16 Days
(Beijing--Chengdu--Leshan--Dujiangyan--Lhasa--Gyantse--Shigatse)
This is a tour designed for the truly adventurous. It begins in Beijing, the capital of Imperial and modern China,
moves on to Sichuan Province to visit two impressive monuments of Buddhist devotion and ancient civil engineering
and culminates with seven days touring the mountain kingdom of Tibet, the "roof of the world". High altitudes
and rough roads will challenge your stamina, but the rewards are rich.
Begin with a full program of sightseeing which shows you all aspects of ancient and modern Beijing, as well as a special Beijing Roast Duck dinner and a performance of the Beijing Opera or an acrobatic show. Then journey far to the southwest to the burgeoning city of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Just outside this dynamic city lies a world of quieter rhythms and ancient monuments. A trip south through the rich Sichuan countryside will take us to Leshan, site of the Dafuo, or Grand Buddha, a 71-meter tall statue sculpted from the rock of a riverside cliff. North of Chengdu lies the ancient irrigation works at Dujiangyan. Here, in the third century B.C., engineers devised a system of weirs to divert the fast-flowing Min River into a series of canals. We will have the opportunity to view both the ancient and modern elements of this project and enjoy the surrounding rural and mountain scenery.
From Chengdu, we will fly over the snowcapped peaks of western Sichuan to Tibet, the "roof of the world". In Lhasa, the capital of Tibet and the site of its most famous monuments, we will visit the Norbulingka Palace, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lamas; the magnificent Potala Palace, perhaps the single most recognizable image of Tibet; and the large Sera Thekchenling Monastery. A visit to the ancient heart of Lhasa, the 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple and the pilgrimage center and market jamboree of Barkhor Square, reveals the centuries-old customs and rituals of Buddhist devotion.
From Lhasa, a three-day adventure takes us to the high, wild countryside of the Tibetan plateau. The first stage travels to the town of Gyantse by way of the magnificent Yamdrok Yutso mountain lake and the 7,191-meter Nojin Gangzang snow peak, and includes a crossing of 5,045-meter Khari La pass. Along the road, we will pass between two glaciers and have the chance to observe Tibetan rural life. Gyantse offers two remarkable sights: the great monastic complex of Pelkhor Chode, which includes the magnificent Kumbum, a nine-level octagonal stupa named for its 10,000 images of the Buddha; and the hilltop Gyantse Dzong fortress.
After an overnight stay in Gyantse, we travel onward to visit the stunning red-and-gold monastery of Tashilhunpo, one of the largest in Tibet and the seat of the Panchen Lama. An overnight stay in the small city of Shigatse provides another chance to experience rural Tibetan life before our return to Lhasa by way of the valley of the upper Brahmaputra River.
Please note: This is a tour for the adventurous and physically fit. While travel and accommodations on the China portion of the tour present no unusual difficulties, the situation in Tibet is more challenging. All of the areas we visit in Tibet lie at very high elevation (3800-5000 meters). Accommodations in Gyantse and Shigatse will be in guesthouses which lack the amenities of more modern hotels. It may be necessary to share facilities such as bathrooms and showers. Outside of the immediate area of Lhasa, roads in Tibet are rough and often unsurfaced. We recommend that you be in good physical condition and have some experience traveling in areas of relatively high elevation before selecting this tour. A flexible and adventurous attitude also are a must for full enjoyment of this tour!
Price: $2,600.00 per person, double occupancy.
All-inclusive land cost.
Minimum six travelers.
Maximum twelve travelers.
Dates: Departing on Saturdays in May, June and September.
Please inquire for exact dates.
Detailed Itinerary
| Day 1 (Saturday): | Depart from the United States. |
| Day 2 (Sunday): | Arrive in Beijing in the evening. |
| Day 3-4 (Monday-Tuesday): | Sightseeing in and around Beijing, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square, walking tour through ancient hutongs and night food markets. |
| Day 5 (Wednesday): | Fly from Beijing to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province (morning); drive to Leshan in the afternoon. |
| Day 6 (Thursday): | Sightseeing in Leshan, including the Dafuo, the Buddha statue carved from a riverside cliff. |
| Day 7 (Friday): | Drive from Leshan to the ancient irrigation works at Dujiangyan, then on to Chengdu for a city tour. |
| Day 8 (Saturday): | Fly from Chengdu to Lhasa, Tibet (morning); balance of the day for a city tour of Lhasa. |
| Day 9 (Sunday): | Sightseeing in Lhasa: the Norbulingka Palace. |
| Day 10 (Monday): | Sightseeing In Lhasa: the Potala Palace and the Sera Thekchenling Monastery. |
| Day 11 (Tuesday): | Sightseeing in Lhasa: the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Square area. |
| Day 12 (Wednesday): | Drive to Gyantse; visit to Pelkhor Chode monastery complex; overnight stay in Gyantse. |
| Day 13 (Thursday): | Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse; visit to Tashilhunpo monastery; overnight stay in Shigatse. |
| Day 14 (Friday): | Drive from Shigatse to Lhasa. |
| Day 15 (Saturday): | Fly from Lhasa to Chengdu and from Chengdu to Beijing; enjoy a special farewell dinner. |
| Day 16 (Sunday): | Fly from Beijing back to the United States, arriving home the same day. |
C.S.T. Number 2034611-40
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