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June 16 - July 04, 2019
19 Days
Tour Status - Available
Tibet, on the lofty Tibetan Plateau on the northern side of the Himalayas, is an autonomous region of China. It's nicknamed the “Roof of the World” for its towering peaks. It shares Mt. Everest with Nepal. Its capital, Lhasa, is site of hilltop Potala Palace, once the Dalai Lama’s winter home, and Jokhang Temple.
The time is ripe to get back to Nepal’s mighty mountains; wherever you go, you’ll receive a warm welcome, as your visit brings much-needed income to communities getting back on their feet,” Lonely Planet writes.
Join this tour of Tibet & Nepal - an area of the world that will give you a look at very different cultural and people.
This tour is operated by one of our Travel Partners {VAGA}. Contact Us to book airfare separately.
Tour Highlights
Itinerary
DAY 1 - Sun 16 Jun 2019: FLY TO CHENGDU* (D)
Arrive Chengdu, China. On arrival be met by your guide and transferred to the hotel. Chengdu is centrally located in the western Sichuan Plain, renowned for its fertile land and agricultural wealth as well as its popular and tasty cuisine. There is something for everyone in this city that Marco Polo described as China’s Paris and you will find it both traditional and modern. Buddhist and Taoist Temples are full of heavy incense with chanting monks and vendors hawking everything from pirated software to chicken feet. People are everywhere as life happens on the streets, in the markets, alleyways, restaurants and roadside shops. Overnight: Chengdu
*Airfare into Chengdu, China, is at an additional cost.
DAY 2 - Mon 17 Jun 2019: CHENGDU (B/L/D)
This morning drive to visit to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base – the best place to see pandas in China. Then drive to the Dujiangyan Irrigation Project which is over 2000 years old and now irrigates over 3 million hectares. It began in the 3rd century BC by the engineer Li Bing to divert the fast flowing Min River – the Yangtze’s biggest tributary – into irrigation canals. Before the advent of steel or explosives, thousands of laborers cut canals (using fire) through the mountains to irrigate the Chengdu Plains. Li Bing’s most brilliant idea was an annual maintenance system to remove silt build up – a system which has stood the test of time. Overnight: As Above
DAY 3 - Tue 18 Jun 2019: CHENGDU – XINING (B/L/D)
This morning fly to Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, situated on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau at 2200m (7,216 ft.) and retains little trace of the old walled town that once was the main tea and horse trading post between Tang in China and Tubo Kingdom in Tibet and the entrance to the Tibetan grassland. A good place for you to acclimatize your body to high altitude in coming days. Historically the city has been considered as very important as the first Dalai Lama’s teacher was born in the Kumbum monastery in 1357 which is only 30 km away from the city and the present Dalai Lama’s birth place is 60 km to the southeast of the city. The population in this small city today is Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian, Muslim and Tu people. The province is known as “China’s Water Tower”, because three famous rivers Yangtze, Yellow and Mekong Rivers start from here. On arrival Xining airport, meet the guide and driver, and travel to Chengnan District where we visit the largest company in Yak meat products of the province, and one of the top brands of the nation. See their production lines and meet their manager before checking in to the hotel. Overnight: Xining
SMALL GROUP TOUR. MAXIMUM 16 PEOPLE
DAY 4 - Wed 19 Jun 2019: XINING – KOKONOR – XINING (B/L/D)
Drive 150km to Kokonor Lake, the biggest inland saltwater lake in China covering an area of 4581 square km. Well
known for thousands of years among nomadic people as being one of the best grazing area in China, stopping
enroute to marvel at the lake views. Drive to its southern bank to visit the pasture land and nomadic people before
returning to the hotel. Overnight: As Above
DAY 5 Thu 20 Jun XINING – LABRANG (B/L/D)
After breakfast travel to Labrang through rolling grassland and visit the pasture and nomadic clan of Gyritse, to see
their daily Tibetan way of life and talk with herdsman to learn about the grazing of yak and sheep. The area is also
famous among Tibetans for producing the best lamb which we will try during our lunch in the grassland. Afterwards
continue to Labrang for our two night stop. Overnight: Labrang
DAY 6 - Fri 21 Jun 2019: LABRANG (B/L/D)
Labrang is the central area of Tibetan religion and nomadic culture in East Tibetan grassland. Here visit a yak dairy
where their business includes dairy products, beverage production, processing and sales. Drive the short distance
to Yak Ranch in the mountains to see yak milking and cheese production with lunch included at the ranch.
Afterwards return to Labrang. Overnight: As Above
DAY 7 & 8 - Sat 22 & Sun 23 Jun 2019: LABRANG – XINING – TRAIN TO LHASA (B/L/D)
After breakfast drive back to Xining and after lunch visit the Tibetan Medical Museum to see the medical
achievements made from those monasteries for thousands of years which are still used nowadays. Late afternoon
departure on the train from Xining to Lhasa (sharing 1st Class 4-berth sleeper train compartments to sleep
overnight). On the train journey the next morning enjoy the highland scenery along the world’s highest Qinghai-
Tibet Railway to see the vast Gobi Desert with its huge, wild and, dry plantless iron-colored mountains with clean
rivers and lakes looking like mirrors. Nestled on the lush tundra are countless different tiny highland flowers. See
beautiful grasslands rimmed by snow-covered mountains, sprinkled with herds of yak and sheep grazing. The
highest point will be Tanggula mountain pass (Alt: 5200 m. =17,056 ft), where the Yangtze River originates.
Continue to Lhasa (Alt: 3650m=11975ft) and on arrival be met and transferred to the hotel. Overnight: Lhasa
DAY 9 - Mon 24 Jun 2019: LHASA SIGHTSEEING (B/L/D)
Today visit the highest palace in the world, Potala Palace, which is the Dalai Lama's winter palace. It is located on
the red hill, a good viewing point in Lhasa. This afternoon visit the renowned Jokhang Temple, built in 647, which
is the earliest wood and masonry structure still existing in Tibet, providing one of the first sights of devout Tibetans.
In the temple see the glistening Sakyamuni statue which is considered as Tibetan Buddhism's rarity and holds Tibet’s
holiest shrine. Afterwards stroll through bustling Barkhor Street around Jokhang, a large free market with its prolific
stalls for selling local specialties. Afterwards drive approximately 40 km to visit a green house to see vegetables
growing on the plateau and talk with the local famers. Overnight: As Above
DAY 10 Tue 25 Jun LHASA – GYANGTSE (B/L/D)
Today continue the journey further to the west and enroute appreciate the holy Lake of Yamdrok Yumtso and enjoy
fantastic scenery along the world’s highest road to the historical city Gyantse (Alt: 4010m=13156ft ). Along the way
see the Karola Glacier and visit Pelkhor monastery to see the famous Kumbum Pagoda. Time permitting enroute
to Gyantse visit villages to see local Tibetan farmers reaping harvest. Overnight: Gyangtse
DAY 11 - Wed 26 Jun 2019: GYANGTSE – SHIGATSE – LHASA (B/L/D)
Today travel to Shigatse and enroute visit a local family and their harvest. The valley from Gyangtse to Shigatse is
called Nyangchu and its biggest granary in Tibet. Enjoy lunch in Shigatse before driving back to Lhasa along the
Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River. Overnight: Lhasa
DAY 12 - Thu 27 Jun 2019: LHASA – FLY TO KATHMANDU (B/L)
After a leisurely breakfast transfer to the airport to check in for your flight to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
Upon arrival be met by your guide and transfer to the hotel where you will be briefed on your trip and check in. The
remainder of the day will be at your leisure or a perhaps do an optional city tour. Overnight: Kathmandu
DAY 13 - Fri 28 Jun 2019: KATHMANDU – FARM VISIT (B/L/D)
Today we will visit a cattle farm. In Nepal there is no industry as such for large scale cattle farms therefore they are
moderate in size and usually family run. On arrival spend time interacting with the farmer and after question and
answer time head to a nearby resort for lunch then travel back to Kathmandu. Overnight: As Above
DAY 14 - Sat 29 Jun 2019: KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING (B/L/D)
Today visit Swayambhu, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Thamel. Swayambhu is the monastery on top a hill, west
