About the Tour
Make history! Cycle the ancient route of the silk trade across the entire continent of Asia; from Istanbul to Beijing. Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo, General Zhang Qian and Genghis Khan. Like them, you will depend on muscle and will, your body and your mind. You will bathe in the great inland seas of the Caucasus, taste the delights of Samarkand, and test your courage in the dusty furnace of the Takla Makan.
Choose to race or choose to explore – the Silk Route Bicycle Race/Expedition will be unlike anything you’ve ever done before, unlike anything done before. As part of the first modern self-powered Silk Road caravan, you and your companions will bike almost 10,000 kilometres, through eight countries, in 108 days; a journey that took the merchants, soldiers and adventurers of the past many uncomfortable months -- if they made it at all!
As a Silk Route Rider, you will camp below sea level in the stunning deserts of China’s Xinjiang province and cycle to the top of the world, climbing to over 3600 m through the Taldyk Pass in Kyrgyzstan. You will stay in ancient caravanserais and shop in markets that have thrived for two thousand years. 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.
A Bit of History
In 138 BC, General Zhang Qian set out westward on a political mission under the orders of his emperor. Although unsuccessful in his goal to strike an alliance against the Turkish Huns, General Zhang returned after 13 years with a treasure of military, economic, political and geographical information on the lands between China and Europe.
The Chinese general was one of a parade of visionary soldiers, merchants, monks, and adventurers who established a web of routes through the world’s highest mountains and harshest deserts. The Silk Road conveyed not only silk, tools and spices, but also political influence, religious ideas and artistic traditions.
The Silk Road thrived through the Crusades, the rise of Islam, the Mongol Empire, and the first Imperial Chinese Dynasties. It's importance faded away due to a combination of technology (big, fast ships), political and economic crises, and climate change that saw deserts consume steppes and forests. For a millennium and more, trade goods and technology, culture and religion, and military and political power flowed along the Silk Road between Europe and China, transforming both societies.
The Aspiration
Now you have the opportunity to re-discover the magic and adventure of this historical, trans-continental journey. Join a free-spirited group of cyclists as you traverse the modern countries of Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and China; crossing borders, making friends, overcoming obstacles, experiencing new ideas and cuisines - all with a view from the best seat in the house – your bicycle seat.
This voyage will celebrate fellowship and sportsmanship. With the participation of riders from many countries, this project will recapture the power of trade and cultural exchange. Marrying technology and the human spirit, it will demonstrate one way to conquer distance and spare the environment even as energy and the environment emerge as great challenges for the empires of the East and West.
Facts and Figures
The tour features 88 cycling days, averaging 122 km each, broken up by 21 rest days and a day of travel across the Caspian sea for a total of 110 days. The length of each day ride will range from 80 km on really bad terrain to over 180 km on good paved roads.
Full Tour or Sections
Going the distance on the Silk Route is a unique experience. But if your time frame or interest is more limited, you may sign up for a section of the tour - joining and leaving the group at almost any point along the route. Take some time and review the many options. We have highlighted seven pre-determined sections on the website, but you can also choose to start and end anywhere along the route.
Pricing*
All participants must first pay a non-refundable registration fee of 100 Euros to confirm their place on the Tour. Please click on the registration button above to register.
| Section | Distance | Start | End | Entry Fee | |
| Full Tour | Istanbul to Beijing | 10,773km | Jul. 26 | Nov. 12 | €8,150 |
| Relay Team | Team of 8 each doing a section | 10,773km | Jul. 26 | Nov. 12 | €10,200 |
| Hills of Anatolia | Istanbul to Tbilisi | 2,022km | Jul. 26 | Aug. 13 | €1,900 |
| Caspian Crossing | Tbilisi to Ashgabat | 1,190km | Aug. 15 | Aug. 26 | €1,150 |
| The Golden Road | Ashgabat to Samarkand | 1,026km | Aug. 28 | Sept. 6 | €900 |
| The Pass | Samarkand to Kashgar | 1,160km | Sept. 9 | Sept. 20 | €1,250 |
| Gauntlet of Sand | Kashgar to Dunhuang | 2,267km | Sept. 22 | Oct. 10 | €1,900 |
| The Corridor | Dunhuang to Xian | 1,835km | Oct. 12 | Oct. 28 | €1,700 |
| Forbidden City | Xian to Beijing | 1,273km | Oct 31 | Nov. 12 | €1,250 |
*There will also be a local payment (paid in person to the Tour Director in Istanbul) of $1,000 US cash. A prorated amount will be charged to those participating in a section or sections of the Expedition.
Payments
- All full tour payments must be received by May 1, 2008
- We reserve the right to cancel a rider’s participation if the entry fee has not been received by May 1, 2008
- All entry fees are in Euros
- All participants must pay the registration fee of US $150. This fee is non-transferable and non-refundable. It may be paid online through PayPal at www.tourdafrique.com or by bank wire transfer, bank draft, certified cheque or money order payable to Tour d’Afrique Ltd. For a bank transfer, please contact our office for details. Registrants from South Africa may send payment to our office in Cape Town. Registrants from some other countries are not able to use the online payment system and must use one of the other payment options.
- The entry fee cannot be paid online. It may be paid by bank wire transfer, bank draft, certified cheque or money order payable to Tour d’Afrique Ltd. Banking details are provided in the registration package.
Discounts
- A discount of €400 applies to the full Tour if full payment is received on or before March 1, 2008
- this discount does not apply to those who are only riding sections
- if someone is choosing to do two or more sections, they will receive a 10% discount on the combined section prices
- a group of three will each receive a 3% discount on their entry fee, a group of four would receive a 4% discount, and so on up to 10%
- Former Tour d’Afrique or Orient Express riders will receive a 5% discount
- Riders may pay for the full tour up front and complete the sections over a number of years. Please contact our office for details.
Cancellations
- All cancellations must be made in writing and directed to our main office in Toronto.
- 90% refund of entry fee if written request received on or before February 1, 2008
- 70% refund of entry fee if written request received on or before March 1, 2008
- 50% refund of entry fee if written request received on or before May1, 2008
- no refunds if request received after May 1, 2008
