Tibet Encompassed

Nihao! Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China. Your tour begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in your hotel lobby. Your guide will go over more details about your trip including meeting up with your guides in each city. This evening take an orientation walk around the hotel area followed by a Beijing Duck dinner.

Accommodation:
•Chongwenmen Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Meals Included:
•Beijing Duck dinner

Travel about 2 hours out of Beijing to the Mutianyu Great Wall. This is one of the best-preserved and restored sections so it is easy to climb, but you can still appreciate the difficulty of its construction. A picnic lunch on the Wall is provided.
Return to Beijing in time for a fantastic acrobatic show.

Accommodation:
• Chongwenmen Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

There will be a lot of walking today as well as using the subway to get around some of Beijing’s most famous sights. Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares, is home to the Monument of the People's Heroes and the Great hall of the People. From here enter the Forbidden City (built 1406-1420), the ceremonial and political center of the Chinese government for more than 500 years. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is listed by UNESCO as the most extensive collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.
After the Forbidden City, stroll through the alleys formed by lines of traditional courtyards known as Hutong and experience the local lifestyle of Old Beijing.
In the evening, head to the train station for overnight train to Xi’an.
Accommodation:
• Overnight on soft sleeper train Beijing-Xi’an (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Arriving in Xi’an head to the hotel for breakfast. First on our Xi’an itinerary are the Terracotta Warriors. This incredible archaeological find, discovered in 1976, comprises more than 6,000 warriors, chariots and horses - each individually sculpted from clay with different costumes, height and even facial expressions – all in battle formation. 3 main pits displaying over 2,000 of the warriors are open for you to view.
After lunch in a local village visit one of the best-preserved old residences in Xi’an dating back 400 years. The courtyard was home to seven generations of the Gao family – notable officials of the royal court. Get a taste of the traditional local lifestyle through period furniture, pottery, porcelain, and paintings.
Later, in Xi’an city, wander around the Muslim Quarter with its narrow streets lined with small shops, markets and restaurants.

Accommodation:
• Manxin Hotel Bell Tower or similar ( 2 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we will board the train to Lhasa. The Qinghai-Tibet railway (Xining to Lhasa) is one of China’s greatest engineering feats. It is the highest railway in the world, crossing the high altitude Changtang Plateau – the highest pass is 5069m.
From Xi’an the route travels northeast to Xining, then west to Golmud before turning south to Lhasa. The whole trip from Xi’an takes about 31 hours.

Accommodation:
• Overnight on train Xi’an-Lhasa (1 night)
Meals Included:
•Breakfast

Wake to find yourself well inside Tibet as you travel across the Tibetan Plateau. The passes may be covered by snow at any time of year and in summer the lakes are surrounded by vast grasslands.
On arrival at Lhasa station, on the outskirts of the city, you are warmly welcomed with a pure white katak (prayer scarf). There will be time to relax and adjust to the altitude before a late afternoon orientation walk.

Accommodation:
• Shang Bala Hotel or similar (3 nights)
Meals Included:
• Dinner

Start the day with a visit to the Jokhang; the spiritual heart and most sacred temple of Tibet which always attracts a steady stream of pilgrims. Spend some time exploring this large World-Heritage listed site and learn of its rich history. According to legend, the temple was built over a lake after many failed attempts to build monasteries in other nearby locations. Feast your eyes on the golden Buddha which stands in the center. After the visit join the pilgrims walking around the Barkhor Street (in a clockwise direction) considered a sacred kora by Tibetans.
Then, in the late afternoon, we will visit the great university monastery of Sera where you will witness lively philosophical debating (except Sundays).

Accommodation:
• Shang Bala Hotel or similar (3 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

One of the most iconic structures ever built; the Potala Palace was the seat of government and winter residence of the successive Dalai Lamas. A visit is an awe-inspiring experience. Perched 130meters above the city, it is divided into two parts, the White Palace (secular) and the Red Palace (religious - home to chapels, shrines, and tombs of Dalai Lamas). Although you must stick with your guide whilst exploring, this in no way lessens the impact of seeing what is a true architectural wonder.
Free afternoon to explore the city.

Accommodation:
• Shang Bala Hotel or similar (3 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Today we will drive to Gyantse and there will be many photo stops as this is a spectacular route. From the top of the Khamba-la (4750m) the views of the beautiful turquoise lake, Yamdrok Tso, are superb. Descent to skirt the lake before climbing again to the Karo-la (5045m) for a close-up view of NojinGangzang glacier.
Arriving in Gyantse take a walk around to explore the town and hike up to the Dzong (fort) from where you will have fantastic views of the town and surrounding countryside.

