Nomads of the Silk Road: Grasslands & Traditions

Step into the world of Silk Road nomads, where yurts dot endless grasslands and ancient traditions still shape daily life. This immersive 9-day journey takes you into the heart of Xinjiang and western Gansu, exploring the landscapes, lifestyles, and legends of the region’s pastoral peoples — Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Mongol, and Tibetan.

Ride horses across high-altitude meadows, sleep in traditional yurts, learn to cook nomadic meals, and experience the rhythm of life that has flowed across Central Asia for centuries. This is a journey for those who crave wide-open spaces, cultural authenticity, and real human connection.

From $2,630 per person
(Based on double occupancy. Single supplement: $380)

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What’s Included

8 nights in a mix of hotels, guesthouses, and yurts
All breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
Private transportation throughout
Experienced English-speaking guide
Cultural workshops (felting, cooking, archery, etc.)
Horse-riding experience (with guides)
Entrance fees to all cultural and natural sites
Airport/train station transfers

Tour Highlights

Sleep in authentic yurts under the stars
Ride horses through Kazakh and Mongol grasslands
Join in nomadic daily life: cooking, crafting, herding
Explore Sayram Lake and Nalati Alpine Meadows
Discover Central Asian influences on Chinese culture

What’s Not Included

International airfare
Chinese visa
Travel insurance (required)
Personal expenses and gratuities
Optional experiences like extended horseback riding or private photo shoots

Important Information for Tourists

This tour involves basic accommodations in yurts on 2–3 nights
Altitude is moderate (1,500–2,500 meters); no special acclimatization required
Spring and early autumn offer the best weather (May–June, Sept–Oct)
Horseback riding is optional and suitable for beginners

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrival in Urumqi
Welcome pickup and transfer to hotel
Evening orientation and dinner featuring Uyghur cuisine
Overnight in Urumqi

Day 2 – Into the Tianshan Mountains
Drive to Nalati Grasslands, one of China’s most scenic alpine meadows
Learn about Kazakh nomadic traditions
Settle into a yurt camp
Overnight in a yurt, Nalati

Day 3 – Horseback & Highland Life
Enjoy a gentle horseback ride with Kazakh guides
Participate in a traditional bread-making and tea ceremony
Stargazing by campfire with storytelling
Overnight in yurt

Day 4 – Drive to Yining via Ili Valley
Scenic journey through the Ili River Valley
Visit a traditional market and meet local artisans
Overnight in Yining

Day 5 – Across to Sayram Lake
Travel to Sayram Lake, sacred to many nomadic peoples
Walks along the lakeshore and visit summer grazing pastures
Optional archery or felt-making workshop
Overnight in guesthouse near the lake

Day 6 – Toward Barkol Grasslands
Journey northeast to Barkol, home to Mongol herders
Cultural visit with a Mongol family: traditional music and food
Overnight in Barkol guesthouse

Day 7 – Nomadic Games & Culture Day
Experience traditional nomadic sports like kokpar (buzkashi), archery, and wrestling
Learn about herding techniques and migration practices
Overnight in Barkol

Day 8 – Return to Urumqi
Long drive back with stops for local crafts and food
Farewell dinner in Urumqi
Overnight in Urumqi

Day 9 – Departure
Transfer to airport or onward travel

"I felt like I was walking through a living history book. The yurt stay was both humbling and magical."

Lena G. – Switzerland

"This trip gave me more than pictures — it gave me stories and real human connections."

Emily D. – Australia

"From the Terracotta Warriors to the high-speed trains zooming across the desert, this trip was the perfect blend of ancient and modern. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable, and the logistics were seamless."

John Morgan

"Kashgar alone made this trip worth it — so much culture, color, and warmth. But the real joy was the journey in between. I can’t recommend this tour enough for curious travelers who want something beyond the typical."

Michael West

"This tour completely changed how I see China. The landscapes, the history, the people — it was a dream. Riding camels in Dunhuang and walking through the ancient alleys of Kashgar felt like stepping into a different world."

Richard Brown

ChinaJTSS

We believe that travel should be transformative — and our mission is to create unique, authentic, and immersive experiences that bring China’s ancient routes to life.

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