Silk Road Private Jet Vacation

Tiananmen Square

After a sumptuous breakfast and your first Chinese sunrise you will be taken on a cultural exposé of the city. Standing in the historical paved space of Tiananmen Square you can almost hear the cries of the million citizens pledging allegiance to Chairman Mao and watch the Marxist emperor gaze serenely over the world’s largest public square. Live and breathe the history in this square that has shaped modern China.

Forbidden City

Entering the Forbidden City with its endless galleries, great halls, imposing courtyards and imperial gardens you are sure to be blown away. A former Sotheby’s expert is waiting to bring the fabled tales of the Ming and Qing dynasty to life with his talk on Court Life in the Summer Palace. He will take you into the exclusive Chonghuagong section brimming with rarities and antiques which is normally closed to the public.

The Hutong alleyways are one of the most characteristic and iconic sides of old Beijing and you have the chance to explore with a renowned photographer. After the revolution, the palatial homes were swamped with tin can shacks and cramped side shops. Meandering through these streets shows you a romantic side of the city, where children run through the streets, hidden courtyards bloom and tiny teahouses spill out onto the streets.

Waldorf Astoria - Hutong Villa

This evening you have the rare chance to meet with a woman (∴) with a fascinating life story worth unraveling who can provide you with an astute and in depth social and political commentary on modern day China. From working in a missile factory to organizing one of the largest workers demonstrations in Nanjing, reporting for the BBC and penning her memoirs, this is an unmissable opportunity to converse with someone who has lived, breathed and thoroughly experienced the fascinating agenda of modern China.

The Great Wall

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China will inspire great thoughts as it weaves across the tableau of fabled hills, harsh mountains, and sweeping plains. Your expert guide will escort you to the most beautiful part of the wall, outside Beijing, where the wilderness seeps through. The sheer isolation, the crumbling stones, the flowering greenery and the expanse of the mountains behind make for a mesmerizing sight.

Shaolin Monks by the Great Wall

For lunch, you can enjoy a delectable banquet picnic on the Wall itself. Witness the remarkable skill and finesse of the famous Shaolin Warriors as they perform a Kungfu masterpiece for your eyes only against the backdrop of the Great Wall. To deepen the experience, one of the most well-informed historians of our time profiled in The New Yorker and informer to the Discovery Channel will accompany you as you walk across the endless steps that vanish on the horizon.

Tea Ceremony

Sit peacefully as you partake in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. A professional tea master will introduce you to the elite art of the perfect pour, you can learn the meditative rituals and let the delicate aroma and sensual taste roll softly around your palate.

Temple of Heaven Beijing

Stand in awe at the Temple of Heaven with its enigmatic presence, its ornate design and its ancient aura providing a rare glimpse into the old world. With sweeping groves of knotted cypress trees sprinkling the sunlight, rich marble alters and the lull of birdsong it’s easy to understand the meaning behind the name.

Tai Chi

Call on the primal force of energy with a supreme Taichi session in the shadows of the dazzling Temple of Heaven. This is the perfect environment to feel the dancing contrasting prisms of dark and light, hot and cold, and the other building blocks that make Taichi more than a simple self-defense technique but an ancient art and a way of life.

Afterwards you will have the chance to meet with one of the key players (∴) in the Beijing corporate scene, one of those characters brimming with creativity and innovation, a meeting with him will leave you truly inspired as you take a closer glimpse at his startup projects dabbling in everything from art to education.

Contemporary Art

Along with being a political and technical hub, Beijing is a rare beauty when it comes to its truly inspiring art. Emerging talent springs up from every nook and cranny and you have the opportunity to gaze in awe at some of these incredible creations from China’s thriving art scene.

Summer Palace

Those with children have the chance to capture a truly special moment as the little ones are whisked away for an opera face painting session complete with costumes and a private photo session. Later in the morning you can enjoy a majestic drive to the largest imperial gardens in China at the romantic Summer Palace. This emperor’s playground is a watercolor come to life with its shimmering lakes, ornate temples, carved bridges and sweet scent of flora rolling in from the surrounding hills.