of Kathmandu city. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are many monkeys living in the north-west
parts of the temple. This is a very holy site for the Buddhists and you can get a feeling of spiritualism and calmness
with the colourful prayer flags fluttering in the winds. The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety
of shrines & temples, some dating back to 5th century. Kathmandu Durbar Square, second oldest city of the valley
called Basantapur, is also known as Hanuman Dhoka. Lying at the heart of the city, Basantapur square is also the
ancient seat of the Nepalese Royalty. H anuman Dhoka Palace Complex consists of a huge Royal Square imposing a
tremendous variety of temples dedicated to different Hindu gods and goddess. Most of the buildings here date
from 15th to 18th century and the entire Palace Complex here is named after a monkey god called Hanuman. You
will see a huge stone statue of Hanuman painted red next to the main entrance of the palace. Continue through
the old town of Ason and see the old market and where the locals buy vegetables continue on to Thamel, the
touristic hub of the valley and end the day at one of the many restaurants for a fantastic dinner.
Overnight: As Above
DAY 15 - Sun 30 Jun 2019: KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING (B/L/D)
This morning visit Pashupatinath temple built around the first century and is the "Mecca" for the Hindus especially
during a festival called the Shiva Ratri (Shiva's night), where more than a million people gather in this temple to get
the blessing from Lord Shiva, the god of destruction. The Bagmati river flows along the temple and is also a holy
river going all the way to the "Ganges". Every Hindu wishes to be cremated by the Bagmati river hence you will see
at least one cremation on any given day. Bhaktapur is the third largest city in the Kathmandu valley and was once
the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom from the 12th to the 15th century. Bhaktapur is famous for its
traditional art and architecture, pottery and weaving industries, rich local customs and culture. Here see the
colourful open markets, women making clay-pots, weaving, and sun-drying crops & vegetable products.
Overnight: As Above
DAY 16 - Mon 01 Jul 2019: KATHMANDU – DRIVE TO CHITWAN (B/L/D)
An early breakfast this morning and travel to Chitwan. Upon arrival enjoy lunch followed by the jungle activities as
per the schedule of the day at the resort in Chitwan. A briefing will be done by one of the naturalists who will meet
you at the resort. Overnight: Chitwan
DAY 17 - Tue 02 Jul 2019: CHITWAN VISITS (B/L/D)
Today visit the Elephant breeding centre in Sauraha to see the elephants with their babies. This centre was
established to try to increase the population of the Asian elephant in the region through breeding. Continue
towards the crocodile farm through the jungle on jeep ride. The crocodile hatching farm is located at Kasara in
Chitwan National Park with the focus being conservation of endangered Gangetic crocodiles known as Gharials or
Mugars. Eggs are hatched and babies raised before being released into surrounding rivers. Return to Kathmandu
later in the day. Overnight: As Above
DAY 18 - Wed 03 Jul 2019: CHITWAN – KATHMANDU (B/L/D)
After breakfast this morning travel back to Kathmandu, having lunch in a restaurant enroute. The remainder of the
day is at leisure to rest or explore on your own. Overnight: Kathmandu
DAY 19 - Thu 04 Jul 2019: KATHMANDU – END OF TOUR* (B)
After breakfast the day is free at leisure. Perhaps take an optional scenic flight over Mt Everest (weather
permitting) for a cost of approx. CAD $365.00 per person. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like
to do the scenic flight to confirm a seat. Late afternoon, tour comes to an end.
*Airfare from Kathmandu, Nepal, is at an additional cost.
