Chinese calligraphy from our own local master. Dinner this evening will be on your own.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":6,"DayTo":6,"Headline":"Xi'an \/ Lanzhou (5,000')","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"This morning, we'll visit the great archaeological discoveries at Hanyangling Mausoleum. Built at the base of the imperial mausoleum of Emperor Jing and Empress Wang (Western Han Dynasty, 206 BC-24 AD), this underground museum showcases a large collection of exquisite cultural relics excavated from the site, especially the beautifully-painted pottery sculptures of dancers, servants, civilians, and farm animals. In the afternoon, we transfer to the Xi'an train station and take a bullet train to Lanzhou, the provincial capital of Gansu. Situated between the vast Tibetan and Loess plateaus, and bordering six other provinces and autonomous regions, Gansu province offers a distinctive glimpse into Silk Road history and ancient Buddhist history and practices. Overnight at Crowne Plaza Lanzhou.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":7,"DayTo":7,"Headline":"Lanzhou \/ Xiahe (9,186')","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"This morning we visit the Gansu Provincial Museum, which features ancient treasures excavated along the Silk Road including the delicate brick mural “Postman” and the mysterious Galloping Horse. We then drive to Xiahe, with a lunch stop at Linxia, a Muslim town dubbed “the little Mecca of China.” We'll appreciate the intricately-carved brick walls at the nearby Da Gong Bei (Grand Gombai, or Grand Mausoleum), an Islamic complex surrounded the mausoleum of Qi Jingyi (1656-1719). Afterwards, we continue our journey and reach Xiahe (9,186'), located in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Xiahe Labrang Aviation Hotel.\r\nDriving Details: 155 miles, 4 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":8,"DayTo":8,"Headline":"Xiahe \/ Labrang Monastery","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Nestled at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, Labrang Monastery is the religious center of the Amdo Tibetan area, and the largest Buddhist monastic university in the entire Tibetan area. We'll join the local people walking the pilgrimage route around the monastery, explore the vast monastery complex, and visit the Tibetan medicine college and the sutra-debating courtyard. In the afternoon, we visit the monastery's sutra-printing house and try our hand at ancient woodblock printing. The remainder of the day is free to wander around the bustling Xiahe market. In the evening, we enjoy dinner at a Tibetan restaurant as local musicians join us with their beautiful singing and dancing performance. Overnight at Xiahe Labrang Aviation Hotel.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":9,"DayTo":9,"Headline":"Xiahe \/ Lanzhou","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We return to Lanzhou, stopping along the way to take a speedboat to Binglingsi Caves (also known as Bingling Temple). Apart from the fascinating Buddhist statues and ancient murals set within a peaceful valley, Binglingsi Caves is characterized by its picturesque surroundings of jagged mountain cliffs overlooking the meandering Yellow River. The remainder of the day is free to take a stroll along the Yellow River, or visit a local market. Overnight at Crowne Plaza Lanzhou.\r\nDriving Details: 208 miles, 5.5 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":10,"DayTo":10,"Headline":"Lanzhou \/ Dunhuang (3,747')","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We transfer to the airport this morning and fly to Dunhuang, a former terminus of the Silk Road set on the edge of the Takla Makan Desert. For Silk Road traders and the missionary monks of Buddhism traveling east to west, Dunhuang was the first major oasis. In the late afternoon, we'll visit magical Crescent Moon Lake and enjoy a camel ride at the lovely Mingsha Sand Dunes, a chance to watch a beautiful sunset over the desert. Overnight at Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":11,"DayTo":11,"Headline":"Dunhuang \/ Mogao Grottoes","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We head out to the remote Mogao Grottoes (also known as “the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas”), located on the western cliffs of the Singing Sands Mountains. These 492 grottoes, a World Heritage Site, honeycomb a giant cliff face and house murals, Buddhist paintings, and statues. Artifacts discovered at Dunhuang span from the Northern and Western Wei to Northern Zhou and Tang dynasties, and include what is believed to be one of the oldest printed books in the world, dating back to 868 AD. During our visit, we will have special access to Cave 45 with its clay figures, and Cave 158, which houses a 45-foot-long Sleeping Buddha. We return to our hotel in Dunhuang for dinner and overnight.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":12,"DayTo":12,"Headline":"Yulin Caves","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Today we'll discover more wonderful Buddhist art at the Yulin Caves. Excavated on both cliffs along the Yulin River, these caves are considered the sister caves of the Mogao Caves. There are 43 preserved caves, and most of the Buddhist sculptures and mural paintings are works fashioned between the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). At Cave 25, the vivid mural paintings are considered a rare treasure and a masterpiece from the mid-Tang dynasty. In Caves 2 and 3, two murals depicting the monk Xuan Zang's journey for Buddhist scriptures were painted during the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227), 300 years earlier than the Ming Dynasty novel “Journey to the West”. In Cave 3, the mural “Thousand Hands Avalokitesvara” offers valuable information to study the social life and agricultural technique of the Western Xia Dynasty. The 25-meter Maitreya Buddha stature at Cave 6 and the lifelike sculptures of the Eighteen Arhats at Cave 11 are also worth a visit. Return to Dunhuang in the late afternoon and overnight at the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel.\r\nDriving Details: 235 miles, 4 hours (total)","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":13,"DayTo":13,"Headline":"Dunhuang \/ Turpan \/ Jiaohe (1,132')","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"The morning is free to relax, but if we're up for it, we can visit Dunhuang Museum, with its priceless documents and written sutras from Cave 17 of the Mogao Caves, and other valuable relics excavated from the area, including the rare Kylin brick. Later, we drive to Liuyuan South Railway Station and board a bullet train to Turpan (about 3.5 hours, first class seats), an oasis in the Takla Makan Desert. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel to check in. Before dinner, we'll watch the sunset at the nearby Jiaohe Ruins, the remains of a nearly 2,000-year-old fortress set atop a steep cliff. Dinner at a nearby local restaurant. Overnight at Shuangcheng Hotel.\r\nDriving Details: 87 miles, 2 hours (to the train station)","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":14,"DayTo":14,"Headline":"Bezeklik Caves \/ Tuyugou Village \/ Gaochang","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Turpan was a center of Buddhism until the 8th century, when Islam came to this part of western China. East of Turpan at the foot of the Flaming Mountains lies the Bezeklik Caves, a cliffside complex of more than 75 rock-cut caves containing remarkable Buddhist murals dating from the 5th to 9th centuries. We also visit Tuyugou, one of the few authentic villages that maintains its old Buddhist traditions despite its conversion to Islam, and we'll have lunch at the vineyard of a local family here. We next explore Mazar, a peaceful village where old Uygur traditions are well kept. Here we'll head to the nearby mountainside and discover a group of ancient Buddhist caves with frescoes. Nearby is the ancient city of Gaocheng (“King's City”). Once a garrison town and later the capital of the Uighur people, Gaocheng was laid out in the first century BC and abandoned in the 15th century. The royal dead of Gaocheng's Tang Dynasty period (AD 618-907) were buried at the Astana Tombs nearby. We'll explore the vast site and fragments of the ancient city walls that were built over 2,000 years ago. Return to Turpan, with time to walk around the old town before dinner. Overnight at Shuangcheng Hotel.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":15,"DayTo":15,"Headline":"Turpan \/ Keraz Well \/ Urumqi (6,435')","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Visit Turpan's Emin Minaret and the mosque, and study the elegant architecture of this ancient Islamic site. Later we visit a keraz well, an ancient irrigation system also from the Han Dynasty. The keraz underground irrigation system installed in the Turfan valley 2,000 years ago is considered to be one of the greatest engineering projects of ancient China. Water from the glaciers of the nearby Tian Shan Mountains were conducted down to Turpan through hundreds of miles of tunnels, all dug by hand. The tunnels turned waterless Turpan into an agricultural oasis famous for its delicious sweet melons, grapes, apricots, and other produce. Afterwards, we take a one-hour bullet train ride to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum, where archaeological treasures from the Silk Road and Xinjiang's minority cultures are on display. The museum includes objects such as terracotta figures, pottery, porcelain, weapons, silk, and scriptures. In particular, the museum has several ancient mummies whose attire attests to both the diversity and wealth found along the Silk Road thousands of years ago. Overnight at the Hilton Urumqi Hotel.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":16,"DayTo":16,"Headline":"Urumqi \/ Kashgar (4,167') \/ Sunday Market","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Kashgar, the largest oasis city in Chinese Central Asia. It is an ancient Silk Road marketplace where great swathes of disparate groups from all across Asia once came to trade, often arriving on camel caravans that stretched for miles. In the afternoon, we take a traditional donkey cart to visit the Kashgar Sunday Market. The legendary market, one of Asia's greatest gatherings of traders, offers a chance to roam amid the aromas of fresh-baked breads, cumin, pepper, and grilled lamb, and watch the spirited negotiations of traders haggling over everything from camels, sheep, silk, spices, and fruits to household goods. Traditional Uighur craftsmen—metalsmiths, blacksmiths, coppersmiths, cobblers, hat-makers, and woodworkers—make all kinds of goods by hand and supply the local farmers and shepherds with the wares of daily life. Dinner and overnight at the Radisson Blu Kashgar.