This overland expedition covers more than 4,000 kilometers, beginning in the Pamir region or the northwest of Xinjiang. It journeys through or alongside the world’s second-largest desert, the Taklamakan Desert, then ascends through the “roof of the world,” continuing on to reach the foothills of this lofty plateau.
Embarking on an overland tour on the world’s rooftop is a unique experience. Whether driving a car or riding a motorcycle, it will become an unforgettable memory for you.
The breathtaking scenery of the “Roof of the World” and the cultural relics left by the ancient Silk Road will make you marvel at the sanctity of nature and the long-standing human civilization. Undoubtedly, this overland route will leave a lifetime of memories for everyone.
Most of important, ChinaRoadtrips meticulously plans each day’s itinerary, including driving distances, sightseeing spots, overnight stays, and stopover durations, ensuring ample time to savor the tranquility of rural roads, the speed and grandeur of Chinese highways, and the local cultural experiences
Itinerary
⛳ Border-crossing | Turogart/Khorgas
⛳ Border-crossing | Gyirong-Rasuwa
📏 Total Distance | 4,000/4,600 km
🔢 Group Size | 1–5 Vehicles
🕰️ Departure Month | Monthly
⏳ Duration | 15/19 Days
- Exit Kyrgyzstan at the earliest opportunity and then enter China’s border gate, where border police will inspect passports, visas, and luggage. Once cleared, you will need to drive about 100 kilometers along National Highway G315 for approximately two and a half hours to reach the customs office, where the guide will be waiting for you.
- Due to the two-hour time difference between China and Kyrgyzstan, it is likely that the customs office will already be on lunch break (1:30 PM Beijing time) by the time you arrive. You will need to wait until 4:00 PM Beijing time for the office to resume work. Therefore, tourists should prepare water and food in advance for lunch. After customs resumes, the guide will assist with the entry procedures for personnel and vehicles with the necessary documents, which may take 1-3 hours. If the customs select the vehicle for inspection, it will take even longer.
- Once all entry procedures are completed, the guide will take the group to refuel and then drive 70km to the hotel of Kizilsu for check-in. Kizilsu is where temporary driver’s licenses and vehicle licenses are processed. This saves half a day compared to driving directly 40km to Kashgar for accommodation and then another 40km back to Ashtu the next day.
- At ten in the morning, drive for a few minutes to the Vehicle Administration Office. The vehicle will need to be inspected first, and then the guide will assist guests with obtaining temporary driver’s licenses and license plates using documents prepared in advance by the travel agency. Depending on the size of the group, this process may take 1-3 hours.
- After obtaining the temporary driver’s license and license plates, drive 40 kilometers to reach Kashgar and check into the hotel for rest and free activities.
- Around five in the afternoon, the guide will take guests to visit the ancient city of Kashgar. At 7 pm, the guide, on behalf of the travel agency, will treat guests to a welcome dinner. At 9 pm, the guide will lead guests to watch a large-scale ethnic song and dance performance (approximately one hour).
- At half past ten in the evening, return to the hotel to rest. If guests still have energy, the guide will take them to a Live House in Kashgar to experience the nightlife of the local youth and have fun. We will gift 12 bottles of beer and fruit snacks to the guests.
- Today, you have a whole day to experience the pearl of the ancient Silk Road—Kashgar, China.
- In the morning, guests can freely arrange their time to explore local markets, snack streets, the ancient city, mosques, and more, to understand the local people’s livelihoods and the true face of life.
- In the afternoon, the guide will take everyone for a massage to relax the body and mind before setting off again tomorrow.
This is an additional gift from us. China’s bath and massage culture is well worth experiencing, as it integrates dining, bathing, massage, and karaoke into a colorful and diverse experience.
- Today, we will drive to the city of Alar, on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, via the expressway, taking approximately 6-7 hours.
- Today, we will embark on a journey through the desert highway to reach the county town of Qiemo on the other side of the Taklamakan Desert. This desert highway traverses the world’s second-largest desert, spanning nearly 500 kilometers. With excellent road conditions and fuel stations en route, guests can fully enjoy the sensation of speeding through the desert landscape.
The 15-day itinerary crosses the desert to reach Tibet. The 19-day itinerary follows parts of the Silk Road to reach Tibet. The 15-day itinerary is the trip that enter from Khorgas. If guests require customized travel arrangements, please let us know in advance.
ChinaRoadtrips meticulously plans each day’s itinerary, including driving distances, sightseeing spots, overnight stays, and stopover durations, ensuring ample time to savor the tranquility of rural roads, the speed and grandeur of Chinese highways, and the local cultural experiences.
Considering that the webpage should not be too long, we have only listed the detailed itinerary for the first 5 days. However, I believe that the detailed plans and introductions for these initial five days are sufficient to demonstrate our professionalism, as well as our high standards of service and content.
- If guests need to know more about the itinerary (you can also check the google route map in this page), please contact us or leave a message below. We will respond to you promptly.
Quotation
– Tour Booking 2025 –
Group Quote for a standard 15-day itinerary.
Our prices are highly competitive among overland tour companies, and our service terms are unmatched. Depending on the itinerary, our prices are generally 10%-40% lower than our competitors. What’s more, we also offer the following discount strategies to ease the financial burden on guests:
Itinerary Discount – For the rapid crossing within 15 days, prices drop by 15%-20% based on the number of vehicles.
