Anyone planning backpacking trips to Tibet, Nepal, Pakistan, Kashmir,Xinjiang in May?
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nuts
Senior Member
Yup, I went Xinjiang in Sep-Oct. Just avoid summer, where one of the hottest places in Xinjiang, Turfan, have temperatures in the high 40s. The highest ground surface temperature recorded was 70+ deg C! Also, I only covered small part of Xinjiang, and I spent a month there!
I think don't be too greedy/ambitious lah. In the end, read too much, get confused. If you do decide on going Urumqi, pm me and I'll dig up the driver's contact....
I think don't be too greedy/ambitious lah. In the end, read too much, get confused. If you do decide on going Urumqi, pm me and I'll dig up the driver's contact....
boroangel said:
I have been doing some real intensive research on Xinjiang and KKH these couple of days.I might push the trip back to October since thats when I graduate and October should still be autuum and the leaves are still reddish yellow and I would have plenty of time to cover that area. I think it can be broken into a few parts.....
1. North Xinjiang
where we move out from Urumqi
- if driving can drive up to Kimsar, then staright up the highway all the way to Fuyun. Then drive another 120 Km to altay.
- Or can fly str to altay also. From Altay drive on to Burqin and do the Burqin-Hemu Village(should be awesome in autuum)-Kanas-Burqin route. From Burqin, drive back down to Karamay and Kuitun. This part of the trip covers the North and will take about 8 to 10 days depending on the pace. A night accomodation at both Hemu and Kana Lake will be desirable for both sunset and sunrise shots.
2. Around Tianshan mountains
Can drive out from Urumqi or Kuitun and head west...down to Yinning and visit Siram Lake and Khorgos on the way. Stay overnight at the Narat grassland. then drive across Tianshan mountain , visit Bayinbulok grassland , Swan lake , Dragon pond on the way , and finally arrive in Kuqa . Here got one of China four largest Buddhism Grottoes – Kezil Buddhist cave , Beacon tower , Kuqa Grand Mosque and the ruins of Subashi site and then drive
from Kuqa to Korla . From Korla on the way to Turpan can visit Bostan Lake, Tie Men Pass. At Turpan, can vist Karez Well – the ancient underground irrigation
System , Emin minaret , grape valley , the ruins of Gaochang Ancient City , Thousand Buddha Caves and Flaming Mountians .
This will be one loop of its own and wil take about 7 to 8 days.
3. From Urumqi to Kashgar.
- Can take domestic flight (about 1500 miles apart)
- Take train
- Drive down from Urumqi through towns like Korla, Kuqa, Aksu etc. If stopping at the towns to explore certain regions around it, can take 3 - 5 days.
4. Karakuli Lake
From Kashgar to Karakuli Lake its 180 km and can do the trip in one day. Would be good to stay overnight in Karakuli or do some trekking aroudn the foot. 2 - 3 days.
5. South of Taklmakan Desert
From Kashgar its possible to drive on to Hotan and along the base f the Tarim Basim all the way to Louqiang, visit Ruin of the Ancient Kingdom of Loulan and back up to Korla although I havent read too much abotu here yet and whether certain sigths are worth it or open to public.
Here is a good map of Xinjiang.
http://www.xinjiangtour.com/english/map.htm
And check out the Xinjiang pics by nuts in his Roving Light Travel Photography
1. North Xinjiang
where we move out from Urumqi
- if driving can drive up to Kimsar, then staright up the highway all the way to Fuyun. Then drive another 120 Km to altay.
- Or can fly str to altay also. From Altay drive on to Burqin and do the Burqin-Hemu Village(should be awesome in autuum)-Kanas-Burqin route. From Burqin, drive back down to Karamay and Kuitun. This part of the trip covers the North and will take about 8 to 10 days depending on the pace. A night accomodation at both Hemu and Kana Lake will be desirable for both sunset and sunrise shots.
2. Around Tianshan mountains
Can drive out from Urumqi or Kuitun and head west...down to Yinning and visit Siram Lake and Khorgos on the way. Stay overnight at the Narat grassland. then drive across Tianshan mountain , visit Bayinbulok grassland , Swan lake , Dragon pond on the way , and finally arrive in Kuqa . Here got one of China four largest Buddhism Grottoes – Kezil Buddhist cave , Beacon tower , Kuqa Grand Mosque and the ruins of Subashi site and then drive
from Kuqa to Korla . From Korla on the way to Turpan can visit Bostan Lake, Tie Men Pass. At Turpan, can vist Karez Well – the ancient underground irrigation
System , Emin minaret , grape valley , the ruins of Gaochang Ancient City , Thousand Buddha Caves and Flaming Mountians .
