silk route tour in may

SIKKIM SILK ROUTE Tour in East Sikkim – A Complete Travel Guide

Last Updated on: May 16, 2024  

About this blog: Sikkim Silk Route tour is one of the most famous attractions in East Sikkim. Zuluk (also spelled as Dzuluk) was once an important stop on the Ancient Silk Road. Today Sikkim Silk Route is known for its clear and gorgeous views of the mountains, the dizzying zig-zag roads and hairpin bends and quaint villages on the route. Read this blog about Sikkim Silk Route Guide and get information on how to reach, where to stay, attractions and the tentative cost of Silk Route Tour.

We had explored Sikkim to a great extent. However, the Silk Route in East Sikkim seemed to elude us for a long time. While we explored the high altitude lakes, offbeat hamlets and the monasteries of Sikkim, we were yet to experience the famed hairpin bends of Zuluk. Finally, it was an impromptu decision that had us boarding the Darjeeling Mail to reach New Jalpaiguri and finally go for the Sikkim Silk Route trip.

The Sikkim Silk Route tour can be started from either New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in West Bengal or Gangtok in Sikkim. We had decided to start our journey from NJP and end it in Gangtok and stop at Aritar, Zuluk and Nathang Valley for the night. Read on to know more.

Table of Contents

Sikkim Silk Route in Visuals

History of Sikkim Silk Route

The Silk Route in East Sikkim that is open for the tourists to explore is actually a part of the ancient Silk Road. The Ancient Silk Road was actually a huge network of ancient trade routes that stretched from Asia to the Mediterranean traversing China, India, Persia, Arabia, Egypt, Greece and Italy. This route was formally established during the Han Dynasty of China in 130 BC. It linked regions of the ancient world in commerce between the periods of 130 BCE-1453 CE.

The Sikkim Silk Route as we see today was only an offshoot of the Ancient Silk Road. Infact, it is only a small part of the ancient silk route that connected Lhasa in Tibet to Tamralipta in West Bengal. Yes, Lhasa was once the hotspot of ancient trade and commerce. The nearest sea port to Lhasa was at Tamralipta, or present day Tamluk in West Bengal.

This entire Silk Route covered a distance of 900 km from Lhasa to Tamralipta starting from Chumbi Valley in Tibet, going across Nathu La and then through the hills of East Sikkim before finally entering into the plains of Bengal. The Chumbi Valley is connected to Sikkim to the southwest via the mountain passes of Nathu La and Jelep La. It is the thin slice of land between India and Bhutan that is known more for the Doklam issue between India and China.

A lot of commodities were traded along the Silk Road. The Chinese Silk was considered one of the luxury items and was traded from the east to the European countries. Other items included textiles, tea, spices, dyes, medicines, glassware, fruits and even camels. Apart from commodities knowledge, ideas and culture were also exchanged along these old routes. Well, the Silk Route is not of much significance today because of the geo-political boundaries.

Silk Route Sikkim Travel Guide

The Indian part of the Silk Route is open for tourists from Rongli to the Nathula Pass. The region is no doubt historically interesting, but it is the stunning vistas of the route that attracts tourists to this part of East Sikkim.

Although the Silk Route gets a lot of tourists from Bengal during the months of October (mainly due to the Durga Puja holidays), this part of Sikkim is relatively offbeat to tourists from other parts of India. There are actually no major towns enroute the Silk route circuit. Homestays are available all throughout the Silk Route in Sikkim that provides basic amenities to the tourists.

The Sikkim Silk Route circuit basically starts from Rongli, located at an altitude of 5000 feet near Bengal-Sikkim border. You might have seen Sikkim Silk Route packages mentioning stays at Rishikhola, Icchey Gaon or Sillery Gaon. Well, these places are located in West Bengal and are technically not part of the Silk route. These beautiful villages are located at the foothills of the route and you can stop at any of the villages to break your journey.

Our Itinerary

As I mentioned above, we started from NJP for our Silk Route tour. Here is a detailed itinerary of our Sikkim Silk Route Tour.

Day 1: NJP – Aritar (110 km)

We spent our first night at Aritar, a beautiful hamlet of Sikkim. Aritar is also a slight detour from the actual ancient Silk Route, located at an altitude of 4000 feet. 

Our train to NJP was a bit late and we reached at around 10 AM. We had already booked a car for the entire Silk Route trip. The car was waiting for us at NJP and we started as soon as we reached there. It took about 4.5 hours to reach Aritar after crossing the Rangpo Checkpost at Sikkim border. By the time we reached Aritar, it was drizzling.

We checked into our homestay, had our lunch and then went to explore the village on foot. As it was already late afternoon, we decided to rest for the day. We decided to explore Aritar the next day.

Alternative Stop: Mankhim

Day 2: Aritar – Zuluk (42 km)

Exploring aritar.

We started early from Aritar. The weather was a bit dampener with dark clouds hanging over us. Aritar is known for Lampokhri Lake, an artificial lake surrounded by hills covered with pine trees. There is also a small monastery near the lake. You can also go boating at Aritar Lake.

There is another monastery on the hilltop by the Aritar Lake. There is a trekking trail from the side of the lake leading to the Mankhim Top viewpoint and the local monastery. You can also reach the monastery by car. There is also an old British dak bungalow at Aritar.

Mankhim is located about 3 km from Aritar and is famous for the Mankim Top viewpoint. A forested trail through a rough and muddy road actually leads to the Mankhim Top. Aritar Lake is located just at the foothills of the Mankhim top.

Mankhim is a small village located at the top of the hill inhabited by the Rai Community. There is a temple and a monastery at Mankhim. From the Mankhim Top, you will get a panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga ranges at the horizon. This is, perhaps, the best thing about the Sikkim Silk Route. Through the entire route, you will get viewpoints from where you can get unobstructed views of the snow-capped mountains.

You will also get a view of the Lampokhari Lake from the viewpoint. There are several places on the trekking trail from where you will get great views of the lake.

There is a homestay just located a few metres from the Mankhim Top. It is a great place to stay, mainly for the views and the hospitality.

Note: Both Aritar and Mankhim are located before Rongli. So you do not need a permit to visit and stay at these places.

The Que Khola Falls is located just 2 km from Mankhim. It falls on the way towards Rongli. Que Khola is a small waterfall on the road side having a few tea stalls. You will get tea, coffee, momo and snacks at these stalls.

Rongli was the next stop. This is an important town in East Sikkim. This small town is surrounded by greenery and the Rangpo River flows by the town.

Rongli is an important stop in the Silk Route because you have to get your mandatory permit from here. You can get your ILP (Inner Line Permit) from the SDPO Office for travelling beyond this point to Zuluk and Nathang Valley. We too stopped at Rongli to get our passes.

You can also stay at Rongli for the night. The town is quite peaceful and there are a number of forest trails from here.

After we got our permits from Rongli, the actual journey through the Silk Route started. The roads were smooth and we quite enjoyed our drive amidst the beautiful scenery of Sikkim. Just imagine, centuries ago, caravans laden with expensive goods would commute along these roads! That is definitely a goosebump inducing feeling! After Rongli, the increase in altitude starts.

The next village on this route is Lingtam. The permits are checked at the Lingtam Checkpost. This is a small village and a few homestays are found here. You can stop here for some time, take a few photographs before travelling further.

Padamchen, located at 8000 ft is one of the most beautiful villages in Sikkim Silk Route. It is only 15 km from Rongli and is surrounded by greenery all around. Padamchen has pleasant weather all throughout the year and the village offers a sweeping view of the surrounding valleys.

Padamchen is a good place to stay for the night at Sikkim Silk Route. There are a number of homestays in Padamchen that offer all the basic amenities for tourists.

Padamchen has a few walking trails in the adjoining forests. If you are lucky enough, you might see a few Himalayan birds or even the elusive red panda.

We stopped at Padamchen for some time and then proceeded towards Zuluk, our final destination for the day.

The actual fun started after we crossed Padamchen and headed near Zuluk. The hairpin bends, that the Silk Route in Sikkim is so famous for, starts before Zuluk. After crossing a few bends, we finally arrived at Zuluk.

Zuluk is probably the most famous stop on the Sikkim Silk Route. And Zuluk also happened to be one of the major transit points in the past as well.

Located at 10000 feet, Zuluk is a small settlement on the Himalayan hillside. The place also has a huge army camp on the hill top.

Zuluk is known for its picturesque mountain views. The view of the sunrise from Zuluk is also quite breathtaking. During the spring, rhododendrons bloom in the region making the place a riot of colours. Being at a high elevation, Zuluk is often covered by mist and clouds. This was what we experienced mostly at Zuluk. In our entire Sikkim Silk Route tour, the weather was a bit gloomy with no sunshine. However, mist and clouds also have their own charm!

During the winter months, Zuluk experiences heavy snowfall and the entire region is covered in a blanket of snow.

There is a Shiva Temple at Zuluk that you can visit. Otherwise, it is quite pleasant to walk around the small village.

It was late afternoon when we reached Zuluk. After checking into our homestay, we went out to explore the temple and the area. We walked aimlessly along Zuluk while enjoying the cool mountain air.

Day 3: Zuluk to Nathang Valley (24 km)

This was the curtain raiser day, when we would drive through the famous zig-zag roads of Sikkim Silk Route and view them as well from the Thambi Viewpoint . The viewpoint is also known for its spectacular view of sunrise. However, the weather did not improve and there was no chance of viewing a proper sunrise. So we did not bother to wake up early in the morning to view the sunrise.

If the weather is good and you want to view the sunrise from Thambi View Point, then you have to start quite early in the morning and reach Thambi by 6 AM.

Thambi View Point

Thambi Viewpoint is located about 14 km from Zuluk and it will take about 40 minutes to reach there. At 11600 feet, Thambi viewpoint naturally offers a breathtaking view of sunrise, as well as a majestic view of the loops. See the picture below!

Did you know, there are 32 hairpin bends on the way from Zuluk to Thambi Viewpoint?

About 2 km from Thambi is another viewpoint – Lungthung Viewpoint, located at 12000 feet. This is perhaps the best place from where you can get an all-encompassing view of the Kanchenjunga ranges.

Nathang Valley

Located at an altitude of 13500 feet, Nathang Valley will simply take your breath away. This beautiful hamlet was originally inhabited by Tibetan yak herders. Nathang Valley is known as the “Ladakh of the East” because of its similarities in landscape with Ladakh.

Mountain streams criss-cross the barren landscape of the valley. The valley changes colour according to season. During the spring, rhododendron blooms paint the landscape in a riot of red, pink and yellow hues. Autumn sees the valley in a golden-yellow hue. Winters are totally blanketed by white snow.

Nathang Valley has only about 50 houses inhabited by people of Tibetan origin. There are a few homestays in Nathang Valley. If you are staying at Nathang Valley for the night, carry woolen clothes. The altitude makes the climate quite chilly and the winds are strong as well.

There is a Buddhist Monastery and Krishna Temple that you can visit at Nathang Valley.

Day 4: Nathang Valley – Kupup Lake – Baba Mandir – Gangtok (74 km)

This was our final day. We wanted to travel a bit slow, so we stayed at Nathang Valley at night. You can also opt to carry forward from Nathang Valley towards Gangtok on the same day. There are a few attractions near Nathang Valley that you should not miss:

Eagle Nest Bunker

Eagle Nest Bunker is located a few kilometres from Nathang Valley at an altitude of 13700 feet. This abandoned bunker is perched on a strategic location and gives a panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayas. You get a beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga ranges and other peaks of TIbetan plateau.

Kupup Lake is quite beautiful and on a clear day, the lake looks clear blue. The lake is also known as Elephant lake, because of its shape.

Memencho Lake

Memencho Lake cannot be reached directly by car. You have to trek downhill about 4 km to reach the lake. Menmecho Lake is a beautiful Lake located amidst conifers on all sides.

Tukla Valley

Tukla Valley is located about 15 km from Kupup. This is a relatively unexplored valley located quite close to international borders. Only a part of the Tukla Valley is accessible to civilians. The place is as charming as Yumthang valley in North Sikkim, if not more.

There is another interesting attraction at Tukla Valley. There is an eighteen-hole golf course called Yak Course located at an altitude of 13025 feet making it the highest golf course in the world.

Old Baba Mandir

This is the actual bunker where Baba Harbhajan Singh resided. You can go inside the bunker and see Baba’s personal effects.

The New Baba Mandir is located about 10 km from the Old one and the Silk route merges with the conventional road towards Nathula and then towards Gangtok.

Tsomgo Lake or Changu Lake

You can stop at Changu Lake or Tsomgo Lake on your way towards Gangtok. Tsomgo Lake is a beautiful lake considered sacred by the locals. The lake is a famous attraction of Sikkim and is visited by a lot of tourists.

Tentative Sikkim Silk Route Itinerary

The minimum days required for the Sikkim Silk Route is 2N/3D. You can extend your trip if you have more days in hand. We will share a few itineraries according to the number of days you have in hand.

Sikkim Silk Route Itinerary for 2N/3D *

• Day 1: NJP – Aritar/ Mankhim
• Day 2: Aritar/Mankhim – Zuluk
• Day 3: Zuluk – Nathang Valley – Gangtok

*You can do this the opposite way as well

Sikkim Silk Route Itinerary for 3N/4D *

• Day 1: Gangtok – Nathu La – Nathang Valley
• Day 2: Nathang valley _ Zuluk – Padamchen
• Day 3: Padamchen – Mankhim
• Day 4: Mankhim – NJP

Sikkim Silk Route Itinerary for 4N/5D *

• Day 1: NJP – Icchey Gaon/ Reshikhola
• Day 2: Icchey Gaon/ Reshikhola – Mankhim
• Day 3: Mankhim – Zuluk
• Day 3: Zuluk – Nathnag Valley
• Day 4: Nathang Valley – Gangtok

What is the Best time for the Sikkim Silk Route Tour?

March to May (Spring and Summer)

The best time to visit East Sikkim or Sikkim Silk Route is the spring time between March and May. During this time, the weather remains pleasant.  Rhododendrons bloom during the spring.