Vehicle Discount – If your vehicle is over 5 years old and has an engine displacement of ≤2000cc, you will enjoy a 5% discount; for vehicles over 10 years, the discount is 10%.
Referral Discount – Share our Overland itineraries and quotes on social media, and each customer will receive a 2% discount. If a new vehicle joins the team through your referral, you will receive a 5% discount per vehicle, while the new customer gets a 3% discount, with a maximum discount of up to 30%.
The cost per vehicle (car or motorcycle) with a driver in a single-vehicle group is $4,599 USD, with the additional charges of $ 500 USD for each accompanying passenger.
1. If there are no available seats in the team’s vehicles for the tour guide on this route, we will arrange a separate vehicle for the guide. An additional charge of $1500 for vehicle usage, fuel, and toll fees for the entire group to share. The fees for arranging a separate vehicle charged by other travel agencies are at least $3000.If you wish to avoid incurring this cost, you will need to find a car that has extra seat available to join this tour group.
2. If all team members prefer a cheaper price regardless of the group size, we also offer a quote for ten vehicles, with an additional discount of $600 per vehicle comparing 5 vehicles in the group.
The cost per vehicle (car or motorcycle) with a driver in a single-vehicle group is $2,999 USD, with the additional charges of $ 500 USD for each accompanying passenger.
1. If there are no available seats in the team’s vehicles for the tour guide on this route, we will arrange a separate vehicle for the guide. An additional charge of $1500 for vehicle usage, fuel, and toll fees for the entire group to share. The fees for arranging a separate vehicle charged by other travel agencies are at least $3000.If you wish to avoid incurring this cost, you will need to find a car that has extra seat available to join this tour group.
2. If all team members prefer a cheaper price regardless of the group size, we also offer a quote for ten vehicles, with an additional discount of $600 per vehicle comparing 5 vehicles in the group.
The cost per vehicle (car or motorcycle) with a driver in a single-vehicle group is $2,599 USD, with the additional charges of $ 500 USD for each accompanying passenger.
1. If there are no available seats in the team’s vehicles for the tour guide on this route, we will arrange a separate vehicle for the guide. An additional charge of $1500 for vehicle usage, fuel, and toll fees for the entire group to share. The fees for arranging a separate vehicle charged by other travel agencies are at least $3000.If you wish to avoid incurring this cost, you will need to find a car that has extra seat available to join this tour group.
2. If all team members prefer a cheaper price regardless of the group size, we also offer a quote for ten vehicles, with an additional discount of $600 per vehicle comparing 5 vehicles in the group.
The cost per vehicle (car or motorcycle) with a driver in a single-vehicle group is $2,299 USD, with the additional charges of $ 500 USD for each accompanying passenger.
1. If there are no available seats in the team’s vehicles for the tour guide on this route, we will arrange a separate vehicle for the guide. An additional charge of $1500 for vehicle usage, fuel, and toll fees for the entire group to share. The fees for arranging a separate vehicle charged by other travel agencies are at least $3000.If you wish to avoid incurring this cost, you will need to find a car that has extra seat available to join this tour group.
2. If all team members prefer a cheaper price regardless of the group size, we also offer a quote for ten vehicles, with an additional discount of $600 per vehicle comparing 5 vehicles in the group.
The cost per vehicle (car or motorcycle) with a driver in a single-vehicle group is $2,199 USD, with the additional charges of $ 500 USD for each accompanying passenger.
1. If there are no available seats in the team’s vehicles for the tour guide on this route, we will arrange a separate vehicle for the guide. An additional charge of $1500 for vehicle usage, fuel, and toll fees for the entire group to share. The fees for arranging a separate vehicle charged by other travel agencies are at least $3000.If you wish to avoid incurring this cost, you will need to find a car that has extra seat available to join this tour group.
2. If all team members prefer a cheaper price regardless of the group size, we also offer a quote for ten vehicles, with an additional discount of $600 per vehicle comparing 5 vehicles in the group.
The cost per vehicle (car or motorcycle) with a driver in a single-vehicle group is $1,599 USD, with the additional charges of $ 500 USD for each accompanying passenger.
1. If there are no available seats in the team’s vehicles for the tour guide on this route, we will arrange a separate vehicle for the guide. An additional charge of $1500 for vehicle usage, fuel, and toll fees for the entire group to share. The fees for arranging a separate vehicle charged by other travel agencies are at least $3000.If you wish to avoid incurring this cost, you will need to find a car that has extra seat available to join this tour group.
2. If all team members prefer a cheaper price regardless of the group size, we also offer a quote for ten vehicles, with an additional discount of $600 per vehicle comparing 5 vehicles in the group.
- Costs for Vehicles Services
- Full Customs Deposit
- Customs Clearance
- Temporary Plate No.
- CLIVTA
- Costs for Guests Services
- Temporary Driver’s License
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Costs for Other Services
- Guide Service
- Paperwork and Permits.
- Organization and Coordination Expenses
- Extra Services (1)
- Welcome Dinners (2-3)
- Massage (once)
- Bears in the Bar (once)
- Extra Services (2)
- SIM Card and Data (Usefull)
- VPN Service (Surf Internet freely)
- Can pay after entry (Safe Money)
- Refunds if dissatisfied (5%-20%)
- Exclude Services
- Meals/Accommodations/Gas/Toll/Visa
- Costs for temporary adjustments to the fixed schedule caused by customer’s reasons.
