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Tour d'Afrique Ltd. | Global Bicycle Expeditions, Races and Tours

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The 2012 Route

Sections

Full Tour

Shanghai to Istanbul

Full Tour
Thor and lorry Beekeeping on the hillside near ispir 1000 Entrance to big girl s fotress kiz kala 1000 Great buddha pagoda in zhangye Mike and catriona Evening views Karavaneseri
Start: May 19, Shanghai, China
Finish: September 24, Istanbul, Turkey
Price: €11,900
Distance: 12,160km
Riding Days: 104 days
Resting Days: 25 days
Our 12,100 kilometer self-powered caravan begins at Shanghai, China, the bustling center of China’s economic rise, and follows the classic Silk Route across mysterious lands, fiery deserts, and forbidding mountains. 18 weeks later we arrive in faraway Istanbul, the majestic capitol of Byzantium, the Roman Empire, the Ottomans and now the Republic of Turkey.

Among its’ many highlights, this year’s journey features a new route and a new direction!  Starting at the shores of the East China Sea in Shanghai we’ll follow the Silk Route westwards, making this now a truly Trans-continental Tour.  Also included are first time visits to two renowned destinations off the beaten track - enigmatic Iran where we will glimpse the treasures of that country’s glorious Persian past, and Tajikistan’s fabled Pamir Highway where we will climb to over 4600 meters and cycle across the “Roof of the World. “

As a Silk Route participant, you will ride to the mystical Central Asian cities of Samarqand, Bukhara, and Merv, and camp below sea level in the stunning deserts of China's Xinjiang province. There are points where quietness pervades, and where the original travelers of the Silk Route seem to be just beyond the next hill, beckoning you further along this arduous trek. Time and time again, you will be amazed at the layers of history emerging from the sand, shake your head at all that has been lost and take heart from all that is being preserved and created.

Each group of Silk Route riders are enriched by an intricate knowledge of ancient lands crossed, the inspiration that comes from sharing a grand adventure with new friends and fellow nomads, and the inner peace that comes with meeting a life-changing challenge head on. Whether you are lured by the chance to stay in timeless caravanserais and shop in bazaars that have thrived for thousands of years, or have dreamt of traveling “the Golden Road,” we look forward to having you join us on this unforgettable journey.


Countries: China, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan