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Inter-Cultural Arts Exchange

The Silk Road to Xian

Islamabad - Day 1
After clearing Customs & Immigration, you are met at the exit gate by our representative for the transfer to the hotel. Afternoon tour includes the Shakarparian Garden, which gives us a magnificent view of Islamabad before driving past various modern government buildings, graceful with a touch of Islamic design and architecture. Next visit is to one of the world's largest mosque, named after the lake King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, the mosque also houses an Islamic University specializing in Islamic Philosophy and Law.

Islamabad - Taxila - Peshwar - Day 2
Morning brief tour of the old garrison town of Rawalpindi and the new, planned capital of Islamabad. Visit the ancient village of Saidpur, and stop at the Institute of Folk Heritage, a small, neatly decorated ethnological museum displaying numerous costumes and artifacts from all over Pakistan. Afternoon depart for Taxila, once the seat of oriental culture. It is famous for the rare specimens of stucco from the Gandhara period excavated from Sirkap and various Buddhist Stupas & Monasteries. The museum houses various objects and sculptures dating from the 4th century B.C. to the 5th century A.D. The excations are spread out over and area of 8 km. Continue on to Peshawar. .

Peshwar - Day 3
This morning we visit the historic Khyber Pass. The Pass has been the silent witness to countless great events in the history of mankind. It has been conquered by the Greeks, ruled by the Buddhists, destroyed by the Huns, rebuilt by the Brahmins and still later invaded by the great Moghuls. It is reputed that the army of Alexander the Great of Macedonia crossed this pass in 327 B.C. Afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour of Peshawar. The Peshawar Museum houses a rich treasure of art, sculpture and historical relics dating from the Gandhara period (300 BC to 300 AD) to modern times. After a visit to the museum,we journey to Yadgar Square and visit Mahabat Khan Mosque, a beautiful towering structure with lofty minarets. We then be driven through old Peshawar to the popular Qissa Khawani Bazaar (street of story-tellers), the Peshawar Pottery Works, Bater Bazaar (street of partridge lovers) and Mochi Lara, famous for its exquisitely embroidered sandals. Peshawar is a colorful and cosmopolitan city and many different peoples gather here; afghans, Iranis, Uzbeks, Tajeks, Afridis and Shinwaris all add to the excitement.

Peshwar - Swat - Besham - Day 4
Morning depart for the enchanting Swat Valley and tour Saidu Shariff, the capital city. Itís named after the Moslem divinity, Saidu. Here we will visit the Swat Museum which has a rich collection of Gandhara Art obtained from sites in the region, then Mingora, the commercial centre of Swat. We then continue on to cross the spectacular Shangla Pass to Besham.

Besham - Gilgit- Day 5
Driving on the world famous Karakorum Highway with majestic scenery and cultural experiences till we reach the ancient silk route town of Gilgit, the administrative centre of Northern Pakistan.

Gilgit - Hunza - Day 6
Morning tour of Gilgit, visiting a local school, the home of a Gilgiton and the market. We'll also visit the impressive rock carvings of the Buddha near Kargah. It is likely that a trade route linking southern China with the neighbouring countries once ran along this route. Followed by a spectacular drive to Karimabad, Hunza, long renowned as the original Shangri-la. The people here are famous for their longevity and simple, uncomplicated life.

Hunza - Day 7
Morning visit Altit and Baltit forts before continuing on to the northern Hunza Valley. Along the way are fantastic views of Rakaposhi and the other mountain giants. High snowcapped mountains surround the village of Hoper. Hoper offers a fine view of Ultar Peak and Barpu glacier. A leisurely stroll through the tiny picturesque village will give you an opportunity to observe the everyday life of the countryside. Hoper is another popular trekking spot, offering a natural blend of ruggedness and scenic beauty.

Hunza - Tashkurgan - Day 8
Journey over the Khunjerab Pass into China, we cross the highest elevated border crossing in the world arriving at Tashkurgan late afternoon. The city has a very Tajik rural setting.

Tashkurgan - Kashgar - Day 9
Along side the Muztaghata in the Pamir range we halt at the Karakuli where a reflection of the scenery over the still lake is unsurmountable. Continue to Kashgar.

