Kashgar old town, the Pamir plateau and Silk Road towns
Highlights
- The old lanes of Kashgar, its mosques and Abakh Hoja Tomb, then south along the Karakoram Highway onto the Pamirs. This route enters border control zones and requires a border permit — whether foreign passports are accepted must be confirmed before booking.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1：Arrive in Kashgar
- Route：Kashgar Airport pickup
- Stay：Kashgar
- Meals：None
- Altitude：1300m
- Notes：Private transfer
Day 2：Kashgar old town
- Route：Id Kah Mosque → old lanes → Gaotai dwellings
- Stay：Kashgar
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：1300m
Day 3：Abakh Hoja & bazaar
- Route：Abakh Hoja Tomb → livestock bazaar → craft street
- Stay：Kashgar
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：1300m
- Notes：Bazaar days vary; we re-order stops to suit
Day 4：Up onto the Pamirs
- Route：Kashgar → Baisha Lake → Karakul Lake
- Stay：Taxkorgan
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：3600m
- Notes：Border permit required; watch for altitude effects
Day 5：Around Taxkorgan
- Route：Taxkorgan → Stone Fortress → Jincaotan marshes
- Stay：Taxkorgan
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：3100m
Day 6：Back to Kashgar
- Route：Taxkorgan → Muztagh Ata viewpoint → Kashgar
- Stay：Kashgar
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：1300m
Day 7：Yengisar / Yarkant (optional)
- Route：Kashgar → Yarkant old town / Yengisar knife village
- Stay：Kashgar
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：1300m
- Notes：Choose one, depending on energy and interest
Day 8：Departure
- Route：Kashgar airport drop-off
- Stay：—
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：—
Key info
- Max altitude：approx. 3,600 m (Pamir plateau)
- Longest drive：approx. 300 km
- Fitness：Moderate. The Pamir section sits at altitude, so fitness needs assessing
- Hotels：Licensed hotels in Kashgar city; lodging around Taxkorgan is limited and must be confirmed and locked in early in season.
- Vehicle：Licensed commercial vehicle with a driver experienced on plateau roads.
- Guide：Certified guide throughout, assisting with border checks on the Pamir section.
Included / Not included
Included
- Licensed vehicle and driver throughout
- Certified guide fees
- First-entry tickets
- Accommodation with breakfast
- Assistance obtaining the border permit
Not included
- International and domestic flights to Kashgar
- Meals not listed
- Personal expenses
- Plateau camera-gear rental
Cancellation policy
- Routes involving border permits carry permit-timing considerations. Terms are given in writing when the booking is confirmed.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Border permit (we assist with this)
- ★ Foreign passport holders: eligibility must be confirmed before booking