Summer Palace - 17-Arch Lion Bridge

Summer Palace Lake

Board a private boat for an exclusive floating adventure around the glistening lake. A guest lecturer from Sotheby’s will accompany you as you drift pass the romance laden landscape and will seduce you with tales from court life in the summer palace to complement your cocktails.

Waldorf Astoria - Private Dining

Enjoy another bright Beijing evening, taste the finest local cuisine, explore the hedonistic nightlife and blend the beauty of the day with the spark of after hours entertainment in this thriving city. Those not in a mood to leave the comforts of the Waldorf Astoria may opt to indulge in a private dinner especially catered to their taste by the hotel's chefs.

Xi 'An

Let your private jet sweep you away to the ancient capital of Xi’an, on board you can stretch out in complete privacy, sip morning fresh cocktails and watch the tapestry of colors spread beneath your feet on a serene flight into the past.

Terracotta Warriors

Witness the wonder of the life-size terracotta army on the march. One of the most alluring sights to see in Xi’an, the majestic underground army of carved life-sized warriors is hauntingly beautiful. As a rare treat, you can claim special access to the area known as the hospital where 200 strong and repaired soldiers stand in formation. You can walk through the lines and gaze into the fearsome faces of the first emperor’s army.

Archeologist at work

In a land as old as China sometimes you stumble upon secrets and in 2011 this is exactly what happened on an archeological dig in Xi’an.

After lunch you have unique private access on a tour with the lead archaeologist to the on-going excavation of the family tomb of the President of the Board of War during the Han dynasty. The working archeological site is closed to the general public but you can enjoy access down into the golden dust of the earth to see for yourself the legend that lives on in the pages of history.

Archeological Institute

Art lovers and antique aficionados will be in their element this morning with a specially curated behind the scenes visit to the Archeological Institute. In their usually off limits storeroom you have the incredibly rare opportunity to hold priceless works of art and ancient treasures in your own bare hands.

Crescent Moon Lake - Dunhuang

Take to the skies once more for your next stop on the fascinating Silk Road in dazzling Dunhuang. Dunhuang is one of those fabled places that seems to shimmer as though carved from a surreal dream. The desert is fair and gold, the mountains seem to sing, and when the sun melts everything in sight flames like a mystery soaked in sheer drama. Caves, grottoes and dunes make Dunhuang a treasure house of nature and for history lovers this was one of the select stops on the Silk Route where you could find caravans with precious violet and green gems passing through the famous Jade Gate.

Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel

This evening you can check into the lavish Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel. The Tang Dynasty truly comes alive in this architectural wonder comprised on enclosed romantic courtyards, long and winding corridors, natural materials and oversized rooftops. Suites are elegant and splashed with the perfect touch of soft silk, crimson color and intricate furnishings, and sitting in the rooftop starry lounge you can see the blazing cosmos that hangs over the depths of the desert.

Mogao Caves

This morning after a sumptuous breakfast overlooking the dunes you have the chance to visit the UNESCO wonder of the Mogao Caves. Hailed as the Thousand Buddha Caves, you are sure to rub your eyes in disbelief at the plethora of religious art work adorning the walls in color dating back from the 4th century to the 14th when the Silk Road was at its peak. Tiptoe through temples, creep into caves carved into the cliff and stand in awe at the foot of a 34-meter high Buddha.

Mogao Caves - Buddhist art

Pass of the Jade Gate

After a delicate lunch of the finest local foods you can make the infamous journey to the Pass of the Jade Gate or Yumen Pass. Along the way you will pass through the stretch of deserted desert lands until you witness the weight of the golden hewn rock standing like a fierce and proud warrior with its slip entrance. Two thousand years of history are etched into the face of this monolith, if you strain you can almost hear the ringing bells of camels, the clash of swords, and the cries of the market sellers carried in the hollow wind.

Barbecue dinner

Before dinner you can wander through the local market admiring the glistening colors of the exotic dried fruits in the dying heat of the day. Supping on a barbeque dinner in the dunes with a whole ceiling of stars raging above your head is the perfect end to a delirious day a little further along on the Silk Road.