This will be one loop of its own and wil take about 7 to 8 days.
3. From Urumqi to Kashgar.
- Can take domestic flight (about 1500 miles apart)
- Take train
- Drive down from Urumqi through towns like Korla, Kuqa, Aksu etc. If stopping at the towns to explore certain regions around it, can take 3 - 5 days.
4. Karakuli Lake
From Kashgar to Karakuli Lake its 180 km and can do the trip in one day. Would be good to stay overnight in Karakuli or do some trekking aroudn the foot. 2 - 3 days.
5. South of Taklmakan Desert
From Kashgar its possible to drive on to Hotan and along the base f the Tarim Basim all the way to Louqiang, visit Ruin of the Ancient Kingdom of Loulan and back up to Korla although I havent read too much abotu here yet and whether certain sigths are worth it or open to public.
Here is a good map of Xinjiang.
http://www.xinjiangtour.com/english/map.htm
And check out the Xinjiang pics by nuts in his Roving Light Travel Photography
AdyH said:
Well if you guys prefer a shorter trip, we do organise as well....
Check this out: http://www.shangrila-adventure.com
Just to elaborate further... We go with you on the trip unlike local agencies which outsource to the local agents there. We know the local contacts... And we can be flexible in terms of itineray.:bsmilie:
We take away your anxiety such that you can concentrate on enjoying the trip. Besides, you guys are bringing so much expensive equipments, the last thing you want is to lose them. Also, if you are not familiar with the locals they may charge you a high price when you request for their service. This may eventually blow your budget.:nono:
Everyone has different questions and it is very difficult for me to answer each and everyone. Your question could be someone question as well so it will be easier if we can have a small gathering. :lovegrin:
I know a lot people are concern with price but let me just reassure everyone that as long as there are enough people, we will lower down the price as mush possible.
This gathering is for the like minded adventurous people like you. There is no obiligation whatsoever. Treat it as get to know more people gathering and broaden up your social circle.
If you want to read further, you can refer to the following website on the various adventure tours which we organise all year round.
http://www.shangrila-adventure.com
Let me start the ball rolling:
1. ckbe
2.
3.
...
We take away your anxiety such that you can concentrate on enjoying the trip. Besides, you guys are bringing so much expensive equipments, the last thing you want is to lose them. Also, if you are not familiar with the locals they may charge you a high price when you request for their service. This may eventually blow your budget.:nono:
Everyone has different questions and it is very difficult for me to answer each and everyone. Your question could be someone question as well so it will be easier if we can have a small gathering. :lovegrin:
I know a lot people are concern with price but let me just reassure everyone that as long as there are enough people, we will lower down the price as mush possible.
This gathering is for the like minded adventurous people like you. There is no obiligation whatsoever. Treat it as get to know more people gathering and broaden up your social circle.
If you want to read further, you can refer to the following website on the various adventure tours which we organise all year round.
http://www.shangrila-adventure.com
Let me start the ball rolling:
1. ckbe
2.
3.
...
nuts said:Ah, after graduate, so got all the time liao, then no problem, spend more time there!
From Kashgar, you can do overland to Tibet too - Ali and western Tibet, which is one of the places I wanna go in Tibet
Western Tibet, are you talking about Kailash? That area can be unpassable depending on time of the year.
I was thinking Kashgar and down the KKH to Islamabad is a good route to try too. Really depends on how much cash I have really.
Leong Desmond
Senior Member
Just to elaborate further... We go with you on the trip unlike local agencies which outsource to the local agents there. We know the local contacts... And we can be flexible in terms of itineray.:bsmilie:
We take away your anxiety such that you can concentrate on enjoying the trip. Besides, you guys are bringing so much expensive equipments, the last thing you want is to lose them. Also, if you are not familiar with the locals they may charge you a high price when you request for their service. This may eventually blow your budget.:nono:
Everyone has different questions and it is very difficult for me to answer each and everyone. Your question could be someone question as well so it will be easier if we can have a small gathering. :lovegrin:
I know a lot people are concern with price but let me just reassure everyone that as long as there are enough people, we will lower down the price as mush possible.
This gathering is for the like minded adventurous people like you. There is no obiligation whatsoever. Treat it as get to know more people gathering and broaden up your social circle.
If you want to read further, you can refer to the following website on the various adventure tours which we organise all year round.
http://www.shangrila-adventure.com
Let me start the ball rolling:
1. ckbe
2. Desmond
3.
