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Istanbul to Xi'an Overview

    • 80
    • KDODC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $7,020
      CAD $7,060
      AUD $6,825
      EUR €5,470
      GBP £4,255
      NZD $8,745
      ZAR R54,565
      CHF FR6,330
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $2,650
      ‡
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $9,670*
      CAD $9,633*
      AUD $9,361*
      EUR €7,319*
      GBP £5,871*
      NZD $11,925*
      ZAR R72,995*
      CHF FR8,426*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Overland
    • Basix
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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 the vast lands of Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Chin

Get ready for a massive overland adventure from the bustling streets of Istanbul to the metropolitan core of Beijing. Travel through some of the planet's most remote, wild and unique wildernesses along the legendary Silk Road into China. Pass through the mountain-scapes of Georgia, pitch a tent beneath the stars in the Karakum Desert, and arrive at secluded sections of the snaking Great Wall. From Turkey to Turkmenistan and beyond, this adventure will introduce you to the friendly and hospitable locals who call these rugged lands home. If you're longing for an epic overland odyssey, away from the tourist crowds and through some of the world's last wild terrains, then this epic journey is just for you.

  • Admire the turquoise tiles in Khiva's Old City
  • Be amazed by the size of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar
  • Chill out in a Bishkek cafe
  • Discover deserted sections of the Great Wall
  • Discover futuristic architecture in Ashgabat
  • Hike through the Kyrgyzstan mountains
  • Stay with a Tajik family in a yurt
  • Travel along the ancient Silk Road

Trip Map


Istanbul to Xi'an Summary

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Day 47 Kochkor

Mingle with friendly locals and relish Kyrgyz hospitality while enjoying a homestay in Kochkor.

Days 48-49 Djety Oguz Valley

Admire the lofty sandstone cliffs in Djety Oguz Valley.

Day 50 Karakol

Discover the remote, picturesque town of Karakol, complete with quaint tree-lined streets and colonial houses.

Days 51-52 Chong Kemin National Park

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

Days 53-54 Bishkek

Why not stroll through Bishkek's markets and haggle for bargains. Alternatively, relaxing in an Oak Park cafe and reflecting on the adventure is another good option!

Day 55 Kochkor

Make Kyrgyz friends on an authentic homestay experience in Kochkor.

Day 56 Bush Camp

Take a good book as today's lengthy border crossing meanders through the Torugart pass and into Kyrgyzstan, past rugged mountains and wild terrain.

Day 57 Kashgar

The striking atmosphere of Kashgar provides a refreshing contrast to the past two days' travel. Soak up the exotic sights, sounds and smells of this unique destination.

Day 58 Karakol

Set off early to get to stunning Lake Karakol. Spend the day wallowing in the surrounds of this magnificent setting before spending the night in traditional yurts.

Days 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.

Days 62-63 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.

Days 64-65 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 66-67 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.

Day 68 Bush Camp

Continue the Overland adventure towards the ancient Silk Road town of Dunhuang. Spend the night wild camping beneath the desert stars.

Days 69-70 Dunhuang

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

Days 71-72 Bush Camp/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 73-74 Liujiaxia

Liujiaxia lies along the Yellow River and is known for its hydroelectric power station and close proximity to the intriguing Bingling Si Caves.

Days 75-76 Xiahe

The colours of Tibet can be seen on the streets of Xiahe, a celebrated town for Tibetans due to the Labrang Monastery and its stunning surrounding landscapes.

Day 77 Lanzhou

With the Yellow River running through the city, Lanzhou has a number of interesting mosques, temples, parks and museums to visit.

Day 78 Pingliang

Pingliang is a city in China's Gansu Province that is overlooked by the beautiful and sacred Kongtong Mountains.

Days 79-80 Xi'an

As the start of the ancient trading route the Silk Road and an imperial centre for 2,000 years, Xi'an has a fascinating history and rich cultural sites to discover.
View full itinerary

What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Istanbul, Turkey

  • Finish:

    Xi'an, China

  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 21

  • Ages:

    Min 18

  • Meals:

    All meals when camping

  • Accommodation:

    Bush camp (no facilities) (16 nts), Camping (with facilities) (5 nts), Guesthouse (2 nts), Homestay (4 nts), Hostel (1 nt), Hotel (28 nts), Yurt (5 nts)

  • Transport:

    Overland vehicle

  • Included activities:

    Animal market, Bukhara - Guided walking tour, Fort & Wall Entrance Jiayuguan, Guided Tour of Cappadocia, Guided visits to Bibi Hanum Mosque & Shakh-I-Zinda, Registan Square & Tamerlane's Tomb, Hiking, Kochkor - Women's Felt Co-op, Kokand Khan's Palace and Mosque, Regional Museum, Stalin Museum, Sumela Monastery, Sunday Market, Tsminda Sameba Church, Visit to ancient ruined city, Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors guided tour

  • Carbon emissions offset:

    3280kg 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 Turkey to Georgia and then through Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan.

  • Trip price from

    USD $7,020
    CAD $7,060
    AUD $6,825
    EUR €5,470
    GBP £4,255
    NZD $8,745
    ZAR R54,565
    CHF FR6,330
    Price information
  • +

    Kitty

    USD $2,650
    ‡ Price information

  • Total price from

    USD $9,670*
    CAD $9,633*
    AUD $9,361*
    EUR €7,319*
    GBP £5,871*
    NZD $11,925*
    ZAR R72,995*
    CHF FR8,426*
    *     Price information
  • * Refer to booking conditions
  • ‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

  • Per day from:

    USD $120
    CAD $120
    AUD $117
    EUR €91
    GBP £73
    NZD $149
    ZAR R912
    CHF FR105
Book

About Azerbaijan , China , Georgia , Kyrgyzstan , Turkey , Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan

    • 80
    • KDODC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $7,020
      CAD $7,060
      AUD $6,825
      EUR €5,470
      GBP £4,255
      NZD $8,745
      ZAR R54,565
      CHF FR6,330
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $2,650
      ‡
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $9,670*
      CAD $9,633*
      AUD $9,361*
      EUR €7,319*
      GBP £5,871*
      NZD $11,925*
      ZAR R72,995*
      CHF FR8,426*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • 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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