Tuogart Pass/Kashgar/Yarkand/Kaglik/Mazar/Kashgar/Urumqi/Bishkek
 The
following day-to-day schedule should be taken only as a general
guide. Even though we update our itineraries every year to take
into account such things as: changes to trekking routes and changes
in the routeing or availability of local transport, it is not
possible to guarantee that any of our holidays will run exactly
according to the proposed itinerary. A variety of factors, including
adverse weather conditions and difficulties with transportation,
can lead to enforced changes. The trip leader will make any changes
which are necessary.
Day 01 The
Torugart Pass (at 3752 metres) is the climax of the most exciting
overland route into (or out of) Central Asia. This is a cold and
uncomfortable border crossing, which has traditionally been plagued
by uncertainties and by greedy officials. It is usual to have
to negotiate as many as 10 passport controls, before entering
China - not for the faint hearted! The Kirghizstan side has been
designated a special nature reserve as it is one of only a few
places where the Himalayan Black Cranes still thrive. You drive
up to the 3752 meter-high pass, where you will meet your Chinese
sup-port team and your vehicles for the drive down into China.
Five kilometres below the pass is the first Chinese checkpost
and it is further 100 kilometres to the main customs station where
you complete the formalities and camp. The climate changes abruptly
as you descend into China, becoming much more arid - we are close
to the margin of theTaklimakan Desert. The landscape is truly
remarkable. You adjust your watches to Beijing time and continue
on a good paved road to Kashgar. You check into a hotel in the
centre of Kashgar, very close to the old bazaars and Mosque.
Day 02. Free
day in Kashgar. The old city, once known as Kashi, is an exotic
Central Asian trading oasis unrivalled anywhere in the Chinese
and Soviet Empires. Despite its situation between the awesome
physical barriers of the Tien Shen, Pamir and Karakoram Mountain
ranges, this town was the meeting point of at least four of the
main Silk Road arteries. Over the years, the collision of cultures
between the Pakistani's, Kirghiz, Soviet and Chinese has helped
Kashgar to flourish. Even today, a stroll around one of Kashgar's
numerous bazaars will take you back in time, as you mix with the
throngs of traders and their livestock. Muslim Uighurs, who account
for 90 percent of Kashgar's population, are the dominant ethnic
group that you will encounter in Kashgar's thriving town centre.
At the same time, the Chinese continue their efforts to change
Kashgar into a modern town with an airport, ring road and numerous
bars and nightclubs. To spend a day in Kashgar is a not only a
delight but a wonderful insight into the colourful way of life
of the peoples of Central Asia. Altitude at Kashgar: 1205 metres.
Day 03 Today,
you head off southwards towards the Taklamakan, one of the world¡¯s
most inhospitable deserts. Skirting this barren expanse, you pass
through Yarkand en route to our overnight stop at Yecheng (2200m.).
Overnight at a basic hotel.
Day 04 Back
on the bus, you climb up into the rolling Kun Lun Mountains, which
have been likened to the Mountains of the Moon. Your overnight
stop is at Mazar Dala, at an altitude of 3700 metres.
Day 05 The
final day of driving takes you over the Maza Pass (4700m.) and
down to the military post at Maza, and further to Mazar Dalar.
Here, you will meet up with your camels and their handlers.
Day 06/11 A
slow start, as the camel drivers sort out the loads for their
charges. You set off trekking at an easy pace along dry river
beds and crossing dusty ridges. Your first two camping places
are at: Yilik It and at the so called Junction Camp.
Day 12 Your
Third day of walking takes you to the foot of the Aghil Pass (4900m.),
which is the crossing point on the major ridge separating the
Yarkand and Shaksgam rivers. You set up camp below the pass.
Day 13 The
ascent to the pass takes four hours or so, but the view from the
saddle includes your first sight of the Karakoram peaks: K2, Broad
Peak and the Gasherbrums. You can also clearly see the route of
the next couple of days, along the channel of the Shaksgam River.
You drop down to a camping place beside the river.
Day 14/15 One
six hour day and then a short day leads to your basecamp at Sughet
Jangal. The route crosses the Shaksgam River several times on
the first day and you are dependent on the river levels being
sufficiently low to permit these crossings. During the height
of the summer snowmelt in July and early August, the river is
regularly impassable, whilst in the spring and winter seasons
the river is dry. During the final approach to your basecamp,
there are spec-tacular views of the North Ridge of K2.
Day 16/20 You
will spend five nights at Sughet Jangal. There are many possibilities
for exploration in this area. The walk up to the foot of K2 along
the K2 glacier is quite tricky and the round trip will take us
all of the three days at our disposal. But, this is one excursion
that you will be keen to do. The K2 Glacier is a clean ice highway,
with impressive ice pinnacles and moraine ridges. The base camp
area for climbing groups on the north side of the mountain is
situated in the center of the glacier on the upper end of a broad
expanse of medial moraine. On your walk up to this camp, there
are quite outrageous views of K2 and of the surrounding peaks.
Day 21/25 Trek
out to Maza Dalar, via the route of your walk-in.
Day 26/27 Drive
out to Kashgar
Day 28 Morning
in Kashgar. Then afternoon flight to Urumqi. On arrival, you check
in your hotel
Day 29 A free
day in Urumqi and the chance to take a day trip out to the nearby
lake of Tian Chi, the ¡°jewel in the crown¡± of the nearby Tian
Shan range of peaks.
Day 30 This
is a lazy morning, but if you want to see how the Chinese people
do their morning exercises, you should have to get up early and
go to the Peoples¡¯ Square. Then you will see: some people playing
Taiji Boxing, some people playing Beijing Opera, some people dancing,
some people playing, the Yang Ge, a kind of traditional Chinese
dancing ¡Leave for the Heavenly Lake, the ¡°jewel in the crown¡±
of the nearby Mt.Bogda (5445 meters), the highest peak in the
east part of Tian Shan mountains. The altitude of the lake is
about 1900 meters above the sea level. The driving takes 2 hours
to get there. Go and visit some local Kazak families in the yurts
in the forests. Lunch is arranged in the yurt and shared with
this local family. Take a boat trip on the lake in the afternoon.
Come back to Urumqi and it takes you 2 hours to visit the Xinjiang
Historical Museum, which you worth to visit ! Then climb up to
the top of the Red Hill to get a bird views of this whole city.
After all today, I suggest you to take a look in the biggest Night
Food Market.
Day 31 You
take the evening ( morning) flight to Almaty (or morning flight
to Bishkek), all the services end. ITMC-Tien Shan, the best agency
in Kyrgizstan will take a good care of you not only in Kirghizstan
but also in Kazakstan.
|
