THE WEST LANDS

Day 1 :   Arrival Xiahe (- / L / D)

Experience nomad life and explore the Tibetan grasslands by foot on day one of this excellent adventure of China’s forgotten landscapes. 

Our transport will be waiting for us on arrival and we take a 20-minute transfer to our camp. Lovingly hand-built by former nomads, the camp comprises a collection of log cabins and tents, all kitted with wood-burning stoves, comfortable bedding and wooden floors. 

After some time to refresh, we embark on a trek through the grasslands and along the Naren Pass. We can soak up vistas of Trakkar Gompa Monastery against a backdrop of sheer rock formations as we reach the Han ethnic village of Bajiao. At a nearby monastery, we learn about the Bon religion which is still practised in some villages today. 

We enjoy a well-deserved picnic lunch on the pastures and return to the camp to relax, or enjoy a sauna ahead of dinner and an evening of star-gazing. 

This is the perfect way to reconnect with nature on the remote Tibetan plains.

Overnight in norden camp – Tsepa tent (only 4 available, other room types will apply eventual supplements)

Day 2 : Xiahe (B / L / D)

Discover your spiritual side and delve into Tibetan Buddhism during today’s activities. 

An early rise is rewarded with a special experience as we join pilgrims and monks as they perform the kora, a circumnavigation of treasured Labrang Monastery. 

We start our circular walk around the sacred walls in the dark and continue until the sun has pierced through the horizon. It is then time for breakfast in the town before prayers and mantras start. We can visit the monastery, including areas not usually open to the public. This includes the printing house where new books are produced by hand. 

After lunch, we learn about local produce, including yak wool and thangka silk painting. We then have some free time to explore the town before returning to the camp for dinner. Today’s excursion offers a unique insight into the region’s deep religious roots.

Overnight in Norden camp – Tsepa tent

Day 3 :  Xiahe – Lanzhou (B / L / D)

Cruise to more incredible Buddhist grottoes during our journey north to Lanzhou, the capital of north-west Gansu province. 

After breakfast, we check-out and set off on a road journey and then board a boat to undertake a journey along the Yellow River to the Binglinsi Buddhist Caves, an intricate network of twisting caverns and the site of a 27-metre high Giant Buddha that overlooks a valley. Back on dry land, cars will be waiting to take us to Lanzhou, with lunch during the tour. 

Upon arrival, we check-in to the hotel, with time to refresh, ahead of an evening food tour along bustling Market Lane, home to a range of food vendors. Don’t forget to sample Lanzhou noodles, China’s most famous version of this food staple. 

We then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.  Today’s tour introduces us to more of China’s prized spiritual sites.

Overnight in LanzhouLegend Hotel 4*.

Day 4 : Lanzhou - Zhangye (B / L / -) 

Soak up nature’s incredible artwork at the amazing Rainbow Mountains and Ice Valley. 

In the morning, we hit the road for Zhangye and check-in to the hotel ahead of a 30 km drive to Binggou Danxia, which translates as the ‘ice valley.’ Formed six million years ago, this comprises of a series of stunning rock formations in different shapes. 

We follow trails that snake through the dramatic landscape that contains rocks that resemble camels, peacocks, tortoises and goats. Next, we explore the amazing Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park. 

We switch vehicles to explore the park’s incredible coloured mountains, with layers of different shades of sandstone and minerals that rise and fall like waves. The colourful rolling hills span about 300 sq-km and these are an incredible natural phenomenon formed over millions of years. 

Back in Zhangye, we join locals at the lively night food market and enjoy some delicious authentic cuisine.

Overnight in Zhangye Vienna Hotel 4*.

Day 5 : Zhangye – Alashan Youqi (B / L / D)

Today we set off on a voyage of incredible discovery. Our itinerary takes in the incredible 4th century Matisi Grottoes, ahead of driving to Alashan Youqi on the edge of the desert. 

After breakfast, we check-out and set off on a 60 km drive to Matisi. The intricate network of sacred grottoes, caves and hanging temples date back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty and this area is home to the famed Horse’s Hoof Temple. The grottoes provide an amazing panorama of snow-capped Qilian Mountain. The site is vaguely similar to Dunhuang on the edge of the Gobi Desert, but less-visited so we can explore it without the crowds. 

We then enjoy lunch and continue on a three hour drive Alashan Youqi to check-in to our accommodation. Today sees us leave civilization behind as we head into a sprawling desert.

