Day 1: Tashkent, Uzbekistan 

Arrival at Tashkent International Airport. You will be met by your personal guide and driver and transfer to the hotel. Tashkent is the cultural and economic center of Uzbekistan. Today we'll discover the Old City: the Hast Imam Complex which consists of the Barakkhan Medreseh , the Tello Shayh Friday Mosque, and the Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi. Visit the old Chorsu bazaar, which is as busy now as it has been for centuries, shop for souvenirs and watch craftsman at work. Visit Independence Square and the Navoi Theatre, with their beautiful parks and fountains. We'll get a true taste of every day life here in the capital city.

Day 2: Tashkent –Urgench- Khiva

Another early morning flight to get to Urgench and on to the legendary city of Khiva. Sightseeing tour in fairy-tale Khiva, one of the most popular World Heritage Sites of the Silk Road. Explore the antiquities of this medeival city in the Ichan Kala or Old City: the Ata –Darvaza, the majestic, blue-tiled Kalta Minar, the Mohammad Aminkhan and Khodja Islam Medresseh,the Kunya Ark (Ancient Citadel), Tash Hauli Palace (Stone yard, with view of the palace's harem), a caravanserai (traditional inn for travelling merchants), and the 200 carved pillars of the Juma mosque. Dinner with a panoramic view of Khiva in moonlight.

Day 3: Urgench-Bukhara

Early breakfast. Sightseeing day drive or train  to Bukhara through the Kyzilkum Desert, the main Silk Road caravan route towards China. We will stop at a yurt camp and enjoy a picnic in a local chaikhana (tea-house), Photo opportunities near the historic Amu Darya (Oxus River), one of the biggest rivers of Central Asia. Arrival in Bukhara.

Day 4:  Bukhara

Bukhara is one of the most ancient and incredible cities in the world, listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site. touring the city includes: the Labi Khaus Complex around the reflecting pool - the heart of social life here and once the principal water source of the city, and the Nadir Divan Begi Khanaka (merchant's hotel). Enjoy tea in an old chaikhana (tea house) near the sculpture of humorist Khodga Nasriddin. We'll tour the medieval architecture of the Magoki Attari Mosque, the Poi-Kalon Complex with its legendary minaret, plus the extensive trade domes of the money changers, hat sellers, silk, carpet, puppet and jewelry merchants as well as teh winter residence of the ancient Bukharan Emirs. Dinner and Folklore show featuring local dancers, singers and a fashion show of fabulous local designs and fabrics.

Day 5:  Bukhara-Samarkand

Today's highlight is the magnificent summer residence of last Bukhara Emirs, the “Sitorai Mohi-Khossa“ (Palace of Moon and Stars), and the Chor Minor minarets. Like ancient caravans, we will follow the route through the Rabota Malik Chul Desert on our way to fabled Samarkand. Enjoy your stay in ancient paradise, Samarkand is  the city with more than 3000 years of history. It was the city where Alexander the Great married his Uzbek princess Roxana.

Day 6: Samarkand

Sightseeing tour to Registan Square, the main attraction of Samarkand and an impressive place for holding the world’s finest traditional and modern music festivals and celebrations. Full day exploration in ancient Samarkand: Ulugbek’s Observatory, the ancient necropolis of the Shah i Zinda Ensemble, the Bibi Khanum Complex and the Gur i Emir Mausoleum.  Dinner.

Day 7:  Samarkand-Tashkent

Photo opportunities from the highest point of Samarkand, then a visit to the local bazaars and handicraft center.  Drive to Tashkent, stopping near the "gate" of Amur Temur where two mountain ranges meet for photo opportunities. Arrival in Tashkent.

Day 8: Tashkent- Urumqi, China

Transfer to Tashkent Airport for flight to Urumqi, China. Upon arrival you will be met by our China tour manager and will transfer to your hotel.  This evening you will have welcome dinner at the Kurgon restaurant and try  a traditional Uygur meal.

