Day 01: Arrival in Beijing

Upon arrival in Beijing airport, we meet our local guide and transfer to hotel. Today, we have free time to cope with travel fatigue and jet lag. Overnight hotel.

Day 02: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace

After breakfast, we embark on the tour of Beijing. We start from Tiananmen Square-most probably the largest city center square in the world, with its plentitude of monuments testifying to the communist China, and more specifically, Mao’s influence on China’s modern history. From Tiananmen Square, we will head to the Forbidden City where 24 emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties lived in and conducted state of affairs from for a total of 491 years. It takes about 2 hours to visit the Forbidden city along the central axis from south to the north. Then, we drive to Temple of Heaven that covers an area of 273 hectares, which is 3 times larger than the Forbidden City and the largest largest heaven-worshipping architecture in the world. On the way to Temple of Heaven, we will take chance to visit the Chinese traditional medicine culture. We will have about 45 minutes to 1 hour lunch break and then we visit the pearl market. Then, we drive to Summer Palace-the largest
and most beautiful Chinese imperial garden. It is regarded as a museum of gardens in China, expressing Chinese imperial spirit excellently. Overnight hotel.

Day 03 Huanghuacheng Great Wall excursion.

We leave hotel around 8 am in the morning for the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall of China, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Huanghua section of Great wall is not overcrowded as other sections and this section of the wall still stands in wild as it did hundreds of years ago. The place is just full of natural overwhelming beauty. The Wall is overgrown with prickly bushes and plants which made it more charming. If you have some hiking experience, you can even climb the crumbling old watch towers. Looking down at the frozen rivers below nestled between the towering mountains are simply stunning and an amazing experience.
We return to hotel late afternoon and you have free time to pursue your own interests. Overnight hotel.

Day 04 Flight Beijing to Lhasa.

After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for flight to Lhasa-the capital city of Tibet. We meet our local Tibetan guide and we are transferred to our hotel in the city (75km/47 miles, 1 hr). About 17km (11 miles) before Lhasa, we stop to see a small but a significant monastery of Drolma Lakhang, associated with Bengali scholar-Atisha, known as Jowo Je by Tibetans. The temple is full of ancient relics and hidden treasures. 6 km from Drolma Lakhang, we stop briefly to see the rock engraving of Medicien Buddha at the base of a cliff. We check in hotel and take rest for the day to cope with altitude sickness. Overnight mid range Dekang or Gyangyen Hotel.

Day 05 At Lhasa, Potala Palace, Norbulingkha Palae, Jorkhang Temple and Barkhor Street.

Today, we have a full day to explore the highlights of Lhasa. We begin the day from Dalai Lama’s Potala Palace-the principal attraction of Lhasa, which was residence and power center of Tibet until Dalai Lama’s departure from Tibet in 1959. From here, we head to Norbulinkha Gardens to see the summer palaces of the Dalai Lama. Of all the palaces, current Dalai Lama, the 14th’s palace is the major attraction. We visit his private chambers and audience hall. In the afternoon, we head to Barkhor and we will have a lunch break there. After lunch, we visit the ancient Jorkhang Temple, built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo to house the image of Buddha brought to Tibet as part of dowry of his Nepali wife Bhrikuti. After that, we will take a stroll in the pilgrimage path of Barkhor that surrounds the Jorkhang Temple. Barkhor area is truly Tibetan, with Tibetan shops lining up on the either sides of the street and that the streets packed with Tibetan devotees with their prayer wheels spinning or beads counting with utterance of sacred mantra and some in prostration. Accommodation in Gyangyen or Dekhang Hotel

Day 06 At Lhasa, Drepung Monastery, Nechung Monastery, Sera Kora and Pabonka Monastery

In the morning, we drive about 5 miles to 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. At Drepung, we visit the Ganden Palace, the main Assembly Hall and some of the colleges of Buddhist studies. From Drepung, we descend to Nyechung Monastery which is 10 minutes walk downhill. It was the seat of state oracle until Dalai Lama’s departure in 1959.
From Drepung, we head to Sera Monastery-other major Gelugpa monasteries of Lhasa. If you are hiking enthusiast, one hour long Sera Kora (pilgrimage path around Sera Monastery) is worth. Along the trail, we will see the rock paintings and hermitages of Tsongkhapa(Founder of Gelugpa sect). After Sera kora, we enter the monastery and visit its main assembly hall and some of its several Buddhist colleges. We will also take chance to attend the monks debating session. We have also option of hiking to Pabonka Monastery, which takes about one hour from Sera. Pabonka is one of the most ancient Buddhist sites in the Lhasa region and unfrequented by tourists.
Overnight in Gyangyen or Dekhang Hotel.