June – September (Monsoon)

This season is best avoided. Sikkim witnesses heavy rainfall as well as landslides during the monsoon. Roads are treacherous and often get blocked due to landslides. You will also not get good views of the mountains during monsoon.

October – November (Autumn)

Autumn is one of the best times to visit the Sikkim Silk Route. The weather remains pleasant and clear and is good for viewing the mountain ranges.

December – February (Winter)

Winters are usually harsh in the higher altitudes. Snowfall is experienced at Zuluk and Nathang Valley. Views are quite clear during December and January. However, during February, the weather remains foggy and you might not get good views. Also during the winter season, often roads are blocked due to excessive snowfall and you might not be able to complete your trip.

Where to Stay on the Sikkim Silk Route?

The only option to stay at Sikkim Silk Route circuit is the homestays. The homestays are basic in nature having all the basic amenities like comfortable beds, quilts and hot water facilities. Some of the homestays might also have televisions and geysers.

There are hardly any restaurants or eateries at any of the villages apart from Rongli. So the homestays are the best bet to have your meals. The homestays provide tasty and homemade food. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is available. The homestays will provide breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner.

Usually, the homestays in the Silk Route circuit usually cost INR 800 – 1200 per head per day including food.

How to obtain permits for Sikkim Silk Route?

You will need Protected Area Permits to travel to Sikkim Silk Route. Permits can be obtained by going to the tourist Centre at Gangtok or contacting a travel agent. You will need an identity proof and passport size photographs to obtain the permit. You also need to keep the original ID proofs handy as it might be asked at the check posts.

Remember, that Adhar Card is not a valid ID proof for obtaining a permit. You can use Voter ID Card, Passport or Driving License to obtain a permit.

The Permits for the Old Silk Route are given out of both Gangtok and Rongli. However, the p[ermits for NathuLa are only given from Gangtok. So if you are entering from Rongli and exiting from Gangtok, then you cannot perhaps visit NathuLa. You can talk to your homestay owner or Driver to know more about the passes to Nathu La.

Currently, you also have to apply for a Travel Card for entering any area of Sikkim. This is an easy process and can be applied online . You have to carry a print out of the filled form with you while travelling to Sikkim.

Permit for Foreigners

While foreigners are allowed to travel in parts of Sikkim, they are not allowed in the Old Silk Route. Foreigners need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim. The ILP can be obtained from all Indian Missions, Sikkim Tourism Offices at New Delhi, Kolkata, District Magistrate’s Office of Darjeeling, Siliguri, and Rangpo on the strength of an Indian Visa.

How to reach?

New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the nearest railway head. NJP is well connected by trains from all the major Indian stations. You can also fly into Bagdogra. You can start your journey from either NJP or Gangtok.

If you want to start from Gangtok, you can reach Gangtok from NJP/Siliguri or Bagdogra. You will get shared sumos from NJP Station and Siliguri SNT Stand to Gangtok. You can also book a car to Gangtok from Siliguri or Bagdogra or NJP.

Sikkim Silk Route Travel Guide (FAQs Answered)

The best time for the Sikkim Silk Route tour is the months of April and May as well as October and November. During this time the climate is perfect for road trip without the wrath of rains and snow. The months of April, May and October are the peak seasons for Silk Route Tour.

You can start your Silk Route tour in Sikkim either from NJP or Gangtok. Starting from NJP, you can stop at Aritar for the first night. On the second day, get your permits for Silk Route from Rongli and then carry on towards Zuluk and Nathang Valley and finally to Gangtok. You can also start from Gangtok and return to Siliguri or NJP.

The height of Zuluk is 2865 m

Zuluk is a small village in East Sikkim and is an important stop in Sikkim Silk Route. Zuluk is beautiful with a handful of settlements, surrounded by moutains and gorgeous views. Zuluk is also famous for the famous hairpin loops of Silk Route. Zuluk has emerged as quite a famous hill station in East Sikkim and is definitely worth your time.

Yes, homestays are available along the entire Silk Route. Most of the villages have homestays these days offering basic and comfortable stays, hot water and good food. The most famous points of stay in Silk Route are Aritar, Mankhim, Rongli, Padamchen, Zuluk and Nathang Valley. You can stay at any of these places as per your plan.

Mobile network works satisfactorily on almost the entire Silk Route, except near Nathang Valley. Vodafone, Airtel, BSNL & Jio network works pretty well. However, internet speed is not that good.

You will find a number of ATMs between Siliguri and Rongli, as well as in Gangtok. Beyond Rongli, there are no ATMs

I hope this blog on Silk Route will help you plan your Sikkim Silk Route Tour. If you have any queries, drop us a comment below or send us an email. If you liked this post and found it useful, please share it with your family friends and neighbours.

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We have been travelling together since the last 15 years and writing independent and personal travel content since 2014. Travel is one of the best teachers and through this blog, we aim to share our experiences and travel tips. We encourage you to travel more and see the world through your eyes and not through filtered templates.

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I loved reading your blog post on the Sikkim Silk Route Tour. It was so informative and I learned a lot! I’m definitely going to book my tickets and go on this amazing tour!

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Extend your silk road tour to the top destinations of China and neighbour countries. We are always here to waiting for you.

18 Days Silk Road and Northern Xinjiang Tour

15 days silk road and tibet adventure, 14 days fascinating maritime silk road to xi'an dunhuang and xinjiang, 16 days silk road and yunnan, what our customers say.

Lesley and her team have arranged 10000+travelers to fulfilled their dreamed adventure to silk road and other destinations of China. Her passion is to create fabulous,perfect memories for every client with her professional,dedicated and enthusiasm. We are very proud to have the excellent reviews.

Reviewed on May 22, 2024

from Singapore

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024

Reviewed on Dec 18, 2023

Reviewed on Oct 26, 2023

from Malaysia

Reviewed on Oct 08, 2023

from Turkey

We are on the plane to Shanghai and we are so happy enjoying this beautiful road trip. Congratulations to all of the Silk Road Adventurers team. Murat and Canan

Hello! I am also about to board. I really appreciate you all for making this trip a memorable one🤗. All the best🌹

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023

from Canada

Thank you so much!  My parents ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE TOUR!!!!! They are talking about it!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! They even said the guide treated them so nice and he is a sweetheart. They appreciate you because you went above and beyond. Your bosses should know how great you are!

Why Choose Us

100% tailor made.

Your entire holiday is designed around your requirements .

Explore your interests at your own speed .

Select your preferred style of accommodation.

Create the perfect trip with the help of our specialists.

Expert Knowledge

All our specialists have travelled extensively or lived in their specialist regions.

The same specialist will handle your trip from start to finish .

Make the most of your time and budget .

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Friendly and Professional Guides and Drivers

No Shopping Stops and Hidden Cost

Lowest Price and Excellent Service Promised .

24/7 Customer Service.

Trusted service

Reputable & Licensed Travel agency established in 2005.

Professional and skilled Tourism staff with dedicate 1-1 Service.

Best Possible arrangement to experience the culture and local lifestyle.

No lost if cancel the tour 30days in prior without train and flights.

Latest Silk Road Travel Information

Here are the updated information along this mysterious route! Fresh ideas and tips about the destinations on the Silk Road Travel.From the starting city of Xi’an in China to the famous trading post of Bukhara in Uzbekistan.Our team personally visited most places on our website. Believe you will have a wonderful holiday with our authentic experience and knowledge.

Sven Hedin in Xinjiang 130 years ago

March 17th, 2022

Gansu May Travel

October 22nd, 2021

My Impression of Kashgar

March 02nd, 2021

How to Travel to the Silk Road Hexi Corridor

February 26th, 2021

Info Enteriies

Our Clients Travel Stories

• Stuart’s Travel blog
• Malaysian Group North Silk Road Story
• Liz’s Great Silk Road Blog
• Elsa’s Xinjiang Silk Road Blog
• Singapore Group South Silk Road Story

• Email: [email protected]
• TEL: +86 135 6583 4056

Call Us: +44 (0)20 8191 0620   |  Email Us: [email protected]

Orient Silk Road Express & Silk Road Train Tour Packages

The Silk Road Express train provides the perfect way to visit Central Asia’s magnificent main features while being treated to spectacular scenery along the way. An Orient Express Silk Road holiday will give you a chance to take in some man-made wonders, such as the ancient cities of Bukhara and Samarkand, as the Silk Route Train wind’s its way from Almaty in Kazakhstan to Tashkent in Uzbekistan on one of The Luxury Train Travel Company’s Silk Road Train travel packages.

View the tours on offer below or explore the cabin classes, life on board and frequently asked questions sections using the buttons below.

Of course, if you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact us.

View all the Orient Silk Road Express tour to get your trip going.

Cabin Classes

Full details of the cabin classes on the Orient Silk Road Express.

Life On Board

Learn about life on board the Orient Silk Road Express.

Frequently asked questions on the Orient Silk Road Express.

Tours on The Orient Silk Road Express Train

Below are the rail tours we offer that use the Orient Silk Road Express. Just click on any tour to open a PDF containing all you need to know about the trip.

● Please remember that booking as far ahead as you can in advance is essential for these trains ●

14 Nights From UK £ 3,430

Contact us for quotes in other currencies

Almaty ● Bishkek ● Tashkent ● Kokand ● Shahrizabz ● Samarkand ● Khiva ● Bukhara ● Tashkent

13 Nights From UK £ 3,520

Tashkent ● Khiva ● Bukhara ● Dushanbe ● Samarkand ● Bishkek ● Almaty

Almaty ● Bishkek ● Samarkand ● Dushanbe ● Bukhara ● Khiva ● Tashkent

Orient Silk Road Express Train Gallery

A selection of photos below give a flavour of life on board the Orient Silk Road Express Train.

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How Can We Reach You?

How can we help, which orient silk road express trips are you interested in, how did you hear about us, experience the silk road railway for a once in a lifetime central asia train tour.

Although Central Asia’s Silk Route railway and its destinations may not be as world-famous as other railway journeys, that by no means makes a Silk Road Train trip any less spectacular or memorable. Orient Express Silk Road holidays are a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for most travellers and will offer unforgettable and magical moments. From the vast steppes and desert landscapes between the cities, Silk Road rail tours allow one to take the past less trodden and step away from the already beaten track. These spectacular Central Asia rail tours provide an abundance of opportunities for passengers to explore ancient excavations, witness the manufacture of traditional silks and carpets, and immerse in the breathtaking natural wonders the region offers during an Orient Silk Road Express train tour.

Your Central Asia Silk Road rail tour could start in one of the five available classes of cabins and depart from either Almaty or Tashkent. Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and is tucked neatly in the foothills of the Trans-lli mountains, making it a great starting point for your 13-14 night experience onboard the Silk Road luxury train. Or begin your Silk Road rail tour in Tashkent and leave Almaty as the final spectacular destination for your Orient Express Silk Road holiday. Whichever one of these Silk Road rail tours you decide to adventure on, you’re guaranteed to experience and see things that will leave an indelible impression in your memory that will keep you wanting to return to this provocative and intriguing part of the world for another Orient Express Silk Road holiday again in the future.

Absorb Central Asian History, Culture And Cuisine From The World Famous Luxury Orient Silk Road Express Train

Central Asia has a vibrant history, with many of the region’s countries having a past steeped in yesteryear’s nomadic empires and tribes. Travelling through Central Asia on the Silkroad railway opens up a new world of cultural experiences you won’t find on more well-known train journeys. The options you’ll find for new and exciting cuisines are almost endless. Central Asian cuisine has seen a heavy influence from Turkish, Chinese, Mongol, African, Arab, Indian, and Persian cooking, all of which can be enjoyed onboard and during off-train excursions during your Silk Road Train trip. Many passengers boarding the Silk Road Train for a tour would be unfamiliar with much of the cuisine as the region is not renowned for its culinary delights. But, during your Silk Road rail tour, you’ll feast on many incredible culinary delicacies, including soups such as Laghman and Borscht and main courses like Plov, the national dish of Uzbekistan, made from rice, carrots, onions, and either mutton or beef, giving you a wonderfully unique insight into the history and culture of the people during your Orient Express Silk Road tour.

As well as being able to treat your palate to new tastes and flavours on your Central Asia train tour, the Central Asian region will flood your senses with incredible historical insights and cultural learnings. You’ll experience the excavations of the ancient Afrosiyob town in Samarkand, the Ulug Bek observatory in Bukhara, and visit Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan on your magical journey onboard our Central Asia train tours. You’ll have a truly unique opportunity to enjoy lunch with an Uzbek family during your Silk Road train trip and savour a traditional folk performance. Our Orient Express Silk Road tours will hand you plenty of liberty to explore off-train excursions that you won’t find anywhere else but on these superbly curated Central Asia train tours.

Our Silk Road Tours By Train Offer Exceptional Value With Jampacked Guided Itinerary Stops Throughout Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan And Uzbekistan

Whichever Silk Road Train trip you choose, you’ll have the vacation of a lifetime. Our options for Central Asia rail tours include 13-15 night trips on the Silk Route Railway departing from either the southeastern city of Almaty in Kazakhstan or Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. Each Silk Route Train trip has an incredibly well-curated itinerary that allows passengers onboard the fabulous Silk Road Train to experience the best of Kazakhstan, Turkistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries are often forgotten when it comes to vacation destinations, but each of the itineraries offered by The Luxury Train Travel Company has been perfectly curated to allow passengers onboard these Central Asia rail tours to recognise and experience just how much they have to offer.

The Orient Silk Road Express journey through Central Asia lets you see the world’s second-largest mountain lake, meet local families, experience how traditional bread is baked, and enjoy local handicrafts. Silk Road rail tours also visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Shakhrisabz. These Silk Road Train tours overflow with fabulous and exciting sights, experiences, and adventures, proving why Central Asia train holidays provide such great value. If you’ve ever been curious about this region of Central Asia, or if you’ve not previously considered Central Asia train tours, an Orient Silk Road Express Train tour in 2024 or 2025 could be a life-changing journey you wish you’d taken many years before.

