BEIJING TO KATMANDU OVERLAND

Tour operates: Mid March until October
No of days: 33 Cost From: 4110 USD
Route: Beijing/Xian/Yangtze river cruise/Guilin/Yangshuo/Kunming/Dali/Tiger leaping gorges hike/Lijiang/Chengdu/Lhasa/overland Everest base camp to Katmandu
Transport: Private busses, overnight soft sleeper trains, domestic economy flights
Tour starting point: Beijing

Note: if you do not wish to join this tour from Beijing, it is possible to join his tour in Guilin, Kunming or Chengdu…for more information please write to us.

Itinerary

Day 01: Beijing
Arrival in Beijing, China’s second-largest city and capital for 700 years. Here you will have the opportunity to visit sites that connect the illustrious past of imperial China with the modernizing present of the People’s Republic.
the rest of the day is free (D).

Day 02: Beijing
Beijing sightseeing, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven (BLD)

Day 03: Beijing Great wall
Full day at a remote section of the Great Wall. Optional hike (BLD)

Day 04: Beijing overnight train
Free morning before we catch overnight train to Xian (BLD)

Day 05: Xian
Morning arrival. Visit the fascinating Terracotta army. Free afternoon, optional bike ride on the city walls or visit the Great Mosque (BLD)
Xi'an or ancient Chang’an, the capital of 13 successive dynasties and the cradle of Chinese civilization. Chang’an was the starting point for the great trade caravans of the ancient Silk Road. Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built in 652 AD to honor the famous Buddhist monk Xuan Zang after his seventeen-year pilgrimage to India along the Silk Road.
The Terracotta army, The 6,000-figure life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors that guard the still-unopened burial mound of Qin Shi Huang, the emperor who unified China in 221 BC

Day 06 -08: Yichang Yangtze 3 Gorges
Transfer to the airport for flight to Yichang and board the boat for Yangtze cruise. We cruise for 3 nights upstream in the Yangtze River, passing through the spectacular Three Gorges. Along the way we stop for various excursions to places of interest (BLD).

Day 09-10-11 Chongqing-Guilin-Yangshuo
Disembark at Chongqing, catch flight to Guilin and a short bus ride to Yangshuo (BLD).

Day 12: Yangshuo
Morning bike ride through the amazing karst scenery. In evening, we watch the spectacular Liu Sanjie Light show (BLD).

Day 13: Yangshuo Li River Cruise
An early departure to Yangdi village. From here we take a private boat on the most scenic section of Li River to Xin Ping. After breakfast at Xin Ping, we head back to Yangshuo. Free afternoon to relax and explore the surrounding area or perhaps take a lesson in Tai Chi, calligraphy or Chinese cooking (BLD).

Day 14: Yangshuo Guilin- Kunming
Free morning, afternoon flight to Kunming (BLD)

Day 15 Kunming
We visit the Stone Forest in the morning followed by the Kunming People’s park (BLD)

Day 16 Kunming Dali
Transfer to the airport for flight a short flight to Dali (BLD)

Day 17 Dali
Visit the old Dali town. Optional cable ride to Tsang Shan mountain for a stunning view the of the area. Or take a horse ride to the mountain (BLD)

Day 18 -19 Tiger Leaping Gorges
Drive to Qiao Tao where we start our hike to the Tiger Leaping gorges. Hike through the middle gorges with a stunning view of the Jade dragon mountain ranges We spend one night at a friendliest Naxi Family guest house and another at Tina’s guest house (BLD)
(Note) our 1st day hike is an easy 2 hours hike. The second day is a moderate-difficult 7-8 hour hike.
If you prefer to skip the hike, our driver will take you directly to Tina’s guest house for a relaxing stay amongst the spectacular scenery.

Day 20 Lijiang
In the morning at Tiger Leaping Gorge, you can relax, hike further along the gorges or down to the Yangtze river. Later we drive to Lijiang. Free evening (BLD)
Day 21 Lijiang
Full free day to explore the UNESCO heritage site of Lijiang, home of the Naxi minority group. Wander past old wooden houses clustered in narrow lanes beside the picturesque Black Dragon Lake.(BLD)

Day 22 Lijiang-Chengdu
Free morning before we take a flight to Chengdu (BLD)

Day 23 Chengdu
A morning visit to the Giant Panda Research Base, on the way back we will stop at Wenshu temple. In the evening there is the chance to watch the entertaining Sichuan variety performance.

