Silk Route journey: western China, Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan

You make your own way to the airport today for your flight to Dunhuang. Here, you will be met by your guide and taken to your hotel.

This morning you'll visit the beautiful 'singing sand dunes' of Mingsha, which look fantastic in the morning light. Afterwards, you continue on to the Mogao Caves before driving out this afternoon to see the remote ruined city of Yadan.

You fly to Urumqi today, where you'll be met for the drive to the town of Turpan. You will arrive here after 8.00pm.

You start today with a visit to Tuyaq Valley, which is home to a charming and unspoilt Uighur village. Afterwards, you'll stop at Gaochang and also pass the Flaming Mountains at Bezeklik.

Today you will visit the ruins at Jiaohe before driving back to Urumqi. From here you fly to Kashgar.

Today's excursion is long but stunningly beautiful. You drive into the mountains on the legendary Karakoram Highway to Lake Karakul. The lake's altitude is 3,800 m, and you'll notice a sharp drop in temperature from Kashgar, so dress accordingly.

This morning you will be taken to the Yekshemba Bazaar, Kashgar's main spectacle. After taking in the markets you will explore some of the rest of the city with your guide.

You cross the border at the Torugart Pass today into Kyrgyzstan. Here, you'll be met by your Kyrgyz guide for the drive to your yurt camp at Tash Rabat. Make sure you have a warm jacket or fleece handy for the border crossing, which, at altitude, is cold at any time of year.

You drive on to Lake Song-Kul today, passing through stunning mountain scenery and grassy plateaus. Here you'll be able to explore the hills and lake on foot.

Today is another long and beautiful drive to the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. If there is time you'll be able to see a little of the city in the late afternoon.

You fly to Tashkent today, where you will be met for the drive to Samarkand.

Today your guide will show you the key sights of Samarkand, a highlight being the outstanding Registan.

You have a further day free to explore Samarkand at your own pace.

You continue by road to Bukhara today, stopping in the town of Shakhrisabz, Tamerlane's birthplace.

Bukhara is a fabulous, bustling old city and one that feels very much 'lived in'. Your guide will show you the key sights here, and you'll sense the atmosphere as you wander the winding, dusty streets of the old town.

Today is at your leisure in Bukhara.

You make the long drive through the desert to Khiva today, which will take at least nine hours.

You'll spend time with your guide today exploring this beautiful old walled city.

You fly back to Tashkent today for a final overnight stay.

Today you fly home.