Enjoy An Exceptional Dining Experience During Your Orient Express Silk Road Tour, Both On And Off The Train

Silk Route Train prices include all your meals onboard, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During your Silk Route Train trip, you can order drinks from the dining car or one of the conductors in your carriage. You’ll run a tab throughout the Silk Road Train trip, which you can settle at the journey’s end by paying in USD or Euros. As well as the onboard dining, you’ll be spoilt for choice when visiting destinations. Central Asian cuisine tends to get overlooked by Indian, South East Asian, and Middle Eastern foods, but an Orient Express silk road tour will introduce you to some incredibly famous culinary delights you’ve probably heard of but didn’t know where they came from. You can try Uzbek’s shivit oshi, a green noodle dish, or obi non, wonderful flat Uzbek bread. Each Silk Road train tour and Silk Road train route will give you ample opportunity to indulge in some spectacular traditional Central Asian foods.

Heavily influenced by the culinary cultures of Russia, the Chinese, Indian, Persian, Mongol, Africa, Arab, and Turkish, you’ll find no shortage of new and exciting tastes and aromas on an Orient Silk Road Express Train. Central Asia train tours will introduce you to Uighur’s pulled noodle dish, Halva, and dessert made using flour, sugar, milk, and nuts, or Paklama, a localised version of Baklava that comes drenched in honey. There are no limits to the variety of provocative and breathtaking new culinary experiences on the Silk Road Train route. This part of Asia loves a sweet dessert as much as other parts of the globe, and you’ll be spoilt for choice in what to eat and what to take home from your Central Asian Silk Road Rail tour.

The Orient Silk Road Express Train is One of The Top Luxury Trains in The World, Making Your Silk Road Train Tour A Highly Memorable Experience!

Taking a luxury train tour is something that many people from all walks of life dream of doing at least once during their lifetime and slowly winding their way through stunning scenery, visiting incredible destinations on the route, and indulging in a feast of new culinary experiences. The Orient Silk Road Express provides passengers onboard to do all these things on our carefully curated Silk Road luxury train tours. Your first decision is which of the cabin classes you want to call home during your Silk Route Train trip. Silk Road tours by train are between 13 and 15 nights in duration and provide a wonderful level of comfort and relaxation during your Silk Road Train trip.

With five classes of accommodation available for your journey along the Silk Road Train route, you’re spoilt for choice, from the Habibi class cabin that sleeps four passengers and shared washroom facilities to the most luxurious cabin, the Kalif class. The Kalif class accommodation is the finest offered on the Orient Silk Road Express Train, and all four suites have their own bathroom facilities with separate showers. These Central Asia rail tours are incredible experiences, whichever cabin you frequent, and they all offer outstanding value to the passengers travelling on a Silk Road Train trip. If the Kalif class cabins are already fully booked by the time you register your interest in a Silk Road Train tour, each of the accommodations available onboard the Silk Road Train provide passengers with an incredible level of opulence and relaxation, allowing you to enjoy every second of your Central Asia train tour.

Explore Our Extensive Orient Silk Road Express Journey Options And Silk Road Train Tours Throughout 2024 And 2025

If you’ve always dreamt of taking a long-distance journey by rail or want to treat yourself as a retirement gift or give yourself and your significant other an unforgettable anniversary, these Orient Express Silk Road holidays provide the perfect way to enjoy rail travel to some fabulous destinations. When most people think of the Orient Express, they don’t think of Central Asia, which makes our Orient Express Silk Road tours all the more intriguing and exciting. When thinking about the Orient Express, most people would think about leaving from Paris, but Silk Road Train tours through Central Asia have grown remarkably in popularity as the destinations offer more intrigue and adventure than the more common European route.

We offer a selection of Central Asia train holidays that will travel through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, taking in some truly spectacular scenery between destinations. Silk Route train prices are incredibly competitive, and you’ll adventure on a less travelled path and create beautiful memories that will stand up to any trip on the Orient Express. Check out our Silk Road Train price list and itineraries for 2024 and 2025, and get your place booked for one of these Silk Road tours by train. The places available onboard Silk Road Train tours are very exclusive due to high demand and limited departures throughout the year. We suggest you book your Central Asia train tour onboard the Orient Express as far in advance as possible, especially for the high-level cabins, to avoid disappointment and missing out on an Orient Express Silk Road holiday.

Speak to Our Orient Express Silk Road Tour Experts Today!

If you’re considering hopping onboard the Orient Express Silk Road Train and heading off on a Central Asian adventure, contact our team of Silk Road railway experts and learn how we can help you accomplish the vacation of a lifetime. Along with providing a selection of Orient Silk Road Express Train itineraries for 2024 and 2025, departing from Almaty or Tashkent, The Luxury Train Travel Company’s in-house experts can assist you in organising and booking any off-train excursions that interest you. With our Silk Road train tours, you’ll never find yourself short of options concerning outings and jaunts you can enjoy along the Silk Road railway.

Off-train excursions could be visiting a cathedral, church, museum, or palace or spending time on a culinary adventure. Whatever you’d like to add to your Silk Road Train travel itinerary, our experienced and skilful team will do their best to accommodate your desires within the Orient Silk Road Express Train schedule. Contact our team today if you have any questions or queries or require more information regarding our Orient Silk Road Express holiday packages! Here at The Luxury Train Tavel Company, we endeavour to assist you in creating a unique experience when you book one of our Orient Express Silk Road tours. All the itineraries in our 2024/2025 Silk Road Rail tours are customisable, and our experienced Silk Road Railway experts are here to help.

THE MOST POPULAR QUESTIONS

Orient silk road express central asia tour faqs, what counties does the orient silk road express train tour travel through.

The Orient Silk Road Express travels through four countries in Central Asia during a Silkroad Railway tour. Depending on which Central Asia train tour itinerary you opt for, you could begin your vacation in Kazakhstan and then proceed to journey through Kyrgyzstan, Tadzhikistan, with and final destination of Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan.

How much do Orient Express Silk Road tours cost?

Silk Road Train prices will vary depending on the length of your Silk Road Rail tour and what class of cabin you choose to stay in. A 13-night stay onboard the Orient Silk Road Express departing from Almaty in Kazakhstan will cost less than £3700 as of May 2024. If you board the Orient Silk Road Express for a longer journey and want to stay in one of the top Kalif suites, your Silk Road train price will increase but still represent incredible value for a once-in-a-lifetime trip onboard the Orient Express.

Why does the Orient Silk Road Express offer the best Central Asia train tour?

The Orient Silk Road Express Train provides a beautiful blend of luxury and affordability for those looking to adventure in a less well-known setting. When most people think of the Orient Express, it’s fair to say that the majority would think of the Paris to Istanbul route. But going off the more familiar path and exploring Central Asia on the Silk Road Express Train makes for a wonderful variation on what has been done many times before. The Orient Silk Road Express is the most luxurious train that journeys the tracks of Central Asia, which is why it has become incredibly popular and regarded as the finest Central Asia train tour.

Do your Orient Silk Road Express holiday tours offer different Silk Road train route options?

Current 2024 Silk Road Express Train routes include 13-14 or 15-night Orient Express Silk Road holidays from Almaty to Tashkent or from Tashkent to Almaty. We can also offer a Silk Road Train route from Almaty with a final destination of Ashgabat in Turkmenistan for booking in 2024.

Which of your Silk Road Rail tours is the most popular?

All of the Silk Road Rail tours that we offer are favoured by passengers, and places onboard are at a premium and get booked quickly. The Legendary Silk Road tour from Almaty has proven to be a very popular choice among luxury Silk Road tour fans. This particular Silk Road Train trip takes in seven wonderful destinations across Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, and Kyrgyzstan. It gives the onboard guests a real insight into the culture of this beautiful region of Central Asia. As well as visiting incredible destinations, this Central Asia train tour introduces those onboard to the people who live there and the wonderfully diverse and rich culinary cultures. In truth, each of the Orient Express Silk Road tours that currently offer would provide an excellent opportunity to immerse in Central Asian culture that is often overlooked and ignored. We have curated each itinerary to allow passengers to soak up as much of each destination along the Silk Road Train route while maintaining a relaxed and laid-back pace.

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Silk Route Tour

For ages, the Silk Route has served as a lone way for commerce caravans, fearless invaders, and devout Buddhist pilgrims going on epic treks. This perilous journey, formerly reserved for the most daring and daring adventurers, has evolved into a sumptuous odyssey thanks to the comfort of contemporary transportation and hotels.

The Itinerary for the Silk Route Tour   is noticeable below

Day 01: Arrival at Islamabad International Airport

Fly into Islamabad International Airport. Silkroad Guides employees will greet you and transport you to your hotel. We'll start with lunch and then go sightseeing in Islamabad. We'll visit the Shah Faisal Mosque, Daman-e-Koh for a panoramic view of Islamabad, and the marketplaces to see a genuine assortment of oriental carpets and other items. Following a traditional Pakistani meal, we will return to the hotel for the night.

Day 02: Travel to Besham

We will leave early in the morning for Besham, the administrative and commercial centre of the Shangla District in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. The town has quite good overnight accommodations in inexpensive motels along the Indus River. The rest of the day is free.

Day 03: Travel to Gilgit

After breakfast, we'll board the KKH for the 9-hour journey to Gilgit. The travel today will take us to the breathtaking scenery of Nanga Parbat, Rakaposhi, and Haramosh peaks. The day has been exhausting but also gratifying. We will travel down the Indus River through the towns of Patan, Komila, Dassu, and Chilas. Today, we'll visit a lot of rock carvings and inscriptions on KKH. The Silk Route rock art is similar to a guest book of prehistoric explorers, traders, warriors, and pilgrims.

Day 04: Sightseeing in Gilgit

The day will be spent touring this historically rich mountain city. Gilgit has a significant historical past due to its location at the crossroads of central and southern Asia. Kirghiz impacted the city. Chinese, Arabs, and Tibetans are all represented. The location was also historically a bazaar where Silk Road merchants and travelers would barter goods and share ideas. Marco Polo passed through the town on his trip to China in the 13th century. We will travel to Kargah Nala after breakfast to witness the seventh-century rock-carved Buddha, a monastery, and stupas. We can watch famous polo tournaments in the evening.

Day 05: Drive to Hunza 

Today, travel to Hunza. Karimabad will impress you with its outstanding natural beauty and warm culture. We will travel and lodge in close proximity to massive mountain peaks. After breakfast, we will go to Hunza in a vehicle. The line of collision between the Indian subcontinent and the Asian geological plates will be visible near Chalt. We will stop for refreshments and photographs at the base of the 7788m high Rakaposhi peak, the world's 27th tallest. We will arrive at Karimabad around lunchtime and explore the 400-year-old Altit and Baltit forts. You will also be able to see magnificent mountains from your hotel window. Passu, Shishpar, Ultar, and Rakaposhi, all of which are over 7,000 meters high, overshadow and surround the town.

Day 06: Excursion to Khunjerab Pass

This 5- to 6-hour excursion will begin early in the morning and will take you to the Khunjerab Pass (4733m), the world's highest paved road border crossing. We will enjoy the unique and stunning views during the tour, as well as visits to the snouts of the glaciers Borit, Passu, and Gulkin. The Ganesh watch tower and rock carvings are additional worthwhile stops that will be made today. In the Karakoram National Park, we will have opportunities to witness wildlife. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 07: Free Day

Free day for just relaxing or taking optional  walks and shops

Day 08: Drive back to Chilas

Drive (9 hours) over the Karakorum Highway to Chilas. Meals and lodging at a hotel.

Day 09: Drive to Islamabad

Travel to Islamabad (9–10 hours)

Day 10: Fly back to Home country

Our personnel will transport all of our customers to the airport at their scheduled departure times. All of our partner hotels have a 12pm check-out time.

Holiday Overview

On this extraordinary journey, you will travel beneath the towering "roof of the world," following the sinuous path of the spectacular Indus River. Along this unique trip, you'll pass through a kaleidoscope of fascinating and historically significant locations. Each stop along the road exposes a new chapter in the story of Northern Pakistan, from the bustling city of Peshawar to the tranquil valleys of Swat, from the harsh landscape of Gilgit to the timeless beauty of Hunza.

The awe-inspiring magnificence of peaks like the towering 8125m Nanga Parbat and the regal 7788m Rakaposhi may be found in this breathtaking environment. These mountains, steeped in tradition and majesty, will follow you on your journey, their snow-capped peaks a constant reminder of nature's majesty.

The adventure's big finale awaits at the 4703m Khunjerab Pass, the highest paved border crossing on the planet, where Pakistan joins China. Cultures collide as borders blur, symbolizing the strength of connection.

Take a once-in-a-lifetime adventure through nature's wonders and the rich tapestry of cultural diversity that defines Northern Pakistan. The Silk Route Tour allows you to relive history, embrace adventure, and make memories to last a lifetime.

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Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit-Baltistan, located in Pakistan's beautiful mountains, is a haven of natural beauty and cultural richness. It offers a thrilling experience for adventurers and cultural seekers, with its high peaks, peaceful lakes, and colorful traditions.

The Karakoram mountain range captivates with its towering peaks, rough beauty, and rich cultural legacy. Explore its stunning vistas, embark on adventurous activities, and become enchanted by this fascinating place.

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Silk Road Tours & Holidays

Discover the unique Silk Road culture that spans Central Asia and beyond.

A journey through time down this ancient trade route is a true adventure for travellers intrigued by less-frequented parts of the globe. You’ll follow in the footsteps of generations of nomads, visiting some of the most important world heritage sites that connected the East to the West. Cross sprawling desert landscapes, visit glittering Islamic monuments and stop at small villages where you’ll meet the locals and learn about traditional ways of life. Buckle up for the ride, this is no ordinary road trip.

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Silk road travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

What countries are on the Silk Road?

The Silk Road was originally an expansive region that covered Asia, Europe, the Middle East and parts of the Pacific. In modern times, the  World Tourism Organization  (UNWTO) classifies the Silk Road region as 34 countries.

While many of these countries retain remnants of the Silk Road era, we have highlighted several of the destinations that showcase this incredible history within our Silk Road tours. We are currently running Silk Road trips in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The following FAQ answers are related to these countries. 

What is the weather like in the Silk Road region?

