Days 1-2 IstanbulWelcome to incredible Istanbul! Have your fortune told in the Taksim, bargain up a storm in the Grand Bazaar or admire the imposing Blue Mosque. Day 3 Tuz Golu/Bush CampVisit Turkey's salt lake, Tuz Golo, which provides 63% of Turkey's salt. Bush camp in the evening. Days 4-5 GoremeDiscover Cappadocia's Goreme Valley and underground troglodyte cities, fairy chimneys and caves. Days 6-7 Bush CampTravel overland into Eastern Turkey via ancient trade routes. Camp under skies that have been gazed at for centuries by fellow travellers. Day 8 DogubeyazitThe town of Dogubayazit is at the foot of Mount Ararat, reportedly where Noah's Ark came to rest after The Flood. Day 9 KandovanEnjoy the first night in Iran at Kandovan, an ancient village of caves built into the volcanic rock - and where locals still live. Day 10 ZanjanExplore Zanjan's delightful bazaar and check out the beautiful handicrafts on sale here - perhaps answer the question: does a handcrafted rug fit in a backpack? Days 11-12 TehranTravel to Tehran and be awed by this vibrant city where ancient meets modern. There is plenty of time here to explore the incredible Golestan Palace. Days 13-15 EsfahanSpend three days in this breathtaking city and take time trawling the souqs, bazaars, beautiful squares and blue-tiled Mosques of Esfahan. Days 16-17 Persepolis/ShirazExplore the ancient ruins of Persepolis, Persia, and visit the stunning Islamic Shiraz - discovering its impressive citadel and mosques. Day 18 Zein-o-din CaravanseraiFeel transported back in time while staying in a traditional caravanserai in the Dasht-e Lut desert. Days 19-20 YazdWind through the old city of Yazd - reputedly one of the oldest towns in the world. Day 21 Dasht-e Kavir Desert/KhoorTravel through the Dasht-e Kavir Desert, which lies in the middle of the Iranian plateau, to the tranquil oasis of Khoor. Day 22 DamghanExplore Iran's oldest surviving mosque - dating back to the 1st century - in Damghan. Day 23 ShirvanRelax by Shirvan's Atrak River, which gives this small town a lush and peaceful feel. Days 24-25 AshgabatSay goodbye to Iran and travel into Turkmenistan. Conclude the adventure among the futuristic architecture of Ashgabat. Day 26 DarvazaSleep under the stars in the Karakum Desert. See the spectacular fires of the Darvaza Gas Crater. Day 27 Bush CampContinue the Overland journey through the Karakum Desert, and take in the parched landscape of Asia's hottest desert. Days 28-29 KhivaGaze up at the ancient walls surrounding Khiva and imagine how they once provided sanctuary for weary Silk Road travellers. Explore the historic and perfectly preserved Old Town, beautifully decorated in classic turquoise tiles. Days 30-32 BukharaGet to know Central Asia's holiest city, where the combination of thousand-year-old buildings and a thoroughly lived-in Old Town help create the awe-inspiring atmosphere. Day 33 NurataSpend a night in a yurt camp with the local nomads, sleeping among the dunes of the Kyzylkhum Desert. Days 34-36 SamarkandTravel to one of Central Asia's most magical cities, Uzbekistan's Samarkand. Discover the romance of the Silk Road in this perfectly preserved city full of exotic architecture and majestic buildings. Days 37-39 TashkentEnd your Samarkand and Tamerlane's Testament adventure in the most modern of Uzbekistan's cities. Visit Tashkent's thriving Chorsu Bazaar to pick up Soviet-style souvenirs and admire the ornately decorated Kukeldash Medressa. Days 40-41 Zhabagly-Aksu National ParkMake tracks into Kazakhstan and enjoy a night with a local family in Zhabagly before exploring the grasslands of Asku National Park. Kazakhstan's oldest national park is a scenic wonderland full of mountain lakes, rivers and glaciers, plus all sorts of unusual flora and fauna. Day 42 BishkekSoak up the relaxed charm of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's capital. Wander through its wide streets and admire its wealth of handsome houses. Days 43-44 Chong Kemin National ParkSet off on a leisurely hike along Chong Kemin River - or if feeling adventurous, perhaps tackle one of the tough 4000 m passes. Day 45 Cholpon Ata/Issyk-kul LakeHead to Cholpon Ata, nestled on the shores of the vast and beautiful Issyk-Kul Lake. Day 46 KarakolDiscover the remote, picturesque