Inbound (1N)Xian (2N)Overnight Train (1N)Xiahe (2N)Jiayuguan (1N)Urumqi (2N)Kashgar (2N)Aksu (1N)Kurla (1N)Lanzhou (2N)Dunhuang (2N)Turpan (2N)BEIJING (3N)Overnig htTrain (1N)Overnight Train (1N)Kuqa Overnight Train (1N)(1N)Days 5-6: XianArrive in Xian and visit the Little Wild GoosePagoda. In the evening, enjoy a traditionalShui Jiao dumpling meal followed by aperformance of Tang Dynasty dancing. Thenext day, visit one of the most importantarchaeological discoveries of the 20thcentury - the Terracotta Warriors and walkalong the Ancient City Wall. Day 7: Xian - LanzhouVisit the renowned Shaanxi Museum whichis home to thousands of priceless relics. Wealso stroll through the lively Muslim Quarterto explore the Islamic food markets beforeboarding the overnight train to Lanzhou.Days 8-9: LanzhouArrive in Lanzhou and stroll through the parkby the Yellow River, visit the Baita (White)Temple and sample the local hand-stretchednoodles. The next day, transfer by speedboaton picturesque Lioujiaxia Lake to visit therenowned Bingling Caves. Days 10-11: Lanzhou - Xiahe Travel through the scenic Jishi Mountain Passto Xiahe, which is set in a beautiful valleyrenowned as 'Little Tibet'. The next day, visitthe mystical Labrang Monastery of theGelugpa sect, which is home to over 1,200monks and tour the rolling pastures of SangkeGrasslands where wild flowers flourish. 48AirCoachRail 27 days from £3,290ppFully Inclusive from the UKFollow in the footsteps ofMarco Polo to discover thehistory of the Silk Road, a centuries-old route stronglyinfluenced by Muslim andBuddhist beliefs. Visit ancientforts and desert oasis, walk on the far western end of theGreat Wall and experience the famous bustling SundayMarket in Kashgar.This tour reaches a maximum altitude of 3,100m at Xiahe.Days 1-2: UK - Beijing Fly overnight to Beijing, China's capital city.Our evening meal includes the local delicacy,Peking Duck. Day 3: BeijingWalk on the Great Wall, visit the uniqueTemple of Heaven and enjoy a fascinatingChinese Acrobatic show. Day 4: Beijing - XianSightseeing today includes a stroll throughTiananmen Square, past Chairman Mao'sMausoleum to the treasure-filled ForbiddenCity. We also tour the exquisite SummerPalace before boarding the overnight train toXian, the former ancient capital.Silk RoadEmbark on a journey of discovery along the historic Silk Road"Stepping intoKashgar is like beingtransported into one of the thousand and one nights of The Arabian Tales. Its my favourite place."National Escort Hoffman Hou's tour highlightsExplorer

49Departure Dates & PricesFully Inclusive price includes:Tour departs Friday and returns WednesdayPrices are fully inclusive from the UK (see page 8)Based on London Heathrow departuresRegional departures available.Flight upgrades available on request.Land only from £2,790 (Beijing - Beijing).Single room option from £590 (see page 9).Tipping payable locally US$95 (see page 10).Active Paced TourAdventurous TourSilk Road ExplorerDepart UKArrive UKPrice27 Apr 201223 May 2012£3,29011 May06 Jun31 Aug26 Sep£3,49014 Sep10 Oct28 Sep24 Oct??International flights and current taxes??Domestic transportation??Accommodation??All meals??Touring with guides and entrance fees??Visa fees for UK passport holdersDays 12-13: Xiahe - Lanzhou - JiayuguanReturn to Lanzhou and board the overnighttrain to Jiayuguan. The next day, visit JiayuFortress and walk along the western end ofthe Great Wall. Day 14: Jiayuguan - DunhuangTravel to Dunhuang, which is located at theedge of the Taklamakan Desert. Days 15-16: Dunhuang - TurpanVisit the world famous Buddhist murals andsculptures of the Mogao Grottoes. The nextday, tour Crescent Moon Spring and see thespectacular Singing Sand Dunes. Later, boardthe overnight train to Turpan.Days 17-18: Turpan Visit the ancient ruined city of Jiaohe andadmire the Flaming Mountains. The next day,see the Emin Minaret, visit local homes atGrape Valley and the 2,000 year old KerezIrrigation Canals. Days 19-20: Turpan - Kurla - KuqaOver the next four days, we travel along theoriginal Silk Route through the XinjiangRegion, viewing ruins and sights largelyunvisited by other tourists. We travel to Kurlaand visit the ruins of the Iron Fortress. Thenext day, tour the ruins of Subashi, beforecontinuing to Kuqa to visit the remains of theold City Wall. Days 21-22: Kuqa - Aksu - KashgarVisit the Kyzil Thousand Buddha Caves beforetravelling to Aksu. The next day, arrive inKashgar, an ancient market town and oncethe flourishing centre of the Silk Road. Days 23-24: Kashgar Visit Abakh Hoja Tomb, Id Kah Mosque andId Kah Square. The next day, explore theworld's largest Sunday Bazaar and visit alivestock market, where large crowds ofpeople and animals gather to haggle andtrade. Later, fly to Urumqi. Day 25: Heavenly Lake day tourTravel to Tian Chi (Heavenly Lake) and enjoythe breathtaking views of the crystal clearlake at the top of a mountain range. In theevening, enjoy a traditional meal of UyghurLamb Skewers.Day 26: Urumqi - Beijing Visit the Xinjiang Autonomous RegionMuseum, home to 1,000 year-oldmummies. Later, fly back to Beijing. Day 27: Beijing - UK Fly to the UK, arriving home later thesame day or the following morningdepending on the airline chosen.Book now on 0844 499 3899visit www.wendywutours.co.ukor see your preferred travel agentHong Kong ExtensionDay 27: Beijing - Hong KongFly from Beijing to Hong Kong andtransfer to your hotel.Day 28: Hong KongEnjoy a half day island tour visitingVictoria Peak, Stanley Market andAberdeen Fishing Village. Theafternoon is at leisure. (B)Day 29: Hong KongEnjoy the day at leisure to furtherexplore Hong Kong. (B)Days 30-31: Hong Kong - UKTransfer to Hong Kong Airport and flyovernight to the UK. (B)Tour Extensions??Hong Kong from £260pp(above)??Tokyo from £490pp(page 80)??Dubai from £260pp(page 81)Camels on the Silk RoadConsidering we were travelling in veryremote parts of China, both meals andaccommodation exceeded our expectations,as did the scenery. Thank you for amemorable and wonderful experience.Mr & Mrs Joseph, September 2009""