I worked with Imam at Kashgar Guide who was very knowledgeable and giving of his time and knowledge.  As a single woman travelling alone, I was concerned about safety and security.  In his good care along with an excellent driver and guide, I felt very very safe.

We started with many options (a very expensive and large trip) which was whittled down to a small trip to Tashkorgan.  He worked with me all the way.

On the way back, it was very snowy and we used chains many times.  I could see the other drivers were clearly envious of our jazzy tires.  The driver was also prepared with extra air for the tires.

My guide spoke excellent English and was extremely sharing of Uyghur customs as well as those of the other ethnic groups in Xinjiang.  In the 2 days I was with them, I got about as good an experience as anyone could.

Imam also helped arrange my stay at the Qinibagh which is a very very tired hotel.  That being said, there is no substitute for its ideal location and the staff is more than willing to help.  I feel certain that my room was extra clean and warm since I stressed to Imam how important that is to me.

I heartily recommend their entire staff.

Ida (American)

Mid January (coldest period in the year : -20°c average) – Our journey in Kashgar started with disappointment as we were able at first to find a driver willing to hit the supposedly icy road to the karakul lake. Luckily we found Iman thanks to his website and he immediately confirmed that we could go not only to the lake but also to Tashkorgan. One hour after we called him, he came to our hotel to take a picture of our passports in order to take care of all mandatory administrative permits. The day after, 10AM, he was waiting in the lobby of our hotel as our guide and with the driver. Everything was ready to go.
We had doubts regarding the scenaries in winter time. But to be honest it was even more amazing than all the pictures we saw from summertime. The light was amazing, the constrasts were stronger between red mountains, frozen valleys, grasslands, sands dunes, snow peaks …
We arrived in Tashkorgan much later than expected as we kept on taking pictures all the way long. Our last desire of the day was to eat yak meat as we have seen many of them during the day. Therefore Imam went to the butcher and then had yak meat cooked for us in a local small restaurant: you definitely have to taste it!
On the second day we enjoyed the same scenaries but with fully different lights and colors. And in the end, we decided to try to catch a plane earlier. Again Imam was there to support us calling friends to book tickets for us. We were on time !
Thank you so much imam for this great two days. We had a wonderful time and everlasting memories.
Adeline and Jean-Marie

Again, thank you so much.

Best regards,
Adeline and Jean-Marie

The night before arriving in Kasghar and still in Shanghai, my friends and I had no idea about where we were going to sleep the following day. Fortunately, we found Imam’s phone number on the internet and all our worries were gone! We called Imam at midnight and he answered us immediately, giving us a quick and accurate answer. In a five minutes time, he arranged that an english-speaking guide would take us at the airport and transfer us to the Eden Hotel, offering rather cheap double rooms, which perfectly suited us. What a relief!

Once arrived in Kashgar, Imam was of much help, always willing to answer us for any inquiry we had. We really appreciated his communicative enthusiasm !
Imam also arranged for us a trip to Tashkorgan through the Karakorum road: a 2 days trip with a very nice private driver, who taught us some pieces of Uyghur language! Everything was perfectly organized according to our expectations and this trip was one of the most wonderful journey we ever had : we couldn’t imagine it could be so beautiful! Absolutely amazing!

We would like to thank also Tudaji, a very nice english-speaking guide travelling with another group of tourists. Both his english and knowledge of Xinjiang are of high level and he was always of good advice.

To conclude, Kashgar Guide agency is both reliable and friendly: it is definitely the one that you should contact if you want to have an unforgettable stay in Kashgar !

Imam and Tudaji, only one word to you : Rahhhhhhhhhhhmet !

The OX team (from France)

Kashgar Guide recommendation

I was still in Beijing when I first contacted Kashgar Guide in the attempt to get accommodation and set up a tour along Karakoram highway in less than 24 hours before my arrival to Kashgar. Imam’s response was not only quick, it was thorough and enthusiastic.

Already in Kashgar, I was extremely glad to find that, unlike most local travel agencies and group tours around China, Kashgar Guide is reliable and well organized. The agency does not overcharge for the services and it customizes tour packages for small groups of people who are in sync regarding itinerary, traveling conditions and activities. The tours are organized according to the visitor’s wishes and the agency’s recommendations, without any last minute compulsory detour for shopping or touristy visits that were not in the itinerary. Transportation, accommodation and meals along the road are thought up to provide as much comfort as possible

The agency’s team is competent and nice company while on the road. Imam and Tudaji’s English is great, they’re both knowledgeable and happy to answer any curious queries without delivering boring lectures. They manage the schedule so that visitors get enough time to photograph and explore on their own too. Abdul is an experienced driver who always chooses the right moment to stop for a bite of watermelon by the road.