In the Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan sections of the Silk Road, the weather is categorised as typically between moderate to arid continental. This means summers are hot and sunny, with winters between cold and freezing. There can be extreme temperatures in these seasons, with highs getting to 50ºC, typically in the desert regions and winter lows of -20ºC. There's also snow in the mountain regions. This region can also get sudden cold spells, heatwaves and intense winds, causing sand and dust storms.  

When is the best time to visit the Silk Road region?

The best time to visit the Silk Road for travel within Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is from April to October, as the rainiest time of year typically falls from October to April. The shoulder months of March and November are also good times to visit as there shouldn't be as cold or get as much rain as in the winter months. It can get very hot from June to August, so if you'd prefer a more mild visit, visit in the spring and autumn seasons.

Do I need a visa to travel to the Silk Road region?

If you are travelling to countries in the Silk Road region, you should ensure you have checked the entry requirements for each destination you are visiting. Currently, in the countries we run trips in, a visa is required for entry into Turkmenistan.

Many nationalities are able to enter and travel within Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan for up to 30 days without a visa. This is extended to 60 days in Kyrgyzstan.

See visa travel advice for travellers from  Australia , the  United States , the  United Kingdom ,  Canada  and  New Zealand .

The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. 

Is tipping customary in the Silk Road region?

Tipping isn't universally done across the Silk Road region, however, it is becoming more popular in certain areas. In Kazakhstan, a service charge of 10% is typically included in bills, whereas in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, a tip of about 5-10% is welcome. Tippnig is not customary in Turkemenistan.

What is the internet access like in the Silk Road region?

Internet in countries throughout the Silk Road is typically accessible in cities and large towns. You can generally find internet in hotels and restaurants as well as in internet cafes. When outside of these major hubs, internet can range from reduced to non-existent.

In Turkmenistan, many sites, including social media, are blocked by the authorities.

Can I use my mobile phone while in the Silk Road region?

Similar to internet use, mobile phone access in the Silk Road region is typically good in cities and main towns. There can be limitations on using your device and home carrier, depending on the country you are travelling in and your provider. You may be able to purchase a local SIM card while abroad in this area. However, if you are planning on using global roaming, ensure it is turned on prior to leaving your home country.

What are the toilets like in the Silk Road region?

Toilets throughout the Silk Road area can vary from modern flushable toilets to outside drop toilets. Some areas in this region may not sanitise toilet facilities to the same standards as in Western countries and there may not always be hot water available.

Because there is so much variation, especially between the cities and remote areas, it is generally advised that you bring your own toilet paper, sanitiser and soap while travelling. 

Can I drink the water in the Silk Road region?

Travellers are advised not to drink tap water in Central Asia and while in the Silk Road regions. It is also a good idea to be careful when eating salads and other uncooked foods that may have been washed in water. Similarly, avoid ice, peel fruit before eating and ask for filtered water to be used for tea.

Are credit cards and ATMs widely accepted in the Silk Road region?

Credit cards are usually accepted in business in the major cities and hubs of this region of the Silk Road. Outside of cities, credit cards aren't typically used and you will need small local currency. You may find that foreign cards aren't as accepted, especially in Uzbekistan, so it's advised that you have enough cash to cover your daily expenses. 

Similarly, ATMs are usually commonly found in cities and large towns and not so much in rural regions. 

Is the Silk Road safe for LGBTQIA+ travellers?

Discretion is advised for LGBTQI+ travellers in this region of the Silk Road. In Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, same-sex relations are illegal and can incur prison sentences of up to two years. While in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, homosexuality is legal, however, attitudes are not accepting, especially outside of major cities. In this area of Asia, displays of affection between heterosexual couples are generally frowned upon and can even offend, so it is advised for all travellers to take care not to engage in any public displays of affection.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting  Equaldex  or  ILGA  before you travel.

If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before travelling?

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

How do I stay safe and healthy while travelling?

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

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The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

8-Day Qinghai Lake, Zhangye, and Dunhuang Tour

Miraculous qinghai and legendary silk road tour.

This itinerary includes Qinghai and Gansu, which were two very important regions during the history of the ancient Silk Road. Qinghai is famous for high plateau lakes and grasslands as well as exotic ethnic culture, while Gansu features the Gobi Desert landscapes, Danxia landforms, Buddhist grottoes, and Great Wall culture.

Travel from Xining to dreamlike Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake, and then go to Zhangye with its unique Danxia — red sandstone landforms. End the trip at the mysterious city of Dunhuang, where you will enjoy the spectacular desert landscapes and experience unique ancient Silk Road culture.

Tour 'Wow' Points

Feast your eyes on the spectacular landscapes of two high plateau lakes..

Visit picturesque Qinghai Lake, which was selected as "the Most Beautiful Lake in China" by China's National Geographic, and be amazed by the stunning landscape around it. Also, take a train ride through "the sky mirror" — Chaka Salt Lake.

Trace the Roots of China's Brilliant Buddhist Culture on the Ancient Silk Road.

Admire exquisite architecture in celebrated Ta'er Monastery in Xining and Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye. Appreciate amazing murals, sculptures, and grottoes in the mysterious Mogao Caves.

Enjoy the Stunning Views of Wild China

Explore the famous Zhangye Danxia Geopark and take great photos of the Rainbow Mountains. Capture spectacular desert views of Echoing-Sand Mountain, Crescent Moon Spring, and Devil City — Yadan National Geological Park.

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Itinerary Quick Look

Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.

Airport or railway station pick-up

Ta'er Monastery, Erlangjian Scenic Area, and Qinghai Lake boat ride

Qinghai Lake sunrise, Chaka Salt Lake

Zhangye Danxia Geological Park

Giant Buddha Temple, Wooden Tower

The Mogao Caves, the Singing Sand Mountains and Crescent Moon Spring, Camel Riding

Dunhuang Museum, Yadan National Geological Park, Yumen Pass, the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty

Airport or railway station drop-off

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Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.

Price includes:

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• English speaking local guide
• Activities and hotels listed in the itinerary
• 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling

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Best Silk Route Tours

The Silk Road , a massive ancient trade route whose very name evokes images of camel and donkey trains, exotic spices, lustrous silks and other faraway goods traveling across Asia to Europe. The Silk Road refers to both the winding land route that connected East to West, as well as the prominent sailing route.

Starting in China and winding through Asia to an end-point in the ancient Roman empire, this mercantile lifeline played an important role in developing distant countries such as India, China, Japan, Iran and more. Along with lacquerware, porcelain, sandalwood, frankincense and pistachios from these countries, political ideas and religions were also spread between empires. These options for the best silk road trips will take you through the cities that lay at the heart of the trade route, you can imagine the exotic locales, harrowing journeys and lone traders that played a part in developing the modern world.

The Great Silk Road Adventure

If you want to experience the Silk Road in all its glory, Wild Frontiers offers an epic trip covering the entire length of the overland route, from its traditional starting point of Xian in China to the Western end of Istanbul in Turkey, from where goods would be sold in the city's bazaars or loaded up onto ships and transported to those other great traders, the kingdoms of Venice or Genoa. You need time, as this trip is a mammoth 48 days long, but if you want to gain a full insight into the Silk Road there's no better way, taking in 6 countries and 15 UNESCO sites.

Begin in Xian, exploring the city's famous walls and Terracotta Warriors, before trekking across the country's forbidding Taklamakan Desert, stopping to see oasis towns and Buddhist caves along the way. Stop off at the great market town of Kashgar, once of the most important centres on the Silk Road where three key branches met. Cross into Kyrgyzstan and the town of Osh before heading into Uzbekistan for a tour of the country's great Silk Road cities - Samarkand and Bukhara.

From Uzbekistan cross into Turkmenistan and the UNESCO site of Merv, which Genghis Khan razed to the ground annihilating 1 million people. Head into Iran, which has probably the most hospitable people you will meet anywhere  in the world. In Iran, marvel at the intricate Islamic architecture of Isfahan and Shiraz before browsing the world's largest indoor market in Tabriz. Discover some of the wonderful ruins of southern Turkey before finishing in the city of Istanbul.   

Silk Road Odyssey

On this epic 23-day journey from Wild Frontiers, you will traverse Central Asia just like ancient traders of old did. One of the incredible parts about this lengthened tour is that it sticks to the Old Silk Road as much as possible, even though country borders and territories have changed. At the beginning of your journey, you’ll travel to the glacial Son Kul lake and have an opportunity to ride horseback or explore on foot at your leisure. The nomads are always happy to spend time with you as well, offering you the rare opportunity to be immersed completely in the experience of the Silk Road. On your way through China in the ancient city of Kashgar, you’ll see the markets and towns exactly as they were hundreds of years ago.

This journey will take you through Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, through mountain passes, lively bazaars and terrain rich with history and culture. Time will seem suspended as you take the fabled odyssey of the old Silk Road trade route.

Tehran to Tashkent: The Great Silk Road

This 17-day tour of a portion of the Silk Road is an extended version of tours highlighted above through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. In addition to exploring the exotic gems along this part of the old Silk Road route, you’ll explore the portion that wound through ancient Persia (Iran today). Your journey will begin in the capital of Tehran and move on to Isfahan, considered the most beautiful city in Iran. You’ll spend plenty of time admiring the Iranian architecture, the Royal Square and the pristine mosques, cathedrals and palaces of the city.

As you travel through the windswept ruins of Persepolis on your journey along the Silk Road, you’ll admire the ancient tombs, mausoleums and mosques of famed Iran poets and leaders. The Silk Road journey will then take you to Turkmenistan highlights in the famed cities of Ashgabat, Merv and Konye Urgench. You’ll continue north to the ancient city of Kiva in Uzbekistan before finishing your tour in the lively streets of the capital, Tashkent.

Tehran to Tashkent - The Great Silk Road

Uzbek & Turkmen: Cities of the Silk Road

A slightly shorter trip through some of the most important landmarks of the old Silk Road, this full-service tour takes 14 days. You will begin your journey in Uzbekistan, where you will experience the ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Shakhrisabz. In Samarkand, you will visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Tamerlane’s Tomb. A daring crossing of the river Oxus will take your group into Turkmenistan and onto Merv. Although much of the ancient city was flattened by the Mongols, it was one of the famed emporiums of the Silk Road.

Along this journey , you will also visit the Darvaza gas crater, which consistently ranks on world lists of “100 Places to See Before You Die.” A camping trip in the desert near the gas crater will make for a truly unforgettable experience.

The Chinese Silk Road

This 14-day journey focuses on the portion of the old Silk Road route within China. The tour will begin and end in Beijing, stretching to the far point of Kashgar before returning on a southern leg of the fabled trade route. Along the journey, you will be immersed in hundreds of years of rich Chinese history, walking along the Great Wall and touring the Forbidden City. You’ll see the famed 8,000 terracotta warriors that guard the tomb of the first Qin Emperor.

In Dunhuang, you’ll admire the Buddhist art in the Thousand Buddha Caves carved into the cliffs before embarking on camel rides through the sand dunes, punctuated by oasis cities. In Kashgar, you’ll haggle for silks, knives, furs, camels and more in the famous Sunday Market. This journey through China is an homage to the beginning of the Silk Road and the expansive history of one of the oldest civilizations on Earth.

Heart of the Silk Road

The shortest of the sumptuous Silk Road journeys offered by Wild Frontiers, Heart of the Silk Road encompasses 11 days and countless Silk Road sights between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The tour focuses on the rich legacies of the Road as well as Tamerlane, the Parthians and the Seljuks.You will experience Samarkand, Ashgabat (the City of Love), Merv and Bukhara. These cities once reigned over the Silk Road, laying at the heart of the world trading route.

Your journey will begin in Tashkent, where you will tour mosques, minarets and the bustling bazaars of the city. During your visit, you will tour the medieval city of Khiva in Uzbekistan, exploring mosques, palaces and harems. You will also encounter Bukhara, Shakhrisabz and Samarkand. In Turkmenistan, you will pace the marbled streets of Ashgabat and view Knye Urgench. Knye Urgench also happens to be home to the Kutlug Emir Minaret. This is the tallest minaret in Central Asia! This full-tour will house you in exotic hotels, converted madrassahs and more.

See All Silk Road Tours

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Silk Route Holiday Tour & Travel Packages

Silk Route Tour Packages - North Bengal Tourism offers tailor made Silk Route Tour Packages at very reasonable price with Homestays, Food, Transportation and Sightseeing. Visit the Most attractive places of Silk Route like Aritar, Mankhim, Padamchen, Dzuluk, Gnathang etc. Inquire now to get a FREE Silk Route Tour Plan along with the tour cost.

Silk Route Tour Packages: Frequently Asked Questions

The Silk Route or the Silk Road was a network of ancient trade routes that usually connected Asia, Europe, and Africa. Stretching over more than 6500 km, some part of this road is now in Sikkim and West Bengal. With our Old Silk Route Tour Packages, you can enjoy this scenically blessed site. But, in order to make your Silk Route Tour quite smooth and memorable, we have made a detailed F.A.Q for you.

A. You should have a tour to Silk Route as it is one of the best and unique tourist places in Sikkim. Located in the lap of Eastern Himalaya, Silk Route is an ideal destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and trekkers. Moreover, there are plenty of activities you can do in Silk Route such as biking, trekking, camping, fishing, rock climbing and many more. You will also get a magnificent view of Mount Kanchenjunga wherever you go with our Silk Route Tour Packages.

A. May and October are the best months to have a tour in Silk Route. During the season of summer, the temperature stays around 15-degree Celsius. However, if you like snowfall and trekking, December to April is the perfect time for you. But, it is advisable not to visit Silk Route during the rainy season as the roads get slippery this time.

A. Zuluk is the main attraction of our Silk Route Tour packages . It is a tiny hamlet with mesmerizing places and zigzag roads. You can visit Zuluk with our customizable Silk Route Tour Packages whenever you want. During August and September, Zuluk stays covered with blooming Rhododendrons. The whole region looks astonishing due to various other Himalayan flowers. January to April is the months of winter in Zuluk. During these months, Zuluk stays covered with snow. If you want to experience snowfall, frozen lakes, and snow-peaked mountains, winter is an ideal season to visit Zuluk. May to July is the season of Monsoon when the weather stays foggy.

