Introduction:
Intrepid travellers through the ages have been enthralled by the natural beauty, differing cultures and the riches offered within Central Asia. This unique journey takes us through snow-clad mountains, across serene grasslands and into the heart of one of the world's fiercest deserts.
 Mountains, Grasslands & Nomads: Leaving Almaty behind, we take the ancient trade route into China, pausing at the shores of Lake Sayram where fertile grasslands surrounding the crystal clear lake provide a summer haven for Kazakh nomads. After a night in the frontier city of Yining, we journey into the vast grasslands of Nalati, a remote and wild part of this high plateau, and home to many nomadic Mongolian families. Our journey next sees us traversing the mighty Tien Shan Mountains with breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and the desert beyond.
Taklamakan Desert & Southern Silk Road: Taking the dramatic road down to Kuqa, a staging post on the Silk Road, we venture into one of the greatest 'voids' on earth - the Taklamakan Desert. We take the highway that cuts right through the heart of this 'desert of no return' - travelling through a sea of shifting sand dunes that in times gone by caused the Silk Road to change its course. Undiscovered riches lie within the desert, which is the resting place for many 19th Century European explorers. We emerge and continue along the old Southern Silk road route towards Kashgar, where we can enjoy the fabled Sunday bazaar, the largest market in Asia.
 Kyrgyzstan: A high border pass leads into Kyrgyzstan, a small state of high forested mountains, and lush grassy steppe, whose cooler climate was irresistible to travellers. Only open to visitors since 1991, Kyrgyzstan offers an unforgettable setting, as well as a warm Central Asian welcome.
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