town of Karakol, complete with quaint tree-lined streets and colonial houses. Days 47-48 Djety Oguz ValleyAdmire the lofty sandstone cliffs in Djety Oguz Valley. Day 49 KochkorMingle with friendly locals and relish Kyrgyz hospitality while enjoying a homestay in Kochkor. Days 50-51 Song-Kol LakeSpend the night in a yurt near Song-Kol Lake and join in a game of ulak-tartysh. Day 52 Bush CampMake tracks back to Bishkek, stopping to camp in the wilderness overnight. Days 53-54 BishkekRelax in Bishek. Why not stroll through the city's markets and haggle for bargains. Alternatively, relaxing in an Oak Park cafe and reflecting on the adventure is another good option! Day 55 KochkorDay 56 Bush Camp Day 57 KashgarDay 58 Karakol Days 59-61 KashgarTravel to the westernmost end of China and visit Kashgar, an exotic fusion of Chinese, Uzbek and Kyrgyz. Wander the streets that weave through the old town and discover the markets and bazaars of this diverse city. Days 62-63 Bush CampLeave Kashgar and head to the outskirts of the enormous Taklamakan Desert. Travelling into seemingly unchartered terrain, spend two days on an overland adventure. Days 64-65 Heavenly LakeTravel towards the Tian Shan mountain range, and arrive at the pristine Heavenly Lake. Located at the top of a mountain - and in the middle of a desert - this is a remote spot, perfect for relaxation. Days 66-67 TurpanEscape the desert sands in the laidback town of Turpan. Explore the famous Jiahe ruins, visit the night market or perhaps soak up the lively energy among locals in the town square. Day 68 Bush CampContinue the Overland adventure towards the ancient Silk Road town of Dunhuang. Spend the night wild camping beneath the desert stars. Days 69-70 DunhuangArrive in Dunhuang and relax in this Gansu oasis trading town. Visit the nearby Mogao Caves and discover their breathtaking Buddhist art. Days 71-72 Bush Camp/Great WallDrive to Jiayuguan and discover deserted sections of the Great Wall. Days 73-74 LiujiaxiaAt the crossroads of Qinghai and Gangsu, arrive at Liujiaxia. Visit the Bingling Si Buddhist grottoes to see intricate cliff-side carvings. Days 75-76 XiaheTravel to the Tibetan monastery town of Xiahe, often described as one of the most enchanting places to visit in China. Day 77 LanzhouMake tracks to Lanzhou and relax beside the rushing waters of the Yellow River. Day 78 PingliangOverland to lovely Pingliang, located at the base of the verdant Kongtong Mountain. If feeling energetic, climb through five lush terraces to the scared site of Mount Kongtong, passing temples and shrines along the way. Days 79-81 Xi'anAdmire the 2,000-year-old army of Terracotta Warriors at the end of this journey from Kashgar to Xi'an. Days 82-83 Yan'AnAdmire the view from atop the temple-studded Kongtong Mountain and enjoy the spoils of Gansu Province, which has a rich and colourful history as one of the important links on the ancient Silk Road. Day 84 LijiashanThe reward for a morning of travel is letting off steam in Shapotou, where daredevils will delight in the dune-sliding madness of this sandy wonderland. Days 85-86 PingyaoAfter a pit stop at the grand temples of Zhongwei Gao Miao, enjoy fraternising with locals amid the ebb and flow of daily life in provincial China in the friendly city of Yinchuan. Days 87-88 Wutai ShanHead to the Five Terrace Mountains, a focus for transnational pilgramage for Chinese, Tibetans, Mongols and Manchus alike. Many magnificent artworks are on show and powerful temples are scattered throughout the wilderness. Days 89-90 DatongMarvel at the Hanging Monastery and explore the World Heritage-listed Yungang Grottoes. Day 91 JinshanlingTake a walk along the monumental Great Wall as it snakes its way through rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Days 92-93 ChengdeStroll through the lush Shanzhuang gardens in the footsteps of past Emperors who holidayed here. Take in the rich heritage of Chengde by bicycle or admire Mongolian and Tibetan influences in local temples and monasteries. Days 94-96 BeijingEnd the tour by joining the buzzing hive that is Beijing. Visit the Forbidden City to admire imperial architecture or the sprawling Summer Palace on the banks of Kunming Lake.
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