A. Yes, visiting Silk Route with our Silk Route Tour Packages is quite safe. The local people of Silk Route are too friendly and helpful. The crime rate of Sikkim is also low. Hence, enjoy your Zuluk Tour without bearing even a single worry.

A. Getting a Silk Route Tour Permit is an easy task. All you need is passport size photos and a photo identity card like Voter Id. While coming from Gangtok, you can get the permit from Sikkim Tourism at Gangtok.

A. Yes, there is plenty of snow in Silk Route during the season of winter. This time the entire valley gets covered with snow and all the lakes get frozen. If enjoying the Silk Route in the snowfall is your first priority, visit this mesmerizing place with our Silk Route Tour Packages.

A. As Silk Route is quite cold, it is advisable to wear a jacket and a woolen cap. You can even bring a pair of socks to protect your feet from getting frozen. A muffler can also be worn to protect your neck from the intense cold.

A. You can do plenty of activities during your trip with our Silk Route Tour Packages . Some of the major activities are:

• Trekking: Trekking is a popular thing to do in Silk Route if you are a kind of adventure seeker. Trek through valleys of Silk Route and discover many yet to know places of you.
• Sightseeing: As Silk Route is full of sightseeing places, you will get awestruck by seeing their charm and beauty. Visit Thambi View Point, Nathang Valley, Old Baba Mandir, Jelep la Pass, and many other mesmerizing sightseeing places of the Silk Route.
• Photography: Silk Route is replete with a bunch of scenic attractions. Hence, you can capture them as photographic moments. Capture photos of the temples, valleys, and viewpoints of Silk Route.

A. Silk Route is full of hypnotizing places that are enough to make you spellbound. Some of the mesmerizing place and attractions are:

• Thambi View Point: Located at an elevation of 11000 ft., this place is an ideal place to witness a magnificent sunrise from the snow-clad Himalayan Mountain Peaks.
• Lampokharin Lake: Aritar Lake or the Lampokhari Lake is the oldest freshwater lake in Sikkim. Situated at an elevation of 1400 meters, the lake is also a perfect place for boating.
• Aritar Gumpa: Our Silk Route Tour Packages are incomplete without adding Aritar Gumpa in our tour itinerary. It is a sacred Buddist Monastery quite popular for its artifacts, finely carved murals, traditional architectures and many more.
• Nag Mandir: Nag Mandir is a cave a like temple of Zuluk where King Cobra or Nag is worshiped.
• Baba Mandir: Baba Mandir is made in the honor of brave indin soldier Baba Harbajan Singh where you will experience an intense patriotic feeling.
• Tsomogo Lake: Also known as Changu Lake, Tsomogo is the prime attraction of Silk Route. It is a glacial lake with plenty of scenic attractions.
• Nathang Valley: Situated at an elevation of 15300 feet, Nathang Valley is the perfect place to have a panoramic view of the surrounding snow-covered landscapes.

A. As Silk Route is the major tourist attraction of Sikkim, reaching the Silk Route is not as hard as you think.

• By Train: The nearest major railway station of Silk Route is New Jalpaiguri Junction. This particular railway station is nicely connected with other major cities of India such as Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, etc.
• By Road: You can reach Silk Route from NJP or Siliguri via National Highway 10. The distance between Siliguri to Silk Route is about 150 km.
• By Air: The nearest airport of Silk Route is Bagdogra which is approximately 140 km away. In this particular airport, direct flights are available from any major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, etc.

A. The weather of Silk Route stays always cold. During the season of winter, the temperature goes down zero. However, during the season of summer, the temperature stays around 15° Celsius.

A. Yes, all our Silk Route Tour Packages are tailor-made. Thus, you can choose your accommodations, meals and cars as per your preferences. Whether you choose our 6 Days Silk Route Tour Packages or a Silk Route Tour Packages for 7 Days , always get the best Silk Route Tour Experience.

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• Silk Route Sikkim Guide

If you are planning a quest to discover the lesser-known parts of the Himalayas, Silk Route Sikkim takes you to places that will take your breath away with their natural charm. The route that once connected Sikkim to Bhutan and China for trade is now a box full of surprises for those who have never been to this part of the country. You can check our Tour Package of Silk Route Sikkim (Flat 16% Off). The route is dotted with quaint remote villages that are nothing short of a painter’s fantasy. From lush green valleys with river streams to hilltop destinations that offer panoramic views of the mighty Himalayas, the route has kept away some excellent surprises for explorers to discover. Whether you are interested in sightseeing or you want to explore the unexplored by embarking on a journey through the woods on foot, there is no dearth of scenic places. The route takes you to some villages that exhibit the rustic charm of the Himalayas like Pedong, Mankhim, and Reshi Kola. 

It also takes you to popular tourist spots like Nathula Pass and Tsomgo Lake. So, if you are travelling solo or it is your family or your gang accompanying you on your sojourn, you can choose the Silk Route and leave no room for regrets. Stay in the lavishing Gangtok resorts where you can relax and enjoy the culture of Sikkim. You can even take a tour to Sikkim , as some parts of the Sikkim Silk Route are in North Sikkim and it is full of awesome tourist attractions to awestruck you.

Here, we are presenting a detailed guide for Silk Route Sikkim: 

Quick navigation.

Old Silk Route Distance

Undoubtedly the most important trade route in the history of Asia, the Old Silk Route connected India with Bhutan and China. It is one among the large network of Silk Roads across the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe. 

This particular stretch starting from NJP extends till Zuluk lying at a distance of 150 km before reaching Bhutan, and covers a number of picturesque places en route. The route is consist of many beautiful resorts in Sikkim where you can rest and enjoy the actual taste of Sikkim.

You may also have a look at various places to visit in East Sikkim which will delight you and will offer uniqueness in every attraction! For memorable Sikkim holidays Checkout 6 Days Enthralling Group Tour of Sikkim                                                                             Sikkim Honeymoon Packages

Best Time To Visit Silk Route Sikkim

The Silk Route can be visited during all times of the year except for rainy season and the peaks days of the winter season when the roads are blocked with heavy snow. 

However, the most ideal time to get the maximum out of your Silk Route trip are the months of May and October when the climate is perfectly pleasant for exploration and the roads are immune from the wrath of rain and snow.

The months of April, May, and June are the peak season with high influx of tourists. Another good time window is the months of October and November before the onset of the winter season. Explore the North East by booking 7 Days Tour of Gangtok Pelling and Darjeeling                                                             Family Trip To Sikkim   

Icchey Gaon

More commonly known as Echey Gaon, Icchey Gaon is a small but beautiful village in Kalimpong district of West Bengal, inhabited by approximately 30 families. Located at an elevation of 5,800 feet, this village is known to offer breathtaking views of towering Himalayan mountain peaks including Kanchenjunga to its visitors.

The scenic landscape of the village and the views of the snow-blanketed Himalayan peaks it offers make it a great destination for nature lovers and landscape photographers.

The dense forests of Pine, Birch, and Juniper trees surround the village, so it is a perfect destination for a holiday in the lap of Himalayas.

Location: 17 km from Kalimpong city center Check out our full guide on the best places to go in north east india  which will help in planning your trip.  Checkout More:  North East India Honeymoon Packages

Silk Route Map

Icchey Gaon – Sillery Gaon – Kaagey – Pedong – Reshi Khola – Mankhim – Lingtum – Padamchen – Zuluk – Thambi View Point – Langthung Dhupidara – Nathang valley – Old Baba Mandir – New Baba Mandir – Nathula Pass – Tsomgo Lake – Gangtok city . Be sure to check out our best North East tour packages for a trip according to your wish.  Book Now:  North East Tour Packages For Family

Sillery Gaon

Another picturesque village located in Kalimpong district of West Bengal that also happens to be a great place to take a halt on your journey to explore Silk Route Sikkim. 

The village boasts an elevation of almost 6,000 feet, so you can expect a pleasant climate even during the summer season. The village is engulfed in dense forests of Pine trees, ensuring a fresh air to detoxify your body and soothe your soul.

With the rising popularity of this village among tourists which was not known to many till a few years back, the locals have started to refer to it as New Darjeeling. Most importantly, the village has a hill top from where 360 degree vistas of the great Himalayas can be enjoyed. Adventure junkies can also go for rafting in sikkim , which is an amazing experience. 

Location: 23 km from Kalimpong city center Inculcate the thrill inside you by booking Paragliding In Gangtok, Sikkim Also Recommended:  Meghalaya Couple Package

Popular as a weekend getaway for the people residing in the nearby cities, Kaagey is a tiny hamlet within the realm of Neora Valley National Park falling on the famous Silk Route Sikkim. 

Thapas inhabit this village located near Kalimpong. With lush green forests, orchids, and flowers adorning the land of this village, it becomes an ideal spot for some quality time in the company of the Himalayan nature. 

Apart from the unblemished nature, what is there to see here includes a church that is 300 years old, a Buddhist monastery and meditation center, and a waterfall known with the name of Jhakri. Kaagey is a beautiful place where you can spend a day or two on your trip.

Location: 21 km from Kalimpong city center

Also, don't miss to check our full article on how to reach sikkim  bt various transportation modes.  Checkout & Book:  Meghalaya Tour Packages For Family

L ocated in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal at an elevation of 4,070 feet, this town is majorly known for Damsang Fort that overlooks it. The fort was built by Lepchas which now serves as a major tourist attraction.  

The word ‘Pedong’ translates to a place full of Fir trees. For culture vultures, the town has an old Buddhist monastery built in the year 1706. Pedong is a potpourri of different cultures which makes it an interesting place to visit. 

You can also find some good hotels here should you decide to take a halt. Do drop in at this small town to experience nature in all it glory on your Silk Route Sikkim expedition.

Location: 21 km from Kalimpong city center Must Book:  Tawang Packages                       Gangtok Tour Packages For Family

Location: 37 km from Kalimpong city center Here's the list of best places to visit in meghalaya , for having an amazing trip to meghalaya .  Check More:  Gangtok Tour Packages For Couple

Overlooking Darapchand Village, this hilltop destination is worth giving your heart to. It is one of the most beautiful stopover options on the Silk Route Sikkim.

If you are visiting the famous tourist destination, Aritar, you should definitely spend some time in Mankhim as this small place has so much on offer. From the views of Mount Kanchenjunga to the fun of paddle boating in the emerald waters of Lampokhari Lake, Mankhim gives you plenty of reasons to visit it at least once.

Besides, you can also spot a variety of exotic bird species while you are here. And if you breathe for adventure, you can trek to a serene lake called Mulkarkha Lake from here.

Location: 37 km from Kalimpong city center. You may also have a look at various  tourist places in cherrapunji which will delight you on your trip. Also Visit:  Darjeeling Holiday Packages                    Darjeeling Tour Packages For Couple

Also spelled as Lingtam, Lingtum is a small hamlet lying on the Silk Route with breathtaking scenery to behold. Tiny wooden houses, surrounded by dense forests of pine, and erected over velvety green grounds – this quiet valley looks bewitching, especially during the sunrise. 

What prettifies the village further is the sound of the fluttering prayer flags, rustling of the pine trees, and the sight of the picture-perfect fields of rai leaf and corn.

 A small river named Bakhuter Khola also passes by this village located at an altitude of 5,000 feet. Apart from a gompa, there is also a waterfall lying at a distance of approximately 5 km from the village known as Kiukhola Falls. 

Location: 23 km from Zuluk city center There are plenty of amazing places to visit in shillong which will add sparkle to your trip. You Can Also Book:  Family Trip To Darjeeling                                    Assam Trip Packages

Best of Manali

This high altitude village perched on the slopes of Himalayas boasts a height of 8,000 feet, and is absolutely a treat for mountain lovers. Padamchen offers awe-inspiring views of the mighty Himalayan mountains draped in the covers of snow which also makes it a great choice for you if you are a photography enthusiast.

The place has several homestays and hotels where you can relax for a while and relish the aura of the untainted nature. The residential area is surrounded by dense Himalayan forests, so you can take strolls in the woods where you will be greeted by some bird species you may not have seen before. 

For all the right reasons, this is an important stopover on the Silk Route.

Location: 8 km from Zuluk city center Here's our full guide on  the best places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh , which will help in planning your  trip to arunachal .  Checkout More:  Shillong Trip Packages                              Kaziranga Trip Package

Best of Ladakh

Thambi View Point

Proceed further to cover a distance of approximately 18 km from Padamchen and you will reach Thambi view point. 

The spot claims an elevation of 11,200 feet and offers some unusual vistas of the grand Himalayas, especially Mount Kanchenjunga, that make it a popular view point among the tourists in the region.

Apart from that, the views of the zig-zag roads below are worth capturing on your camera. If you are planning to explore the Silk Route, this place cannot be skipped. A visit to this place in winter will offer you views of dazzling snow all around.

Location: 14 km from Zuluk city center Also Book:  North East Packages From Mumbai                     North East Trip From Delhi

Best of Darjeeling

Langthung Dhupidara

One of the most captivating places on the Silk Route for the lovers of snow, Langthung Dhupidara is a village that rests in the cold embrace of snow from December to April. 

Only 1 km away from the famous Thambi View Point, this village is ideally tucked on a hilltop at an altitude of 11,500 feet, so you can expect some really amazing vistas of some of the most prominent Himalayan peaks including Mount Kanchenjunga. 

If you want to witness a riot of colours with vibrant flowers and green vegetation, the period of July to September would be ideal. Whenever you are here, do not miss the magical sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga.

Location: 17 km from Zuluk city center Do check out our best sikkim holiday packages for a trip to remember.  Also Book:  North East Tour Packages From Bangalore                      North East Holiday Packages From Chennai

Best of Gangtok

Nathang Valley

A valley where the beauty of nature reigns, Nathang Valley is one of the most charming places in Sikkim , visited by thousands of tourists with the case of wanderlust.

What was once the abode of traditional yak herders from Tiber is a major tourists destination now, with landscape beautiful enough to call them heavenly. There are a few tourist attraction in the valley in the form of a monastery, a temple, and a bridge looming over a stream of water.