We take away your anxiety such that you can concentrate on enjoying the trip. Besides, you guys are bringing so much expensive equipments, the last thing you want is to lose them. Also, if you are not familiar with the locals they may charge you a high price when you request for their service. This may eventually blow your budget.:nono:
Everyone has different questions and it is very difficult for me to answer each and everyone. Your question could be someone question as well so it will be easier if we can have a small gathering. :lovegrin:
I know a lot people are concern with price but let me just reassure everyone that as long as there are enough people, we will lower down the price as mush possible.
This gathering is for the like minded adventurous people like you. There is no obiligation whatsoever. Treat it as get to know more people gathering and broaden up your social circle.
If you want to read further, you can refer to the following website on the various adventure tours which we organise all year round.
http://www.shangrila-adventure.com
Let me start the ball rolling:
1. ckbe
2. Desmond
3.
Ckbe
I tink everyone is concern on wat e rough budget wud be. Cuz tat way we can estimate if we have e funds in e 1st place. So maybe u can give us a figure, a rough one so tat we noe where we stand.
FYI, the trips looks wonderful. Lotsa opp to take photos n stuff. Just wondering if we get a chance to drive ourself. Cuz tat wud b more fun rather than let someone drive e 4x4.
I tink everyone is concern on wat e rough budget wud be. Cuz tat way we can estimate if we have e funds in e 1st place. So maybe u can give us a figure, a rough one so tat we noe where we stand.
FYI, the trips looks wonderful. Lotsa opp to take photos n stuff. Just wondering if we get a chance to drive ourself. Cuz tat wud b more fun rather than let someone drive e 4x4.
plainsunset
New Member
Hi,
Price from Singapore agents are about 2500 for a 17days trip.
I went in may and came back in Jun. Total i spent abt 2200 with a side trip to jiu zhai gou (in total approximately 20 days.
Entire trip is DIY and it's cheaper that way.
You can check www.boac-online.com for more info.
If you guys are gog into Tibet by Chengdu, i recommend you guys stay at Sim's Cozy Guesthouse (website at http://www.gogosc.com/). It's run by a Singaporean. That is if you guys like budget hotels.
If you are afraid of being 'cut throat', look ard....for the best price. As for agencies in Tibet, i can recommend mine. Most of them are under FIT...a govt organisation. Price is rather fixed...so jus dependent on service.
On another note...pls note that there are strict travel restrictions on foreign travellers in Tibet. There are many places you cannot go to even with a permit. I suggest you read up on such places before gog, else you might be disappointed.
Trip to Mt Kailash and Ali is tough....long road with little accomodation. It is good to go during the prilgrimage months (ard vesak day). But be prepared for more than 10 days on the road. Whether it is accessible to Singaporeans is an unknown.
Oh...Lhasa is more eventful if you go during vesak day (but they dun call it that).
That's all from me..ciaos....btw..Tibet is a beautiful highland desert...so beware....
Price from Singapore agents are about 2500 for a 17days trip.
I went in may and came back in Jun. Total i spent abt 2200 with a side trip to jiu zhai gou (in total approximately 20 days.
Entire trip is DIY and it's cheaper that way.
You can check www.boac-online.com for more info.
If you guys are gog into Tibet by Chengdu, i recommend you guys stay at Sim's Cozy Guesthouse (website at http://www.gogosc.com/). It's run by a Singaporean. That is if you guys like budget hotels.
If you are afraid of being 'cut throat', look ard....for the best price. As for agencies in Tibet, i can recommend mine. Most of them are under FIT...a govt organisation. Price is rather fixed...so jus dependent on service.
On another note...pls note that there are strict travel restrictions on foreign travellers in Tibet. There are many places you cannot go to even with a permit. I suggest you read up on such places before gog, else you might be disappointed.
Trip to Mt Kailash and Ali is tough....long road with little accomodation. It is good to go during the prilgrimage months (ard vesak day). But be prepared for more than 10 days on the road. Whether it is accessible to Singaporeans is an unknown.
Oh...Lhasa is more eventful if you go during vesak day (but they dun call it that).
That's all from me..ciaos....btw..Tibet is a beautiful highland desert...so beware....
nuts said:
Nuts, can you advise on the landscape in Xinjiang in May cos I may have found a partner to go. May should be spring right? So are the trees still barren? Would it be nice for photography?
Or is there any suitable area to backpack for < 2 weeks around that region? Yading?Siguniang etc?
nuts said:No idea of Xinjiang in May, should be good. I believe the photography is good in all seasons
May in Siguniang, Yading? Check out my gallery, I went in May
So your whole Sichuan trip was in May? I seems like it was still snowing around the Siguniang area?
May can be a bit tricky in the sense that the first week is the Golden Week. Wonder if the places you covered will be flooded with Chinese tourists.
Might have to trouble you to dig out that drivers contact number.
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