SOLAR ECLIPSE TOUR, 2008
(Tour # 2 via Northern Pakistan)
A cultural tour of Xinjiang & Pakistan

Viewing a solar eclipse is an experience that lasts forever. The next Total Solar Eclipse will take place on Friday August 01, 2008 and the best viewing will be in a unique and historical part of the world. Right in the heart of the Gobi Desert in Western China, on the famous Silk Road, at 10:21 UT the Greatest Eclipse will take place. With the location being where it is, there are a few exciting ways to take advantage of seeing both the eclipse and experience the Silk Road. We are offering three possibilities. This tour #2, is ideal for those who would like to combine with one of the most beautiful parts of the world – the Hunza Valley and the Karakorum mountains. This tour also witnesses the world famous the Sunday Bazaar in Kashgar.

Tour Summary	Map - Pakistan
Day Place 01 Arrive Islamabad (Pakistan) 02 Islamabad / Urumqi / Turpan 03 Turpan / Hami 04 Hami - ECLIPSE VIEWING 05 Hami / Urumqi / Kashgar 06 Kashgar 07 Kashgar / Tashkorgan 08 Tashkorgan / Hunza 09 Hunza 10 Hunza / Gilgit 11 Gilgit / Besham 12 Besham / Islamabad 13 Islamabad / Departure

Day 01 Jul 29, 2008 TUE: Arrive Islamabad (Pakistan)
Upon arrival at Islamabad airport we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Time permitting there will be a tour of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Overnight: Pearl Continental, Rawalpindi (1 night)

Day 02 Jul 30, 2008 WED: Islamabad / Urumqi (flight). Drive to Turpan (200 km)
After breakfast we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival at Xinjiang’s capital, we are welcomed and taken on a scenic drive to “the lowest place on earth”, Turpan. Turpan is an oasis famous for its hot and dry climate as well as for its grapes, which are grown in abundance.
Overnight: Oasis Hotel, Turpan (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 03 Jul 31, 2008 THU: Turpan / Hami drive (400 km)
Another interesting day or rural China with the drive to Hami. Enroute we visit the famous Flaming Mountain that stretches for a 100km/62m. This will be followed by the Bezkilik Thousand Buddha Caves. This evening we join other eclipse enthusiasts at Hami.
Overnight: Jiageda Hotel, Hami (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 04 Aug 01, 2008 FRI: ECLIPSE VIEWING
Hami was one of the trading halts on the Silk Road so we take the opportunity of visiting the well managed Hami Museum followed by the Mausoleums of the Hui Kings. Afternoon we drive to Xiamaya village – the Eclipse viewing site. The first contact will be at 1809 hrs and the last and fourth contact ends around 2005 hrs – total duration of totality is around 1min 54 sec. After an exciting viewing of the eclipse we return to Hami for our overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 05 Aug 02, 2008 SAT: Hami / Urumqi (drive) / Kashgar (flight)
Early morning drive to Urumqi Airport via Turpan to catch our short flight to the historic city of Kashgar, which is located at the western end of the Taklimakan Desert. Upon arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Overnight: Seman Hotel, Kashgar (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 06 Aug 03, 2008 SUN: Kashgar (Sunday Bazaar)
If one would like to see a place where time has stood still it is Kashgar (Kashi). Walking through the narrow lanes of this old town evokes a scene from the Arabian Nights. Kashgar has remained sheltered from outside influences with locals who are very friendly. Amongst the most popular professions are coppersmiths, carpenters, jewelers and cobblers, all using tools of bygone days. The historical Sunday Bazaar draws a variety of ethnic groups like the Uyghur, Tajik, Kyrgyz and Kazakh to the streets of Kashgar. They come on foot, bikes, horseback, modern motorcycles and donkey carts, all in the hope of selling merchandise ranging form scissors to camels. We spend our day at the Bazaar and also visit Kashgar.
(B, L, D)

