China & Tibet holiday, tailormade
| country: | China, Tibet |
| departures: | This trip can be tailormade at a time to suit you from March to November |
| price: | From €950 - €1430 (12-14 days) excluding flights. Price depends on trip chosen and increases with fewer travellers (2-6 people). |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Explore some of the highlights of China, an ancient and complex land. Take a day trip to the Great Wall of China followed by a Beijing Duck dinner and explore the Forbidden City. Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors and indulge in a traditional dumpling banquet.
Tibet has one of the world's richest cultural and spiritual traditions; here men and gods inhabit the same landscape, both physical and mental. To travel across the incredible Tibetan Plateau is to venture into the realm of the gods, a world where colors are enhanced, and the atmosphere a constant reminder that you truly are on the "Roof of the World".
At the cultural heart of Tibet are the great monasteries, temples, forts and palaces of Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya and the Yarlung Valley. Be awestruck by the Potala and the Jokhang, explore the great monastic universities of Drepung and Sera and top it off with a traditional Tibetan buffet dinner and cultural show.
A spectacular drive over high passes leads to the historic trading center of Gyantse with its famous 'kumbum' and hill-top fort and on to the splendors of Tashilumpo's reliquary chorten. Join pilgrims on a kora around the spectacularly situated monastery at Ganden.
Tibet has one of the world's richest cultural and spiritual traditions; here men and gods inhabit the same landscape, both physical and mental. To travel across the incredible Tibetan Plateau is to venture into the realm of the gods, a world where colors are enhanced, and the atmosphere a constant reminder that you truly are on the "Roof of the World".
At the cultural heart of Tibet are the great monasteries, temples, forts and palaces of Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya and the Yarlung Valley. Be awestruck by the Potala and the Jokhang, explore the great monastic universities of Drepung and Sera and top it off with a traditional Tibetan buffet dinner and cultural show.
A spectacular drive over high passes leads to the historic trading center of Gyantse with its famous 'kumbum' and hill-top fort and on to the splendors of Tashilumpo's reliquary chorten. Join pilgrims on a kora around the spectacularly situated monastery at Ganden.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-3: | Beijing. Tiananmen Square, the elaborate grandeur of the Forbidden City and 2000 year old Great Wall are just a few of the attractions that Beijing has to offer. In the evening venture into the hutongs for a succulent Beijing Duck dinner. This courtyard restaurant is one of Beijing’s most traditional, the family has been preparing Beijing Kaoya for generations. |
| Day 4: | Xi'an. Capital of Chinese empires for more than 2000 years, Xi’an is a city of ancient treasures - the most magnificent and famous of which is the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang Di. The thousands of soldiers, crafted in intricate detail, stand in battle formation to guard the mausoleum of the emperor who ordered their creation. In the evening sample another of Xi’an’s famous specialties - a dumpling banquet. |
| Day 5-8: | Lhasa. Colorful and historic, the holy city of Lhasa lies in a small valley 3700 meters above sea level. Lhasa rose to importance over 1300 years ago as attempts were made to unify Tibet. During your time in the heart of Tibet, you will visit the Potala Palace, the Jokhang, the huge university monasteries of Drepung and Sera and the Barkhor pilgrim circuit. There is free time to explore other sights. Nearby are the Drepung and Sera monasteries, once home to over 15,000 monks. Afternoon debating sessions by monks from the college of philosophy are a must-see experience. Top it off with a Tibetan Buffet dinner including Chang (Tibetan Barley Beer), Yak Butter Tea, Yak Meat, Yak cheese, Momos and a variety of vegetable and other dishes. This is followed by a performance of Tibetan music and dance. |
| Day 9: | Overland to Gyantse. From the top of the Kamba Pass (4794m) the views of the turquoise lake, Yamdrok-Tso are unforgettable. The road winds down and along its shores before climbing again to the Karo La (5054) and the glaciers of Mt Nojin Kangtsang. Gyantse was once of major importance as a trading center on the routes between India, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet and China, its imposing fort, Gyantse Dzong, dominates views of the town. |
