Travel The Silk Road

  China

• Beijing: 
Beijing
• All Other Areas in China: 
Turpan
• Xi'an: 
Xi'an

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June - August

Description: Our Silk Road program is a fantastic adventure that combines an introduction to Chinese history and development issues with exploration of Asia's most rugged landscapes and a survey of the traditions of Tibetans, Muslims, Mongols and other ethnic groups who inhabit the vast lands of central Asia. After a short stop-over in Beijing, we fly to Kashgar in China's remote North-West. We explore Kashgar's bazaars, mosques, and the world's largest outdoor market. We then ascend high into the Karakoram Range of the Himalayas, cresting at the Khunjarab pass at over 15,000 feet. We delve into the glaciated valleys that lie in the shadow of the world's tallest peaks, and at night we bed down in the tents of nomad Kirgiz communities. We then work our way eastward, descending to the Tarim Basin, the second lowest place on Earth. We explore the ruins of Turpan, and the painted caves of Dunhuang. And we take a trip up to Heavenly Lake, where we ride horses with Kazakhs, and stay in their yurts. Then it's on to the Tibetan Plateau where we meet with Buddhist monks, hike through grasslands, and visit remarkable monasteries. We conclude the program in and around Beijing, with a few nights of camping along a remote section of the Great Wall.

Highlights: Welcome to our youth programs. Here you will be able to learn about our rich learning adventures and the spectacular landscapes we explore. As you travel through these pages, imagine Asia's vibrant colors ' enthralling gold and jewel ' encrusted temples, brightly adorned mazes of outside markets, the awesome
Himalayas. Savor the aromas ' fragrant burning incense, spattering yak-butter candles, spicy coconut curry. And hear the sounds ' moisture dripping slowly down jungle vines, mesmerizing chants of monks, footsteps of devoted pilgrims walking toward sacred, distant places. Hidden within these itineraries are spontaneous adventures and infinite personal discoveries, here ' amid the richness of Asia, waiting for you.

Cost in US$: 5500 - 6000

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Where There Be Dragons's Mission Statement: Through expertly guided and honest introductions to the cultural and physical landscapes of developing Asia and Latin America, and through Experiential Education that stresses the empowerment of the student, Dragons strives to cultivate cultural awareness and sensitivity, opportunities for personal growth through physical and emotional challenges, and a commitment to the communities through which we travel, providing young adults with a richer understanding of themselves, and of the social and physical worlds around them.

Year Founded: 1992