Day 1,
Kashgar to Hotan
We rise early to drive along the southern rim of the Taklamakan Desert to Khotan (Hetian). The modern conveniences of air-conditioned vehicles provide a much more comfortable alternative to traversing this route than on camel back. The road to Khotan (500 km) is lined with many small oasis towns, and we make occasional stops to stretch our legs. Yarkand (Shache), for example, once had a larger bazaar than Kashgar and today remains well known for the high quality knives that are made here. Around noon, we stop at another oasis town and to eat a picnic under the shade of some poplar trees.
In the late afternoon, we arrive at Khotan. We then set out to visit the Taklamakan Desert . There we enjoy the camel riding and continue the expedition to our campsite.
As we settle into our camps, our staff prepares a tasty local dinner, and we can sit around a small campfire under the desert sky and enjoy our dinner.
Total: 550Kms (340Miles)
Day 2
Hotan to Aksu
Today we cross the Taklamakan desert which is the second largest shifting sand desert in the world. After early breakfast we set out along the new desert highway and enjoy the outstanding scenery of Sand dunes and stop several time for fun. Reach Aksu by dinner and check into the hotel
Total: 620Kms (385Miles)
Day 3,
Aksu to Kucha
Drive to Kucha via Baicheng county and visit Kizil Southand budha caves on the way and rich Kucha in the afternoon, then visit Kucha,s grand mosque walk around old city area.
Take overnight train or bus to Urumqi
Total: 400Kms(250 Miles)