Overnight in Alashan Youqi Jinsha Hotel 3*.

Day 6 : Badan Jaran Desert (B / L / D) 

Soak up dramatic dune landscapes as we head deep into the vast Badan Desert. 

After breakfast, we check-out and jump in a Jeep to set off on today’s incredible desert adventure. Badan spans 49,000 sq-km and is China’s third largest desert. It is also home to some of the world’s highest fixed dunes, with some towering at over 400 metres tall. Its highest, 680-metres tall Bilutu stands as the third highest dune in the world. The desert is also dotted with over 130 picturesque lakes. 

We enjoy lunch and continue on our exploration before driving to Badan Jaran to check-in to our accommodation.

Overnight in BadainJaranMongolian Yurt (limited condition).

Day 7 :  Alashan Shouqi – Erji’Naqi (B / L / D)

Today’s epic road trip delivers incredible desert scenes as we embark on a 460 km drive across Inner Mongolia. 

After breakfast, we check-out and set off on our scenic journey to the border of Outer Mongolia and the expansive Gobi Desert. We spend the night at Erji Naqi. 

Lunch and dinner are at local restaurants. Our long journey today provides an excellent insight into this expansive landscape.

Overnight in Erji NaqiHotel 3*.

Day 8 : Erji’Naqi – Khara Khoto - Jiayuguan (B / L / -) 

Spend the day exploring this once-forgotten city that has risen like a phoenix from the sands. 

After breakfast, we have the day to discover this incredible site, also known as the ‘black city.’ 

Home to forests and lakes, Khara Khoto was founded in 1032 A.D. and became a thriving centre of western Xia commerce in the 11th century. The walled fortress was first taken by Genghis Khan in 1226, but continued to thrive under Mongolian rule until the 14th century when it was abandoned and later discovered by explorers in 1907. The site was excavated between 1927 and 1931 and more than 2,000 books, scrolls and manuscripts in the Tangut language were recovered. 

We can explore the remains inside the 10-metre high walled city. We then hit the road for Jiayuguan where the Great Wall ends and check-in to our accommodation. Today’s tour offers a fascinating insight into ancient life in the desert.

Overnight in Jiayuguan Kaitong Hotel 4*. 

Day 9 : Jiayuguan (B / L / -)

Forge unforgettable memories and explore one of the world’s most iconic monuments, the Great Wall of China. 

In the morning, we visit impressive Jiayu Pass – the largest and most intact pass of this iconic defensive structure. The Jiayuguan stretch dates back to the Ming Dynasty and it took 168 years to build. It served as a fortress to protect vulnerable entry points in a desert valley flanked by mountains. The pass marks the end of Imperial China and the start of the Silk Road, the famed link that connected the nation with the West. 

We visit the end of the Great Wall and Jiayuguan Fort. After marvelling at the magnitude of this architectural feat we return to Jiayuguan. 

Lunch at local restaurant. 

Overnight in Jiayuguan Kaitong Hotel 4*.

Day 10 : Jiayuguan - Dunhuang (B / L / -)

Today sees us head to the oasis of Dunhuang. 

After breakfast, we check-out and set off to a city that sits on the edge of the vast Gobi Desert and is a former frontier garrison on the Silk Road. Its name translates as ‘singing Sand Mountain’ because of the strange sound created by winds whipping across the dunes. 

En route, we visit Yulin Caves. These 42 Buddhist caverns have been carved into cliffs that flank the Yulin River and they house over 250 Buddhist statues and 4,200 sq-m of intricate wall paintings that date back to the Tang and Yuan dynasties. 

We arrive in Dunhuang in time to soak up a spectacular sunset from the dunes. We enjoy dinner at a lively night market that contains a selection of food vendors. Discover more delightful desert landscapes on this inspirational journey to Dunhuang.  

Overnight in Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel 4*.

Day 11 : Dunhuang (B / L / -) 

Marvel at the magnificent Mogao Caves and Yardan’s other amazing landscapes on today’s adventure. 

After breakfast, we spend the morning exploring the Mogao Caves, a complex of 492 ornate Buddhist grottoes carved into cliffs above the Dachuan River. The intricate structures were created between the 4th and 14th centuries. 

After lunch we return to the hotel with time to relax or enjoy a massage, ahead of driving to the Yadan National Geological Park. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Global Geopark because of its unique landscape and importance on the Silk Road. 

