Description
The Tour
11 days/10 nights - visit the truly wonderful and unspoiled Autonomous Region of Tibet with its brightly coloured flags, stunning scenery and abundance of temples and monasteries.
Day 1: London - Beijing
Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Beijing with Air China.
Day 2: Beijing
Transfer to the Novotel Xinqiao (page 272) for 3 nights. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 3: Beijing - great wall
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Great Wall and Ming Tombs. (B/L)
Day 4: Beijing
After breakfast, embark upon a full-day excursion to the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven. (B/L)
Day 5: Beijing - Lhasa, Tibet
Transfer to Beijing airport for your flight to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, standing at over 3,600m above sea level. Transfer to the Lhasa Hotel for 4 nights. The rest of the day is at leisure to help you acclimatise to the high altitude. (B/D)
Day 6: Lhasa, Tibet
Visit the Drepung Monastery and the Sera Monastery. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit the former Dalai Lama's Summer Palace - the Norbu Lingka. Built in the mid-18th Century by the 7th Dalai Lama, the palace covers 100 acres with palaces, pavilions and a zoo. (B/L/D)
Day 7: Lhasa, Tibet
A full-day tour in Lhasa, including the magnificent Potala Palace, towering over the city of Lhasa. After lunch, visit the Jokhang Temple, one of the oldest temples in Tibet. Afterwards, enjoy a bit of souvenir shopping in the markets at Barkhor Street. (B/L/D)
Day 8: Yamdrok Tso, Tibet
Today drive 100km to the stunning lake of Yamdrok Tso, located approx 4,400m above sea level. Enjoy a packed lunch, taking in the beautiful scenery. On the way back to Lhasa visit a local village to see how the villagers live - mostly in single-storey, simple buildings, shared with all the family! (B/L/D)
Day 9: Lhasa - Chengdu
Transfer to Lhasa airport for your flight to Chengdu. Transfer to the Minshan Hotel for 1 night. (B)
Day 10: Chengdu - The Panda Breeding Centre
Visit the Panda Breeding Centre to watch these endangered creatures feeding and playing. Enjoy a cup of tea in a local tea house and after lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian. Transfer to the Grand New World Hotel for 2 nights. (B/L)
Day 11: Xian - The Terracotta Army
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Terracotta Warriors and Banpo Neolithic Museum. (B/L)
Day 12: Xian - London
Transfer to Xian airport for your flight to Beijing to connect with your Air China flight back to London Heathrow. (B)
Tour Notes
- Tour operates with a min of 2 people.
- Accommodation may be substituted to that of a similar standard.
- Domestic flights from Beijing to Lhasa, Lhasa to Chengdu and Xian to Beijing are ticketed and provided locally.
- (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner.
2008 departure dates (from the UK)
04, 18 May; 01, 15, 29 Jun; 13 Jul; 14, 28 Sep; 12, 26 Oct.