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Hidden Kingdoms of the Southern Silk Road: A Private Expedition Through the Pamir, Shache & Kucha · 14 Days

14-Day Southern Xinjiang Luxury Private Tour: Kashgar, Pamir Plateau, Shache, Kuqa, Korla & Urumqi with Exclusive Private Transfers

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From the ceremonial gates of Kashgar to the towering Pamir Plateau, traverse millennia of Silk Road civilization through Shache and Kuqa on this immersive Southern Xinjiang journey.

Why this route works

• 14-Day Southern Xinjiang Cultural Deep Dive: Kashgar, Pamir, Shache, Kuqa & the Silk Road
• Smart Transport:​ This route uses three transport modes to keep daily travel time minimal. A private business van handles city tours, the Pamir Plateau, and heritage sites. One flight from Kashgar to Kuqa takes just 1.5 hours, replacing 700km of Taklamakan Desert driving and saving a full day. One high-speed rail from Korla to Urumqi takes 4 hours instead of 6 on the Gobi highway, comfortable with restrooms you can use. No day is spent fully in a vehicle.
• Accommodation:​ 13 nights designed for maximum comfort and minimum repacking. Kashgar 5 nights at the same hotel — unpack once. Kuqa 4 consecutive nights at the same hotel — unpack once and explore the old city, the Grand Canyon, the Nang culture, and the Kizil Caves at your own pace. That means in 14 days you only repack 4 times total. For senior travellers, this is a game-changer.
• Cultural Highlights:​ Kashgar Old City spans three days including a full free day to wander the living Silk Road city at your own pace — the opening ceremony, century-old teahouse, Apak Hoja Mausoleum, and bustling bazaar. The Pamir Plateau takes you along the legendary Karakoram Highway to White Sand Lake and Karakul Lake mirroring the 7,546m Muztagh Ata peak, plus a Tajik home visit with eagle dance and hand-pulled rice. Shache offers an off-the-beaten-path cultural gem with the intangible heritage park and 12 Mukam performance. Kuqa brings the Rainbow Street of coloured doors, a hands-on Nang-making workshop, and the ancient Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves.
• Driver Services:​ Your driver handles everything from arrival to departure — safe driving, guiding to every cultural site and hidden local spot, luggage handling, hotel check-ins, restaurant orders, and drone photography. You simply immerse yourself in the culture.
• For 50+ Guests:​ Kashgar 5 nights and Kuqa 4 nights at the same hotels means no daily repacking or dragging luggage. One flight and one high-speed rail mean no long drives — daily van time is only 2-3 hours. Most activities are sit-down cultural experiences at teahouses, performances, home visits, and workshops rather than strenuous hiking. The private van serves only your group with no strangers. You set your own pace with a full free day in Kashgar, and altitude is not an issue — only one night in Tashkurgan before returning to low-altitude Kashgar. The result is the deepest cultural experience of Southern Xinjiang without a single exhausting day.

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
• 24H private airport/station transfers: Kashgar (arrival & departure airport), Kuqa
• (airport pickup), Korla (train station drop-off), Urumqi (train station pickup & airport
• drop-off). High-speed rail: Korla to Urumqi. Inland flight: Kashgar to Kuqa.
• Dedicated business van with driver for all touring days (Days 2-4, 6-7, 9-12, 14); no
• vehicle on Day 5 (free day).
• Accommodation
• 13 nights total. Kashgar: 5 nights (4-5 star). Tashkurgan: 1 night (4-5 star). Shache: 1
• night (4-star). Kuqa: 4 nights (4-5 star). Korla: 1 night (4-5 star). Urumqi: 1 night (4-5
• star).
• Scenic Spots
• Kashgar Old City / Apak Khoja Tomb / Kashgar Bazaar / Karakoram Highway /
• Pamir Plateau / Karakul Lake / White Sand Lake / Panlong Ancient Road / Stone City
• / Golden Grassland / Shache Ancient City / Shache Intangible Heritage Expo Park /
• Kazanchi Old Street / Old Cinema Teahouse / Old City Wall (Shache) / Shache
• Mansion / Kuqa Old City / Ristan Old Street / Colorful Door Art Gallery / Flower Hat
• Alley / Drum Alley / Door Bazaar / Kuqa Royal Palace / Kucha Alley / Kuqa Grand
• Mosque / Wucha Bazaar / Big Naan Alley / Kuqa Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Workshop / Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves / Iron Gate Pass Ancient City
• Tour Guide
• Professional driver-cum-tour guide offers exclusive private tour service.
• Meals
• Daily breakfast served at hotels is included;
• Insurance
• Comprehensive full-journey travel accident insurance is included for the whole itinerary.

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).