We explore the 398 sq-km park by Jeep and admire the fascinating collection of Yadan landforms that rise from the Gobi Desert. We soak up another serene sunset before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel 4*.

Day 12 :  Dunhuang – Onward Destination (B / - / -)

We bid a fond farewell to China as our incredible 12 day discovery of some of the nation’s most remote natural treasures comes to a close. 

When it is time, we check-out and transfer to the airport for our departure flight. 

We leave full of unforgettable memories of an amazing journey across an incredible landscape. We have taken in sprawling grasslands, alpine forests, snow-capped peaks, towering sand dunes, Rainbow Mountains and dramatic rock formations. 

While reconnecting with nature, we have been treated to the warm hospitality of indigenous tribe people and feasted on a variety of local delicacies. This adventure excursion ticks all the boxes for adventure seekers looking to get off the beaten track.

Extension:                                                                                                            

Day 12 : Dunhuang – Turpan (B / - / -)

Listen to the ‘singing sands’ during a desert hike to picturesque Crescent Lake during today’s incredible adventure. 

After an early breakfast, we enjoy a spectacular sunrise and embark on a unique hike through the vast desert landscapes that surround Dunhuang. 

Our four hour trek takes us from Echo Sand Mountains where the wind whistles as it blows over sand dunes. We continue to the striking emerald lake, a natural feature that provides a stark contrast to the sprawling sand covered panorama. 

After lunch, we head to the train station in Liuyuan and jump on a high-speed train and take a three-and-a-half hour journey to the culturally-rich city of Turpan. 

Upon arrival in Turpan, one of the few places in the world below sea level, we transfer to the hotel to check-in. Today’s inspirational adventure extension presents more of China’s amazing landscapes.

Overnight in Turpan Mercure 4*.

Day 13 : Turpan (B / L / -)

Our adventure today includes ancient Buddhist grottoes, mountains ‘painted by nature’ and ancient villages. 

We start the day at the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. This network of caverns and shrines carved into Mugou Valley’s cliff face dates back to ancient times. We then stand in awe of the enchanting Legendary Flaming Mountains. These sandstone formations have seemingly been coloured in shades of red. 

There is the option to take a flight to get an aerial perspective of this landscape (surcharge applies). We continue to Toyugou Valley to view the remains of an ancient Uighur village. A stroll through the valley leads us to a creek housing Buddhist grottoes. 

We get a taste of local life and join a family for lunch in their traditional village home before returning to the city. Our sightseeing continues at Emin Minaret, a 44-metre tower next to a Uighur mosque, followed by a serene sunset view in the ancient abandoned city of Jiaohe. 

This trip offers a fascinating introduction to an area rich in both natural and cultural heritage.

Overnight in Turpan Mercure 4*.

Day 14 : Turpan - Urumuqi (B / L / -)

Our cultural adventure extension continues with exploration of lively market life, followed by a trip to the regional capital of Urumqi. 

After breakfast we head to Turpan’s colourful souk. This sprawling market is a hive of activity. We have time to browse the stalls, which offer a superb selection of souvenirs and traditional handicrafts. After working up an appetite, we can sample tasty local snacks sold at the market. 

We then set off on a two-hour drive to Urumqi. 

On arrival, we delve into the area’s rich history at Xinjiang Museum. This facility is home to a collection of over 40,000 cultural relics.  A highlight exhibit is the display of the Tarim mummies, one of the greatest recent archaeological finds in the world. The arid desert conditions and the salty sand have preserved the mummies in an amazingly good condition. This is a unique discovery and a mystery to archaeologists as the mummies are Caucasian and in the East at a time when Westerners were not that prevalent. The mummies are all tall and have tattoos on their faces and they are believed to come from all walks of life. 

Today’s excellent excursion delivers a feast of cultural heritage.

Overnight inGrand Mercure Urumqi Hualing 4*.

Day 15 : Urumuqi Departure (B / - / -)

Bid a fond farewell to China as our incredible discovery of some of the nation’s most remote corners comes to a close. 

When it is time, we check-out and transfer to the airport for our departure flight. We leave full of unforgettable memories of sprawling grasslands, alpine forests, towering sand dunes, rainbow mountains and rock formations.  

This adventure excursion ticks all the boxes for those seeking to steer clear of the well-trodden tourist trail and head to fascinating, alternative destinations.

End of the Tour.