Tour code:Tr5.Ch
Departure: Xining |
|
The Silk Road
China Motorcycle Tour
Xining Airport departure
Highlights
The Silk Road – ride your motorcycle and travel hundreds of miles along this unique historic route.
Kashgar – the pearl of the Silk Route, an amazing city where Central Asia merges with China, where Uighurs, Uzbeks, Han, Mongolian and Kyrgyz come together to create a unique atmosphere.
The Taklamakan Desert – riding on the old off-road tracks, over the huge sand dunes of Asia’s wildest desert
The Great Wall of China – an icon for the Chinese nation and culture
Gobi Desert – the fifth largest desert in the world.
Day by day itinerary:
DAY 1, Friday, Xining
Welcome to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. You will be transferred to the Hotel. Briefing and accommodation in Qinghai Huitong Hotel, 4*.
DAY 2, Saturday, Xining
Formalities to obtain the Chinese driver’s license. Take some time to explore the city of Xining. You can admire The North Mountain Temple, a Taoist facility and the Dongguan Mosque. Its beautiful towers, walls and halls make Dongguan Monastery one of the most famous mosques in the northwest region of China. Accommodation in Qinghai Huitong Hotel, 4*.
DAY 3, Sunday, Xining – Kashgar
Fly to Kashgar. Kashgar is one of the most famous cities in western China, once a key place of the Silk Road, rightly called the Pearl of the Silk Road.
Accomodation in Kashgar, Kashi Tianyuan International Hotel, 4*.
DAY 4, Monday, Kasghar - Jotham (520km)
Kashgar offers visits to the Old Town, a relic of the days when Kashgar was a meeting place of the caravans entering or leaving the Taklamakan desert. Don’t miss the famous Sunday Market – one of the largest and most important in Central Asia, the place to visit some of the best craftsmen workshops – skilled craftsmen performing magic in wood, bronze, nickel and silver, workshops for hand made carpets or musical instruments.
Today we will ride trough picturesque small villages such as Uyghur Mosque. The Uighurs form the largest group in Xinjiang. Accommodation in Jotham, Zhejiang Hotel, 4*. Breakfast: 7:30/ Departure: 8:30/ Lunch: 12:30/ Arrival approx.: 19:30/Dinner
DAY 5 Tuesday, Jotham – Mingfeng (300KM)
Jotham is world famous for its deposits of Jade, as well as different crafts using this mineral, considered by the Chinese as the best in the country. Another key point in the silk trade, Jotham is the place where the old looms still retain almost intact the production process used for over 1 000 years. A visit to the Museum of History will complete your visit to Jotham. The Taklamakan Desert is surrounding the route on both sides of the road and the White Jade River (named for the jade deposits found here) is crossing the desert. The name of the Taklamakan Desert means if you enter you will never return; so ride safe. Accommodation in Mingfeng, Niya Hotel, 3*. Breakfast: 8:00/ Departure: 9:00/ Lunch: 13:30/ Arrival approx.: 18:30/ Dinner
DAY 6, Wednesday, Mingfeng - Korla (730KM)
Breathtaking sceneries on our agenda today. An early departure will reveal incredible landscapes – the sunrise over the dunes. We’ll cross the Taklamakan Desert from the south to the north and the entire day will be dedicated to magical views over the Taklamakan Desert. Accommodation in Korla, Kangcheng Jian’guo International Hotel, 5*.
Breakfast: 5:00/ Departure: 6:00/ Lunch: 13:30/ Arrival: 20:30/ Dinner
DAY 7, Thursday, Korla – Turfan
Known for its fragrant pears, Korla is a charming city situated at the gates of the Taklamakan Desert. Here the adventurers used to stop for supplies before crossing into the terrible desert of if you enter you will never return. The city had an important role – it dominated the northern part of the Silk Road and provided significant protection to the merchants. The northern tribes used to attack the caravans in order to steal the precious products such as salt, timber, spices and silk. Accommodation in Turfan, Turfan Hotel, 3*.