Accommodation:
• Gyantse Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Pelkhor Choede Monastery was founded by the King of Gyantse in the C15th. It does not belong to a specific tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and whilst much reduced from its original size it remains a very active center. Within the complex stands Gyantse Kumbum (meaning 100,000 images), it is an eight-story structure containing a seemingly endless series of tiny chapels full of Buddhist images – Buddhas, demons, protectors, and saints.
A short drive through small villages to Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city. Upon arrival, we will first visit the Tashilumpo Monastery, home to the Panchen Lamas. Tour the buildings, each with their own intricate decorations, legends and religious imagery. After that, you can opt to do a “kora” around the monastery or visit the local market.
Accommodation:

Accommodation:
• Tangka Hotel Shigatse or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

It is about 3 hours to the Tibetan town of Sakya; site of Sakya Gompa and birthplace of the Sakya-pa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and very distinctive in its colouring. It is also known as the “second Dunhuang,” for its huge collection of over 40,000 volumes of sacred Buddhist scripts, and just one single, long bookshelf holds around 10,000 ancient scriptures.
After the guided monastery tour take an optional hike up the hillside to visit a small nunnery.
Then we will continue on to Lhatse and overnight in this small town.

Accommodation:
• Vienna Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Lunch

It is about 4.5 hours drive to Saga. The surrounding grasslands support a wealth of bird life as well as rarer Tibetan antelope, wild Yak … Roads in Tibet are under continual development and are quite different from what you might expect. Virtually all roads you will travel are paved, but there can be delays due to road works (the climactic extremes make maintenance ongoing).
Arrive early in the afternoon to the typical Chinese and Tibetan town of Saga (4640m). Saga is an important stop-off point on the way to Mount Kailash and is always busy with pilgrims and tourists.

Accommodation:
• Saga Yalong Zangbu Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Lunch

Another travel day across the vast highland plain toward Darchen, our base for the kora trek. All day the views are of the great Himalayan range to the south and, to the north, the vast dry Changtang Plateau (which turns briefly and stunningly green with the summer monsoon) and which is home to nomads whose lifestyle remains almost unchanged by the centuries. In the afternoon you will be rewarded with the first spectacular views of Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.
Arrive at Manasarovar Lake, one of the holiest lakes in the world, in the late afternoon. Sacred to Buddhist, Bonpo, Hindu and Jain; every year it receives thousands of pilgrims from all corners of Tibet and India. From the lake several prominent peaks are visible, including Gurla Mandata (7694m). We will continue to drive to Darchen (4675m), a small town and the starting point of the Mt Kailash kora.

Accommodation:
• Chengbao Hotel Darchen or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, take the shuttle bus from Darchen to Sarshung Valley where we will we start our trek. Walk the path with pilgrims who have saved money their whole lives for this moment. After 4 hours we reach Tamdin (4780m) where nomad tents serve a simple lunch and boiled water. From here it is only 4km to Dirakpuk monastery, but this stretch has the some of the best scenery of the entire kora. Dirakpuk (5210m), located on the north side of the Lha-chu River facing the north face of Mt. Kailash was rebuilt in 1985. The name of Dirakpuk originates from the word Dira which means female yak horn and Puk a cave. Legend says a female yak opened the cave. We will visit Drirapuk and stay overnight in a basic local guesthouse.

Accommodation:
• Dirapuk Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

Today is the most challenging part of the kora as we cross the Drolma-la (5630m). Although not too long or steep an ascent, it feels very tough due to the altitude. Climbing to the Drolma-la the many pilgrims on the kora will undergo a symbolic death until they reach the pass and are symbolically reborn. One of the most difficult sections of the Drolma-la is the very steep descent once you have crossed the pass – take care! Finally reaching the valley floor we rest and have lunch at Shabjay Dakpo nomad tent. It is then a long, but flat, hike down the valley to Zutrul Phuk monastery where we overnight in the local guest house.

Accommodation:
• Zutrul Puk Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

Today is an easy walk back to Darchen to complete the Kailash kora. From Zutrul Puk follow the ever- widening valley alongside lines of mani walls and prayer flags. After reaching Darchen make the short drive back to Lake Manasarovar where you will overnight at a guest house near the lake.

Accommodation:
• Guesthouse Manasarovar ( 1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

Retrace the outward drive back to Saga for the night.

Accommodation:
• Saga Yalong Zangbu Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

From Saga turn south across the grasslands surrounding lake Paiku-tso. Crossing the Friendship Highway it is a steep climb to Rombuk; a day of stunning scenery. The world’s highest monastery, at 5000m, was first built in 1902 by a Nyingma Lama and originally housed more than 500 monks. Today, only about 50 monks and nuns remain, sharing a prayer hall, but maintaining separate residences. The nuns here are great fun and will be delighted to have you join their evening prayers. From here the view is directly up the valley to Base Camp and Qomolangma/Mount Everest (8849m).

Accommodation:
• Rombuk guesthouse ( 1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

Today is another long days’ drive of 350km. It will take 6-7 hours to get to Kyirong where we spend the night before crossing the border to Nepal.

Accommodation:
• Kyirong Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning after breakfast, we will cross the border from China to Nepal. This can be a slow process, especially the Nepal side.
Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. It is a long day’s drive to Kathmandu, much of the road in very bad condition. Explore this alluring city on a walking tour with your local leader. Check out the Newari architecture at Durbar Square, the vast plaza opposite the old Royal Palaces if time permit.

Accommodation:
• Mulberry Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

There are no activities planned for today and you can depart at any time.

Meals Included:
Breakfast