Silk Route
In Depth
Make history! Cycle the ancient route of the silk trade across the entire continent of Asia; from Shanghai to Istanbul. 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 – the Silk Route Bicycle Race/Expedition will be unlike anything you’ve ever done before. You and your companions will bike over 12,000 kilometres, through seven countries in 129 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.
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 China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran & Turkey; 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.
The tour features 104 cycling days, averaging 125 km each, broken up by 25 rest days, a total of 129 days. The length of each day’s ride will range from 80 km on really bad terrain to over 180 km on good paved roads.
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 eight pre-determined sections on the website, but you can also choose to start and end anywhere along the route.
All riders must pay a 100 Euro registration fee that is in addition to the entry fee.
A discount of 1000 Euros will be applied to the entry fee if payment is received by November 19, 2011. This discount only applies to full tour riders. Sectional riders will receive a 10% discount if they do more than 1 section.
Current Pricing
| Section | Destinations | Distance | Start | End | Entry Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Tour | Shanghai to Istanbul | 12160km | May. 19 | Sep. 24 | €11,900 |
| The Jade Road | Shanghai to Xi'an | 1460km | May. 19 | Jun. 01 | €1,650 |
| The Corridor | Xi'an to Dunhuang | 1835km | Jun. 03 | Jun. 19 | €2,000 |
| The Sands of Time | Dunhuang to Kashgar | 2267km | Jun. 22 | Jul. 09 | €2,100 |
| The Pamir Highway | Kashgar to Dushanbe | 1542km | Jul. 12 | Jul. 30 | €2,250 |
| The Golden Road | Dushanbe to Ashgabat | 1347km | Aug. 01 | Aug. 15 | €1,750 |
| The Fossil States | Ashgabat to Tehran | 970km | Aug. 17 | Aug. 26 | €1,250 |
| The Garden of Eden | Tehran to Kars | 1165km | Aug. 28 | Sep. 07 | €1,350 |
| Hills of Anatolia | Kars to Istanbul | 1574km | Sep. 09 | Sep. 24 | €1,900 |