Breakfast at 8:00/ Departure at 9:00/ Lunch: Restaurant Road/ Dinner: Restaurant/ Estimated arrival time: 15:00
DAY 8, Friday, Turfan (rest day)
Jiaohe Ruins are located near the city of Turfan in the Xinjiang – Uygur Autonomous Region. The ruins belong to an ancient city that used to be the economic, political, military and cultural centre of the area. The city was the capital of ancient kingdom of Cheshi and it was abandoned in the 13th century. It was built on a small island located between two rivers that provided a defense system against enemy attacks. To the west of the city you can find The Yarkol Caves, a series of seven caves containing numerous paintings that occupy about 150 square meters, commissioned by the last king of Cheshi. Accommodation in Turfan, Turfan Hotel, 3*.
DAY 9, Saturday, Turfan - Hami (distance 408km)
We’ll ride today trough rocky mountains and great canyons. Turfan has been the centre of a fertile oasis and an important trade centre. It was historically located along the northern route of the Silk Road. Turfan Depression is the second lowest exposed point on the Earth's surface in the world, after the Dead Sea, lying at 154.50m under the sea level. Accommodation in Hami, Hami Hotel, 4*.
Breakfast at 7:30/ Departure at 8:30 Lunch: Restaurant Road/ Dinner: Restaurant/ Estimated arrival time: 17:00
DAY 10, Sunday, Hami - Dunghuang (distance 371km)
Morning ride to Dunghuang, the city of sands – a major stop on the ancient Silk Road. The road is revealing the fifth largest desert in the world – Gobi Desert. Dunghuang is situated in a rich oasis including the Crescent Lake, also known as The Lake of the Crescent Moon. The lake has got its name from its crescent-like shape and it is one of the most famous natural places in the Sha Min Mountains. Accommodation in Dunhuang, Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel, 4*. Breakfast at 7:30/ Departure at 8:30/ Lunch: Restaurant Road/ Dinner: Restaurant/ Estimated arrival time: 15:00
DAY 11, Monday, Dunghuang (rest day)
In the morning visit the dunes of Dunghuang and enjoy special activities such as camel riding, quad biking, 4x4 and even hang-light-deltas.
You can adventure in the mountain of San Wei or visit the Mogao Caves. Also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, The Mogao Caves contain some of the finest examples of Buddhist art in the world. Accommodation in Dunhuang, Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel, 4*.
DAY 12, Tuesday, Dunghuang – Jiayuguan (450km)
Today we ride to Jiayuguan. Located in the Gobi Desert, the city is famous for the Jiayu Pass situated nearby, the largest and most intact pass of the Great Wall of China.
An interesting and challenging ride today – a spectacular off road section will reward you with the feeling of freedom and beautiful sceneries such as a wild canyon crossed by a river and, if we are lucky – herds of camels. Accommodation in Jiayuguan, Taihe Hotel, 3*.
Breakfast: 7:30/ Departure time: 8:30/ Lunch: Picnic/ Check in: 19:00/ Dinner: Hotel
DAY 13, Wednesday, Jiayuguan – Zhangye (252km)
The Great Wall of China is the highlight of the day. Running through much of the territory of the Han Empire – about 6700 kilometers in length, the Great Wall of China was built to protect the northern tribes. Sprinkled with several forts to house the troops, Jiayuguan is in perfect condition. Considered as one of the eight wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China represents an icon for the Chinese nation and culture. Spend the night in Zhangye, an important section of the Silk Road. In The Travels of Marco Polo, Marco Polo described how he spent a year in a city called Campichu, which was identified with Zhangye. Accommodation in Zhangye Huacheng Hotel, 4*.
