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Follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and Marco Polo on this groundbreaking & challenging expedition along ancient trading routes. Discover some of the oldest cities in the world steeped in history and legend, from the Pyramids in Egypt to the Terracotta Army and Great Wall in China.
This Trans Asia overland Expedition tour to China started back in Tunis in early March '2008, overlanding tours on this route are still very exploratory in nature and as such the Crew leading these bus / truck trips are some of our most experienced on the road and our expedition vehicle will be built and equipped especially for this trip. Please also be aware that as stated above these expeditions are exploratory overland expedition and as such anyone booking on this trip should expect that there will be times that things do not go according to plan and there WILL BE hold-ups and some unexpected hassles along the way.
Over the 18 week duration of the bus trip we will be camping approximately 50% of the time, some of which will be in the extreme heat of deserts or the cold of mountainous regions. The hotels we use will be small locally owned pensions and bed and breakfasts and may often be of a very basic standard. But this should be regarded as part and parcel of being among the first to partake in such a ground breaking expedition and this in turn is reflected in the discounted introductory cost of the first trip.
Please also be aware that any and all information regarding this overland trip is only available from our website - there are no printed brochures - apart from our "detailed trip notes" which contain information about where to join this tour, a more in-depth itinerary, what to bring with you, visas and vaccinations, optional excursions etc and which can be ordered or viewed online as well.
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Days 1 to 29
Egypt
* Cairo - we include a trip to the Pyramids & Sphinx and Egyptian History Museum.
* Free time to visit Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel or travel ahead to Dahab.
* Dahab - the Red Sea mecca, snorkel, scuba dive or chill on the beach.
Jordan
* Wadi Rum - desert headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia.
* Petra - explore this ancient stone-carved city.
* Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth!
Syria
* Damascus - the oldest inhabited city in the world.
* Crac de Chevaliers - an 800 year old Crusader Castle.
* Aleppo - wander the narrow alleyways of the souk in this market town.
Turkey
* Nemrut Dagi - see the huge statues scattered at the summit of this mountain.
* Cappadoccia - explore dwellings carved from the eerily eroded landscape.
* Hattusus - ancient historical site.
* Sumela - a monastery on a 1000ft cliff face.
Georgia
* Batumi - an ex-soviet seaside resort.
* Gori - visit Stalin's old house.
* Tbilisi - visit historical sites, explore the cobbled streets or relax in a sulphur bath.
Days 30 to 59
Azerbaijan
* Sheiki - famed for its Caravanserai's and once an important stop on the Silk Rd.
* Baku - visit the mud volcanoes at Qobustan.
* Ferry across the Caspian Sea.
Turkmenistan
* Barkharden - explore caves & hot springs.
* Geok Tepe Mosque.
* Ashgabat - the fascinating 'White City' fashioned out of marble.
* Kara-Kum Desert - arduous days are rewarded by camping out in this barren terrain.
Uzbekistan
* Khiva - explore the ancient madrassahs, mausoleums and museums.
* Bukhara - an important stop on the Silk Rd of old & home to over 350 mosques & 100 Islamic colleges.
* Kyzylkum Desert - beauty & harshness in one.
* Samarkand - as old as Babylon, view the beauty of the madrassahs & mosques.
* Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital.
* Ferghana Valley - visit a traditional silk factory.
Days 60 to 77
Kyrgyzstan
* Osh - a lively city with the largest & busiest outdoor market in Central Asia.
* Lake Issyk-Kul - a massive mountain lake with magnificent scenery & loads of activities to choose from.
* Karakol - hiking, horseback & mountain biking trips into the surrounding Tien Shan Mountains.
* Bishkek, the capital.
Days 78 to 91
* Ala-Archa Nature Reserve - an option to go trekking & skiing, with spectacular scenery.
* Naryn - an ideal base to organise trips out to the stunning Lake Song Kol.
* Torugat Pass - travel through the Tien Shan Mountains & cross the border into China.
China
* Kashgar - we aim to be here for the renowned Sunday market.
* Taklamakan Desert - 272,000 sq km of slowly moving sand.
* Hotan - famous for its carpets, silk & jade.
* Bosten Lake - boat trips & water-skiing.
* Urumqi & Turpan - visit nearby ruins of Goachang City or the Thousand Buddha Caves
Days 92 to 126
* Gobi Desert - one of the hottest places on earth.
* Dunhuang - the famous Mogao Grottoes & the Crescent Moon Pool.
* Jiayuguan - our first taste of the Great Wall of China
* Lanzhou - the White Pagoda Temple Park overlooks the city and the Yellow River.
* Xiahe - Labrang Buddhist Monastery.
* Chengdu - visit the nearby Giant Panda Breeding Centre.
* Emeishan - a sacred Buddhist mountain.
* Leshan - home to the 71m high Grand Buddha, carved from the cliff.
* Yangtze River - embark on a 3 day cruise from Chongqing to Yichang.
* Shaolin Monastery - birthplace of Kung Fu.
* Longmen Grottoes - 2345 caves housing 100,000 Buddhist images.
* Xi'an - visit the famous Terracotta Warriors.
* Overnight train to the capital.
* Beijing - a one day city tour included; stay a few days to take in all the sights including the
* Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City & the Temple of Heaven. |
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Day Tour of Pyramids, Sphinx, History Museum & Egyptologist Guide (Egypt), Mt Sinai & St Catherines Monastery (Egypt) , Wadi Rum (Jordan) , Dead Sea (Jordan) , Mt Nebo (Jordan) , Palmyra (Syria) , Various homestays in Georgia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan , Ferry across Red Sea & Caspian Sea , Bakharden Salt Lakes and Hot Springs (Turkmenistan) , Lakes Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan) , Local English speaking Chinese guide for our time in China , 1 Day City tours with an English speaking guide in: Turpan, Dunhuang, Xian & Beijing (China) , Mingsha Shan Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Lake (China) , Labrang Tibetan Monastery with Buddhist Monk as a guide (China) , Huanglong National Park (China) , Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding & Research Centre (China) , Leshan Giant Buddha (China) , 3 Day Yangtze River trip (China) , Terracotta Army warriors (China) , One nights hotel accommodation in Beijing (China) , Accommodation fees (50% camping & 50% in simple hotels & hostels) , Meals prepared by group (approx 50%) , Fully equipped Oasis Expedition Truck , All road tolls and ferry crossings , Camping and Cooking gear , Services of Oasis Crew |
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