Highlights of the Journey

• Depth: Dive deep into China’s top off-road tracks of Keliya and Tasha.
• Spectacle: Experience varied terrains – from desolate Gobi deserts, vast grasslands to glacial lakes, and admire the untouched beauty of uninhabited areas.
• Crossover: Traverse the world’s highest altitude road, crossing multiple challenging passes above 5,000 meters.
• History: One route was forged by the liberation army to liberate Tibet, recognized as the most challenging path into Tibet. The other was the eastward return route of Master Xuanzang from Pamir Plateau to Tang Dynasty, steeped in a thousand years of history.
• Off-roading: Push your limits by dashing through deserts, navigating valleys, climbing the Kunlun range, and exploring various volcano groups, glacial canyons, and mountain roads.
• Terrain: Test your off-roading skills on pebble roads, combined with elements of the Gobi, valleys, glacial rivers, and wetlands.
• Photography: Capture the majestic landscapes, diverse wildlife, and stunning snowy mountains and glaciers – truly a photographer’s paradise.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Gathering in Lhasa from all over China

• All members convene in Lhasa, the sunlight-drenched capital city of Tibet. To acclimate to the high altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness, participants are advised to arrive at least two days in advance. Early arrivals can explore famous Lhasa landmarks such as the Potala Palace, Barkhor Street, and the Jokhang Temple.
• Participants are advised to complete their border pass paperwork in their hometown. If inconvenient, they can also process it in Lhasa but should arrive at least two days earlier to allow for processing time.

Inclusions: 24-hour airport pick-up service in Lhasa
Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa
Meals: None

Day 2: Lhasa – Tibetan Northern Prairie – Namtso Lake – Bangor Starting with the first rays of sun, the journey along the Qinghai-Tibet route offers sights of the Tibetan Northern Prairie, the Qinghai-Tibet railway, and the majestic Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain. After visiting Namtso, Tibet’s highest lake, we proceed to our destination for the night, Bangor.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bangor
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Bangor – Selincuo Lake – Wuruocuo Lake – Daze Lake – Nima County – Sky Tree – Dangreyong Sacred Lake – Wenbu South Village The day starts with a visit to Selincuo, the largest lake in Tibet. After visiting several more lakes and Nima County, the journey leads to attractions like the “Sky Tree” and the sacred lake of Dangreyong.

Accommodation: Hotel in Wenbu South Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Wenbu South Village – Dangqiong Lake – Dong Lake – Geji County After departing from Wenbu, sights for the day include the captivating Dangqiong Lake and Dong Lake. The day concludes with a restful night in Geji County.

Accommodation: Hotel in Geji County
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Traverse Keliya Ancient Route: Geji County – Qiangtang No-Man’s Zone – Camel Lake – Crescent Lake Entering the vast Qiangtang grasslands, the day offers abundant wildlife sightings. The day’s exploration ends with a camping experience near Crescent Lake.

Accommodation: Tent camping at Crescent Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Crescent Lake – Bangda Lake – Dahedan – Keliya Pass – Keliya Glacier – Wulayingkor – Volcano Ditch – Red Earth Daban – Aksu Kaz – Asia’s First Volcano – Ashkule Volcano Group A day full of diverse landscapes and terrains, from the serene Bangda Lake to the majestic Keliya Glacier and the awe-inspiring volcanoes.

Accommodation: Tent camping near the Volcano Group
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Ashkule Volcano Group – Sulfur Daban – Eighteen Water Crossing Sections – Pul Village – Yutian County After leaving the volcanic region, the journey traverses through landscapes like the Sulfur Daban and challenging terrains of Pul River Valley before resting in Yutian County.

Accommodation: Hotel in Yutian
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Yutian to Hotan Yutian, a small county in the Hotan region of Xinjiang, is renowned for its statue commemorating the 1958 meeting between the 75-year-old local, Kurban Uncle, and Chairman Mao. It’s a perfect place for recuperation, supply restocking, and vehicle maintenance, preparing travelers for the upcoming adventure through the Tasha Ancient Route. By evening, we’ll head to Hotan for an overnight stay.

Stay: Hotel in Hotan Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Hotan to Yecheng Departing from Hotan, after approximately 250 kilometers, we’ll arrive at Yecheng. Here, travelers can explore the ancient ruins of the “Xitiya Lost City,” which translates to “The Eternal Cliff.” An architectural relic from the 11th century, it offers insights into a bygone era and requires about an hour for a foot-tour.

Stay: Hotel in Yecheng Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Yecheng – Zepu – Shache Today’s journey is relaxed. After departing from Yecheng and driving for about an hour, we pass through Zepu county, one of the most picturesque towns in the Kashgar region. Another hour’s drive takes us to Shache county, where we’ll visit two significant sites: the Mausoleum of the Yerqiang Khanate Kings, an exquisite example of Islamic architectural art with invaluable historical insights, and the Amannisha Khan Mausoleum, which beautifully showcases Uyghur architecture and artistry.

Stay: Hotel in Shache Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Traversing Tasha Ancient Route: Shache – Tasha Ancient Route – Taxian Setting forth from Shache, which is the beginning of the Tasha Ancient Route, our day promises a mix of history and adventure. The challenging route, comprising three-fourths single tracks and complex terrains, offers an 8-10 hour journey leading to Taxian (also known as Tashkurgan), which in Uyghur translates to “Stone City” and is home to diverse ethnic groups.

Stay: Hotel in Taxian Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Taxian – Bandidir Blue Lake – Panlong Ancient Route – Taxian Today’s highlight is the must-visit Panlong Ancient Route. This path, snaking across the Pamir Plateau, resembles a coiled dragon and hence the name. It promises a thrilling drive, with over 600 sharp turns across its 30-kilometer length, offering a height difference of 1100 meters.

Stay: Hotel in Taxian Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Taxian – Taheiman Wetland Viewing Platform – Karakul Lake – Muztagh Peak – Baisha Lake – Mujixiang Post breakfast, we set off to Mujixiang, with stops at iconic landmarks like the Taheiman Wetland Viewing Platform, Karakul Lake, and Muztagh Peak – the third highest in the West Kunlun Mountains. The day concludes with a visit to Baisha Lake, nestled beneath the Baisha Mountain.

Stay: Homestay in Mujixiang Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Mujixiang – Oytag Town – Kashgar As we leave Mujixiang, our journey takes us through the stunning Oytag Red Mountain Canyon, Mujixiang Volcanic Crater, and the sunset views at the Eighteen Arhats Peak before reaching Kashgar.

Stay: Hotel in Kashgar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Departure from Kashgar Depending on flight schedules, travelers will be escorted to the airport, marking the end of an enriching Xinjiang adventure. Remember to coordinate with the tour guide for departure times and ensure you’ve packed all belongings.

Stay: None Meals: Breakfast

Costs and Inclusions:

Included:

• All Xinjiang travel documentation
• Full transport costs (off-road vehicles, 3 people per vehicle)
• 14 nights’ accommodation (11 hotel nights, 1 homestay, 2 camping)
• Admission fees to all mentioned sites
• Dedicated tour guide
• All meals as described
• Comprehensive insurance coverage, including travel agency liability and personal accident insurance
• All required equipment, ranging from self-heating sleeping bags to satellite phones and emergency communication tools.

Exclusions:

• Transportation to and from the starting and ending points (booking services available)
• Any expenses not explicitly mentioned.

This detailed itinerary ensures visitors get an authentic and immersive experience of Xinjiang’s diverse landscapes, history, and culture.