TOUR FEATURES

Visiting: Kunming - 1 night, Dali - 2 nights, Lijiang - 2 nights, Chengdu - 1 night, Lhasa - 4 nights, Qinghai-Tibet Railway - 2 nights, Gyantse - 1 night, Shigatse - 1 night, Namtso Lake - 1 night

Linked by the world’s highest railway, this tour explores the natural beauty and diverse cultural groups of Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces, and the mountainous grandeur and uniquely spiritual civilization of Tibet.

Price Includes:
• For the group tours, international air travel, economy class, with Singapore Airlines ex Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Note: for travel ex Perth with Singapore Airlines add $70 per person.
• Chinese domestic airport and airline taxes and fuel surcharges
• Four star hotels, or best available in remote areas
• Rail travel in soft class, four-share compartments
• All transfers and internal transportation and flights
• Daily sightseeing as listed, with entrance fees included
• Experienced local English speaking guides
• National Chinese guide for group tour
• Meals as listed (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) plus a glass of beer or bottled water with lunch and dinner
• Tibet entry permit
• Evening entertainment as listed
• Porterage of one suitcase at hotels
• Hotel service charges and taxes

In Tibet, travellers need to be prepared to encounter altitude sickness, low grade hotels in remote areas, and poor road conditions. Travel to Tibet is not recommended in the winter months of November to March due to the extreme cold.

Tour prices and inclusions based on a minimum of 10 passengers for the group tour and 2 for the independent journey. The group price excludes international airport and airline taxes and fuel surcharges which must be added. Due to flight schedules, some passengers may require an overnight stop in Singapore on the way to or from China, at additional cost.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 - Australia to Kunming
Fly from Australian on Singapore Airlines to Kunming. On arrival, transfer to the Kunming Hotel for overnight stay. In the afternoon take a tour of the Western Hills and walk to Dragon Gate for views over Lake Dianchi. (D)

Day 2 - Kunming to Dali
Fly to Dali this morning. See the Old City Wall and take a cruise on the beautiful Erhai Lake. Dali’s Three Pagodas are among the oldest standing structures in Yunnan and when reflected in the lake, make stunning photo subjects. Stay two nights at the Asia Star Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Dali
Visit the ancient town of Xizhou with time to browse through the market. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Dali to Lijiang
A delightful journey through valleys and mountains leads to Lijiang, a unique World Heritage listed town of wooden houses and stone streets laced with swift flowing canals. Visit Black Dragon Pool and stay two nights at the Jian Nan Chun Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Lijiang
Drive to Jade Dragon Snow Peak and ride the cable car to a mountain meadow. Visit a Naxi village to view Baisha Wall Murals depicting Ming legends. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Lijiang to Chengdu
Travel on the Yunnan–Tibet road, stopping at the First Bend in the Yangtze River, and travelling on to spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge where the river thunders through a narrow and deep gorge. Transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Chengdu. Stay overnight at the Tianfu Sunshine Hotel. (B)

Day 7 - Depart Chengdu by train
Visit the cottage home of the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu who has been an inspiration to generations of Chinese artists. Next observe the Pandas at the Breeding Facility when they are most active – feeding time! Transfer to the rail station to board the evening train to Lhasa. Begin your journey on the world’s highest and longest plateau railroad, much of it at an altitude of between 4,000 and 5,000 metres above sea level. The journey takes 48 hours, and accommodation is in soft class, four-share compartments. No meals are included, but can be purchased on the train. Oxygen enrichment systems operate on the train to combat altitude sickness. (B,L)

Day 8 - On train
Relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

Day 9 - Arrive Lhasa
Arrive Lhasa this evening where you will be met and transferred to the Lhasa Hotel for a three night stay. A quiet evening is recommended to acclimatize to the high altitude. (D)

Day 10 - Lhasa
Your sightseeing begins with a visit to the imposing Potala Palace, once the home of the Dalai Lama. Chapels and galleries within the palace are open to visitors. Visit Jokhang Monastery, home of the most precious Buddha image in Tibet. Pilgrims holding prayer wheels can be seen walking in a clockwise direction around the monastery. Browse through the Barkhor Bazaar where a wide variety of Tibetan handicrafts are on display. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Lhasa
Wander through the cultural exhibits at the Tibet Museum. Visit Sera Monastery where the monks can be seen in their red robes and curved yellow hats. Spend time at home with a Tibetan family. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Lhasa to Gyantse
On the 280km drive to Gyantse, see grand vistas of glaciers, high mountain passes, and Yamdrok Yumtso, one of the sacred lakes. Visit Palkhor Monastery to see the large, image covered stupa, and stay overnight at the JianZang Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 13 - Gyantse to Shigatse
It’s a short drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in the Tibet. Visit Shalu Monastery on the way, a Red Hat Sect monastery founded in the 11th century and featuring some outstanding murals. In Shigatse tour the Tashilumpo Monastery where the monks still practice the art of making mandalas with coloured sands. Visit the local market before an overnight stay at the Holy Lake Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 14 - Shigatse to Namtso Lake
See nomadic Tibetans tending flocks of sheep, goats or yaks on the drive to Namtso Lake. Stop at Yangpanchen Hot Springs and traverse two mountain passes. Enjoy a breathtaking sunset from the shore of turquoise-blue Namtso Lake, with views to snow-capped Nyianchen Tanghla mountain. Stay overnight at Baima Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 15 - Namtso Lake to Lhasa
Return to Lhasa, via Yampachen, through grasslands. Stay overnight at the Lhasa Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 16 - Lhasa to Chengdu
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Chengdu, connecting with an international flight home. (B)

Day 17 - Arrive Australia

Tour Dates & Prices

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