From Himalaya to Gobi desert
-
- at the desert near Dunhuang of the ancient Silk road
-
- this road descending from Himalaya range to Talimu Basin
at the desert near Dunhuang of the ancient Silk road
From Himalaya to Gobi desert (ST01)
This trip provides a chance to witness the huge contrast between the high plateau and the Gobi desert. We will start this trip from Beijing into Tibet, then after visiting the most attractive sites of Lhasa, we take the highest train in the world to Golmud, where we switch to vehicle to experience a dramatic change in both culture and nature.
This trip provides a chance to witness the huge contrast between the high plateau and the Gobi desert. We will start this trip from Beijing into Tibet, then after visiting the most attractive sites of Lhasa, we take the highest train in the world to Golmud, where we switch to vehicle to experience a dramatic change in both culture and nature.Itinerary
Day2: Beijing: You will visit to the great wall of Beijing at Mutianyu part; in the afternoon return to visit Temple of heaven.
Day3: Beijing to Tsetang: By flight to Lhasa Gangkar airport, then drive to Tsetang, en route visit to Dranang monastery, Mindrolin monastery.
Day4: Tsetang: Visit to samye monastery in the morning, and then drive to Lhasa.
Day5 & Day6: Lhasa: You will visit Potala Palace, Jorkhang temple, Barkhor Bazar, Sera, Drepung, Nechung monasteries and Ramoche temple.
Day7: Lhasa to Golmud: By train, after arriving in Golmud, pickup at train station drive to you hotel.
Day8: Golmud to Dunhuang: This is a full day drive for about 600km, the altitude rapidly goes down from 3800m to 1100m; the view along the road is breathtaking;
Day9: Dunhuang: Visit to the Mogao Grotto, and the Sound Sand dune;
Day10: Dunhuang to Turfan: Departure from Dunhuang, taking train to Turfan, meets your guide, and drive to your hotel.
Day11: Turfan: Drive east of Turfan to the Flaming Mountains, and visit the Bezelik Buddhist Caves. Then after, visit to Astana Tomb.
Day12: Turfan to Urumqi: In the morning visit to a traditional Uighur household including the family Karez (the irrigation system that taps into the snowmelt from the Tian Shan Mountains). Then visit ancient city of JiaoHe, return to Urumqi in the afternoon.
Day13: Urumqi to Beijing, the flight takes about 4.5 hours around, meet your guide at airport, then tranfer to your hotel;
Day14: Beijing to the airport for departure.
