Istanbul to Peking
Join our exploratory Trans Asia Istanbul to Beijing overland trip over 15 exciting weeks through twelve countries; taking in such wonderfully evocative place names as Cappadocia, Mt Ararat, Isfahan, Shiraz, Samarkand, Bukhara, Tashkent and the Karakum & Gobi Deserts.
Included
Turkey – Gallipoli, Turquoise Coast Tour, Cappadocia
Georgia – Batumi, Gori, Tbilisi
Armenia – Yerevan
Iran – Esfahan, Tehran, Persepolis, Shiraz, Yazd, Dasht e Kavir Desert, Mashhad
Turkmenistan – Letter of Introduction support and fees, Ashgabat, Darvaza Gas Craters
Uzbekistan – Historic cities; Khiva, Bukhara & Samarkand
Kazakhstan – Aksu-Dzhabagly Nature Reserve
Kyrgyzstan – Ala-Archa Nature Reserve, Lakes Issyk-Kul, Semenovskre Gorge, Yurt Stay by Lake Song Kol, Tash Rabat Caravanserai
China – Chinese guide, Letter of Introduction & fees, Jiaohe Ruins, Maogao Caves, Boat Buddha Caves at Bingling Si, Labrang Tibetan Monastery, Huanglong National Park, Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Centre, Terracotta Army
Included
- Transport in expedition truck
- Camping fees & equipment: tents, tables, chairs & cooking gear
- All road tolls and ferry crossings
- All accommodation approx 20% camping, 80% simple hotels/hostels
- Crew – Driver & Tour Leader from start to Xi’an, Tour Leader Xi’an onwards
- Accommodation – 50% camping in tents, 50% basic hotels & hostels
- Fully equipped Expedition Truck from Istanbul to Xi’an
Excluded
- Flights (in case of flyover)
- Optional Excursions
- Flights, transfers, travel insurance, drinks, tips, visas, meals out
- Meals out or taken while in hotels or hostels – allow $20 day
Side trips / Optional extras
| Trip/extra | Cost |
|---|---|
| Turkey – WWI memorial – ANZAC Cove $10, Troy entrance and guide $15, Ephesus $10, Hamam $5, Pamukkale limestone terraces $15, Ephesus 5 hour tour $40, Ephesus entry $10 | USD $10 |
| Turkey, Goreme; Ballooning hour $180, Day tour $25, Belly dancing $30 | USD $20 |
| Turkey – Ihlara Valley 2-3 hours tourist card that included many entries for Goreme | USD $50 |
| Iran – Esfahan, Shiraz, Hashed, Tabriz, Yadz – mosques, palaces, ruins – free to $10 | USD $10 |
| Iran – Mashaad – Day trip (average) transport, guided walk, lunch and hammam | USD $35 |
| Iran – Tehran – Many other museums in Tehran…. Most cost between $1-6 entry | USD $6 |
| Uzbekistan – Bukhara – Ark | USD $5 |
| Uzbekistan – Kiva City sights pass | USD $13 |
| Uzbekistan – Samarkand – entry $10, Ave of Mausoleums $5, Registan $7, Bibi Khanym Mosque $5, Afrasiab ruins & museum $4 | USD $10 |
| Krygystan – overnight yurt stay at Song Kol | USD $10 |
| Krygystan – Horse riding at Song Kol per day | USD $15 |
| Turkmenistan – Ashgabat – Nat Museum $10, carpet museum $9, Arch of Neutrality $2 | USD $21 |
| China – Museum entrances from $2 | USD $10 |
| Georgia – Tbilisi – Museums free to $5, wine tasting $15, Folk Music lunch $15 | USD $5 |
| Georgia – Gori – Stalin Museum $8, Gori Castle free, Uplistsikhe ancient cave city built into the mountains $2, Telavi wine tour $40 | USD $8 |
| Kazakhstan – Entry to Aksu National Park | USD $10 |
| Kazakhstan – Day Hiking, Ranger & Entry in Aksu Nat. Reserve | USD $30 |
| China – Oasis Mingsha Shan Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake; entry $20 camel ride $18, microlite $50, sandboarding $30 | USD $118 |
| China – Huanglong Park; Cable Car | USD $20 |
| China – Gaochang, Bizeklik Caves & Astana Graves | USD $30 |
| China – Turpan; Irrigation Channel $10, Grape Valley $10 | USD $20 |
| China – Jiayuguan – Last Fort – Great Wall of China | USD $20 |
Departure Dates
View all the dates for this tour on the departure dates page.