Lunch: 8:00/ Check Out: 9:00 /Food: Restaurant /Check in: 12:30 /Dinner: Hotel 
DAY 14, Thursday, Zhangye – Xining (420km)
Ride to Xining – the capital of Qinghai Province situated along the Huangshui River. The place is inhabited by many ethic groups – the Han, Hui, Tu, and of course Tibetans. The Temple of Kumbum is of a great mystical significance for Buddhists. Founded in 1583 by the Third Dalai Lama, Kumbum means 100 000 enlightening bodies of Buddha. It was named after the 100 000 images of the Buddha Sinhanada on the leaves of the holy sandalwood tree. Accommodation in Xining, Qinghai Huitong Hotel, 4*. Breakfast: 8:00 / Departure time: 9:00/ Lunch: 12:30 (Picnic)/ Arrival time: 18:30/ Dinner: Hotel
Day 15, Friday, Xining
With a lot of memories say good bye to the Silk Road. Transfer to Xining Airport for the return flight.
back to top
Prices
Departure date July 16 – 2010
|
| |
F 800 GS |
F 650 |
Bring your own bike |
| Price/ person |
US$ 8783*/ £ 5855*/ CA$ 8959*/ AU$ 9597*/ € 6499
|
US$ 8108*/ £ 5405*/ CA$ 8269*/ AU$ 8859*/ € 5999 |
- |
| Pillion |
US$ 3999*/ £ 2599*/ CA$ 3999*/ AU$ 4323*/ /€3000
|
| Single room supplement |
US$ 1309*/ £ 872*/ CA$ 1335*/ AU$ 1430*/ € 899
|
Price is based on two people sharing a double room.
*price in £ and $ for guidance only, all payments will be taken in €.
** Minimum group for departure – 6 motorbikes
Prices includes:
Services of an English speaking guide and Chinese assistance,
Health and repatriation insurance, Chinese driver’s license, permits
Accommodation: 1 night in a 5* Hotel, 9 nights in 4* hotels and 4 nights in 3* hotels.
Transportation: transfers from/to Airport, motorcycle rental, gasoline
Meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners.
Not included: flights, airport taxes, visa fees, alcoholic drinks, personal equipment.
The tourist attractions are mentioned as recommendations only and are not included in the price.
Additional notes and info
Uighurs, Uzbeks, Mongols, Kirgis, Han, Chinese….. The ethnic groups in Western China are friendly towards all those crossing these lands. Dunes, rocks, mountains, ancient cities, mosques, pagodas and monasteries.... endless roads and tracks – this is the Silk Road.
The rides will take between 6 and 10 hours/day on bikes.
This route can be completed on a motorcycle with passenger.
Support car available as alternative travel option for the pillion for off-road stretches.
Please bring your own protective gear: helmet, riding boots, jacket, gloves, etc.
A cash deposit of € 1500 will be required for bike damage security or loss of accessories. The amount will be refunded at the end of the programme should the bike be returned on time, undamaged and with a full fuel tank.
Please note that the insurance does not cover damages made on the equipment (suitcases, top case and navigation).
Book this tour!
We accept MasterCard and Visa on our on-line secure internet payment form, MasterCard, Visa, JCB, Diners Club and American Express via fax and phone.
We also accept payments via PayPal (by credit card, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or PayPal account), by Moneybookers, bank transfer and Western Union.
Click here to see our Reservations page for more details.
I'm seriously considering booking.
Call me back!
(click here to provide us with your name, telephone number, preferred time of calling and we will get back to you)
Testimonials
… and to all thinking about this trip. GO, it was brilliant last year. The organizers made a real effort to make us welcome and provide a good tour and they didn't disappoint.
Mark Preston, UK
|
 Suari Bartrès, group leader
A motorcycles lover, an off road riding monitor on BMW’s motorcycles and a passionate traveler in all of Europe and Africa. He will travel from Barcelona (Spain) to Xinning, the capital of the Qinghai province in order to ride his bike, in any corner of China, guiding motorcycle tours.
|
Media Mentions
We're pleased to say that Transylvania Live - Motorcycle Tours has recently garnered the attention of several publications and broadcasts
more details here
Uighurs, Uzbeks, Mongols, Kirgis, Han, Chinese….. The ethnic groups in Western China are friendly towards all those crossing these lands. Dunes, rocks, mountains, ancient cities, mosques, pagodas and monasteries.... endless roads and tracks – this is the Silk Road. 
back to top