| Day 10: | Gyantse. Gyantse is also the site of the great 15th century monastic complex - Pelkor Choede which includes the fascinating Gyantse Kumbum. |
| Day 11: | Shigatse. Shigatse is site of Tashilhumpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama and one of the most important monasteries of the Gelukpa order. The enormous, elaborate reliquary chorten are an incredible sight. Here there is also the option to visit the local carpet factory where hand-woven carpets are produced using traditional designs. |
| Day 12: | Return to Lhasa. Return to Lhasa via the northern (Yangpachen) road, a much greener route than the southern one. For the last couple of hours to Lhasa the road follows the route of the new high-altitude rail line from Golmud, well on the way to completion. |
| Day 13-14: | Lhasa. Ganden Monastery is the seat of the head of the Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Almost completely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, it is slowly being rebuilt. Its position is a dramatic one, with fantastic views across the valley - join the pilgrims on the kora (circumambulation). Enjoy a last night in Lhasa before an early transfer to the airport for your return flight to Beijing or elsewhere in China. |
Note: | This trip is also available as a 12-day itinerary departing from Chengdu. |
Day 1-2: | Chengdu. Chengdu, the bustling capital of Sichuan Province is home to some of the best (and spiciest!) food in the world. It is also a city of temples, gardens and teahouses. An early morning visit to the Panda Breeding and Research Center allows you to see the magnificent Giant Pandas and Red Pandas at their most active; on the way back you can be dropped at the Wenshu Temple with its excellent vegetarian restaurant and extensive tea-houses filled with people chatting and playing cards and Mah-Jong - a taste of old China. In the evening there is the option to discover a little of Sichuan’s rich cultural heritage at a tea-house performance of opera, acrobatics, puppetry and ‘eating fire and changing faces’. |
| Day 3: | Fly to Lhasa. Rest of trip as above. |
travellers' tales
It was all so memorable and exciting it is impossible to choose. Just some of the things I will never forget were: doing the spectacular kora at Ganden, and tying our prayer flags on the mountain with our guides to wish for a better future for the people of Tibet (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
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During this trip we employ Tibetan drivers and interpreter/guide and stay in privately owned, Tibetan owned hotels unless clients request 4 or 5 star accommodation in Lhasa. We have a proper waste disposal policy and travellers are encouraged to refill water bottles. Responsible Tourism guidelines are districuted to all travellers, and plastic water bottles are returned to Lhasa for recycling.
During the trip, there is the option to visit and support Project for the Blind in Lhasa which commenced in 1998 with the opening of the first rehabilitation and training center for the blind in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Groups are encouraged to visit and make contributions both through interaction and financial. The main goal is the integration and acceptation of the blind in the Tibetan society, through the four major projects: Implementation of a preparatory school for blind children, production of educational materials for the blind, preparation of a reintegration program facilitating the return to local schools and home life, and realization of a vocational training which gives blind people an opportunity and skills to generate their own income. Travellers may also visit Dickey Orphanage, a privately run and financed orphanage established by a local Lhasa woman in her own home. They expect to expand to much needed larger premises soon as the result of a private donation. She is currently supporting 55 orphan and abandoned children of all ages. Visiting the orphanage and meeting the family and children is a heartwarming experience for all. Lastly, travellers may also support a local school project. Whilst remote schools are financially supported by the government access to learning materials is often restricted by access to cities to purchase supplies. In some villages, eg Samye, leaders have developed relations with schools and purchase materials (exercise books, pencils etc) in Lhasa for delivery to the school. This is administered on an order taken on one visit, materials delivered next visit basis to ensure schools receive exactly what they need (learning to write in 3 very different scripts means differently ruled exercise books for each). Groups are offered the option to contribute to or cover the cost of such purchases. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |