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Ulaanbaatar to Istanbul Overview

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‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

Trip Validity

  • 2013-01-01 - 2013-12-31

Explore Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as you travel from Ulaanbaatar to Istanbul.

Travel along one of the world’s oldest trade routes - the Silk Road. Follow in the footsteps of armies, traders and explorers and traverse some of the world's hottest deserts, highest mountains and wildest tribal lands. Explore the ancient cities and cultures that became incredibly rich and powerful through the silk trade, stay with nomads, eat local delicacies, see modern Soviet history's indelible imprint, and walk along the Great Wall. Experience the invigorating mix of European and Asian cultures in Istanbul, visit the central Anatolian plain, journey into amazing Capadoccian Valleys, and uncover ancient civilisations in Georgia, China and Mongolia. Immerse yourself in the ancient tales and culture of this wild and rugged land on the Ulaanbaatar to Istanbul adventure.

  • Admire the Buddhist art at the Mogao Caves
  • Discover the secrets of the Enchanted Valley
  • Explore the hub of East and West in Istanbul
  • Meet local shepherds on a yurt stay
  • Spend time with nomad tribes
  • Travel Overland through the legendary Gobi Desert
  • Visit Mongolia’s renowned national parks
  • Wander through Beijing’s’ Forbidden City

Trip Map


Ulaanbaatar to Istanbul Summary

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Day 48 Bingling Si/Zhangye Bush Camp

Formerly known as Ganzhou, Zhangye was an important stop along the Silk Road and is close to the intriguing multi-coloured Danxia landforms.

Day 49 Jiayuguan/Great Wall

Home to a 14th-century fort and a well-preserved part of the Great Wall, Jiayuguan is a legendary part of the Silk Road marking the line between China and barbarity.

Days 50-51 Dunhuang

Once an important stop on the Silk Road and a city of incredible historical and cultural riches, Dunhuang is a spectacular desert oasis.

Day 52 Bush Camp

Continue the overland adventure towards the ancient oasis town of Turpan. Spend the night wild camping beneath the desert stars.

Days 53-54 Turpan

Once an important staging post on the Silk Road, Turpan is an attractive town famous for its vineyards, stone fruits, melons and the nearby Flaming Mountains.

Days 55-56 Urumqi & The Heavenly Lake

With the bluest of blue waters, tiered mountains of green and white, and soft, billowy clouds moving across the sky, no wonder this is called Heavenly Lake.

Days 57-58 Bush Camp

The Taklamakan Desert covers an immense area of northwest China and while a treacherous part of the Silk Road journey, stunning sunsets and sunrises have long enthralled travellers.

Day 59-61 Kashgar

Traditionally an important trading city along the Silk Road, Kashgar is still at the crossroads of trade due to its location in the heart of Central Asia.

Day 62 Karakol

Set off early to get to stunning Lake Karakol. Spend the day wallowing in the surrounds of this magnificent setting.

Day 63 Kashgar

Hike the lakeside mountains or ride the perimeter of the lake on horseback to wear yourself out before the drive back to Kashgar. Take time out in comfort this evening to relax and recuperate.

Day 64 Bush Camp

Take a good book as today's lengthy border crossing meanders through the Torugart pass and into Kyrgyzstan.

Day 65 Kochkor

Spend some time getting to know the locals of Kochkor with a traditional Kyrgyz homestay and experience a glimpse of daily life.

Days 66-67 Bishkek

Driving into the capital city, explore the crowded bazaars and vast bustling squares of this modern city.

Days 68-69 Chong Kemin Valley

Set off on a leisurely hike along Chong Kemin River. Or if feeling adventurous, perhaps tackle one of the tough 4000 m passes.

Day 70 Karakol

Enjoy the remote, picturesque town of Kara-kol, complete with quaint tree-lined streets and colonial houses.

Days 71-72 Djety Oguz Valley

Hike through dramatic canyons and sandstone cliffs in Djety Oguz Valley.

Day 73 Kochkor

Enjoy more traditional Kyrgyz hospitality on a homestay in Kochkor village.

Days 74-75 Song Kul Lake

Stay in traditional yurt accommodation and experience nomad life in the lush pastures surrounding the beautiful Song-Kol Lake.

Days 76-78 Kyrgyz Fergana Valley

Spend a leisurely three days journeying through the stunning mountains and lakes of Kyrgyzstan's Fergana Valley.

Day 79 Arslanbob

Make tracks across the Ferghana Valley to Arslanbob.

Day 80 Kokand/Fergana City

Enter Uzbekistan and see the palace of the former Khan of Kokand.

Days 81-82 Tashkent

Shop for fresh produce at Tashkent's Chorsu Bazaar and perhaps grab some Soviet paraphernalia from a market.

Days 83-85 Samarkand

Travel to one of Central Asia's most magical cities, Uzbekistan’s Samarkand. Discover the romance of the Silk Road in this perfectly preserved city full of exotic architecture and majestic buildings.

Day 86 Yurt Stay

Spend a night in a yurt camp with the local nomads, sleeping among the dunes of the Red Desert.

Days 87-89 Bukhara

Get to know Central Asia's holiest city, where the combination of buildings spanning a thousand years and a thoroughly lived-in Old Town combine to create an awe-inspiring atmosphere.

Days 90-91 Khiva

Gaze up at the ancient walls surrounding Khiva and imagine how they once provided sanctuary for weary Silk Road travellers. Explore the historic and perfectly preserved Old Town, beautifully decorated in classic turquoise tiles.

Day 92 Kunye Urgench

Follow a local trading route through harsh desert sands, and meet the nomadic people who call this inhospitable region home.

Day 93 Darwasa

Drive across the Karakum Desert. If time allows, see the amazing Darvaza Gas Crater.

Days 94-96 Ashgabat

Marvel at the futuristic architecture of Ashgabat's skyline. Spy the world's largest hand-woven rug or learn about the city's traumatic history at the Earthquake Museum.

Day 97 Geok Tepe

Travel to the spectacular Kow Ata underground lake. Take a walk around - and perhaps dip a foot into - the incongruously warm waters before continuing on and making camp for the night.
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What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

  • Finish:

    Istanbul, Turkey

  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 21

  • Ages:

    Min 18

  • Meals:

    All meals when camping

  • Accommodation:

    Bush camp (no facilities) (31 nts), Camping (with facilities) (5 nts), Cave house (1 nt), Guesthouse (3 nts), Homestay (6 nts), Hostel (1 nt), Hotel (55 nts), Overnight ferry (1 nt), Yurt (11 nts)

  • Transport:

    Overland vehicle, Overnight ferry

  • Included activities:

    Baku City Tour, Bingli Si Buddah Caves, entrance, Lanzhou, Bisu Shanzhuang, Black Dragon Temple, Chinggis Khan Monument, City Tour, Bukhara, Darwasa Gas Crater, Erdene Zuu Monastery Entrance, Forbidden City Tour, Fort & Wall Entrance Jiayuguan, Guided Tour of Cappadocia, Guided Tour of Terracotta Warriors, Guided visits to Bibi Hanum Mosque & Shakh-I-Zinda, Registan Square & Tamerlane's Tomb, Hanging Monastery, Entrance, Datong, Hike to Tuvkhon Monastery, Hiking, Jaohe Ruins, Turpan, Kashgar - Sunday & Animal Bazaars, Khan's Palace, Kochkor - Women's Felt Co-op, Kokand Khan's Palace and Mosque, Kow Ata Underground Lake, Kultigen monument, Maogao Grottoes, Entrance, incl local guide,Dunhuang, Mud Volcanoes, Museum of History, Ongii Monastery Ruins, Petroglyphs, Gobustan, Puning Temple, entrance,, Revolution Museum & Headquarters site, Shaumta Monastery/Nunnery, Stalin Museum, Sumela Monastery, Sunday Market, Taihui Temple Cluster, Tsminda Sameba Church, Turkish Museum, Visit Baga Gazryn Chuluu, Visit Bayan Zag, Visit to ancient ruined city, Visit to old city ruins, Visit to the Great Wall, Visit to the Takhi (wild horse) reintroduction project, Visit to waterfalls, Visit to Yolin Am Ice Canyon

  • Carbon emissions offset:

    4920kg pp per trip

  • Notes:

    1. Some destinations visited on this trip do not have consulates in Australia and New Zealand. We recommend that travellers from these countries book the WESTBOUND itinerary of this trip where some visas can be obtained en route.
    2. Please note that this trip requires minimum numbers to depart, and may be cancelled up until 56 days prior to departure. The places showing on the dates and availability page are an indication only so please contact Intrepid to check if your preferred date will depart before making any final arrangements, such as booking non-changeable flights.
    3. Combination trip. Please see Trip Notes (Important Notes) for more details.
    4. Due to a British government travel warning, from September 2012 this itinerary will no longer be able to visit Iran. It will instead travel from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan and then through Georgia to Turkey.
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About Azerbaijan , China , Georgia , Kyrgyzstan , Mongolia , Turkey , Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan

    • 120
    • CDONC
    • Total price tool tip
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Overland
    • Basix
Book
‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

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