Day 07 Aug 04, 2008 MON: Kashgar / Tashkorgan (369 km drive)
The scenery is incredible as we drive south to Karakuli Lake where we see the two faces of the awesome Muztagh-ata mountain – one facing us and the other reflected from the still waters of the lake. After lunch, we have time for short hike before continuing to the end of Turkmenistan, at Tashkurgan, the border town before we take on the Khunjerab Pass the following day. Tashkurgan, a city once controlled by the Bolsheviks, is now inhabited mostly by Tajiks. This evening we stroll through this one street town in this faraway land with its hospitable people.
Overnight: Pamir Guesthouse, Tashkorgan (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 08 Aug 05, 2008 TUE: Tashkorgan / Hunza (284 Kms drive)
We start with our Chinese exit formalities and then drive via the magnificent Khunjerab Pass into Pakistan. Magnificent drive with majestic views of the high mountains of the Karakoram and the distant Pamir Mountain Ranges coupled Marco Polo Sheep (obis ammon poli) at the Khunjerab National Park. We are welcomed into Pakistan at Sust check post where after border formalities, we continue through a spectacular scenic journey viewing lofty mountains with stops in remote mountain villages. At Gulmit, we visit local homes, the village centre and school, before reaching the mountain kingdom of Hunza
Overnight: Hunza View Hotel, Hunza (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 09 Aug 06, 2008 WED: Hunza
Hunza is probably most famous for the longevity of its people, due in main part to the simplicity of their lifestyle and natural diet, combined with the unpolluted mountain air. Tibetan traders referred to the beauty of this humble paradise as "Shangri-La". Our tour of this area will include meeting local folks, and visit historical sites including the recently renovated and overpowering Baltit Fort and the Ganesh watch Tower. The Baltit Fort was constructed 700 years ago by the porters who accompanied the Balti bride for the then Mir of Hunza. The style of construction originates from Ladakh. A maze of rooms serving as living and administrative offices were added periodically, designed with indigenous woodwork. It is strategically located on a prospect point, which gives it an immense overview of Hunza and neighboring valleys. Currently it serves as a Fort Museum with a good collection of artifacts and musical instruments from Hunza. We also visit the villages and bazaars around Karimabad and get lots of opportunities of meeting and talking with the Hunzakuts. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Aug 07, 2008 THU: Hunza / Gilgit (110 km drive)
En route to Gilgit we witness what is surely the most spectacular view of the majestic Rakaposhi peak. We feel so close to the peak yet it takes days of trekking before one can reach the base! We visit the Pak-China memorial for the memories of those workers who sacrificed their life during the construction of the Karkoram Highway and also local villages before reaching the Silk Road town of Gilgit. Here we visit the historical rock carving of Buddha at Kargah. Next stroll through the narrow lanes of the Gilgit Bazaar the local polo field where we may even witness a polo match!
Overnight: Serena Hotel, Gilgit (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 11 Aug 08, 2008 FRI: Gilgit / Besham (345 km drive)
Driving on the Karakorum Highway is an experience of majestic Karakakrum and later Himalayan mountains with the roaring Indus River falling down from heights of 7500 meters, We stop at villages enorute and at Thaleche which offers the best view of the world’s 9th highest peak, Nanga Parbat (8125m).
Overnight: Continental Hotel, Besham (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 12 Aug 09, 2008 SAT: Besham / Islamabad (325 km drive)
Continuing from Besham we end our Karkorrum Highway and enter the plain areas and time permitting we visit the ancient Greco Roman centre of Taxila where lies the remains of Jaulian - one of the oldest University. We then continue for Rawalpindi located close to Islamabad.
Overnight: Pearl Continental, Rawalpindi (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 13 Aug 10, 2008 SUN: Islamabad – Departure
After breakfast we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. (B)

Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures July 29, 2008

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner) All transfers and sightseeing as the itinerary. Services of local English speaking guide Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary Air tickets Islamabad / Urumqi / Kashgar International airfares Insurance & Visa fees Drinks/Beverages with meals Tips/Gratuities to Drivers & Guides

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2008 US $ 3845 • CA $ 3845 US $ 650 • CA $ 650

Estimated International Airfare - International Airfare is NOT Included

Canada - West Coast 1600 USA - West Coast 1400 Canada - East Coast 1400 USA - East Coast 1200

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.

Notes

Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.