Days 1-6 Istanbul/Western & Central TurkeyHave your fortune told in the Taksim, bargain up a storm in the Grand Bazaar or admire the imposing Aya Sofya in this fascinating city. Discover Cappadocia's Goreme Valley and underground troglodyte cities and caves. Days 7-9 Eastern Turkey/AnotoliaOverland into Eastern Turkey via ancient trade routes and visit Ishak Pasha Palace near Dogubayazit on the Iranian Border. Days 10-16 Western/Southern IranExplore the ancient ruins of Persepolis Persian and visit the stunning Islamic Shiraz, its citadel and mosques before overlanding through the mountains of Western Iran. Trawl the souks, bazaars and beautiful squares and blue tiled Mosques of Esfahan. Days 17-19 Eastern DesertsWind through the old city of Yazd - reputedly one of the oldest towns in the world. Sign up for a scrub in a local hamam or sample some tasty Iranian cuisine. Days 20-23 Tehran/Northern IranDiscover the capital of Iran - sprawling, fascinating and intoxicating. Visit the impressive Golestan Palace or get lost in one of the city's museums. Days 24-25 Ashgabat/TurkmenistanSay goodbye to Iran and travel onto Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Days 26-27 Bush CampFollow a local trading route through the harsh Karakum Desert and camp beneath a vast stretch of glimmering stars. Days 28-29 KhivaSee the ancient walls of Khiva, which once provided sanctuary for weary Silk Road travellers. Explore the perfectly preserved Old Town. Days 30-32 BukharaGet to know Central Asia's holiest city, where the thoroughly lived-in Old Town offers a beguiling atmosphere. Day 33 Yurt StaySpend a night in a yurt camp with the Kakaz and Uzbek nomads, sleeping among the dunes of the Red Desert. Days 34-36 SamarkandFrom the larger-than-life monuments to the city's rich history - Samarkand is one of Central Asia's most magical destinations. Days 37-39 TashkentThe Uzbek capital was once the fourth largest city in the former USSR and is still Central Asia's main hub. Shop for Soviet memorabilia at the Chorsu Bazaar, where everything from Soviet stamp collections to military uniforms is up for grabs. Alternatively, the city's old imperial restaurants provide eye popping cabaret shows and a decent meal. Day 40 Fergana ValleyDeep in the heart of Uzbekistan, the Fergana Valley is flanked by the Tian Shan and Alai Pamir Mountains. Explore this lush oasis on a guided walk, enjoying its temperate climate and blooming wildflowers. Day 41 OshRich in nomadic traditions, and surrounded by spectacularly rugged peaks, Kyrgyzstan is a mountain lover's delight. Trace Osh's long history through the century-old rock drawings etched into the slopes of Suleiman Mountain, the city's focal point. Days 42-44 Tian Shan MountainsLeave the city behind and spend three memorable days passing through the stunning Tian Shan Mountains. Admire the snowcapped peaks and vast glassy lakes, and camp alongside the Takik and Kyrgz people who call this rugged expanse home. Days 45-46 Song-Kol LakeSleep in a yurt alongside a family of local shepherds. Learn about local customs and traditions, and enjoy hikes through the surrounding hills for spectacular views over this breathtaking and isolated location. Day 47 Issyk-Kul LakePitch a tent along the shores of the apparent never-ending Issyk-Kul Lake, one of the world's largest natural water reservoirs. Day 48 KarakolDotted with church spires, Russian gingerbread cottages and apple orchards, Karakol is a picturesque and peaceful town. Days 49-51 Djety Oguz ValleyHike through the dramatic canyons dotting the Djety Oguz Valley and gaze up at the seven red cliffs that stand guard over the spectacular entrance. Day 52 Ala Archa CanyonFrom the brightly flowering juniper bushes, bubbling mountain streams and jagged blue glaciers, the Ala Archa Canyon is sure to dazzle with its rugged beauty. Spot a wide variety of wildlife ranging from wild goats and badgers to the more allusive wolves and lynxes. Days 53-54 BishkekSoak up the relaxed charm of Kyrgyzstan's capital, wandering through its wide streets and admiring its wealth of handsome houses. Learn about Lenin's ties to the city or relax at one of Dubovy Park's open-air cafes and reflect on the adventures so far. Day 55 HomestayLearn about life in the mountains during a homestay with a Kyrgyz family. Day 56 Bush campCamp alongside the Chinese border for a final night in the rugged Kyrgyz mountains. Days 57-58 KashgarFollow the original Silk Road on a journey along the legendary Torugart Pass. From dramatic mountains, sheer