Since the altitude of this place is 13,500 feet, you can expect heavy sheets of snow here during the winter season that are bound to allure the spirit within you. If you want to get some rest here, there are homestays available with all basic facilities.

Location: East Sikkim Checkout More:  North East Tour Packages From Ahmedabad                               North East Holiday Packages From Kolkata

Best of Meghalaya

Old Baba Mandir

One of the most famous attractions on the Silk Route Sikkim, Old Baba Mandir calls for a short halt in your journey. Often visited by people travelling to Tsomgo Lake, this temple is located at a distance of 52 km from Gangtok.

The temple is dedicated to an Indian Army martyr, Baba Harbhajan Singh, and is located on the site of the bunker where he was posted. He had slipped and fell into a flowing stream, and had died there.

The shrine, surrounded by the colossal Himalayas, is more popular among the locals than tourists, and has huge reverence among the devotees. It is one of the must visit places near gangtok , so make sure to drop by.

Location: East Sikkim Also Recommended:  North East Tour Packages From Hyderabad                                       Mumbai To Meghalaya Tour Packages

Best of North East India

New Baba Mandir

The samadhi of the martyr Baba Harbhajan Singh was reconstructed at another site in the year 1982 for the convenience of tourists. The temple is thronged by devotees and tourists every year. 

This shrine, dedicated to Baba Harbhajan Singh, is located on the trail that leads to Menmecho Lake, and is popular as New Baba Mandir. It is believed that baba has been guarding the Indo-China border since his death and sends signs to army men through dreams to warn about unfavourable circumstances. 

There are lot more interesting tales that are nothing short of miracles which you can get to hear when you visit this shrine.

Location: Kupup Gnathang Road, East Sikkim Must Check:  Meghalaya Tour From Kolkata                         Meghalaya Tour Package From Bangalore

Best of Pelling

Nathu La Pass

An iconic landmark of Sikkim on the Silk Road, Nathu La Pass is a high-altitude pass located at an altitude of 14,140 feet above the sea level on Indo-China border.

“Nathu” translated to “listening ears” in English and “La” means “pass”. Due to its proximity from Gangtok and the fame it has gathered over the past few years, the pass is visited by a number of tourists all round the year. 

Thanks to its elevation, you can find plenty of snow here during the winter season.  This pass served as the major passage between India and Tibet till the year 1962 when it was closed. 

Acclimatizing before visiting this site is recommended due to low oxygen levels on this altitude. Checkout & Book:  Meghalaya Packages From Chennai                                  Delhi To Meghalaya Tour Package

Best of Arunachal Pradesh

Tsomgo Lake

Also known as Changu Lake, this is the most famous lake in Sikkim. ”Tsomgo” translates to “source of water” in English. 

It is a glacial lake located at a whopping elevation of 12,400 feet. The sub zero temperatures during the winter season freeze the lake, while it stay surrounded by mountains fully covered in white blankets of snow. If you are shutterbug, you are going to have a really good time here freezing the moments at the freezing lake in frames. 

Otherwise, even during the summer and spring seasons, the lake looks equally beautiful with flowers bordering its azure waters catching the reflection of the mighty mountains that surround the lake. Adding grace to your visit is the scenic road that leads to this lake which is truly amazing.

Location: 40 km from Gangtok Also Book:  Arunachal Tour Package From Guwahati                     Kolkata To Arunachal Pradesh Tour Package

The capital city of Sikkim, Gangtok has a lot on offer ranging from colourful monasteries that will help you take a plunge into the world of cultural vibrance and spirituality to unusual vantage points that will let you soak in the beauty of the enchanting realm of Himalayas in the best possible manner. 

The city is located at an altitude of 1,650 meters and ensures a pleasant climate throughout the year. Apart from the bountiful nature, the city has a number of man-made or man-developed attractions. 

Some of the best places to visit here are Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Enchey Monastery, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, and Rumtek Monastery. The cosmopolitan town also has a number of great accommodation options for a wonderful stay.

Checkout the favorite season to visit Gangtok to manage your trip accordingly.

Location: Sikkim

Book Now:  Siliguri To Gangtok Tour Package                      Darjeeling And Gangtok Tour Packages From Kolkata  

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Adventure in sikkim.

Trekking in Sikkim

Sikkim Top Attractions

If you are a true mountaineer, you can’t miss the chance to be a part of this expedition. Due to high level of precipitation the peaks of Kanchenjunga is mostly glaciated. You can simple enjoy an epic scenery which is truly going to leave you jaw dropped.  Highlights: Preservation of the rich flora and fauna is also important and you will get to witness them too during trekking. It is difficult to comprehend the scale of both valleys and mountains here. Difficulty Level – High. Best time to visit: October and November. Prices: USD$985 per person.

The first phase of the trek to Goecha La will take you from Yuksom to Sachen. Yuksom is situated at an altitude of 5,700 feet and Sachen is situated at an elevation of 7, 200 feet. The trekking trail passes through a route of immense natural beauty. You will come across lush green fields, valley of the Rathong River and thick forests. From Sachen you will need to climb ahead to Tshoka which is at an altitude of 9,650 feet.This trek is quite enjoyable in the initial phase but becomes tryingly steep towards the later phase. On reaching Bakhim, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Yuksom valley. As you trek on ahead, you pass through Dzongri and Phedang. You will also be able to enjoy the beauty of some of the densest rhododendron forests in India and get a breathtaking view of the highest mountains in the Himalayan range. You will pass through the beautiful Samiti Lake which will mesmerise you with its sparkling blue waters.The entire journey from Yuksom to Goecha La is a treat to the eyes. Despite being a test of physical stamina, the route is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful routes that you can come across while trekking in the Himalayas.Best Season: September- November & March-AprilDifficulty Level: Moderate to ChallengingMax. Elevation: 5002 mBest Offers on Goecha La Trek

Explore Tsomgo Lake, situated at an impressive 12,400 feet above sea level and surrounded by majestic mountains. With its verdant alpine forests and towering snow-capped mountains as its backdrop, Tsomgo Lake is sure to take your breath away.This glacial lake, which receives its water from the melting snows of the surrounding mountains, is well known for its constantly shifting hue. You can witness the lake radiating a vivid aquamarine colour during the monsoon, while a thin layer of ice covers it in the winter. Explore the serene beauty of Tsomgo Lake, a highlight of our Sikkim trip packages, offering unforgettable Himalayan experiences.As summer quietly approaches the area in mid-May, you can see the lake's shores come alive with a kaleidoscope of blooming flowers. Around this oval-shaped gem, you can spot rhododendrons, primula, irises, and a plethora of multicoloured poppies forming a vibrant mosaic. You can also witness how the exotic vegetation and therapeutic herbs accentuate the lake's allure amidst this flowery paradise. 

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12 Days Epic Silk Road Tour including Qinghai Lake and Zhangye Danxia

This exciting 12-day adventure tour takes you to trace the footprints of the ancient travelers and savor the legend of the Silk Road. Besides, you will also immerse in the diverse and beautifully rugged landscapes of China's far-west frontier - plateau lake, rainbow mountains, Gobi Desert, etc., and get a lot of opportunities to explore local people and their ethnic cultures. Starting your trip from Xining, the transport hub of northwestern China, you will explore the most stunning provinces - Gansu and Xinjiang along the Silk Road. High speed trains and fast airplanes are used to make your long-distance trip (between Xining and Zhangye / Urumqi and Kashgar ) more comfortable and efficient. It suits all well, especially for culture aficionados, history buffs and nature lovers.

•  Type : Private Tour
•  Tour Code : CD-QGXT-12
• 1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling in low seasons;
• 2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
•  Theme : History / Culture / Nature

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

• Xining - marvel at the "sapphire of Qinghai Tibet Plateau" - Qinghai Lake and experience authentic Tibetan culture in Kumbum Monastery;
• Zhangye - witness real "rainbow mountains" in Zhangye Danxia Geopark and Asia's largest wooden Buddha;
• Jiayuguan - climb up to the fortress of Jiayuguan – the west starting of Great Wall of China and learn interesting facts about the Great Wall in the informative museum;
• Dunhuang - visit Chinese Buddhist art center Mogao Grottoes and venture through sand dunes of Mingshashan desert to look for the legendary Crescent Lake;
• Turpan - encounter China’s most important grape production center, also get amazed by the Flaming Mountains;
• Kashgar - delve into deep-rooted Muslim culture in the delicate mosques, old towns, tea houses…
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Day 1 Xining Arrival Xining Airport or Train Station pick-up and transfer to your hotel

Welcome to  Xining (altitude: 2,261 m), the capital city of Qinghai Province in northwestern China. Upon arriving at Xining Caojiabao Airport (or Xining Railway Station), your tour guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel in the downtown by a private vehicle. After checking in, the rest of today is on your own to acclimate to the elevation and explore this historical city of China. Arrival Ideas: You can take a flight to Xining from Beijing (about 2hrs), Shanghai (about 3hrs), Xian (about 1.5hrs), Chengdu (about 2hrs), Guangzhou (about 3.5hrs), Dunhuang (about 1.5hrs), etc., or get to Xining by high speed bullet train from Xian (about 4hrs), Lanzhou (about 1.5hrs), Zhangye (about 2hrs), Jiayuguan (about 3~3.5hrs) and other connected cities in China. Nightlife idea : go to enjoy a great dinner and stunning night view of Xining city on Pearl of Puning which is a 188 meters tall TV & Sightseeing tower alike Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai. Xining Railway Station

Day 2 Xining - Kumbum Monastery - Qinghai Lake - Xining (B, L) Today's highlights: Kumbum Monastery, Qinghai Lake

After breakfast, drive around 175 km (3 hours) to explore the picturesque Qinghai Lake . En route, take an excursion visit to the famous Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Monastery). The monastery is a sacred Tibetan Buddhist temple most known as “ one of the six greatest Gelug monasteries ”. It is said to be the birthplace of Tsongkhapa - the founder of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism (Yellow Hat Sect). Yak Butter Sculpture of Buddha, Mural and Barbola are the noted “ Three Arts ” of Kumbum Monastery. Keep driving about 2 hours from Kumbum Monastery, you will get to Qinghai Lake. As the largest inland lake, as well as the largest salt water lake in China, Qinghai Lake (3200 m) stretches 105 km in length, 63 km in width and occupies a water area of over 4,500 square kilometers. It was elected as the Most Beautiful Lake in China by China’s National Geographic, attracting thousands of photographers to take photos every year. You will spend a wonderful time appreciating the beauty of Qinghai Lake in Erlangjian Scenic Area - the essence of the whole scenic area of Qinghai Lake. It shapes like a long and narrow sword inserting into the lake. Walking on the plank road, you will be delivered a far-reaching panorama of the sea-like lake. Due to the different salt content of different parts of the lake, the water presents different colors in the refraction of sunlight. More than the lake view, the scenic surrounding - endless grassland and rapeseed flower lands, soft sand beaches as well as flocks of grazing sheep, horses and yaks also make you enjoy yourself to the fullest. On a clear day, you will feast your eyes on a charming vista of the snow-capped mountains in the distance as well as the huge sand dunes of Sand Island on the far shore. At the same time, Qinghai Lake is a sacred Tibetan Buddhist site. There are many devoted Buddhist coming from afar to worship to Qinghai Lake each year. Optional Qinghai Lake Cruise: Taking a cruise allows you to admire Qinghai Lake from a different perspective. There are two kinds of cruises available in Erlangjian Scenic Area: High Speed Cruise and catamaran. The former offers a 25 minutes’ single trip from Erlangjian Wharf to Erlangjian Peninsula at the cost of CNY140. The latter offers a 50 minutes’ round trip at the cost of CNY180. This price doesn't include your personal expense on the ship, such as drinking, food, etc. This cruise is only available during the period from May to October . After sightseeing, drive back to Xining for accommodation. Rape flowers Blooming around Qinghai Lake in July Kumbum Monastery - A Honored Tibetan Gelug Monastery Enjoy a cruise on Qinghai Lake

Day 3 Xining - Zhangye (B, L) Today's highlight: Zhangye Danxia Landform Geographical Park

After breakfast, you will take a morning high speed bullet train to Zhangye city in Gansu Province from Xining ( about 1~2 hrs ). Enjoy the beautiful landscape along the road. After arrival at Zhangye West Railway Station, you will be met by local tour guide. Let's get ready for the trip! In the afternoon, drive about an hour to visit the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geographical Park . The Danxia landform is a spectacular petrographic geomorphology landscape which is formed from red-coloured sandstones and conglomerates. The one in Zhangye was formed in the pre-Jurassic Age. Thousands of mountains and stiffs stretch like the colorful sunset glow. The barren mountains are covered by a red grit rock stratum. At the same time, some surfaces of mountains appear other colors, such as white, yellow, etc, and form many irregular lines and blocks looking like some abstract oil paintings. There are four viewing decks for you to watch and shoot. You will visit one by one, and will be transferred by park buses from one deck to another. After watching sunset at Zhangye Danxia Landform Geographical Park , drive back to Zhangye city for accommodation. Useful Tips: 1) Pack with sun creams, sunglasses, protective clothing and hat to protect from strong sunlight in summer; 2) sunset is the best time for taking photos which happen around 19:00~20:00 in summer and 18:00~19:00 in winter. Zhangye Danxia Landform Views After Rain Zhangye Danxia Landform Photography

Day 4 Zhangye - Jiayuguan (B, L) Today's highlights: Giant Buddha Temple, Jiayuguan Fort, Great Wall Museum

After breakfast, you will go to visit the Giant Buddha Temple , which is famous for having the largest indoor sleeping Buddha in Asia. This temple is a large complex with regal arrangements built in the Xixia Dynasty(1098), and keeps many precious Buddhist scriptures and wall paintings. Its famous treasure is the Sleeping Buddha, which is centrally seated with symmetric buildings situated along both sides. The Buddha statue was carved by wood with a length of 34.5 meters, telling the story of Buddha's Nirvana. His ears are as big as the space in which 4 adults can sit side by side. After visiting the Buddha Temple, drive about 220 km (2.5hrs) to Jiayuguan City and check into your hotel. Then you will go to visit "the First and Greatest Pass under Heaven", also the westernmost starting point of the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty - Jiayuguan Pass . Start your exploration with an educational visit to the Great Wall Museum to learn some interesting facts about both the Jiayuguan Fort and Great Wall, including history, old photos, relics, etc. Then enter the gate to explore the grandiose Jiayuguan Fort . It is a complex of towers, city walls and other military buildings covering more than 25,000 square meters. The city wall is nearly 11 meters high, and comprises an outer and inner wall. There are two large gates standing at the east and the west of the inner wall. Walkways lead to the top of the wall, allowing horses to climb up the wall. If time allows, and you are interested, you can take an optional visit to the Xuanbi Great Wall ( Overhanging Wall ) which is about 18km away from the Fort. The walls were built on lofty cliffs with incredibly large gradients looking like an overhanging cantilever. Climbing up to higher gives you excellent views of the surrounding land and mountains. Jiayuguan Fort Giant Buddha Temple Great Wall Museum

Day 5 Jiayuguan - Dunhuang (B, L) Today's highlight: Echoing Sand Mountains, Crescent Lake

Today you will travel to Dunhuang from Jiayuguan in the early morning. After arriving at Dunhuang city, you will visit Echoing Sand Mountains (Mingshashan) . It is said, in the sunny days, the sand mountains echo like Orchestra music even if there is no wind. If you slide from the sand mountains, you can hear the echoing sound clearly. Your last thing to do for today is the Crescent Lake . Surrounded by the Echoing Sand Mountains, Crescent Lake is a beautiful oasis with some well decorated traditional Chinese architecture, some trees and flowers and a lake that has never dried up and shapes like a crescent moon. Nightlife Ideas : 1) Go out to go for a walk in the Shazhou Night Market where you can try some local food, relax in a drinking bar, or buy some interesting handcrafts, etc. 2) Enjoy the fascinating Silk Road Show - Silk Road Flower Rain which is a relaxing feast of unparalleled visual beauty with impressively elaborate dances performed by professional dancers wearing stunning costumes and an incredible set design. Glamorous Mingshashan (Echoing Sand Mountains)

Day 6 Dunhuang Geology & Silk Road History Tour (B, L) Today's Highlights: Yardang National Geologic Park, Yumen Pass, Great Wall of Han Dynasty

After breakfast, you will be taken to explore the remote wild Gobi Desert landscape as well as several legendary historical sites. Drive westwards about 100 km, you will first arrive at Yumen Pass (Jade Gate Pass) which used to be a military defensive pass as well as an important border for international trading along the ancient Silk Road. It is said that the jadewares from the West were imported to China through this gate, which is how the name Yumen was given. About 5 km from Yumen Pass is the Ruin of the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty , which was built to fight against the Xiongnu in ancient times. Keep driving more than 80 km, you will get to Yardang National Geologic Park . It is also called Devil City in that you will hear the sound just like the devil screaming when the strong wind goes through the desert. The park features Yardang landforms in distinct shapes like Mongolian Yurt, Stone Bird, Peacock and others. Make full use of your imagination, you may find some rocks with some miniatures similar to famed architectures, like the Potala Palace in Tibet, Heaven Temple in Beijing or something else. Leave Yardang National Geologic Park, and drive along the coming way back to Dunhuang. On the route, you will take a side trip to visit Yangguan Pass , which was the gate to another branch of the ancient Silk Road. Accommodate in Dunhuang City. Useful Tips : 1) Pack some food and water for the long drive in the desert; 2) Get fully prepared for the strong sunlight and high temperatures in the daytime. Beautiful Yardang National Geopark Sunset in June Yumen Pass (Jade Gate Pass)

Day 7 Dunhuang - Turpan (B, L) Today's highlight: Mogao Grottoes

After breakfast, drive about 10 km from Dunhuang city to visit the newly opened Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center before going to Mogao Grottoes. You will watch two short but well-produced educational documentary movies that introduce history, arts, and other facts about Mogao Grottoes, which will be very helpful when you visit the grottoes. After the movies, take an internal bus to Mogao Grottoes. Mogao Grottoes is famed as the "Louvre of the East", which is outstanding for its exquisite mural paintings and statues. There are now 492 grottoes in which about 45000 square meters long mural paintings and 2100 colorfully painted statues from which you can trace the development of Chinese art over 1600 years from one dynasty to the next because each dynasty built their own caves to record its own features. There are about 40 common caves opened to the public. In the tourist area, you will be divided into groups by different tour guides who will accompany you to visit the caves (usually 7~8 caves during April ~ November and 12 caves during December ~ March) with a great introduction. After that, if you want to visit more other caves, you can do it by yourselves or follow other tour guides. Besides, there are 10 special caves (with extra fees) available for your extensive visit. In the afternoon, you will be escorted to catch your train to Turpan . Currently, there are several high speed bullet trains running to Turpan from Liuyuan South Railway Station in the afternoon. It takes only about 3.5 hours to get to Turpan. Upon arriving at Turpan North Railway Station, you will be picked up by your local tour guide, and transferred to check into your hotel in the city. The rest of today is free at your own leisure. Useful Tips: 1. During peak seasons (May to October), there are usually a lot of visitors to Mogao Caves, so it is recommended to make a reservation in advance for at least 7 days. 2. If you want to see the Special Caves (excluded from the regular visit, and only open for limited individual visitors or small groups with reservations), you can contact our travel consultants or your tour guide to arrange for you, but you have to pay the extra admission fee for each cave. 3. It is not allowed to take photos inside grottoes. longtitle Our customers Robert's family from USA visited Mogao Cave in Dunhuang, Gansu on September 9, 2019. Our customers Irene’s group from Malaysia visited Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Gansu on December 8, 2019.

Day 8 Turpan - Urumqi (B, L) Today's highlights: Tuyuk Vaillage, Karez System, Jiaohe Ancient City

After breakfast in the hotel, you will drive to Tuyu Valley along Flaming Mountain Grand Canyon , which condenses the essence of the landscape of Flaming Mountain - the hottest spot in Turpan. Flaming Mountain is immortalized in the Chinese classic Journey to the West as a blazing mountain that the monk Xuan Zang has to pass through. Finally, they use a magic fan to extinguish the blaze and go on with their trip. Flaming Mountain Grand Canyon splits the whole mountain in half and you will clearly admire the unique landform - red sandstones looking like flaming fire, distinctive rocks showing the uncanny workmanship of nature and deep gorge with crisscross valleys. The magnificence, strangeness, danger, and elegance of Flaming Mountain are fully shown here. The winding road hanging on the cliff of Flaming Mountain will soon lead you to Tuyuk Valley (Tuyugou in Chinese) which is an Uighur valley with lots of historical sites. Mazar Village, the oldest existing Uighur village with a history of over 2,600 years, is a big highlight of the valley. Mazar Village holds a significant status in Buddhism and Islam. It is said that 6 Muslims came to China and started preaching there, so Mazar Village is called Eastern Mekka. Before Islam, it once was a Buddhist center as well. Many Buddhist caves can be found in the village, but the statues and murals failed to survive. The villagers still live peacefully in the village, and you can clearly see how they run their daily lives in the old mud adobe houses. Next to drive back to Turpan City to discover the brilliant project of Karez System . Together with the Great Wall and Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the Karez System is regarded as one of China’s Three Greatest Ancient Projects. It is a special kind of irrigation system consisting of vertical wells, underground canals, ground canals and waterlogging pond. The vertically dug wells are linked together to channel the water which occurs during summer rain season, or is melted from snow mountains of Tianshan range to desired farmlands in the desert area. Visiting the Turpan Karez Museum , you will not only see the pictures and models detailing the history of the Karez System, but also visit the real underground tunnels. Your last stop is the famous relic - Jiaohe Ancient City - an ancient city that was strategically located along the ancient Silk Road. Perching on a plateau, it acted as a natural barrier from the attacking enemies in the old times. Now, it is renowned as the best-preserved earthen architecture in the world. The interesting sculptures, videos and some other displays in Jiaohe Cultural Village Museum will give you an appreciation of the history of Jiaohe City before you start exploring. Then, take a shuttle bus to the core scenic area. Walking up along the pathway uphill, you can see many historical structural remains, including the residential area, official area and Buddhist temples. It is also available to walk to the central platform for a more awesome view of the whole park. When the night drops, you will feast on a breathtaking sunset over the ruins. After Turpan exploration, drive about 3.5 hours to Urumqi for accommodation. Jiaohe Anicent City Sunset Peaceful Mazar Village in Tuyugou Valley Audrey's group from USA and 3 other counties visited Flaming Grand Cayon

Day 9 Urumqi - Heaven Lake - Urumqi (B, L) Today's highlights: Heavenly Lake, Xinjiang Regional Museum

This morning after breakfast, you will be taken to have an educational visit to the Xinjiang Regional Museum . It is the most important ancient Silk Road themed museum in China, which exhibits about 50,000 historical relics including more than 400 National First-class relics (60% of the total in Xinjiang). Among all the exhibitions, the most unique exhibition is the Mummy Hall . It collects 10 more than 4000 years old mummies which were mostly found in Loulan Ancient Kingdom Ruin and preserved almost intact. Loulan Princess, the most famous mummy in the museum, will definitely strike you with its typical European face. All these important exhibitions help you learn deep into the history and culture of Xinjiang as well as the ancient Silk Road. Leaving the museum, you are going to explore the Heavenly Lake (or Tianchi in Chinese) which is only about 70 km (about 1.5 hrs' drive) away from Urumqi downtown. To protect the authenticity of the natural environment, our private car can only bring you to the entrance of the park. You will then shift onto a park bus to the parking lot around the lake area. Walking for about 15 minutes, you will get to the lakeside of Heavenly Lake. The rest time is free for you to stroll along the periphery of the lake, breathe the remarkably fresh air, and soak in the wonderful scenery. With an altitude of 1980 meters, Heavenly Lake and its alluring surroundings truly offer you a visual feast like heaven, featuring in serene alpine lake, rugged slopes with snow-capped mountains, pure glaciers, wild forest, vast grassland as well as unique ethnic culture. Generally speaking, there are three ways to explore Heavenly Lake. You can walk around the lake, take a boat cruise, or ride a cable car to the mountain top. If time allows, you can even enjoy all the experiences. The Boat cruise and cable car need extra fees. Tell your preference to your guide, who will then arrange accordingly for you. - Walking around the lake . Plank roads were constructed to encircle the lake. But since the lake is very large, it takes about 5 hours to finish the circle. You can decide the hiking length on your own according to your physical condition and time. Fee: free. - Boat Cruise on the lake . It is very popular among travelers to take a boat cruising to the deeper area of the lake and back, which is leisure and scenic. There are modern ships, Chinese-style ships and high-speed boats available at different prices. Fee: about CNY 100. - Panoramic view from Maya Mountain . If you want more landscape, you can take a cable car up to Maya Mountain, where you can enjoy the panoramic view of Heavenly Lake and a closer view of Tianshan Mountain Range. Fee: about CNY 220. After the landscape trip, take a park bus to exit the park, and drive back to Urumqi. Modern Urumqi city with Tianshan Mountains as background Aluring Heavenly Lake Scenery Stunning scenery of Heavenly Lake of Tianshan

Day 10 Urumqi - Kashgar (B, L) Today's highlights: Kashgar Old Town, Ancient Tea House, Id Kah Mosque, Abakh Hoja Tomb

This early morning, you will take a flight to Kashgar (about 2 hrs), the southwestern border city of Xinjiang which used to be the epicenter of the regional trade and cultural exchange of ancient Silk Road for more than two millennia. Upon arriving at the airport of Kashgar, you will be welcomed by your local tour guide and driver, and escorted to Kashgar downtown. The rest of today is a guided tour of this legendary Silk Road city. You will visit the Abakh Hoja Tomb first, which is not a simple tomb but an exquisite architectural complex including chapels, gardens, archways, etc., as the best place in the region to admire Uygur people’s extraordinary aesthetics and skills of Islamic architecture. It also offers a rare opportunity to see and learn about the funeral customs of Uygur families because there is a large Islamic family of five generations whose name is Abakh Hoja buried here. The Abakh Hoja was a local Islamic master who had strengthened the spread of Islam in the Kashgar area, which later earned a great reputation for him and his family. Next, you will visit the landmark of Kashgar - Id Kah Mosque , which is regarded as the holy shrine for Muslims. Every day, there are thousands of Muslims worshiping here. In history, Id Kah Mosque used to be a school where Islamic culture and history were taught. Many scholars and honored clergies graduated from here. Only several minutes' walk from the mosque is the exotic Kashgar Old Town where you can experience the authentic Uyghur living style. Explore the traditional earth buildings where local people live, walk through the famous Handicrafts Street where you can see how the local craftsman makes handicrafts. It is a good place to buy some interesting souvenirs for your family and friends. You will also take a break and enjoy a cup of local tea at the Ancient Tea House , which is more than 100 years old. The locals also like to spend some leisure time in the tea house with friends and families - drinking, chatting and playing music sometimes. Today’s activities end. Have a good rest in your hotel in Kashgar. Id Kah Mosque is the most influential Islamic mosque in Xinjiang Abakh Khoja Tomb Kashgar Old Town

Day 11 Kashgar - Karakul Lake - Kashgar (B, L) Today's highlights: Karakul Lake, Muztagh Ata, Baishahu Lakes, Pamirs Plateau

Today, you are going to visit the famous Karakul Lake, which is about 190 km/about 3 hours’ drive from Kashgar downtown. Although it is a long drive, you are surprisingly compensated by the constant landscape of the overwhelming Pamirs Plateau - harsh and lonely snow mountains, inhabited barrens, expansive grassland, pure glaciers, peaceful villages... Make a stop at Baishahu (White Sands Dunes Lake) where a tranquil lake lies under the towering snow mountains of Pamirs Plateau. The sands of Taklamakan Desert fly westward, get stopped by the edge of Pamirs and deposit at the slopes of the mountains, then get washed by the melting ice of the snow mountains, which is the reason why you can see white sand dunes surrounding the White Sand Lake. You will get to Karakul Lake around noon. After lunch, throw yourself into the breathtaking scenery of the lake and its surroundings. With an altitude of 3600 meters, Karakul Lake is one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Central Asia. It welcomes visitors with stunning views of pristine lake nestled against Pamirs mountains which provide an azure backdrop as they are covered with snow all year around, including three gigantic mountains - Muztagh Ata (7546 meters) , Kongur Tagh (7649 meters) and Kongur Tiube (7530 meters). From other sides, there is a mixture of boundless grasslands, deserts and valleys. A few Kirghiz nomads put their yurts and graze their herds of sheep, horses and camels near the lake. Take your time to wander around the lake to enjoy the landscape and take photos until returning time. Drive the same way back to Kashgar, and have a good rest in Kashgar city. Tranquil Karakul Lake in October Shane from UK visited Karakul in February 2023 with China Discovery

Day 12 Kashgar Departure (B) Today's highlights: Kashgar Bazaar, Livestock Market

After breakfast, go to visit the famous Kashgar Bazaar , which is huge, busy, crowded, amazing, chaotic, interesting and colorful. Bazaar, in Uygur, means a large market. Kashgar Bazaar has been the largest and busiest trading center of West and Central Asia since the origin and flourish of the Silk Road. Here you can buy anything from Muslim millinery to authentic Iranian saffron, from pashminas to carpets, from fruits to spices, from a cradle to a camel... or find a place to sit down to enjoy some local snacks, or just experience local culture. If you happen to visit Kashgar on a Sunday, don't miss the opportunity to experience the Livestock Market , which takes place once a week on Sunday. By lunchtime, numerous sheep, camels, horses, cows and donkeys will be driven by the Uyghur farmers and herders to squeeze through the gates of the bazaars for trade. It’s dusty, smelly and crowded, but most people find it very exotic. After the tour, you will be escorted to catch your flight or train to the next destination, or be sent to the border if you want to exit China by land port. Sunday Bazaar

Recommended Add-on Options

The quotation for this trip is from request per person.