Until I left Kashgar, even after the Karakoram Highway tour was over, Imam and Tudaji were happy to provide information and tips, usual and off the beaten path, about the best spots and to-do’s around town. They’re also on top of things about traveling to other cities in Xinjiang.

Traveling in China can be quite a challenge, especially when you don’t know your way around and don’t speak the language, so to be able to count on these guys for help was truly great and one of the reasons when I enjoyed Kashgar so much. Thank you very much/Kop Rahmat Imam, Tudaji and Abdul!

My trip throughout Xinjiang continued after I left the city, but Kashgar was the cherry on top of the cake. A remote region that physically and culturally indulges the senses; I couldn’t quite find another place in the province that exuded the same exotic charm.

I don’t hesitate in recommending the oasis at the heart of the Silk Road and while you’re there, call up Kashgar Guide to make the most of your time.

Vera

Thank you Imam for your wonderful service at the end of September. The trip in Kashgar and Tashkurgan was fantastic! The guide did an amazing job, and the driver was wonderful too. I hadn`t realised what a beautiful place Xinjiang was. I would highly highly recommend anyone to use your services, and will be back to Xinjiang again someday to explore some more. Thank you so much.

Brad

We joined the Kashgar Guide tour located in the Eden Hotel. The three days two nights tour to Tashkugan and Kunjerab pass. Imam Husa helped us to organize the tour and driver. He speaks excellent English and provided valuable information for our travelling needs. The tour was excellent, we were never rushed and hotel we stayed in Tashkugan exceeded our expectation. Most importantly, the drive was very safe on those steep windy road thru the mountain passes. The yurt we stayed in Karakul Lake was the traditional type, not the concrete one some tour put you in. We highly recommend Iman from Kashgar Guide if you want a good value tour

Jonathan Chui and Bernadette Cadden
Canada and Ireland

When traveling I prefer to organize things by myself. However, in planning my trip to Xinjiang for September 2011, I decided to use a local agency in that part of China. With a search on the internet I found Kashgarguide.com. What they offered was exactly what I was looking for. I emailed them with questions and they responded immediately with answers. Imam, the manager, was very helpful and took care of all my needs before and after I arrived in Kashgar. He is well versed in the travel and tourism business and a very nice guy. Dealing with Kashgar Guide was easy. They are honest and eager to please. I found them to be trustworthy, very friendly, and highly recommend using their service.

Clint Woolley
USA

Wir haben bei Imam eine individuelle Tour durch Xinjiang gebucht. Dabei wollten wir nur ein Auto mit Fahrer, und keinen Reiseführer. Imam ist auf alle unsere Wünsche eingegangen und die Organisation der Tour hat prima geklappt. Imam – fliessend in Englisch – antwortet immer sehr schnell per Mail und SMS und hilft bei allen Fragen weiter – sowohl vor als auch während der Reise.
Wir können Imam uneingeschränkt weiter empfehlen!

We booked an individual 14 days tour through Xinjiang with Imam and can clearly recommend him!

A trip to Xinjiang and especially to Kashgar was our dream. We thought that to plan and realise the trip with a local guide would be much better. And we were not wrong! Even though we found them (Imam and his friends) only from internet, even though we didn’t know them before or even we didn’t know anybody who recommended them to us, Imam and his friends made our dreams come true. They are not only great people, great friends but also great guides. For 10 days we had unforgettable time with these people through Turpan to Tashkurgan. You can easly rely on them. Once they pick you up from the airport, you become like one of their family. Just tell about your plans to them and they will make them come true. They are honest and honorable people.
And one more thing that I want to add which is very important for me: In almost all the places I went though out the world, the guides usually pushes you hard to purchase something from certain shops. Not Imam and his frineds. This was such a great releif for me. Thanks to them.

Bundan sonrasini Turkce devam etmek isterim. Imam Huseyin, Kasım, Abdul, Zabi, Alduleyh ve Muhammed Ali’ye Turkiye’den selam olsun. Turkiye’den veya Turkce konusan diğer ellerden Sincan’a gitmek isteyen ve kendilerine bir rehber, bir mihmandar arayan herkese Imam ve arkadaslarini can-i gonulden tavsiye ederiz. Biz onlardan cok memnun kaldik. Yerler zaten ata yurdumuz idi, bizi cok duygulandirdi, bir de bizi kardeslerimizin gezdirmis olmasi bizi ziyadesi ile mutlu ve memnun etti. Farkliliklari da olsa yani dili konusmak, ayni espri anlayisina sahip olmak ne hos.

Tekrar bulusmak umuduyla…

Do you want to travel around in Xinjiang? Just book your trip here! You’ll really get the best in all aspects. We experienced it ourselves.

In May this year we did an 11-day tour through a part of Xinjiang. We had to wait for it for almost a year, so our expectations and excitement were high. And you know what? The trip exceeded our expectations. Not only because of the beautiful landscape of Xinjiang, but also because of the great service rendered by Imam and Tudajim and the excellent driver Mohamed.

Imam, thank you for your flexibility and trust.

Imam, Tudajim, you really proudly and passionately showed us around. We absorbed all the knowledge you presented us in perfect English about your culture,history of the sites we visited and the landscape.

The trips from one place to another were long, but never dull; the mountains and desert were beautiful, didn’t want to sleep, didn’t want to miss anything. And we smoothly drove along, thanks to Mohamed.

You really understood what we did and didn’t want to see and do. We loved the local eats, the picnic in the desert (the handmade teaspoon), Mohamed’s favourite dessert.

We loved your humor and flexibility. Most of our trip was with Tudajim and Mohamed, we had great fun with them too, and really enjoyed their interaction with the locals, and with some of them in particular, very much….

Tudajim, we admired your patience. Wherever we went,all the time you had to explain who we were, where we are from and why we don’t look like Europeans. And very polite and with a smile you kept on explaining it.

We had a great time with you and it truly was a perfect ending of our China-adventure.

RAHMAT!

Dear Imam

This note is just to say thank you so much for organising our trip along the Karakoram Highway from Kashgar to the Khunjerab pass. It was an amazing experience, with the most breathtaking scenery and unique insights into the cultures of the people along the way. Our guide, Tudajim, was first class – very flexible and with an excellent knowledge of the history, culture and landscapes of the region. We particulary appreciated the opportunity to spend time with Kyrgyz families close to Muztagh Ata and to learn about their daily lives. Other highlights were the walk around the incredibly blue Karakol lake, the trek to Muztagh Ata base camp and reaching the border with Pakistan in the Khunjerab pass. Everything was very well organised and we would be more than happy to recommend your company to other travellers.

Wishing you all the best and hope to meet again.

Dan & Emma
(Australia & Ireland)

We recommend the tour and the travel agency specially. Imam, the person in charge of the agenfucy, made us everything very easy. He is very professional and honest and really helpfull in other services not connected with the trekk (he us with our Tibet permits).

According to the trekk, it really worths because the landscapes are really gorgeous and breatheless. We could visit the base camp of Muztagh Ata and stay with the climbers.
The trekk is very interesting too, because we could stay, have dinner and breakfast with the local people, sleeping in their houses as well.

So, for other those reasons, we highly recommend the trekk and the service of Kasghar Guide.

======================================================================

Recomendamos sin duda el trekk que hemos realizado al igual que el servicio de la Agencia Kasghar Guide. La persona encargada de la agencia, Imam, nos ha ayudado muchisimo. Nos ayudo desde Espana a resevar varios vuelos, asi como el hotel en Kasghar. Ademas, estuvo en contacto con nuesto guia de Tibet para hacernos llegar los permisos necesarios para poder volar alli. Y todo ello lo hizo de manera desintersada.

En cuanto al trekk, realmente merece la pena. Los paisajes de la Karakoram Highway son impresionantes, y el recorrido del trekk hasta el campo base del Muztagh Ata es sobrecogedor. Ademas, tienes la oportunidad de convivir con los locales de alli, durmiendo en sus casas y cenando y desayunando con ellos.

Por todo lo anterior, recomendamos absolutamente los servicios de la agencia por su profesionalidad, y el trekk por lo espectacular de los paisajes que se observan.

Jesus y Pablo (Zamora y Burgos) Espana

Ciao!
Imam was very helpful in organising my solo trip. The guide was young but experienced and with a perfect English. One suggestion, try to be in a group of people to share the costs and contact the agency well in advance to get the tickets on time. When i went there unfortunately all train tickets were booked already.

Ciao
Marco

A+ all around for Kashgar Guide. This was my first trip to China and after my experiences in getting around Beijing I had concerns about general difficulties in remote areas like Xinjiang, but Imam and Tudajim made our trip a pleasure. They were very helpful and went above and beyond basic tour services.
I’d recommend Kashgar Guide without hesitation.

Will
Fort Worth, TX

We used Kashgar Guide to book day trips from Kashgar to Karakul Lake and Shipton’s Arch. Imam was friendly and helpful with booking the trips, and our guide Tudajin was excellent. Both spoke excellent English and were very friendly and easy going. The cars provided for the trips were great as well, better than you often get in China.

What really set them apart though was the extra help we received shipping knives back from Kashgar. We bought some cooking and other knives from the markets where they are making them by hand, but you aren’t allowed to check them in your baggage when you fly out of Xinjiang. China Post won’t ship them either, you must use a local shipping arranger. Imam was extremely helpful in dealing with the shipping company, and also went out of his way to help me get the knives in Beijing. It is not an easy process, especially if you don’t speak Chinese very well.

After a year and a half living in China and a lot of travel, I must say that Imam and Tudajin at Kashgar Guide provide some of the best customer service I have experienced.

Jesse
San Francisco, CA