valley drops, icy peaks and friendly villages this journey into China is an unforgettable experience. Day 59 TashkurganSpy K2, the world's second highest mountain and set up camp on the shores of Lake Karakul alongside the Tadjik nomads. Days 60-61 KashgarSoak up the atmosphere of local life at the busy, noisy and colourful Kashgar Sunday Market. Day 62 Bush campFollow the southern Silk Road on a path through lush oases, vast deserts and past the mighty Pamir and Kunlun Mountains. Day 63 HotanDiscover the secrets of silk production, once the lifeblood of this area, during a visit to a working factory. Days 64-65 Bush campWatch the seemingly endless sea of rippling sand while crossing the Taklamakan Desert. Days 66-67 TurpanEscape the desert sands in this laidback town, once a crucial point of business for Silk Road traders, and the hottest place in China. Day 68 Bush campCamp amongst the desert's shifting sands and watch a golden sunset. Days 69-70 DunhuangFrom the lush green surrounds to the breathtaking Buddhist art in the Mogao Caves, Dunhuang is sure to astound. Days 71-73 Bush campPitch a tent along the remote Gansu Corridor and discover deserted and little explored sections of the Great Wall. Days 74-75 LiujiaxiaGaze up at the spectacular Buddhist carvings adorning the caves and cliffs of Bingling Si. Days 76-78 XiaheOne of China's most enchanted destinations, Xiahe's Tibetan atmosphere and mixture of pilgrims, monasteries, monks and prayer flags, makes it an mesmerising destination. Day 79 LanzhouStop by the capital of the Gansu Province on the banks of the rushing Lanzhou River. Day 80 Bush campCamp beneath the stars near Gangu. Days 81-87 Xi'an regionAdmire the 2,000-year-old Army of Terracotta Warriors whose life-size soldiers and battle-ready horses are an incredible sight. Days 88-92 Yangzi RiverTake a three day Yangzi River Cruise on a local ferry. Visit the main sites of the Three Gorges and the new Yangzi Dam. Days 93-96 SichuanHome to the spicy Hot Pot, Sichuan has plenty of cuisine and culture on offer. Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in Chengdu to get close to the endangered animals and see the sleeping Buddha in the Dazu Caves. There's also time to take a ferry trip to see the huge Dafo Buddha in Leshan. Days 97-100 North-West YunnanWander through the cobbled streets of picturesque Lijiang and learn about the Naxi people who are descendants of Tibetan nomads. Take an overnight sleeper train to Panzhihua. Days 101-104 Central YunnanMingle with the Bai people and enjoy spectacular views of mountain ranges in the lakeside town of Dali. Explore the markets of Kunming and see the maze of limestone pinnacles in the Stone Forest. Days 105-110 Southern China/LaosTravel through southern China, home to lively markets and colourful temples. Enjoy free time to try optional activities such as kayaking and trekking in Nam Ha National Protected Area. Days 111-116 LaosExplore the enchanting 'royal' city of Luang Prabang at the junction of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Be sure to visit the Pak Ou caves to see thousands of Buddha figures. Cool down in Vang Vieng and take the opportunity to go kayaking or river-tubing. Then see French and Asian cultures collide in laid-back Vientiane. Tuk-tuks and cafes happily exist and there's plenty of delicious baguettes and pho soups on offer. Days 117-118 North-East ThailandCross over the border to the remote Isan region of Thailand. This area is well off the tourist trail and offers a unique glimpse into Thai life. See rice fields, silk-weaving and communities with a strong cultural heritage. Explore the temples of Phimai, Thailand's last Khmer temples. Days 119-122 Angkor Wat/Siem ReapThe town of Siem Reap is the perfect base for exploring the temples of Angkor Wat. Stroll among the impressive ruins and see Hindu epics come to life. Around every corner a new feature surpasses the last. Days 123-125 Phnom Penh/BattambangFind graphic reminders of the country's tragic history in the bone-chilling Tuol Sleng Museum and Choeung Ek, the 'Killing Fields'. In Battambang, crumbling French-colonial shopfronts along the riverfront add an elegance to the town. Visit the hillside site of Phnom Sampeu and explore its pagodas and cave shrines. Days 126-128 East Thailand/BangkokStep in to the chaos of Bangkok's city streets. Get lost in the maze of markets, explore gold-plated temples and take time our for a well-earned massage after an epic adventure.
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