Day 1
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EnglishRound Tour Xinjiang and Kyrgystan
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Day 1
Day travel distance:
50 km 
Arrival in Almaty, transfer to Hotel, free time till lunch, after lunch city tour with visiting of Central museum of history, Panfilov Memorial park, Zenkov Cathedral , Memorial complex, Central square, Monument of Independence etc.
After lunch and excursion to the mountain area, visit of Medeo ice-skating rink at 1691m, ski-resort “Chymbulak” at 2200-2800 m.
Dinner in the yurt complex-“Kazakh Aul”, and tasting of national cuisine.
Day 2
Day travel distance:
30 km 
All day we spend in Almaty and especially the mountains. We drive to the Big Almaty Lake (a reservoir at 2,500 m), a rough ride from just over an hour from the city center. This area is very popular with birdwatchers, botanists and hikers. We'll enjoy a lunch and attend a show by a falconry. This is called a 'berkutchi' in Kazakh and an important and ancient tradition.
We stay almost all day in the mountains and also enjoy our dinner here. But, we should return to Almaty in time not to miss our train to Urumqi from 22:50 hours!
Day 3
Day travel distance:
1.500 km 
Today we spend in the train, as it takes 32 hours from Almaty to Urumqi. This railway was built and opened in the early 21st century and gives you an good feeling of the Central Asian spaces.
The train first heads north, passing the Dhungar Mountains, then to move in eastern direction and cross the border at the town of Druzba ('Friendship').
Day 4
Day travel distance:
20 km We arrive in Urumqi at 07:00 hours and are transfered to our hotel down town. First we have some time to rest.
After lunch a city tour and excursion to the Xinjiang Historical Museum. Excursion to the top of the Red Hill Park to get the beautiful bird views of this capital city, a walk in the Minority Streets, dinner in the Grand Xinjiang International Bazaar with the splendid folk singing and dancing performance, a walk in the Night Food Bazaar before sleeping.
Day 5
Day travel distance:
600 km 
Today we drive to the famous ancient oasis town of Turfan (180 km, 2,5 hours), for a number of excursions.
First an excursion to Gaochang ancient city, which was built in Tang dynasty, then the underground Astana Tombs, followed by Buddha caves named the Beziklik Buddha Caves. The last site to be visited in the morning is the Beautiful Grape Valley, with lunch served under the grape vines.
In the afternoon we visit the Imin Mosque, a construction in typical Uygur style. Before departing this small town, we visit the splendid ancient irrigation systems which were built thousands of years ago under the ground; these are the famous Karren Wells which lead water from the Tianshan Mountains to irrigate the farm lands in the Turfan area.
On the way back to Urumqi we visit another ancient city ruin, Jiaohe ancient city, which is as the same age as Gaochang city ruin. The total distance today by an air-conditioner mini van is about 400 km on a very good highway.
Day 6
Day travel distance:
1,500 km Transfer to the airport to flight CZ6803 at 08:05 AM to Kashgar. Kashgar is the place no one traveling the Silk Road today should miss because of its Central Asian ambience, architecture, and extraordinary Sunday market.
We have an excursion to Id Kah Mosque, one of the largest in China. It could hold up to 7,000 people and there is a giant pomegranate, symbol of the city (and fertility). Then we take a visit to the Abakh Khoja Tomb.
Then we visit the Hat Bazaar and the Hand Crafts Lanes. Lunch we enjoy with a local family. We visit the famous Hand Crafts Lanes. Over night in the Friendship Building in the ***Qinibah Hotel.
(P.S. It's well possible to rent a bike in Kashgar and explore the town by yourself).
Day 7
Day travel distance:
10 km 
Sunday is bazaar day in Kashgar, site of perhaps the largest and longest running bazaar in Central Asia. As many as 100,000 people come in from surrounding areas to buy and sell animals and goods. Early in the morning you can see streams of people in donkey carts coming in to market.
There are separate areas for animals, furniture, fabric,
clothing, shish kebobs, shaves with a straight razor (including scalp),
fruits and vegetables, and much more. In the animal bazaar care needs to be
exhibited as horses and donkeys are being "test-driven".
Also in the animal bazaar you can find cattle, sheep, goats, and camels - all in a fairly
small, walled-in area. When you are in the midst of all this, you may feel
like you have stepped back in time several hundred years. On your own, or together with a Uygur translater you will surely have a lovely day.
The night is spend in the same Kashgar hotel.
Day 8
Day travel distance:
500 km We leave Kashgar for the Torugart Pass, by jeep. The distance from
Kashgar to the Torugart Pass is about 180 kilometers. It normally takes about 1 hour to get through the customs. Then further driving to the border takes another 3 hours.
(The flood season normally in this area is in August. The main road sometimes is washed away by flood).
The altitude at the border is about 3600 meters above sea level.
There, at the border post we meet a our Kyrgyz group - and have lunch from a box. Transfer to the mountain town Naryn. (200 km, 4 hours drive). Accommodation in Guest house or home stay.
Day 9
Day travel distance:
250 km 
Transfer to the village Tamchi on Issyk-Kul Lake (north side,250 km). Sightseeing: rock carvings, followed by excursion to the ethnographical museum.
Accommodation today is a home stay.
Day 10
Day travel distance:
250 km Transfer to Bishkek via Burana Tower,(250 km). Arrival in Bishkek, accommodation in a hotel.
After lunch we receive a city tour, visiting a.o. the State History museum, Ala-Too square, and handicraft shops.
Day 11
Day travel distance:
250 km 
After breakfast we depart for Almaty (250 km), where we'll have lunch after arrival and free time in the afternoon.
In the evening a gala-dinner will finalize our tour in style!