1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons. 2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels. 3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2025. 4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 7.00. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.

What's included?

• Professional licensed English-speaking guide;
• Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary;
• Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (4-star standard);
• Necessary vehicle transfers as listed in the itinerary;
• Domestic flights (economy class) from Urumqi to Kashgar and high-speed trains from Xining to Zhangye / Dunhuang to Turpan (second class);
• Airport (and train station) pick up and drop off;
• Luggage Transfers: between airports (railway station) and hotels;
• All meals as listed (“B” for Chinese and Western breakfast buffet in your hotel; “L” for Chinese Lunch in local restaurant; “D” for Chinese dinner in local restaurant.);
• Accident insurance;
• Our service charge, including tour planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

What's excluded?

• China visa;
• Personal expenses;
• Accommodation not listed in the itinerary;
• Single Room Supplement;
• Tourist sites which are not listed in the itinerary;
• Xining arrival flight or train on the first day;
• Kashgar departure flight or train on the last day;
• Recommended optional activities;
• Excess Baggage Charges;
• Optional tips to guides, drivers, etc.

Check What our delighted customers are saying about our services

We have just arrived at our next destination in Thailand, and our Malaysian friends have arrived back home in Penang.

Thank you so much for all the arrangements, which was initiated over 4 years ago and disrupted by the outbreak of Covid 19. I am especially thankful that you have accepted my frequent request to add additional participants which eventually increased from 2 to 4 to 6 and finally to 7.

The tour itinerary was very comprehensive covering not just Tibet itself but also the two cities where Tibetans have strong influence, namely Xining and Shangri-La.

The only regret we have is not being able to take the train from Xining to Lhasa as this was to be one of the highlights of this trip, but the flight between these two cities was an excellent one with a beautiful view of the snow capped mountains.

I would certainly recommend China Discovery to anyone who would wish to visit China, especially the Tibetan region.

Thanks again.

Best regards,

Thank you for the arrangement last time, my family had great times.

Apologies for my delay in responding. We only came home last week and have been busy with work getting back up to date.

We had a fantastic tour. David was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable about the area and responsive to our needs. He helped us with recommendations for food and shopping and we really enjoyed his company for the 8 days. He knew when to give us information about the area and also when to give us some space and quiet to enjoy the views.

The itinerary suited everything we were looking for. David also adapted it to the weather for the best views and experiences and arranged extra stops, at our request. We couldn't have asked for a better tour or guide. The driver and car was also excellent, very clean and comfortable. The hotels met our expectations and were really well located. Overall the tour exceeded our expectations and I would be happy to share my experiences anywhere you would like me to. I'll send on some photos separately this weekend that you can use as you wish.

In terms of any suggestions, it is just to give some extra information before your guests travel, as many things are quite different in China than in Europe or the USA. I suggest giving the following advices to clients when they book the tour:

• Bring a small backpack to carry snacks and water each day.

• There are limited food options within the national park, so you may wish to bring some favourite snacks from home. You can purchase snacks in the local town, however they may not suit your taste so it is good to have some familiar snacks to hand. Some fruit, chocolate, crisps and nuts are available locally.

• You will walk quite a bit during the trip (including steps), so make sure you have good walking shoes with you.

• Hotel rooms typically do not have travel safes in them, so be prepared to carry your cash/ valuables with you each day.

• Coffee is not popular in this region of China. There may be days that coffee is not available. We suggest bringing some coffee sachets with you if this poses a difficulty for you.

• We suggest to download the 'WeChat' app before travelling to China to communicate with your guide. WhatsApp, Google, Instagram, Facebook and many other apps and websites do not work in China.

• We recommend having some local currency with you for purchases in rural villages, as not all accept card payments or your card may not work as it does at home.

The final recommendation I would give is to include the fox fairy show and Huanglong cave in itineraries. Both were amazing and unlike anything we had seen before. Also on the coffee piece, Europeans drink a lot of coffee. In Furong there was nowhere in the old or new town to get coffee in the morning. It might be an idea for the guide to have some coffee that they could give to the tourists to make their own.

I hope that has been helpful and thank you again for making this trip one that we will never forget. I'll send the photos in a few days.

We have ended our private tour today with you. Thank you so much for the wonderful arrangement.

All the 3 drivers and guide are very experienced and knowledgeable. We really get a deep understanding of Xi’an, Chengdu and Chongqing.

Feedback as below:

Leo was the fastest to reply. Efficient, patient and very responsive. He is very hard working!

Tour arrangements went smoothly. We appreciate the suggestions and the itinerary.

Definityly! 100% would recommend your service to our people.

The reviews online were exactly what we had experienced. If I were to travel China (Yunnan), I would like move off the beaten tours not major tourist attractions.

Check What our customers are saying about us on Tripadvisor.com

We are one of the few China travel agencies who have kept active and received lots of feedbacks and reviews during pandemic years

How Our Teams Serve you at China Discovery

"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.

Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.

1-on-1 Travel Consultant

Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!

After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.

Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.

We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.

Local Tour Guides

Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.

Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.

Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!

Local Drivers & Vehicle

Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!

Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.

Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!

Comfortable & Homelike Hotels

In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!

The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.

If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.

Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.

Meals & Dining

We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.

The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.

There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.

All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!

Photo gallery of this trip

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Silk Route Tour Packages

Silk Route Tour Packages: Thinking about going on a Silk Route Tour? Want to see the beautiful landscapes you've seen in pictures only? If so, pack your bags and check out our affordable tour packages. You can even customize them to suit your preferences. Don't wait, call us now at +91 97320 57478.

Silk Route Tour Package for 3 Days

Silk Route, with its never-ending grace and intense serenity, never fails to mesmerize its visitors. It was one of the ancient trade routes that connected Asia Europe and Africa.

2 nights 3 days Silk Route Package

Discover the breathtaking Silk Route with our 2 nights 3 days tour package. Experience the serenity of the Himalayas and visit Daragaon, Reshikhola, and Pedong. Book now for an unforgettable journey!

2 Nights 3 Days Silk Route Package

Discover the beauty and rich cultural heritage of the ancient Silk Route with our 2 Nights 3 Days package. Explore the picturesque landscapes and witness the magnificent sightseeing attractions the region has to offer.

A well-furnished tour itinerary for 2 Nights 3 Days covering the most sightseeing places in and around Kampong such as Daragaon, Reshikhola, pedong, etc.

Silk Route Tour Plan for 3 Nights 4 Days

A complete tour package to explore some of the alluring parts of Silk Route such as Reshikhola, Zuluk and Rolep within time frame of 3 Nights 4 Days.

Gangtok to Silk Route Tour Package

This tour plan is specially designed to offer you a unique and memorable experience of the two most popular destinations in Sikkim – Gangtok, the capital city, and the Silk Route, known for its picturesque beauty.

Pedong Zuluk Gangtok Tour Package

Make your holiday spent at Silk Route a memorable one while exploring its major scenic attractions like Zuluk, Tsomogo Lake, Changu Lake, Baba Mandir, etc along with exploring the capital town Gangtok.

Aritar Zuluk Gangtok Tour Package

Choose this Silk Route Tour Plan for 3 Nights 4 Days to have a wonderful vacation by exploring all the tourist attractions in and around Aritar, Zuluk and Gangtok.

3 Nights 4 Days Silk Route Package

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Silk Route Package from Njp to Njp

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4 Night 5 Days Silk Route Tour Packages

Explore the unique and diverse regions of the Silk Route and experience its ancient past, vibrant present, and dynamic future in a way that you’ll never forget.

Icchegaon Dzuluk Rolep Tour 4 Nights 5 Days

Crafted by our experienced travel experts, this particular tour package will take you to relish the beauty of the captivating settlements like Icchegaon, Rishikhola and Zuluk.

Sillerygaon Padamchen Zuluk Aritar Tour Package

With this 4 Nights 5 Days Tour Itinerary, visit some of the most captivated settlements of silk route such as Sillerygaon, Padamchen, Zuluk and Aritar to create the memories of lifetime.

Silk Route Tour Package from NJP

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Silk Route Tour Package from Siliguri

Experience the ancient Silk Route with our tour package from Siliguri. Discover the trade routes of old and explore breathtaking landscapes, monasteries, and local culture. Book now for a unique adventure!

Sillerygaon Aritar Dzuluk Tour

Make the snow-peaked Mount Kanchenjunga your travel companion while visiting Sillerygaon, Reshikhola, Zuluk and Aritar with this 6 Days Package.

Silk Route Tour Package for 5 Nights 6 Days

This 5 Nights 6 Days tour Package is designed to have a tour to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim and Zuluk, Reshikhola, Aritar, Daragaon of Silk Route.

Ichhegaon Padamchen Reshikhola Tour Package

This 5 Nights 6 Days Silk Route Holiday Tour Itinerary is designed to spend a great weekend amidst the natural beauty of Ichhegaon, Padamchen, Reshikhola and many other adjacent alluring places.

Kalimpong Silk Route Tour Package

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Silk Route Tour Packages F.A.Qs

If you're getting ready for your Silk Route Tour with us, you might have lots of questions. We understand you want to be well-prepared for your vacation. To make things easy for you, we've gathered all the common questions travelers usually have about the Silk Route and provided detailed answers. We hope this Q&As about the Silk Route and our packages will be helpful for you.

Q. Which is the most suitable time to go for a Silk Route Tour?

Q. is silk route safe to visit, q. what are the places to visit in and around during the silk route vacation.

During your Silk Route Vacation with our packages, you will come across many splendid attractions. We have only mentioned some of the major and popular ones here.

Nathula: Nathula is a mountain pass linking Sikkim and Tibet, with an average altitude of 14,450 feet above sea level. As one of the world's highest motorable passes, Nathula captivates travelers with its stunning views of the surrounding area. The pass also offers a clear sight of the majestic Kanchenjunga Mountain.

Baba Mandir: The Indian Army constructed Old Baba Mandir in memory of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh and takes care of the temple. You can find Sepoy Harbhajan Singh's bunker on the temple's roof. Another interesting place is the New Baba Mandir, a newly built temple also dedicated to the legendary Indian soldier Baba Harbhajan Singh. The New Baba Mandir is a top tourist spot on the Silk Route.

Changu Lake: With most of our Silk Route Tour Packages, you will be able to pay a visit to Changu Lake. It's also known as Tsomgo Lake, and it's one of the highest-altitude lakes in Sikkim's eastern region. Changu is a tranquil glacial lake that stretches for more than a kilometer. It is located at an elevation of 3753 meters above sea level. Its emerald green water, combined with the stunning view of mountain peaks in the background, has enticed many visitors.

Q. Can I customize these Silk Route Tour Packages according to my choice?

Q. what should be the minimum duration required for your silk route tour, q. is the silk route worth visiting, q. what kind of weather can you expect during the trip, q. what activities can you enjoy during your silk route tour.

During your Silk Route Tour with us, you can enjoy the activities mentioned below.

Go for sightseeing: Our Silk Route Tour Packages include all the major sightseeing attractions in and around the Silk Route. You can go for a sightseeing excursion to Rishikhola, Dragon, Changu Lake, Baba Mandir, Nathang Valley, Padamchen, Aritar, Zuluk, and many other places.

Photography: There are numerous picturesque sites along the Silk Route Region. As a result, they can be captured as photographic moments. You can sharpen your photography skills or try by clicking the photos of splendid Kanchenjunga, the world-famous swirling Silk Road, or the panoramic view of the valley from a viewpoint.

Trekking: If you are an adventure lover, trekking is a popular activity you would surely love in the hilly terrain of the Silk Route. Trek through Silk Route valleys and find numerous sites you didn't know existed. Experience the joy of discovering something and enjoy the view of the surroundings these places have to offer.

Q. What is the cost of a Silk Route Tour Package?

Q. will you see snowfall on the silk route.

Zuluk Tour is a renowned Travel Agency based in Siliguri. We have expertise in offering affordable tour packages of Silk Route as well as its adjacent tourism centric destinations like Kalimpong, Aritar, Icchegaon, Zuluk, Reshikhola, etc. We provide tailor made packages to our customers and the packages are skilfully designed according to the requirements of our clients.

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