Day 24 Chengdu-Lhasa
In the morning, transfer to the airport for a spectecular flight over the Himalaya mountains to Lhasa. Upon arrival at the Gongga airport, take another 1.5-hour-drive to the city center (3650 m). On the way you will enjoy the spectacular scenery of Tibetan countryside dotted with typical Tibetan villages and local cruising in Yak-skin-boat on Yalung Tsangpo river. Free afternoon for rest and acclimatization. Overnight in Lhasa. (BLD)

Day 25 Lhasa
In the morning, visit Drepung monastery which was established in 1416 and is where the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided. In the afternoon, visit Sera monastery a historical important Buddhist seminary created in 1419. Roses are planted everywhere in this monastery and it is referred to as “the court of wild rose”. Today 200 lamas live there. Overnight in Lhasa (BLD)

Day 26 Lhasa
In the morning visit Potala. The Potala was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon, visit the Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties. Overnight in Lhasa (BLD)

Day 27 Lhasa – Gyantse
In the morning drive to Gyantse along the Kyichu River. On the Kamba La (4.796 m) there is a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in southern Tibet. On one of the peninsulas of the spear-shaped lake lies the holy Mt. Donang Sangwari (5,340m), and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7,191m) and Jangzang Lhomo rise in the distance. The lake and the Yarlung Tsangpo are separated by a mountain and the shortest distance between them is only 6 kilometers. The 800m-high difference contributes a rich water resource to this region. Many Tibetans believe that the life of Tibet will no longer continue when the lake dries up. Visit Samding Monastery by the lake. It was presided by the only female Living Buddha of Tibet. Afterwards Pass by the 5.010 m high Karo La and the Simi La to Gyantse (approx. 3.950 m). In the afternoon visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda), both erected in the 15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet where the old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameter and contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Overnight in Gyantse (BLD)

Day 28 Gyantse - Shigatse
In the morning, drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang. On the way, we have an excursion to the monastery Shalu (Xialu). It was initially built by Chetsuen Sherat Jungna in 1087 with a unique Tibetan-Han construction style. It was said Atisha once spread Buddhist teaching in this temple. In the afternoon visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Today 600 monks live in the monastery. Overnight in Shigatse (BLD)

Day 29 Shigatse – Shegar
In the morning drive to Shegar (new Tingri; 4.350 m; approx. 245 km). On the way, if time is permitting, make an excursion to visit the Sakya Monastery (4.280 m). Sakya, the master monastery of the Striped Sect, is well famed for its long history, large-scale construction complex and great influence in Tibet history. Its North Monastery was built in 1073 and named Sakya (meaning “grey” in Tibetan) as it was situated on a grey mountain. What we see today is the Sakya South Monastery built in 1269 by Phagpa. The outside walls of the monastery were painted with red, white and grey, symbolizing Avalokitesvara, Manjushri and Vajrapani. Overnight in Shegar (BLD)

Day 30 Shegar – Rongbuk
In the morning drive to Rongbuk. With an altitude of 5,030 meters it is the highest temple in the world. It was said the Rongbuk Monastery had been built as early as the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Mount Everest, which stands 8,848 meters (29,021 ft) above sea level, is often referred to as 'the third pole on earth'. Being the world's highest peak, its legendary status holds a fascination to many trekkers and mountaineers. In the afternoon we walk 7 km to the Everest Base Camp and do some sightseeing there. Walking or horse riding to Rongbuk. Overnight in Rongbuk (BLD)

Day 31 Rongbuk – Zhangmu
Today we must start early to drive the 320km through high altitude. We pass the 5,000 m high Nyalmo Tong La, which is decorated with multicolored prayer flags fluttering in the wind. With clear view the Shisha Pangma high over 8,000 m appears on one side and on the other side the enormous Gaurisankar ranges stretch forward in the distance. Drive over the Thang-La Pass (5214 m) to Nylam. Afterwards visit the meditation cave of Milarepa. Milarepa, the yogi, has played an important role in the religious life of Tibet and his teachings still influence the people everywhere. Along the zigzag road we drive down Nyalam (3.600 m) gradually and leave the landscape of the high plateau behind us and see the Himalayas covered in the sea of clouds. Overnight in Zhangmu (BLD)

Day 32 Zhangmu – Kathmandu
Cross the border between Tibet and Nepal to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. The city lies in the southern foot of the Himalaya Range. The geographic location and the people here are quite different from those of Tibetan cities, Overnight in Katmandu.

Day 33 Katmandu
Tour ends with airport transfer (B).

Guarantee departures: Every Monday
Minimum 2 people.

Tours Cost

No of Pax.	2-5	6-5	10-18	Single Supplement
Price in US Dollar per person	$6000	$5530	$4110	$700

TOUR COST INCLUDES
• All domestic transportation and transfers, train soft seat class, domestic flights mentioned in the itinerary.
• Twin sharing accommodation at hotel 3 star plus with en-suite private facilities except some remote areas in Tiger Leaping gorges and Tibet.
• Meals full board
• All the sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary and entrance fees
• English-speaking guides

TOUR COST EXCLUDES
• Visa Fees.
• Expenses in hotels such as laundry, telephone and room service, etc.
• Optional activities
• Meals not mention above
• Personal expanses
• Tips for Guides and drivers