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Silk Road Grand Expedition: A Luxury Private Journey Through Dunhuang, Kuqa, Kashgar & Pamir · 15 Days

15-Day Luxury Private Journey: Dunhuang, Kuqa, Kashgar & Pamir Plateau

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Seamless transfers by private van, high-speed train and internal flight; experience Dunhuang mural copying, Kuqa canyons and poplar forests, and the Pamir Plateau in one journey—a cultural and natural feast along the Silk Road.

Why this route works

• 🚄✈ Smart transport — no long, tiring drives:​
• Three high-speed rail segments connect the route: Dunhuang → Jiayuguan (~2.5 hrs by bullet train instead of 5 on Gobi highway), Jiayuguan → Urumqi (~5.5 hrs by rail instead of 10+ on the Hexi Corridor), and Urumqi → Korla (~5 hrs by high-speed rail instead of 6 across empty Gobi). One domestic flight completes the journey: Kuqa → Kashgar (1.5 hrs instead of 700km through the uninhabited Taklamakan Desert with no fuel stations and no phone signal). The remaining days are short local drives — you never spend a full day in a vehicle.
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• 🏜 Scenic highlights — worth every stop:​
• Dunhuang (D1-D3):​ Mogao Caves' thousand-year Buddhist murals, Crescent Moon Spring oasis in the desert, hand-on mural copying at the Art Academy, and the "See Dunhuang Again" stage show.
• Jiayuguan & Zhangye (D4-D5):​ The westernmost pass of the Great Wall, and Zhangye's naturally striped Rainbow Mountains.
• Korla & Poplar Forests (D7-D8, D10):​ The world's largest natural poplar forest — pure gold in October — plus a second, more secluded grove at Shaya.
• Kuqa (D9):​ Tianshan Mystic Grand Canyon of red sandstone, and the Silk Road character of Kuqa's Old City.
• Kashgar (D11-D12):​ The living labyrinth of the Old City, the century-old teahouse, and the Islamic architecture of the Apak Hoja Mausoleum.
• Pamir Plateau (D13-D14):​ Karakul Lake mirroring the 7,546m Muztagh Ata glacier, White Sand Lake's turquoise water, Dragon Road's 600 bends, and a Tajik family visit with eagle dance and milk tea.
• The result:​ 3 high-speed rail segments + 1 flight = roughly 2,000km of desert highway skipped. Your time goes to the scenery, not the road between.
• 👨 A private driver-guide with you the whole way.​ He handles luggage, check-ins, and restaurant recommendations, and wears a translation headset. You don't organise anything — you just enjoy.
• ​✅ A pure private tour — no shopping, no hidden fees.​ No jade shops, no forced stops. Every dollar goes to the vehicle, hotels, tickets, and service.

Detailed itinerary

Pricing logic

The final quote depends on travel dates, group size, domestic flights, hotel level, vehicle type and route feasibility. The sales team will confirm all inclusions before payment.

Usually included

• Transportation
• 24-hour exclusive airport and railway station pick-up & drop-off service by business vehicles is available in Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Urumqi, Korla, Kuqa and Kashgar.
• High-speed train routes: Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, Jiayuguan to Urumqi, Urumqi to Korla.
• Flight arrangement: Direct flight from Kuqa to Kashgar.
• Vehicle service throughout the trip: Business cars will be used for travels within Dunhuang and Jiayuguan, as well as trips to Zhangye Colorful Danxia Landform. Business cars are also provided for journeys in Korla, Kuqa, Kashgar and the Pamir Plateau area. All vehicles are driven by professional drivers.
• Accommodation
• A total of 14 nights' accommodation is arranged as below:
• 3 nights at Dunhuang Huaxia Hotel;
• 2 nights at a 5-diamond hotel in Jiayuguan;
• 1 night at a 5-diamond hotel in Urumqi;
• 1 night at a 4 or 5-diamond hotel in Korla;
• 3 nights at a 5-diamond hotel in Kuqa;
• 3 nights at a 5-diamond hotel in Kashgar;
• 1 night at a 5-diamond hotel in Tashkurgan County.
• Attractions
• Mogao Grottoes, Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Moon Spring, Dunhuang Painting Academy, Dunhuang Museum, Encounter Dunhuang, Jiayuguan Pass, Overhanging Great Wall, Colorful Danxia Landform, Bazhou Museum, Peacock River, Tarim Poplar Forest, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Kuqa Palace, Kuqa Grand Mosque, Kuqa Giant Nang Town, Shaya Poplar Forest, Kashgar Ancient City, Id Kah Mosque, Fragrant Concubine Garden, Centennial Old Teahouse, Karakoram Highway, Pamir Plateau, Karakul Lake, White Sand Lake, Panlong Ancient Road, Stone City, Golden Grass Beach Scenic Area, Tajik Family Visit
• Tour Guide
• A professional driver-guide will be assigned to deliver exclusive customized private tour services.
• Meals
• Daily breakfast is included with hotel accommodation.
• Insurance
• Comprehensive travel accident insurance covering the entire journey.

Usually excluded

• Transportation:
• Round-trip international/domestic airfare.
• Accommodation:
• Single room supplement; personal expenses (e.g., laundry, minibar).
• Attractions:
• Optional activities; attractions not included in the itinerary.
• Guide Tips:
• Gratuities for the guide (optional).
• Meals:
• Lunches and dinners during the tour.
• Insurance:
• Additional personal insurance (supplemental coverage).