Samarkand

After one last breakfast in the rich allure of China you can board your own beautiful private jet for a sweeping flight to Uzbekistan. Onboard you can read tales of the Silk Road in your guide, sip freshly roasted coffee and nibble on fresh fruits and pastries as you float through the clouds. Upon landing you can take a city tour of ancient and austere Samarkand.

Samarkand

Samarkand is the pièce de resistance of Uzbekistan, known as one of the oldest inhabited cities on earth. You can only imagine how many footprints have passed through these exotic parts, how many stories are soaked into the sand, and how many traders lay down their wares at the feet of emperors and kings. Scholars and warriors walked this route, bringing prophecies, bringing blood and bringing some of the world’s most feared leaders to the shadowlands of the dry desert.

Visit the Shakhi Zinda Necropolis just as the stars are starting to burn a little brighter in the twilight sky.

Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis

Registan Square Light and Sound Show

After wandering through the moonlit mausoleums dating back to the 14th and 15th century you can head down to Registan Square to witness an incredible light and sound show. Finish the day on a high note with a tour of the Khovenkro Wine Factory for a little light sip and swirl before falling into a rich cotton bed at the Grand Samarkand Superior.

Grand Samarkand Superior Hotel

Bibi Khanym Mosque

You have plenty more time to explore the hidden wonders of Samarkand with your own personal guide. The Bibi Khanym Mosque is a must with its awe inspiring dome glistening a glorious shade of blue beneath the summer sky. The poetic story of the mosque built by Timur’s wife, the betrayal of a single kiss, and the revenge of a sharp sword make your first sight of the blazing ornate mosque even more breathtaking to behold.

Domes of the Bibi Khanym Mosque

Ulugbek Observatory

On the outskirts of the city the 15th century Observatory of Ulugbek sits buried deep in the hills, this is said to have been the finest observatory in the whole of the Islamic world quenching the thirst of knowledge for scholars from near and far.

Gur Emir Mausoleum

The Gur Emir (Tomb of the King) Mausoleum is the place where Timur was buried. Stand in awe of the magnificent bright blue dome in this architectural complex houses the tomb of Tamerlane and his sons, grandson and other notable political and religious figures.

Siyab Bazzar

Siyab Bazzar

Siyab Bazzar

Soak up the colors and cloying spice scent of the Siyab Bazaar, visit a local handicraft center and meet with a renowned artist (∴).
Later you can visit the ancient silk making village of Koni Ghil where you can dabble in the beautiful art of silk painting.

Koni Ghil Studio

Koni Ghil Studio

End the day in a purely local way with a delectable dinner at Suzane, bright fabrics and tiles create a warm environment for you to sip something special, indulge in traditional flavors and fall in love with the mesmerizing magic of the locals. Return to your suite at the Grand Samarkand Superior.

Bukhara

Start the day with a healthy fresh breakfast from local specialties before transferring to your own private jet to fly to the beauty of Bukhara with its gold glowing minaret that even Genghis Khan declared too precious to be burnt. Bukhara is a sight for sore eyes with its tantalizing tea houses, old Russian cars, narrow dusty streets and beautiful blue domes. Walk beside the imposing 5th century Ark Fortress, see the well that Job made with a single blow of his staff and learn all about ancient Persian dynasties in the Ismail Samani mausoleum.

Ark Fortress Wall

Ismail Samani Mausoleum

Kalyan Minaret

Old Bukhara Restaurant

Take lunch on the rooftop terrace of the Old Bukhara Restaurant drinking up the panoramic views of the city as it shines like polished bronze in the afternoon sun. You will then have the chance to climb the sweeping spiral stairs inside the Kalyan Minaret, the rising spire so beautiful that not even the world’s fiercest warrior would destroy it. Let the Kalyan Mosque take your breath away with its sea of domes supported by an ocean of pillars and explore the secret sights and hidden maze of magic that makes up the Poi Kalyan Architectural Complex.

Poi Kalyan Architectural Complex

Family Dinner in Bukhara

Minor Hotel Room

When the walls of Bukhara have cooled in the milky slant of moonlight you have the chance to visit a puppet workshop before enjoying an intimate dinner with a local family. Overnight stay at the Minor Hotel.

Naqshbandi Complex

After a breakfast of sultans and kings you can visit one of the most important Muslim shrines. The Naqshbandi Complex is the final resting place of the Sufi founder and a pilgrimage site for many. The mosque, the minarets, the necropolis and the small madrassah are all beautiful to behold with their gleaming tiles of blue and gold.

Khiva

After a gorgeous lunch at Rustam’s House you can transfer to the airport for your flight to Khiva. Let your own private jet whisk you high above the clouds on a short and seamless flight ready to touch down in Khiva, another of the Silk Roads glorious gems. Hailed as a living city museum with ancient walls and artifacts dating back to the 6th century, Khiva is a historical treasure trove waiting to be cracked open and explored.

Malika Kheivak Hotel & Restaurant

Stay at the Malika Kheivak, a traditionally styled hotel with an ideal location in the center of Ichan Qala, the historical fortress of Khiva, next to the Islam Khoja Minaret. Enjoy dinner at the hotel's restaurant where you can sup on fragrant golden soup, local glugs of Uzbek wine, charcoal grilled meats, bright salads and dill noodles splashed with creamy yoghurt.

Khiva Madrasah

Get your final fill of fascinating Khiva. Visit the madrasah built for the last Khivan Khan who surrendered the city to Russia in the 19th century, bringing a dash of soviet style to the heady Middle Eastern and Persian mixture. Explore the Djuma Mosque with its hidden walls and inner courts, and stand in awe at the glory of the Stone House Palace with its cool ceramics and warm woods.

Khiva

Over lunch you can converse about Khivan’s former glory days when it was a stop on the Silk Road soaked in blood and slaves and barbaric cruelty. Gazing out at the sunlight dappling over the minarets, the quietude of a fresh cup of tea and the twisting alleys, it’s hard to imagine her any other way. Spend the afternoon uncovering every stone in the town and shopping for silk carpets to ship back home.

Khiva Market

Khiva Folk Show

This evening you can watch the moonlight spill her cool touch across the shadows of the minarets as you dine on the terrace of Zainab’s House. Afterwards whilst sipping something cool and refreshing you have the chance to watch a live traditional folk show.

Istanbul

This morning you can enjoy a private jet flight to touch down in the hedonistic capital of Istanbul, a place where the west and the east collide in a tour de force of color, chaos and charm. The Grand Bazaar spills over with crimson spice, the clang of the call to prayer bells twist and turn through close knit streets, the Bosphorus ebbs and flows and the baklava is sticky sweet and soaked in honey.

Bosphorus Bridge

Four Seasons at the Bosphorus

Let your luxury private transfer whisk you away to the heavenly delights of the Four Seasons Hotel at the Bosphorus. The 19th century mansion overlooking the European banks and the Asian tangle of hills offers an incredible respite from the chaos of city life. Plush drawing rooms, suites that sparkle with warmth and an aqua terrace and shimmering teal pool ensure that you have your own piece of paradise in one of the Silk Road’s most fascinating cities.

Four Seasons at the Bosphorus

Four Seasons at the Bosphorus

Four Seasons at the Bosphorus

Dabble in the art of beautiful food in the fabulous Aqua Restaurant at the Four Seasons. Start with tuna marinated in something special to make it so tender it simply melts like butter in the mouth, pop olives from the depths of the Turkish hills into your mouth, taste fish fresh from the morning market or opt for some impeccable cuts of meat grilled to absolute perfection.

Four Seasons at the Bosphorus

Four Seasons at the Bosphorus

The Hippodrome

Start the day with a signature Turkish coffee, dark and sweet on the terrace watching the city stir to the vibrant hum of life. This morning you can enjoy a private tour of the city with a personal guide. Start with a visit to the Hippodrome, the very place where Byzantine emperors would race their chariots leaving a trail of dust.

Blue Mosque

Continue to the cool blue tiles, the spiraling minarets and elegant columns of the famous Blue Mosque.

Topkapi Palace

Afterwards you can visit the imperial Topkapi Palace with its tales of harems and sultans, slip inside the treasury to see one of the world’s most impressive diamonds sparkling with temptation.

Grand Bazaar

Take lunch at Nar Restaurant and nibble on a fresh mezze platter surrounded by locals, finish with some light mint tea before continuing your adventures in the evocative city. This afternoon you will have the chance to listen to a fascinating lecture on one of Turkey’s oldest and most revered art forms – carpet weaving. From unraveling the Anatolian motifs to learning which herbs cause the spun wool and silk to color, you can plunge deep into one of the country’s most beautiful and fascinating crafts. Finish the daylight hours by immersing yourself in the madness and magic of the Grand Bazaar, one of the best markets in the world. Jewels, carpets, gold, silver and spice all come together in this maze of stalls that seem to breathe life back into the lost civilization of the Silk Road.

Grand Bazaar

Grand Bazaar

Hagia Sophia

This evening you will have the chance to tiptoe into the famous Hagia Sophia. The crowning jewel in Istanbul’s skyline, the Hagia Sophia is a precious work of architectural art with its glowing mosaics, its divine domed roof and its minarets reaching for the stars. Seeing the beautiful construction bathed in the rosy glow of sunset is sure to send a tingle down your spine.

Hagia Sophia

Galata Tower

After a peaceful night’s slumber you can wake refreshed and ready to continue your tour of Istanbul. Start with a tour of the Galata neighborhood, the most beloved, hip and historical area in the whole of the city. Small sincere cafes spill over with locals, the cobbled roads are sun scorched underfoot and the Galata tower stands like a lighthouse steeping the rest of the neighborhood in its 14th century shadow. Meander to the chic streets of Karaköy where delicate boutiques and cafes fill the tangle of streets with life.

Karakoy Seafront

Egyptian Spice Bazaar

Take lunch at Lokanta Maya in  Karaköy relishing on flawless renditions of the most flavorful local cuisine based on the freshest available seasonal ingredients.  After lunch. the Egyptian Spice Bazaar is there to warm you deep to the bone with its fragrant oriental feel. Mountains of aromatic herbs and spices sit prettily in wicker baskets, fresh cheese wheels from the hills adorns the stalls, Turkish apricots splash the scene with color and the taste of homemade Turkish delight lingers like a sweet sugar coated kiss on your lips.

Ciragan Palace

Return back to the calming beauty of the Bosphorus before taking an intimate sultan inspired dinner in a private room at the Ciragan Palace. Distinguished service, inspiring regal décor and dazzling views across the banks of the river are sure to flood your soul with a flicker of romance.

Golden Horn

After a leisurely breakfast you can board your own private motor yacht for a luxury cruise along the trade routes of the Bosphorus. Passing along the Golden Horn and to the river mouth of the pearly black sea you will see magnificent villas scattered along the banks, beautiful palaces, and incredible fortresses.

Bebek Balikcisi

Bebek Balikcisi

You will disembark from your yacht in Bebek for a sumptuous lunch at Bebek Balikcisi, one of Istanbul's poshest and most popular seafood restaurants. The incredible location and their great selection of classic mezes and the freshest of fish is an experience you will remember long after you leave the table.

Wander to the ancient ruins of the Byzantine castle perched on the hill, fall in love with the shimmer of the Black Sea and soak up the charm of this sweet little fishing spot splashed in green and surrounded by blue. Afterwards you can leisurely motor back down the river snapping up the perfect spots.

Four Seasons at the Bosphorus

Four Seasons at the Bosphorus

Enjoy a little time to refresh back at the hotel, sip a cocktail on the river bank or indulge in a little light pampering at the Four Seasons signature spa.

As the sunlight dwindles you can take a private dinner at the Macar Feyzullah Pasha mansion surrounded by ottoman opulence, gemstone colored walls, whimsical touches and imperial portraits.

Macar Feyzullah Pasa Mansion

Macar Feyzullah Pasa Mansion

Macar Feyzullah Pasa Mansion

Gulfstream V - 16 Seats

After one last lingering glance across the Bosphorus you can carry your silks, perfumes, carpets and coffee home. Enjoy a luxury airport transfer before climbing onboard your own private jet for a smooth flight home. Aboard you can sleep easy dreaming of the fables that have followed you from the Silk Road to the sky.

(∴) Out of respect and privacy considerations, the specifics of these persons or locations will be shared with seriously interested parties only.