Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
| Departure date | Duration | Prices Start from | Tour Expert | Max Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/06/20 | 16 Days | £4,995 ex. flights | Diana Driscoll | 15 | LIMITED | Reserve your place |
Travel from the mountains of Kyrgyzstan to the terracotta warriors in China. Starting amidst the mountainous countryside of Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek in the heart of Central Asia, this trip traverses the spectacular Tien Shan Mountains to Kashgar, then skirts the northern edge of the magnificent Taklimakan Desert via Turpan and Dunhuang before culminating in Xian, the eastern terminus of this once great trading route.
The Silk Road consists of a widespread network of trade routes that have been around for over 2000 years, connecting the West with the East. From Italy to China and all places in between, the Silk Road evolved constantly, engaging travellers and entwining the lives of diverse groups of people. Numerous civilizations, cultures, and religions have been affected by the goings-on along this route. Though there is no definitive answer as to what (and who) comprise the Silk Road, Central Asia lies at its heart.
Journey eastward, by road, rail and air and explore the historic sites that dot one of the world’s oldest and most challenging trade routes. Explore the historic sites that dot one of the world’s oldest and most challenging trade routes.
01285 601 784
Diana is a leading Islamic world guide and lecturer with an emphasis on Central Asia. Educated at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Diana has over 30 years of experience studying and exploring Ancient Near and Middle East history, languages, religion and culture.
She lectured at various educational institutions throughout China and East Asia, and during this time, developed an interest in the history of the Silk Road.
Witness Kyrgyzstan’s dramatic landscapes of forested mountains and lush valleys.
Discover the incredible wealth of Buddhist cave art found in Dunhuang’s Mogao grottoes.
Visit Xian’s extraordinary terracotta warriors and Big Wild Goose pagoda.
Experience China’s capital, a cauldron of history, culture and enterprise.
An exceptional guide is the first essential component of a successful group tour and in Diana Driscoll, Steppes Travel is confident we have found just that. We have worked with Diana for over three years, and clients continue to rave about how amazing she is as a tour leader. Her passion for the regions that she travels to is incredible. She is known on our trips to be travelling with a file filled with fascinating handouts on the history, cultures and other local insights of the area, which she happily shares with the group. In addition, we find that she is great fun to travel with and our clients tend to travel with her, again and again.
The Chon-Kemin valley is known as one of Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful regions. Its river flows across the Kungei-Ala-Too and Iliysky Ala-Too mountain ranges, stretching over 110 kilometres, with seven lakes in its basin. Here also lies a specially-protected region, Chon-Kemin National Park, a lush natural area brimming with diverse flora and fauna. Forming the sides of the valley are conifer forests, which are home to many varieties of herbs, berries and mushrooms. Today you can take a light walking tour to Chon-Kemin gorge or relax in the village.
Located on the northern edge of the inhospitable Turpan Depression – the second lowest place on Earth – Turpan is a historic oasis town. Famous for its remarkable ‘Karez’ irrigation system, the town is fed by a network of wells, connected by underground channels.
The hottest place in China, Turpan is famous for the grapes that grow here. Both its wine and sultanas are popular within China.
Spend time exploring the great Silk Route city of Kashgar, a key base for commerce and cultural exchange for many centuries, and is possibly one of the most interesting cities in western China.
Explore the covered market where carpets, pashminas, brassware, inlaid handled knives, traditional hats, silks and spices are for sale. Many of the goods on sale have changed little since Marco Polo’s time and the art of haggling remains an important skill for anyone looking to buy.
Stumbled upon by a farmer digging a well in 1974, the 2,000-year-old army of the terracotta warriors is a fascinating record of artistic achievement and a grandiose expression of imperial power. Emperor Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of the Chinese people and embarked on a series of huge construction projects including the Great Wall. The best preserved of these undertakings is probably the terracotta warriors, interred within the outer wall of the emperor’s mausoleum as his eternal imperial guard. The mound of earth which protects his tomb is believed to be studded with precious stones.
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf and the above is an indication of the cost, based on return flights departing from London. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
We have been running insightful and groundbreaking group tours since our inception in 1989. We have worked with institutions such as the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum and run wildlife tours in conjunction with conservation agencies such as Fauna & Flora International, Wildlife Conservation Society, the Orangutan Foundation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute.
Our average group size is typically eight to ten people, smaller than other group tours typically offered – a factor which many of our clients appreciate. Travelling as part of a smaller group provides a more intimate, personalised and relaxed atmosphere.
We have developed an enviable pool of expertise from which to choose our tour experts, who we carefully select based on their knowledge, companionship and personality. Often, these experts can use their influence to facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.
Steppes Travellers are like-minded people – interesting, interested and curious. Our group tours aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere – we have a lot of fun on our tours and many friendships have been formed.
Our tours are well-priced to ensure you get real value for money. We include gratuities on the majority of our tours and do not pass on currency surcharges. We strive to look after single travellers as well as we can, keeping single supplements to a minimum.
When you travel on one of our group tours, you will be looked after by our local agents and your tour expert with the back-up of our 24-hour emergency number and duty manager. All our holidays are fully bonded and protected – our ATOL number is ATOL 6495.
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 601 784
| Departure date | Duration | Prices Start from | Tour Expert | Max Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/06/20 | 16 Days | £4,995 ex. flights | Diana Driscoll | 15 | LIMITED | Reserve your place |
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
01285 601 784Expert-Led Group Tours
With an average group size of just eight to ten people our group tour itineraries enable you to travel to some of the most intriguing regions of the world in the company of experts guides in the field and, of course, with likeminded people.
Our knowledge and expertise sets us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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