Day 01 Tue: Arrival in Kunming

Upon arrival in Kunming airport, we are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. If travel fatigue or jet lag is not an issue, today we will visit the Golden Horse and Phoenix Archway-the landmark of Kunming, located at the corner of Sanshi Road and Jinbi road. After that, we will take a leisurely stroll along the Green Lake, a charming area of tea houses and small boutiques selling handicrafts and beautiful local paintings. Accommodation in Grand Park Hotel 5* or similar.

Day 02 Wed: Stone Forest Yi Minority Village and Flower and Birds Market Sightseeing (B)

After breakfast in the hotel, we embark on the tour of Kunming city which once served as the gateway to the celebrated Silk Road that facilitated trade with Tibet, Sichuan, Myanmar and India. Kunming enjoys a pleasant climate and does its best to live up to its title of 'the City of Eternal Spring'.
Today, we visit Stone Forest which is a must see sight when you visit Kunming. Located 53 miles (86km) from the city, Stone Forest is an open art gallery of stone sculpture in nature that has been formed due to process of weathering and erosion over millions of years. Some look like sheets or pillars, others resemble swords raised towards the sky while others, standing pairs, some resembling with animals or plants or even humans. On the way, we visit the village of Sani tribes, a branch of Yi minority renowned for handicrafts, embroidery and folk dancing.
At the end of day, we visit Flower and Bird Market located in the Yongdao Street of downtown Kunming. It was originally the site for selling flowers, birds, pets, insects and goldfish but as business prospered and it attracted more and more visitors and tourists, then it gradually developed into an enchanting shopping and sightseeing center with true flavor.
In the evening, you can enjoy typical Yunnan Cuisine with local performance in tourist restaurant.Accommodation in Grand Park Hotel 5* or similar.

Day 03 Thu: Flight to Dali (B)

We'll take 40 minutes long morning flight to Dali. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, Dali was the capital of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, the political, economic and cultural center of Yunnan, an important gateway of cultural exchange and trading with southeastern Asian countries, and an important pass of the ancient Silk Route of the South.
Today, we will take boating trip in Erhai Lake and visit Jinsuo Island. We will visit the Three-pagoda in Chongsheng Temple, which is a typical historical symbol of Yunnan. It is also one of the oldest sublime architecture in South China. In the afternoon, we will visit the Ancient Dali Town and its ‘Foreigner’s Street’. The street is vibrant with handicraft and food stalls line up either side of the street and a popular place for tourists.Accommodation in Regent Hotel 5* or similar

Day 04 Fri: Drive to Lijiang (B)

This morning, we visit the legendary Butterfly Spring, located about 17 miles from the city. Over the spring pool stands an ancient decumbent tree which attracts thousands of butterflies when it blossoms in Spring. From here, we head to Zhoucheng to see tie-dying arts of Bai minorities which has history of more than 1000 years in China.We will visit Xizhou Town and appreciate Bai-style architecture, taste their fragrant three-course tea and explore their distinct culture.We will also visit Yan’s Compound of Bai Minority in Xizhou. Yan's compound is made up of five courtyards with beautifully and delicately designed doors, windows and walls. The doors and windows are engraved with the figures of birds and flowers, demonstrating the superb skills of Bai minorities. In Xizhou, we will witness life styles of the local people, try their food unique "Three Courses of Tea".
Early afternoon, we set out for Lijiang which is about 3 hrs journey (112 miles, 180 km) from Dali. Upon arrival, we check in our hotel. After some rest, we will take stroll in the colorful ancient Lijiang town. Accommodation in Treasure Harbour International Hotel 5* or similar

Day 05 Sat: Lijiang sightseeing. (B)

After breakfast, we embark on tour of Lijiang-A place blessed with fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snow mountains and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by a friendly Naxi people. Lijiang’s old town and Yulong Xueshan (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) dominates Lijiang’s sightseeing. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is landmark of Lijiang and is a scenic destination with glaciers, alpine valleys and jagged peaks On the southern foot of the mountain lies Yufeng Temple, one of the five important Tibetan monasteries of Lijiang which has a 500 year old Camellia tree in its courtyard. We drive to Baisha Township to see the famous frescoes and murals that provide a fascinating insight into Tibetan Buddhism, Han Buddhism and Taoism. In the afternoon, we visit the old town of Lijiang dominated by Naxi culture. This 800 years old town has cobblestone streets with twist and turn, with traditional Naxi houses, shops and lovely streams bubbling beside every lane. At the heart is Market Square, a great place to witness daily life unfolding as women gather to trade by day and socialize by night. Plenty of great eating, shopping and photo opportunities wait at every turn. We will also take stroll in Black Dragon Pond Park with nice gushing waters and a beautiful lake with artistic pavilions. In the evening, we enjoy the ancient Naxi Music show .
Accommodation in Treasure Harbour International Hotel 5* or similar

Day 06 Sun: Lijiang to Zhongdian (B)

Today, we will drive to Zhongdian (138 miles, 3-4 hrs), known as Shangrila for its natural beauty. On the way, we will visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge that extends for 15 kilometers from the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang to the Haba Xueshan Mountain in Zhongdian. The Gorge with a drop of 9,840 ft (3,000m) is believed to be the world’s deepest canyon.
Upon arrival in Zhongdian, we check in hotel and after a brief rest, we set out to Ganden Sumtseling Monastery - an impressive structure that is situated atop a hill, a few miles north of town. This is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunan. Later in the day, we stroll in the township of Zhongdian. Accommodation in Shangri-La Paradise Hotel, 5 *