\r\n\r\nKashgar: A desert oasis with an end-of-the-world feeling, Kashgar is located 600 miles southwest of Urumqi and 80 miles east of the Russian border. This famously isolated city of walled adobe compounds was the launching pad for many Tibet, Pamir, and Karakoram expeditions in the 18th and 19th centuries and was also a major center for the Great Game, the shadowy diplomatic jousting match between Britain and Russia for dominance over Central Asia. Although Kashgar is modernizing and the old city walls have been torn down, it still has an exotic atmosphere, with its population of Uighurs, Tajiks, Kirghiz, and Uzbek peoples. The bazaars are the focus of life in Kashgar, and are crowded with a variety of donkey carts and bicycles.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":17,"DayTo":17,"Headline":"Kashgar","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Outside of town is the Abakh Khoja Mausoleum (also known as the Mausoleum of Xiang Fei), a masterpiece of Uygur Islamic architecture. After visiting the site, we return to Kashgar and visit the Gaotai Ancient Homes to learn the history of the centuries-old neighborhood of Kashgar Old Town. This evening, we enjoy dinner at Chini Bagh (the former British Consulate), and enjoy one of the most famous Xinjiang dishes—whole roasted lamb. Overnight at the Radisson Blu Kashgar.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":18,"DayTo":18,"Headline":"Kashgar","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"After breakfast, we visit the Id Kah Mosque, spiritual center of Kashgar and the largest mosque in China. Built in 1442 and located in the center of the city, the grand Islamic structure of this mosque, with its central dome and flanking minarets, is a stark contrast to the many Chinese-style mosques in Xi'an. We also tour the nearby marketplace, and visit a local workshop for handmade musical instruments. At the old neighborhood, we step into a local Uygur family's courtyard home, have tea, and chat with the family members about their daily life. After lunch, we go for a leisurely stroll at the People's Square, and learn the story of the great statue of Chairman Mao. Erected in 1969, the statue is one of the few large-scale statues of Mao remaining in China. We'll spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the colorful market (also commonly known as the Dongmen Grand Bazaar) for all kinds of regional handicrafts, as well as a nearby market for local fruits and melons for which Xinjiang is famous. In the evening, we gather for our festive Farewell Dinner. Overnight at the Radisson Blu Kashgar.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":19,"DayTo":19,"Headline":"Depart","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Transfer to the airport for departure on homeward-bound flights.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":1,"DayTo":4,"Headline":"Xi'an \/ Longmen Grottoes","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Xi'an, the cradle of Chinese history, is an ancient Silk Road metropolis that has witnessed the rise and fall of 14 imperial dynasties over two millennia. Our explorations here include the famed terra cotta warriors, an astounding army of 8,000 life-sized statues and their steeds buried underground in full regalia and arranged in battle formation. At the Shaanxi History Museum, we'll learn about the ancient Chinese civilization and appreciate some of the museum's very rare treasures. 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If it isn't the surplus of knowledge Roger brings when he leads a trip that makes him so unique, then it may be his awareness for cultural preservation that keep trip members so loyal to his new adventures. “There should be a rating higher than excellent for Roger,” one client wrote after her journey with Roger. “His knowledge, energy, planning, and attentiveness are superlative.”","BioLong":"Roger Williams has been one of our most versatile guides since 1986, and he shows no sign of stopping. He spent eight years studying Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhist iconography, Himalayan languages, and woodblock art in Nepal, and another two years studying Japanese woodblock art, Japanese language, and Shingon Shu, an esoteric sect of Japanese Buddhism in Japan. If it isn't the surplus of knowledge Roger brings when he leads a trip that makes him so unique, then it may be his awareness for cultural preservation that keep trip members so loyal to his new adventures. Each year, Roger works with WT to design new trips in fascinating areas. He has led in such far-flung locations as Iran, Pakistan, northern Afghanistan, Kamchatka, Burma, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Madagascar. When he's not leading, you can find Roger in Berkeley, California, where he is the director of Snow Lion Graphics\/SLG Books, a publishing house specializing in Asian cultures. “There should be a rating higher than excellent for Roger,” one trip member wrote after her journey with Roger. “His knowledge, energy, planning, and attentiveness are superlative.”"