Urumqi : Xinjiang Panorama 21 jours

Embark on this 21-day journey through Xinjiang, China’s most diverse and culturally rich region, where the ancient Silk Road meets breathtaking landscapes. From the bustling bazaars of Kashgar to the remote Pamir Plateau, the vast Taklamakan Desert, and the pristine grasslands of the Tian Shan Mountains, this tour blends history, adventure, and ethnic culture. Day 1 Kashgar Arrival Transfer Welcome to Kashgar, the historical city on the ancient Silk Road. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Enjoy your free time if you arrive early. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar Day 2Kashgar city explore Today it is a busy day to explore Kashgar with a local guide. You will take the city tour by the first stop to visit the Apa Hoja Mausoleum which was built in 1640 by local Imam for his father, and later it became a family graveyard to bury 72 people for 5 generations. The mausoleum is impressive for its delicate Uyghur architectural style including the blue tiles, the dome and the minaret. Next, you will visit Kashgar old town to explore the interesting area where there are old houses for shops, workshops, restaurants, bakery, and tea houses etc. It displays the long history and vivid lifestyle in Kashgar from ancient Silk Road period to today. You will also visit the old Id Ghar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. Lunch is arranged at a local Uyghur's house for you to taste the authentic and traditional Uyghur food including nang bread, hand-stretched noodles, and pilau...etc. The animal bazaar is relocated near Kashgar Airport and opens only on Sundays. If it is Sunday, you will also visit the Animal Bazaar. Later, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 3Kashgar to Tashkurgan, visit Karakul Lake en route Today you will take a 4-hour car ride to the pretty Karakul Lake which is situated by the renowned China-Pakistan friendship highway. Firstly you will visit the White Sand Lake beside the highway, which is located by the White Sand Mountain. Then you will get to the Karakul Lake, a beautiful mountain lake with altitude nearly 3600 meters. It is an imposing picture to view the lake and the snow-capped mountains at the same time. The Muztagata(7546m) is just standing beside the Karakul Lake, creating a stunning picture. There are yurts spreading on the grassland near the lake. Afterwards, you will head to Tashkurgan that is situated at the border between China and Pakistan. Transport: Private Vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Tashkurgan Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 4Tashkorgan - Panlong Ancient Road - Kashgar (400km 6-7H) After hotel breafast, you will take the car to the zigzag Panlong Ancient Road, which means Winding Dragon Road. A dramatic **600+ bend mountain road. It is at 4,200m altitude, resembling a coiled dragon. Then continue driving back to Kashgar. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Panlong Ancient RoadPanlong Ancient Road Panlong Ancient RoadPanlong Ancient Road Day 5Kashgar - Hotan (500km, 6H) After breakfast, you will head to Hotan on the express highway along the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Upon arrival, you will visit Hotan Bazaar and Yotkan (Yotegen) Ancient City Ruins. Hotan Bazaa – Famous for jade, silk, and carpets. Yaotegan City Ruin – Once a thriving Buddhist oasis city on the Southern Silk Road, trading jade, silk, and Sanskrit scriptures. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Hotan Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 6Hotan - Alar (440km, 6-7H) via Desert Highway Today you will take a long car ride aross the Taklamakan Desert via the desert highway, one of the world’s most remote roads.  You can stop at desert viewpoints for photos. In the afternoon, you will arrive in Alar, a small oasis town. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Alar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 7Alar - Kuqa (300km, 4H) After hotel breakfast, you will head to Kuqa, an ancient Buddhist state in the history. Then you will visit Kuqa Old Town, local Bazaar and Kuqa Museum to learn the history of the Kuqa(close on Mondays). Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Kuqa Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 8 Kuqa Exploration Today you will explore Kuqa including Kizil Grottoes, Subash Monastery Ruins, and Kizilkara Beacon Tower. Kizil Grottoes – Ancient Buddhist caves (older than Mogao). Subash Monastery Ruins – Remains of a 3rd-century temple. Kizilkara Beacon Tower – Silk Road watchtower. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Kuqa Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 9Kuqa - Narati (350km, 7-8H) via southern Duku highway After breakfast, you will take car heading to Narati through Tianshan Mountains along the southern Duku highway. Visit Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon that is impressive for the red-rock formations, and Big & Small Dragon Pools en route. View the cute sheep on the Bayanbulak Grassland. Arrive in Narati in the afternoon, a Kazakh nomadic grassland area. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Narati Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 10Narati - Yining (290km, 3H) Explore Narati Sky Grassland in the morning, the endless grass extending to the far mountains. Then you will head to Yining in the afternoon, where you will visit Qixing Street that is famours for its local style architecture. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Yining Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 11Yining - Sayram Lake (140km, 2H) - Nilka (300km, 4H) Today you will take 2-hour car ride on the highway to Sayram Lake. View the Tianshan Mountain, Guozigou Bridge en route. If it is later June and early July, you can visit lavender village that is famous for the blossoming season. View the picturesque Saylam Lake along the lake road, which is the Xinjiang’s largest alpine lake Afterwards, you will take 4-hour car ride to Nilka, a small town hidden in th