Day 07 Drive Lhasa to Gyantse (13467ft, 176miles, 6 ½ hrs)

Today, we drive to Gyantse town which still maintains Tibetan characteristics. The journey involves crossing of two high passes Kamba La (15,700 ft) and Karo La (16,500ft) and the follows the bank of Yamdrok Tso Lake for more than 40 miles. Yamdrok Tso Lake is one of the four holiest lakes of Tibet and has turquoise green water. As we leave the lakeshore behind, the road climbs to Karo La (16,500ft), once again offering breathtaking views of the mountain and vast Tibetan plateau. We arrive at Gyantse town late afternoon. Gyantse, perhaps the only major town in Central Tibet which has been able to maintain its Tibetan characteristics. We check in hotel and take rest for the day. Overnight Gyantse Hotel (3*)

Day 08 Drive Gyantse to Shigatse (12,785ft, 57miles, 2 ½ hrs)

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 are a hiking enthusiast, you may also attempt hiking the historical fortress of Gyantse. View from the fortress over to the city is 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 bargain place for Tibetan souvenir. Accommodation in Shigatse Manasarovara Hotel.

Day 09 Drive Shigatse-Lhasa-Damxung (424km/265 miles, 7 ½ hrs)

After breakfast, we check out hotel. We 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 revered of the religious leaders of Tibet.For the return journey, we take the northern friendship highway that runs along the Yarlung Tsambo River. The road is rough and rehabilitation work may be going on. Just before we reach Lhasa, we take turn off at left and head towards Namtso Lake. Today, we stay overnight in Damxung, a roadside town on Qinghai-Tibet highway, about 66km (42 miles) before Lhasa. Accommodation in Pema hotel with private bathroom.

Day 10, Drive Damxung-Namtso Lake-Lhasa via Tshurpu Monastery.(388km, 243 miles, 6-7 hrs driving)

After breakfast, we leave for Namtso Lake ( 66km, 41 miles).We cross a high pass, Largen La ( 5150m, 16892 ft) As we continue the trip to Namtso Lake (98 miles), we will be overwhelmed by the beauty of Qiang grassland dotted with tents of local nomads and the views of Nyacheng Tanglha range. Namtso Lake is literally a heavenly lake, which is the second biggest salt lake in China as well as one of the highest lake in the world (15,573 ft).The lake is miraculous shade of turquoise and there are magnificent views of Nyenchen Tanghlha, with peaks more than 7000m(22,960ft), towering over to the lake. We will hike along the lakeshores and visit the cave retreats and in the mid afternoon, we drive back to Lhasa. If you are not already templed out, we can take a side trip of Tsurpu Monastery (50km/31 miles, roundtrip). Tsurpu is the principal seat of Karmapa branch of Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. We arrive hotel at Lhasa late afternoon. We check in hotel and take rest for the day.

Day 11-12, Train to Xian (Departs at 9 am)

We are transferred early morning to the train station for a train journey of a life time. Lhasa to Xinning (Qinghai) portion of the railway is the world’s highest railway and about 960km (600 miles) are laid at 4,000m (13,120ft) altitude with the highest part at 5,072m (16,636ft). Lhasa to Golmud section zigzags 1142km (714 miles) across the Kunlun and Tangula mountain ranges. We will enjoy the spectacular sceneries all along the way. We arrive Xian at 822 pm on the following day. We meet our local guide and we are transferred to our hotel.

Day 13 At Xian, visiting Terracotta Warriors, Banpo Neolithic Museum Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.

Following breakfast, we will drive to Xian’s greatest attractions, and one of the greatest sites in all of China, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum is the result of the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum.

Following our visit with the Terracotta Warriors, we’ll then step back to an even earlier time at the Banpo Neolithic Museum. Located in the eastern outskirts of Xi’an city, the Banpo Museum is the first prehistoric excavation site museum in China.

In the evening we will enjoy Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, a wonderful performance of the ancient music and dance, is a must when you visit Xian, The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show is an outstanding exponent of this ancient stable and prosperous society, keeping alive its splendid culture and providing an insight into the peaceful life style of the period.

Day 14: Xian-Departure

Transfer to the airport for flight to your next destination.