}],"guestreviews":[{}],"Extensions":[{}],"SimilarTrips":[{"TripID":10437,"SimilarTripID":10422,"Trip_Code":"TRCASPAN","Trip_Name":"Caspian Odyssey Rail Journey"},{"TripID":10437,"SimilarTripID":10297,"Trip_Code":"CENASIA","Trip_Name":"Central Asia Explorer"},{"TripID":10437,"SimilarTripID":10250,"Trip_Code":"GREATGAM","Trip_Name":"The Great Game"},{"TripID":10437,"SimilarTripID":10546,"Trip_Code":"ULTUZBEK","Trip_Name":"Ultimate Uzbekistan"}],"Specialists":[{}],"TripSegments":[{"VendorID":73455,"ProductID":84662,"SelectType":"Mandatory","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Internal Flight","Vendor":"Starry Expeditions","Address1":"","Address2":"","City":"","State":"","Postal":"","Product":"Internal Air","Day":1,"Sequence":1,"Duration":1,"PropertyDescription":"","ItinBlock":"","VendorPhoto":"","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false},{"VendorID":11,"ProductID":54,"SelectType":"Optional","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Single Supplement","Vendor":"Wilderness Travel","Address1":"1102 Ninth Street","Address2":"","City":"Berkeley","State":"CA","Postal":"94710","Product":"Single Supplement","Day":1,"Sequence":2,"Duration":1,"PropertyDescription":"","ItinBlock":"<\/p>","VendorPhoto":"","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false}],"CustomFields":{"Custom_Trip_Level_5":"","Custom_Trip_Name_Addendum":"","Custom_Welcome_Letter_Addendum":"","Custom_Welcome_Email_Send_List":"","Custom_Welcome_Insurance_Intro":"Due to the remote nature of this trip, insurance for emergency medical evacuation is required, which you can purchase through Wilderness Travel or on your own. ","Custom_FI_Optional_Donation_Text":"","Custom_Final_Docs_Letter_Send_List":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Trip_Sales_Points":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_TP_Trip_Sales_Points":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Payment_Terms":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Region":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Region_Sales_Points":"","Custom_Hiking_Poles":"","Custom_Daypack":"","Custom_Vaccination_Card":"","Custom_FB_Packing_Reminders_-_MISC_1":"","Custom_FB_Additional_Notes_-_MISC_1":"","Custom_FB_Additional_Notes_-_MISC_2":"","Custom_Arrival":"","Custom_Arrival-_Meeting_Place":"","Custom_Arrival_Transfer":"","Custom_Departure":"","Custom_Extra_Services":"","Custom_Contact_Information_for_Friends_and_Family":"","Custom_Outfitter_Contacts_Left":"","Custom_Outfitter_Contacts_Right":"","Custom_Valid_Passport_Alternative":"","Custom_Visa":"","Custom_FB_Before_You_Go_-_MISC_1":"","Custom_FB_Before_You_Go_-_MISC_2":"","Custom_Luggage_Requirements":"","Custom_Carry-On":"","Custom_name_slug":"china-xian-kashgar-silk-road-tour","Custom_Meta_Description":"From Xi'an to Kashgar in China, follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo on this cultural journey on the fabled Silk Road. 19 days. 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From Xi'an to Xinjiang<\/body>","Custom_Lodging":"18 nights hotels","Custom_Meals":"All meals included except 1 dinner","Custom_Activity":"","Custom_Difficulty":"Cultural exploration and walking tours, some overland travel","Custom_Currency_Exchange_Rate":"","Custom_Fuel_Surcharge":"","Custom_Signing_Up_For_a_Trip_-_Email":"","Custom_Optional_Hotel_Upgrades_-_This_Year":"","Custom_Optional_Hotel_Upgrades_-_Next_Year":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like":"This trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate<\/strong>. While the trip is not expected to be physically strenuous, the long travel days and transportation conditions may be demanding. This is not designed as a hiking trip, but we do hope to have a few exploration walks of several hours during the journey.","Custom_Terrain":"","Custom_Getting_in_Shape":"","Custom_Weather":"Fall is a great time to travel along the Silk Road. The weather will likely be quite comfortable, with blue skies most days, but nights can be chilly. No matter what, at high altitude, the weather is unpredictable, and the effect of the wind-chill factor can create very cold conditions. Daytime temperatures range from 50-77\u00b0F in Xi'an to 42-80\u00b0F in Kashgar.","Custom_Accommodations":"","Custom_Cuisine":"","Custom_Transportation":"Overland travel is in minivans and small buses, depending upon the size of the group. Road conditions can be very basic, and trip members should be prepared for a few long drives. Our expedition travels to areas that have experienced very little tourism. We believe that the most important requirements are a spirit of adventure and the understanding that you are visiting a remote and fascinating region.<\/p>","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Header_1":"
Altitude<\/p>","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Text_1":"
