Both groups headed along the edge of the Taklamakan Desert to Yarkand, then south-west into the mountains to Tashkurgan. Here, Ōtani's group left to head south through the Mintaka Pass towards India, while the others returned to Yarkand and traveled south and east around the desert to Hotan, where they stopped to excavate historic sites. They crossed the desert to the north, visiting Aksu and Turfan, before turning back to Kashgar. After a short rest, they retraced their steps through Tumxuk and arrived at Kucha, where they set up a base from which to investigate local sites including the Kizil Caves, Kumtura Caves, Duldulokur, and Subashi. After four months at Kucha, they headed eastwards through China to return to Japan.