Day 07 Mon: Flight to Gongar airport of Lhasa.(B)

After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for flight to Lhasa. It’s little less than 2 hrs flights. Upon arrival, we meet our local crews and we drive to Tsedang (75 miles, 120km). Tsedang is the gateway town to the ancient Yarlung Kingdom of Tibet. Upon arrival, we check in hotel and take rest for the day for acclimatization.Accommodation in Tsedang Hotel 4*

Day 08 Tue: Sightseeing at Tsedang (B)

After breakfast, we embark on the tour Tsedang’s main attractions. We start from Tradruk Temple (4 miles) -one of the earliest Buddhist Temples of Tibet. It is said that King Songtsan Gampo established the temple to suppress the ogress in order to prosper his kingdom, and later it became the winter palace of the King and Princess Wencheng in Tsedang. From here, we continue further 4 miles south to Yambulhakang Palace that towers at the summit of Mt. Tashitseri, on the east bank of Yarlung River. This is the first palace as well as one of the earliest constructions in Tibet; therefore you could have a bird's eye view of the whole beautiful Yarlung Valley. In the afternoon, we drive to Chongye Valley to see the tombs of ancient Tibetan Kings.
In the mid afternoon, we return drive to Tsedang and spend the rest of the day exploring the Tibetan part of the town. Accommodation in Tsedang Hotel 4*

Day 09 Wed: Drive to Gyantse (B)

Today, we have a long day (7 hrs) . We leave hotel after an early morning breakfast. About 20 miles from Tsedang, we stop and take ferry ride across Yarlungdzangbo River and visit Samye Monastery. Samye was the first Tibetan Buddhist Monastery of Tibet, built in the 8th century. Samye is famous for its sacred mandala design: the central temple symbolizes the legendary Mount Meru, center of the universe. We backtrack to meet our transport and continue the journey. As we join the main highway near Tsangpo Bridge, the road gradually climbs to Kamba La (15, 700ft) that offers spectacular views of the Himalayas and also Yamdrok Tso Lake several hundred feet below. Yamdrok Tso Lake is one of the four holliest lakes of Tibet and has turquoise green water. We follow the shores of the lake for more than 40 miles before the road climbs to Karo La (16,500ft), once again offering breathtaking views of the mountain and vast Tibetan plateau. We arrive Gyantse town late afternoon. We check in hotel and take rest for the day. Accommodation in Gyantse Hotel 3* or similar

Day 10 Thu: Gyantse-Shigatse (12,785ft, 57miles, 2 ½ hrs) (B )

After breakfast, we will visit the Pelkor Chode and Kumbum Monastery-the main highlights of Gyantse City. Kumbum Stupa is the landmark of Gyantse and can be spotted from a long distance. If you have confidence on your knee, you may also attempt hiking the historical fortress of Gyantse. View from the fortress over to the city just superb. From Gyantse, its less than 2 hrs drive to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet. About 13 miles (20 km) before Shigatse, we take 4 km side trip of Shalu Monastery-the first of the major monasteries to be built by noble families of the Tsang Dynasty during Tibet's great revival of Buddhism, and was an important center of the Sakya tradition. Upon arrival in Shigatse, we check in hotel and later take a relaxing walk through the Shigatse's Flea market which is a nice place for Tibetan souvenir bargain. Accommodation in Shigatse Manasarovara Hotel 3*.

Day 11 Fri: Shigatse-Lhasa (186miles, 7 hrs) (B)

After breakfast, we check out hotel and visit the famous Tashilunbo Monastery before we hit the highway for journey back to Lhasa. Tashilunbo Monastery is the principal seat of Panchen Lama-the second most venerated religious leader of Tibet after the Dalai Lama. Tashilunbo is one of the 6 major Gelugpa Monasteries of Tibet. For the return journey, we take the southern friendship highway that follows the bank along the Yarlung Tsambo River. The road is rough and rehabilitation work is going on. If time permits and if you are not already templed out, we will stop by Yundrungling Monastery in Tradruk. Upon arrival in Lhasa, we check in hotel and take rest for the day. Accommodation in Shangbhala or Gangyan Hotel 3* or similar.

Day 12 Sat: At Lhasa (B)

After breakfast, we set out to explore the highlights of Lhasa. Lhasa is considered the heart and soul of Tibet. Today, we visit Potala Palace which is the landmark of Lhasa which can be spotted from far away. Potala Palace was the residence of Dalai Lama and served as the power center of Tibet until Dalai Lama’s departure from Tibet. From Potala, we head to Sera Monastery-the last of the three Yellow Sect monasteries to be built in Lhasa. If you are hiking enthusiasts, it’s worth hiking on the pilgrims circumambulating path. In the afternoon, we take chance to attend monks debating session. Later in the day, we visit Norbulinkha- the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. Accommodation in Shangbhala or Gangyan Hotel 3* or similar.

Day 13 Sun: At Lhasa (B)

Today, we will visit Drepung Monastery-the largest, richest and the most powerful of the three major Yellow Sect monasteries of Tibet. Drepung commanded the administration of Tibet before establishment of Potala Palace. Afternoon, we visit the ancient Jorkhang Temple in the old Tibetan quarter of Lhasa and the Barkhor Street that forms the pilgrim circuit around the Jorkhang Temple.Accommodation in Shangbhala or Gangyan Hotel 3* or similar.

Day 14 Mon: Lhasa-departure (B)

After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport (1 hr) for flight to our next destination.