Day 9: Urumqi-Kashgar

Morning excursion to Xinjiang regional museum to see archaeological treasures from the Silk Road and Xinjiang's minority cultures. A display of well-preserved 3000 year old mummies, excavated from Loulan at Takla Makan desert, completes the exhibition. This afternoon visit picturesque Hong Shan Park from where you can enjoy a panorama of Urumqi city, visit the Red Hill Pagoda, the Grand Bazaar or Erdao Qiao Market for traditional Uygur silk and Chinese cotton, enjoy the displays of nuts and dry fruits, herbs, and aromatic oils. Evening flight to Kashgar and transfer to hotel. Dinner

Day 10: Kashgar

Full day sightseeing in Kashgar. Visit the largest mosque in China, the 15th century Idkah Mosque, Apak Khoja's Tomb – the holiest place in Xinjiang for Sufis, Handicraft Street, and the old parts of town. Excursion to the Mor Stupa (3BC), a remnant of the big Buddhist temple located 30 km northeast of Kashgar and then picturesque Atush village nearby.

Day 11: Kashgar-Urimji-Turpan

This morning visit the colorful, chaotic Great Sunday Bazaar where you will see sections for silk and cotton, knives, hats, pots and pans, fresh vegetables and fruits, carpets and jewelery, and even a separate livestock section located several km down the road.
Afternoon transfer to the airport for flight to Urimji and on to Turpan and your hotel.

Day 12: Turpan

Visit picturesque Tuyoq Village to see the oldest Buddhist caves in the Turpan area, dating back to the 4th c. Visit local Uygur families and enjoy beautiful mountain scenery. Tour the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves on the flanks of the Flaming Mountains (there are 67 caves dating from 317 to 1368, an important center for Buddhist worship). In the evening, visit the famous Grape Valley; a pleasant park with vineyards and fruit trees, and special places for relaxing and sampling the grapes and melons of the area. Grapes were introduced to Turpan over 2000 years ago.

Day 13: Turpan-Dunhuang

Morning visit famous to the well preserved ruins of Jiaohe City - capital of the State of South Cheshi. It was one of the 36 kingdoms of the Western region during the Han Dynasty and settlements first appeared there in 2 BC. Later visit remnants of the remarkable karez system, an old engineering miracle designed to bring water to the dry desert town. The karez channels of Turpan have a history of more than 2000 years. This evening we shall take a train to Dunguang.

Day 14: Dunhuang

Full day sightseeing in Dunhuang. Day trip to the Mogao Caves – the world's richest treasure-trove of Buddhist manuscripts, wall paintings, and statuary dating from the 4th through 14th centuries. Created during the nine dynasties they mark the height of Buddhist art. Later, visit the nearby Mingsha (Singing) Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake. Enjoy a sunset view of some of the most spectacular desert scenery along the entire length of the Silk Road.

Day 15: Dunhuang-Xian

Excursion to the Western 1000 Buddha Caves (although in reality there are only 22). The frescoes are similar to the ones found at Mogao and therefore assumed that they are also Dunhuang Buddhist art. 
In town see the White Horse Pagoda and the informative Dunhuang County Museum which contains some of the Tibetan and Chinese scriptures found at the famous Mogao grottoes, along with silks, sacrificial objects and reed torches for the beacon towers. Transfer to the airport for flight to Xian. Overnight in Xian.

Day 16: Xian

Full day sightseeing in Xian: Visit the Terracotta Warriors, created by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang Di. This amazing megalomaniac conquered and united China from a collection of warring states to become its First Emperor. He built the Great Wall and amassed treasure troves of art works. Obsessed with a quest for the secret of immortality, 70,000 workers built his tomb, said to be filled with legendary treasures. His 3000 wives and concubines followed him to the grave. Later, visit the Horse Museum. In the afternoon you will see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda; this symbol of old Xian is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. Evening visit to the Muslim Mosque and nearby local bazaar.

Day 17: Xian

Continue sightseeing in fabulous Xian. Visit the Provincial History Museum, with its collection of more than 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi, northwest of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Since it was opened to the public in 1991, its architecture and exhibits have made it a world-class museum. Explore Xian's City Wall. Afternoon flight to Beijing. This afternoon you will explore Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the country.

Day 18: Beijing

Visit the Great Wall, one of the seven wonders of the world and the symbol of China, then on to the Imperial Palace, also known as the "Forbidden City," the symbol of imperial China. Visit Hutongs by rickshaw. Hutongs are unique neighborhood street designs in Beijing with crisscrossing old narrow paths and courtyard houses. Enjoy a famous Peking Duck Banquet for dinner.

Day 19: Departure