DESCRIPTION:

East meets west, north meets south: since time immemorial, this rugged, remote branch of the ancient Silk Road has existed at the intersection of trails trodden by nomads, peddlers, pilgrims and, at times, the soldiers and emissaries of great powers. Join us as we take a breathtaking caravan-style journey through Western China, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, with glimpses of Afghanistan from across the Tajik-Afghan border, the Pyanj River.

Travel up and over the majestic Pamir Mountains, newly accessible after decades of isolation, through the busy cities and secluded villages. Follow the trail of 19th-century British and Russian adventurers and undercover agents as they played out what is now called the “Great Game,” the struggle to gain access to and control over the passes between China, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Browse the unparalleled Kashgar Sunday Market, Western China’s most exciting bazaar, and drive over magnificent Torugart Pass into the green pastures of Kyrgyzstan. Survey the Fergana Valley from UNESCO listed Suleiman’s Throne. Enter rarely visited Tajikistan, at the heart of the Silk Road on the dramatic Pamir Highway. Very few travelers have had the opportunity to admire the commanding views and wild beauty of Tajikistan, a nation rich in ancient cultures on the cusp of a new era. Along the way, local experts can talk about local history, politics, and sights.

See for yourself the daily lives of people in this isolated corner of the world; a place where great powers have often been outwitted. Highlights include:

• Investigate 3,000-year-old mummies preserved in the wonderful Xinjiang Museum in Urumqi.

• Explore the ancient dirt lanes of 2,000-year-old Kashgar, past shops, mosques, and livestock.

• Crest 12,000-foot Torugart Pass at the Sino-Kyrgyz frontier and explore the caravanserai in Tash Rabat, an outpost of the Silk Road.

• Enjoy a demonstration of traditional Kyrgyz horse games followed by lunch in a private home.

• Overnight in Sary Tash village, a collection of small houses and yurts that sees very few foreigners.

• 4-wheel drive up and over dramatic Kyzyl-Art Pass into Tajikistan, picnicking at alpine lakes.

• Visit the 18th-century Ibrahim Beg Fortress in the Silk Road town of Gissar.

CONSIDER:

This is a trip for the true adventurer. Accommodations can be rustic and roads rough, but long drives are rewarded with sights and scenes rarely witnessed by travelers. You will not readily find this trip offered elsewhere. This is a rigorous program with extensive travel at high elevations ranging from 7,000 to over 15,000 feet. The highest points on the itinerary are Kyzyl Art Pass at 14,050 feet and Ak Baital Pass at 15,270 feet. A significant amount of driving is required to experience the spectacular scenery; drives may be more than six hours and have significant segments along unpaved or poorly maintained roads.

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS & ADD-ONS:

Please inquire.