On this trip, you will spend a couple of days at approximately 9,186 feet, but most elevations will be between 1,000-6,500 feet. Individuals vary widely in their physical response to higher altitudes. It is not uncommon to experience mild headaches or sleeplessness for a day or two when you first arrive at higher elevations. Most people gradually adjust within a few days<\/p>","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Header_2":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Text_2":"","Custom_Trip_Level_Note_1":"","Custom_Trip_Level_Note_2":"","System_Choosing_the_Right_Trip":"
Adventure travel often involves exotic destinations, unusual loris of physical exertion, or activities you ma not have participated in previously. We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please call Wilderness Travel at 1-800-368-2794 and ask for the<\/p>","System_References":"
We'd be happy to put you in touch with a past client that has traveled with us on this trip.<\/p>","System_Visit_Our_Website":"
At customercases.petitserif.com<\/a>, you can find out about added departures, last-minute deals, and special WT Expeditions that aren't listed in our catalog. You can also access a complete library of our detailed itineraries and browse the customized reading guides for each of our adventures.<\/p>","System_Helpful_Links":"Wilderness Travel has compiled a list of useful websites for travelers. Find the Toucan Club tab on the home page of our website and choose Helpful Links: customercases.petitserif.com\/ toucan\/links<\/a>.<\/p>","System_About_Private_Journeys":"Wilderness Travel Private Journeys are designed for people who want to travel with their own small private group, but who still want to experience the same superb itinerary design, great accommodations, and signature quality of Wilderness Travel's escorted group trips. These Private Journeys allow you to choose your own dates and your traveling companions -- even if it's just the two of you -- yet still enjoy a guided adventure.<\/p>","System_About_New_Trips":"","System_Social_Media":"
SOCIAL MEDIA:<\/strong> We invite you to share your adventure with us on social media. Tag @wildernesstravel and we may even feature your content on our pages!<\/p>","System_If_You_Miss_Your_Flight":"IF YOU MISS YOUR FLIGHT<\/strong>
If you miss your flight or are otherwise delayed, contact our Wilderness Travel office, as well as our local partners, with your new flight information. Refer to the Emergency Contact Information listed in this Final Bulletin.<\/p>","System_Valid_Passport":"VALID PASSPORT:<\/strong> Check that your passport is valid for at least six months from the last day of your trip, and that you have at least two blank pages for any necessary visa or entry and exit stamps.<\/p>","System_Insurance_Policy":"INSURANCE POLICY:<\/strong> If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan, you should have received an email confirmation of your policy. Please bring a digital or printed copy of this policy with you. If you cannot find your email confirmation, please contact Travelex's Customer Solutions team at 844-877-1885 or e-mail customersolutions@travelexinsurance.com. If you have not purchased Travelex insurance already, you have the option to do so up to 24 hours prior to your departure.<\/p>","System_Covid-19_Travel_Requirements":"COVID-19 TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:<\/strong> Please double-check COVID-19 entry requirements for any countries you may be traveling to or transiting through, on this website: apply.joinsherpa.com\/travel-restrictions<\/a><\/p>","System_Pre-Trip_Safety":"PRE-TRIP SAFETY:<\/strong> In the next weeks, we encourage you to do everything possible to stay healthy. Please practice social distancing, steer clear of potential COVID-19 exposure, and take an at-home antigen or lab based PCR test before you depart.<\/p>","System_Wilderness_Travel_Office":"Our office in Berkeley, California can be reached at 510-558-2488, or by email at info@petitserif.com. We are available during regular business hours (M-F, 8:30 am-5:00 pm, PST). <\/p>","System_ECI_Travel_Insurance":"
If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan through Wilderness Travel, please remember to bring your Confirmation of Coverages (COC) with you on the trip, including your Plan Number and important emergency contact information.<\/p>
If you've purchased a travel protection plan on your own, we recommend that you bring a copy of your policy, including all coverages, with you on your trip.<\/p>","System_Face_Masks_and_Hand_Sanitizer":"","System_DidNotPurchase_Insurance":"
Travel Insurance: We recommend that you purchase travel insurance for this trip. For your convenience, we offer Travelex travel protection. Please let us know if you would like us to add the Travelex Travel Protection Plan to this final invoice. You can learn more about the policy on our website<\/a>.<\/p>","System_Purchased_Insurance":"Please remember to bring a copy of your Travelex Confirmation of Coverage and State Specific Policy with you on your trip. You should have received an email directly from Travelex with these documents. If you need this email to be re-sent, please contact Travelex's Customer Solutions team at 844-877-1885 or e-mail customersolutions@travelexinsurance.com.
","System_Questions?":"Our Area Specialists are you single point of contact and would be happy to answer any questions about yout trip!
800.368.2794 | 510.558.2488<\/p>","System_Travel_Insurance":"