Kashgar - Urumqoi - Day 10
Kashgar is over 2,000 years old and has been very important, exotic and colourful to the travellers of the ancient Silk Road. Enjoy the famous Sunday Kashgar Market, this popular bazaar is a scene of various Central Asian nationalities gathered together to sell or barter from a chicken to a camel. There are not many places in the world where horses and camels are still test-ridden with all the seriousness of the pre-internal combustion age. The whole trip is worth it just for this day - have plenty of film ready. Next visit is the Id Kah Mosque, built in 1442, this is Xinjiang's biggest mosque. Then the Abakh Hoja Tomb, Kashgar's finest piece of Islamic architecture, it's famous for its green tiled dome, is the centrepiece of a burial complex wherein lie 72 bodies from five generations of the same noble Uighur family. When it was built, no-one can agree. Opinions range from 1640 to the late 18th century. Its first occupant was a Muslim missionary called Yusuf Hoja, but itís named after his more famous son, Abakh Hoja or Abkhoja, who became leader of a local Islamic sect and in some accounts ruler of Kashgar, and died in 1693. Evening transfer to the airport for flight to Urumqi ,the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, situated at the northern foot of the snow-capped Tianshan Mountains. Meet & transfer to the hotel.

Urumqoi - Turpan - Day 11
Morning tour of Urumqi includes the Museum of National Minorities and History, the hsitory section in its right wing includes bodies from Turpan's Astana tombs; the Ardaoqiao Market, a covered street of food & textile stalls. Then a 113 mile journey southeast from here we depart to the oasis of Turpan, which lies in one of the worldís great land depressions, 505 feet below sea level. Known as a "Furnace Town", its summer temperature soars regularly into the 100s Fahrenheit, while the desert rocks are said to reach 170 F. But it is well irrigated and produces much fruit such as seedless grapes and Hami melons. Turpan, was the most important city of the Middle Ancient Silk Route.

Turpan - Liyuan - Day 12
Full day tour to include Gaochang, the Flaming Mountain and the Bezkilik thousand Buddha caves followed by Jiaohe, the Emin Tower and the famous Karez System. Then transfer to the train station for an overnight train ride to Liyuan. The journey is through the desolated countryside on the northern brim of the great Takalamakan Desert.

Liyuan - Dunhuang - Day 13
Arrive Liyuan,we are met & transferred by road to Dunhuang, a 2000 year-old town on the edge of the desert, once an important Silk Road caravan stop and where the silk route splits into north & south and ends 7000 kilometres away on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. This afternoon tour the amazing sand dunes.

Dunhuang - Day 14
Full day tour of the Magao Caves, the oldest Buddhist shrines in China. These ancient hand-carved shrines are a national treasure and represent a thousand years of devotion to Buddha between the 2nd and 12th centuries.

Dunhuang - Xian - Day 15
Morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Xian, the capital of Shaanxi Province, was once amongst the largest cities in the world and was also, from the 11th century BC onwards, the capital of 11 dynasties. It was the starting point of the Silk Road and is now, with the exception of Beijing, the most popular tourist attraction in China. Afternoon visit the Chinese cradle of Calligraphy - the museum of forest of stone tablets, the ancient street by the museum and the Big Goose Pagoda.

Xian - Day 16
Morning visit to the most famous sight of the city, the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi and its terracotta figures, over 6000 lifesize warriors and horses buried along with the Qin Dynasty emperor responsible for the unification of China in 200 BC. Next stop is the Banpo Neolithic Village Discovered in 1953, the remains of a village inhabited at the time of about 4500 BC to 3750 BC by the earliest settlers in the area are beautifully displayed with labels in both, Chinese and English.

Xian - Bejing - Day 17
Morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Beijing, the pulse of China. Afternoon tour of the Imperial Palace, the palace of the former emperors of the Ming and the Qing dynasty is also called the 'Forbidden City'. This name is derived from the fact that nobody was allowed inside the city, except the emperor himself, his wifes, concubines and the eunuchs. The entrance is on the north side of the Tienanmen Square.

Bejing - Day 18
This morning transfer to the airport for the departure flight.

Note: Prices based on 2 people, dble occ; for single room add single supplement. All prices subject to change.

Package Includes:

• All land transport
• Accomodations, dble occ, first class category in major cities; best available elsewhere
• Local English speaking guide
• Airport transfers
• Entrance fees to museums and sites
  

Package Does Not Include

• Airport departure taxes
• Tips
• Insurance
• Visa Fees
• Any expenses of a personal nature such as phone, laundry, drinks