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Tibet & China holiday

country:China, Tibet
trip type: A small group adventure
departures:2009: 10 Oct
price:From £2460 (17 days) excluding flights. Includes domestic flights as per itinerary, based on twin share. Maximum group size 15. We can arrange flights from the UK from £500 per person including taxes.
vouchers:Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
 
the amazing things you'll be doing
Experience the ‘roof of the world’ and the very best of China all in 17 days. This captivating journey takes you from beautiful Sichuan province to the pilgrim-filled laneways of Lhasa and on to Beijing. We begin in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan before taking a spectacular flight across the Himalayas to Tibet. Rub shoulders with devout pilgrims, monks and merchants in the laneways and monasteries of Lhasa before travelling on the highest railway in the world to Xining. Witness the incredible Army of Terracotta Warriors in Xian and enjoy a picnic atop the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Your journey ends in Beijing, one of the most exciting cities in the world.

Price includes: 14 nights hotel accommodation and 2 overnight trains (soft sleeper 4-berth shared cabin), flights as specified, all road transport by air-conditioned vehicles, all sightseeing as specified (excluding entrance fees), Western tour leader (7 or more travellers) and local English-speaking guides throughout, arrival and departure transfers, breakfast daily (except day 11) and 2 lunches.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1-4:Chengdu & Emei Shan. Arrive in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province. Our adventure begins with a visit the nearby Giant Panda Research & Breeding Base, a chance to learn more about these endangered animals. Observe local life while relaxing in a teahouse in bustling People’s Park. Tonight you may like to try the famous Sichuan Hotpot for dinner and enjoy a performance of the Sichuan Opera. The next day, see the Big Buddha at Leshan en route to Mt Emei (Emei Shan). This cool, forested mountain region is dotted with temples, monasteries, mist-shrouded peaks and stunning viewpoints. Sit back and enjoy the sweeping views on a cable car ride to Wannian Temple before returning to Chengdu. Hotels: YinHe Dynasty, Hongzhushan Hotel.
Day 5-9:Lhasa. Fly across the Himalayas to Lhasa, the spiritual heart of Tibet. At 3,600 metres above sea level, Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world day we visit the Jokhang Temple, the most significant site in all of Tibet, where you may like to join the seemingly endless stream of pilgrims in walking the kora (a spiritual pilgrimage circuit) around the temple. Over the next few days visit some of the city’s fascinating monasteries and the interesting Tibet Museum, explore the narrow backstreets, and wander the hallways and chambers of the iconic Potala Palace. We also head out of the city to Yamdrok-tso – a sparkling turquoise lake flanked by snowcapped peaks. Stop en route at a family home to learn more about the way of life in this remote region over a cup of yak butter tea. Hotel: Thang Ka Hotel.
Day 10-11:Overnight Train & Xining. Board a comfortable soft sleeper train for our journey to Xining on the highest railway in the world, which climbs Tangula Pass at an altitude of more than 5,000 metres. Thankfully – oxygen levels inside the train are regulated! We spend a night in Xining, an interesting city that was once an important stop on the Silk Road. Visit the Ta’er Monastery and the Great Mosque and enjoy an evening stroll through the Shujiang Xiang Markets. Hotels: Overnight train, Jian Yin.
Day 12-13:Xian. One of the most important cities in China, Xian is home to a wealth of cultural and historical sites. Marvel at the incredible Terracotta Warriors, wander the fascinating streets of the thriving Muslim Quarter and visit the Wild Goose Pagoda. We also indulge in a sumptuous dumpling banquet. On the evening of day 14, board our comfortable overnight train to Beijing. Hotel: Golden Tang.
Day 14-17:Beijing. Arrive in Beijing in the early morning and transfer to your hotel. Discover Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City on foot, and see the famous Drum Tower and beautiful Summer Palace. Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony before heading into one of Beijing’s few remaining hutongs (backstreets) for lunch in a local home and a rickshaw ride. Travel to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, and enjoy free time to explore the Wangfujing Night Markets. On your final night, join the group for a final feast – you might like to try delicious Beijing Duck. Your journey ends with an airport transfer on day 17. Hotel: Novotel Xinqia.
small group adventure holiday
These small group journeys have a maximum of 15 like-minded travellers which ensures that all travellers have an amazing overall experience with the destination and that they enjoy the flexibility that comes with the small group dynamic. On this trip you will stay at boutique accommodation with character. Our numbers are discreet enough for us to interact with local families in their homes and meet people in markets, bazaars and temples – something that’s just not possible when you arrive as part of a large tour group. Along with our unique combination of Western tour leader and local English-speaking guide this will ensure an unforgettable travel experience.
how this holiday makes a difference
Modern Beijing, Tibet & China holiday We believe that travel should entail an exchange of knowledge and perspectives, a sharing of wealth, and a genuine appreciation of China’s natural environment. This philosophy underpins the heart and soul of our style of travel. We recognise that poorly planned itineraries or poorly informed tourists contribute less to cross-cultural understanding and less to the livelihoods of local people.

Experience the incredible diversity of China from the iconic sites of Bejing and Xian to the remote Tibetan landscapes and villages of western China. In the capital enjoy a delicious home-made lunch with a local hutong family – an experience which allows for cross-cultural exchange. Then hop on rickshaws for more close-up glimpses of local life in these laneways. These environmentally friendly rickshaw tours benefit drivers who tend to be socio-economically disadvantaged.

Close to Xiahe, we visit a Tibetan home in the Sangke Grasslands and get to know the locals over a steaming cup of yak butter tea! In Chengdu we visit the Giant Panda & Breeding Base to learn about these endangered animals and the conservation and breeding initiatives that have been implemented to protect them and their natural habitat. During this journey we also actively encourage our travellers to patronise or financially assist numerous not-for-profit organisations in China including the blind masseur centre in Beijing.

On this journey our local guides are trained to share their knowledge of cultural and other local issues in a balanced, informative way; in this journey alone you are likely to meet several local guides from different provinces in China. They share real experiences from their own lives and insights into their family life, influences and beliefs, thus providing our travellers with a deeper understanding of the places they visit. This is what motivates our guides, not shopping commissions.

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